16 minute read
Community
Official launch of volunteer driver scheme
STREET Area Volunteer Driver Service has enjoyed an official launch with the confirmation that it has extended its coverage to the Glastonbury area as well.
Parish council chair Laura Wolfers was amongst the guests at the event at the Crispin Community Centre, where the service is based.
The service began operating in October and is still recruiting drivers to help those community members unable to get around easily. Drivers are available for doctor, hair and other appointments, community centre and church activities, social groups, friends’ get-togethers and shopping. Users must preregister.
The service has the support of Street and Walton parish councils, Glastonbury Town Council, Meare and Westhay Village Community, Somerset Community Foundation and the service covers the Street, Walton, Meare and Glastonbury areas.
Julie Tucker, Street Volunteer Driver Service Co-ordinator, said: “Do you have an hour or two to spare with a car? We would like to hear from you – volunteers with a car are needed and a mileage allowance is paid.
“This will be totally flexible, with no fixed commitment and you can choose which journeys to take at anytime online.”
Some of the team at the launch
For details, call into Crispin Community Centre, phone 01458 656248 or email: volunteerdriverservice@crispinhall.org.uk
Cheques and teddy bears
MEMBERS of the Connaught masonic lodge in Midsomer Norton have made their latest donations to the local community.
A total of £430 was presented to the P.E.O.P.L.E. charity which specialises in the retraining and rehabilitation of offenders. Last year it opened a shop, book exchange and coffee lounge in Midsomer Norton High Street offering a safe place for people to gather as well as offering work experience opportunities.
Under the guidance of charity steward Chris James, this brought the total amount donated in 2022 by Connaught Lodge to local good causes and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance to £3,380.
Meanwhile, the lodge has presented another batch of Teddies for Loving Care to Paulton Hospital Minor Injuries Unit, as part of a nationwide masonic initiative to provide unique cuddly bears to accident and emergency departments for medical staff to give at their discretion to young children.
P.E.O.P.L.E. shop manager/care worker Tymon Emery and CEO Dr Jenny Clifford with lodge charity steward Chris James Paulton MIU nurse practitioner Julie Bodey, receptionist Tina Cottle and occupational therapist Andy Minchin with the TLC teddies
For details about Connaught Freemasons email: Secretary3573@btinternet.com or visit www.connaughtlodge.org www.stjsgroup.church
Lions’ jumble sale
CHEDDAR Vale Lions Club will be holding a jumble sale in Cheddar Village Hall on Saturday, February 18th.
They are looking for good condition and clean clothing, household items, small toys, etc, but no electrical goods. They can be delivered to the hall from 12noon-1.30pm, ready for the opening at 2pm. There is an entrance fee of 50p. Refreshments will be available.
CENTENARIAN, Dick Froom, got a surprise present at the RAFA MidSomerset branch Christmas lunch. At the original birthday celebration in September, members of the current 14 Squadron RAF were unable to be present due to operational commitments. This time the branch welcomed Flt Lt Gareth Duffy from the squadron, who presented Dick with a magnificent model of a Mark XIV Wellington engraved with the Squadron crest and Dick’s rank badge and aircrew brevet.
He was a wireless operator/air gunner on the squadron from November 1944 to June 1945.
Details: 0345 833 7402 or email information@cheddarvalelions.org.uk
Surprise present Ready to help save a life
Back Lane resident Sue Cheasley with Kim Davey
RESIDENTS of a small area of Shepton Mallet have achieved their fundraising target to have an open access defibrillator installed close to their homes by a busy junction on the A37.
People living in Back Lane at Downside began their campaign amid concerns that they were too remote from the nearest defibrillator, on the wall of McColls in the town centre.
By holding social events and other activities under the banner of the Downside and Back Lane Defibrillator Group and helped by neighbouring companies Right Price DIY and 3 Solutions and a grant from Mendip District Council, they have managed to raise £2,000 to rent the equipment for the next four years from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The equipment is housed on the driveway of one of the houses in Back Lane, close to the road junction. It Kim demonstrates the defibrillator to residents does not need a code to gain access, although it must be used only under direction from the ambulance service. It is registered on The Circuit, a national database of defibrillators.
Several residents attended a special training session by paramedic Kim Davey, the Assistant Community Responder Officer for Bristol and North Somerset, who will act as a guardian for the equipment and make sure it is always ready to be used.
A pangolin on parade
WITH a theme of “Wild Things”, Shepton Mallet’s annual lantern parade was led by a large model of a pangolin to highlight the threat to the world’s most trafficked mammal.
Created out of willow, tissue paper and canes by local artist Mandy McKenna, the pangolin led the procession from Collett Park to the town centre.
On camera – Jamma de Samba entertain the crowd
All creatures great and small The pangolin, with Mandy inside
The procession arrives in the town centre
Penny (rear) with Alice and Luna, aged four, working on a cat lantern
Community winners
DAVIDand Maureen Byrne have been named winners of the 2022 Peasedown St John Community Civic Award.
They are well known for their loyal service over 20 years at St Joseph's Catholic Church and also volunteer at the Somer Valley Foodbank and The Hive Community Centre.
Cllr Karen Walker, a trustee of Peasedown Community Trust, pictured with David and Maureen, said: "Thank you both for everything you've done for our village and continue to do. You're valued members of our community who always go the 'extra mile' to help others. Thank you!"
Rotary’s Xmas clear-up
MEMBERSof Axbridge District Rotary along with other rotary groups and young farmers raised over £15,000 for Weston Hospicecare by collecting Christmas trees.
More than 100 trees were collected for recycling. The club meets on the first and third Thursday of the month, 7.30pm, at The Lamb at Weare.
