Join Ben & become a new
Recruit Thanks to Firefighter Geoff Bushnell, locals in the village of Mortimer are always kept up to date with what’s going on at their on-call Fire Station. Now in his 23rd year of service with the RFBS, Geoff continues to ensure that community links are maintained and that locals are furnished with valuable safety tips and advice. Regulars to the village Facebook page will also get the occasional glimpse of some of the ‘shouts’ they attend; including a house fire on New Years Eve between Thatcham and Newbury. Two years ago, the station had only 4 on-call members of crew. This meant that the station was only covered for 3% of the time. Roll forward, and after a successful recruitment campaign, they have recently welcomed their 14th crew
member, Ben Paton to the team. Ben, who lives in Burghfield Common, has been a full-time Firefighter at Blackbushe Airport for the last 2 years, is also a keen pilot and sportsman told us that he is very much looking forward to getting stuck in and serving the community he lives in. Welcome Ben! Having 14 on-call crew members now means that the station will be able to provide locals with 90-95% cover and they’re not done yet. They currently have vacancies for a further two members of crew, and are interested in applicants who are able to offer daytime cover. Normally, it’s a part-time role, so this would suit as a second job perfectly. As an on-call firefighter, you receive the same hourly rate and benefits as those employed full-time. Naturally full training is provided and the best bit? You are really doing something that makes a difference. If you are over 18, live or work within 7 minutes of Mortimer and would like to find out more, please email: Bushnell@rbfrs.co.uk
Bobie raises £1860 to grant wishes with the Queens!
It has been really exciting to watch the community spirit in Tadley build and build over the last few months. Although there are a team of kind-spirited individuals involved in the recent community events, there is one driving force behind it all and that is Bobie Jones. Bobie, mum of three and local health and wellbeing coach, organised a Halloween Trail in Tadley which ran for a week back in the autumn. She was so blown away by its success and by the feedback that she received, she decided to do a Christmas trail. She said,“From a wellbeing point of view, it supported the community and it was lovely to have something to look forward to. Because it boosted everybody’s wellbeing, I thought I can’t not now continue that to Christmas.”
Christmas image www.tonyhackettphotography.co.uk
The trail featured 170 ‘official’ houses, plus around 100 extra houses that joined the party after the maps were produced, which meant that there were lots of surprises in store along the way. Covering all of Tadley, Pamber Heath, and Baughurst, so many families followed the trail by car, whereas others followed it in sections on foot. Bobie also organised letters from Santa for children who took part in the trail, a charity raffle to win one of 15 Christmas hampers and also a daylight Elf trail for the really little ones. Wow! Bobie was looking for a charity to support with the proceeds of the trail. June Keepax of Gourmet Queens in Baughurst – who sold raffle tickets and took in the children’s letters to Santa - recommended a charity called Bucket List Wishes who she had teamed up with before. Gourmet Queens and Bucket List Wishes (who organise once in a lifetime experiences for terminally ill people) together delivered over 300 cupcakes to nominated community heroes in the recent lockdown. The maps and the raffle tickets from the Tadley Christmas Trail raised £1860 for Bucket List Wishes who have assigned this money to fulfilling their next wish (when restrictions allow). Supporters will be able to read the full story on their Facebook page. In the meantime, residents of Tadley and surrounds are being encouraged to join the Christmas Trail Facebook group so that Bobie can keep everyone up-to-date with details of her next trail at Easter! Just search ‘Tadley’s Christmas Trail’. To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk
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