Foodbank feeds 20,000 people in crisis
THESomer Valley Foodbank has celebrated its tenth anniversary, having provided meals for nearly 20,000 people in that time.
Originally established as a collaboration between local churches and community leaders, it sits under the charitable status of St John’s Church, Peasedown St John.
It runs food distribution centres in Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Paulton and Peasedown.
Co-ordinator, Paul Woodward, said: “Thanks to all the local businesses, churches and community groups that have supported the Somer Valley Foodbank over the past decade.
“Your help and encouragement has enabled us to provide a support and advice service to those that need it the most.
“Now, more than ever before over the last ten years, there has never been a greater need for the Somer Valley Foodbank’s existence. With the rise in the cost of of living, and more people finding it difficult to make ends meet, we’re seeing an unprecedented demand for our services.”
Since January 2013, 7,296 food vouchers have been issued across the Somer Valley feeding 19,485 people –10,689 adults and 8,796 children.
A staggering 172,300 tonnes of food have been given out! The foodbank is run by a large team of volunteers, 75 in total, who keep the project running each and every week.
Foodbanks provide three days of emergency food to people who need it the most. Professionals such as health visitors, social workers and the CAB identify people in crisis and issue them with a Foodbank voucher.
The voucher can be taken to a Foodbank distribution centre where a friendly team of volunteers will offer a cup of tea and help people with their food needs and other advice.
A warm welcome at community café
Bryan, a football fan and life member of the Somerset FA, at the first cafe
ONE of the main people behind the building of Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall in the 1980s was a surprise visitor at the first community café to be held there since refurbishment of the building was completed.
Bryan Wells, together with family and neighbours, was the driving force behind the development of the hall, which opened in 1986.
Over the past few months, a storeroom, garage and changing room have been transformed into a large kitchen and meeting room where the first café took place attended by dozens of villagers and hall supporters. Bryan, a former parish councillor, visited the hall from the residential home in Evercreech where he now lives to see the transformation for himself.
Community cafes will be held every Saturday morning and every other Wednesday morning.
More volunteers would be welcome. For details, find @ashwickandoakhillvillagehall on Facebook
Warm space
ST MARY’SChurch in Compton Dando is one of the many places in the area offering Warm Spaces during the winter, on Thursdays in the village hall, 12:30-2pm.
Pictured (l to r) are Lynn Watson, Neil Borer, the Rev Denise Calverley, Ron Coombs and Alison Coombs.
Club’s skittle night
THE Inner Wheel Club of Shepton Mallet ended its January meeting at the Horse and Jockey in Binegar with a game of killer skittles in the pub alley. Club president Harriet Farquhar (centre) is pictured with the winner – her mother Janet Thornborough (left) –and Judi Rice, winner of the wooden spoon.
Grants available
PEASEDOWNSt John’s Party in the Park is inviting grant applications following the success of last year’s Platinum Jubilee event.
Since the scheme was set up in 2010, more than £15,000 has been given away to local organisations.
Another £500 is available this year. The closing date for applications is Friday, March 24th.
Successful grant applicants will be congratulated in front of a packed festival crowd at Party in the Park 2023 on Saturday,
Details: www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk or email info@peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk
Christmas party
Pictured (l to r) Kay Trippick, Cath BrandonSalmon, Jane Russell and Pat Hellard
WITH over 203 years between them, Chewton Mendip and Litton & Hinton Blewett WIs met for a joint social evening.
Members made crackers, shared food and drink, recited some readings, took part in Secret Santa and
had a Christmas themed raffle.
It was a great way for the two WIs to share experiences, have fun and build friendships.
Rotary supports Ukrainian refugees
CHELWOODBridge Rotary Club has been supporting Ukrainian refugees with grants totalling £65,000 from the Rotary Foundation, working with the Chew Valley Ukrainian Support Group. It also distributed Christmas gifts from the Kids Out charity to about 40 families.
Rotary Club secretary, Tony Quinn, said: “We were able to help families in so many ways including clothing, school uniforms, transport costs, laptops especially for children, courses, nursery care, even membership of Chew Valley Rugby club.
“As a Rotary club we applied for 23 grants and have been delighted to support these families who so often arrived here with almost nothing.”
That grant funding, which helped more than 100 families, has run out and the club now has an appeal to raise funds for generators and warm clothing.
It held a Race Night in Stanton Drew village hall, which raised £2,300.
Details: https://www.chelwoodbridgerotary.com
Jingle bells Ann’s remarkable record
SANDFORD Handbell Ringers performed outside the village stores.
Volunteer drivers needed
CHEWValley Community Transport is looking for more volunteer drivers to help local people who need a lift to their medical appointments.
CVCT started in 2010, arranging individual, door-to-door journeys, in the driver’s own car. The drivers are supported by a small team of volunteer coordinators, who take calls from passengers.
One of them said: “We have the core support of some wonderful volunteer drivers, but we urgently need more, to enable us to help with an increasing number of requests this winter.”
Although called “Chew Valley” the service covers part of Yeo Valley as far as Blagdon. This rural area between the A38 and the A37 has very poor public transport.
It is appealing for more drivers that live in or near this area, to keep the mileage costs down for passengers.
Driving for CVCT is completely flexible; there’s no regular commitment at all – drivers simply offer to take a passenger, if and when they wish to. The passenger is asked to reimburse the driver directly for their mileage.
Details: 01275 333430 email: cvct.coordinator@gmail.com
ANNPursey, aged 90, from Sandford has won BBC Somerset’s Volunteer Award 2022 for “an individual who makes a real difference to the community”.
Her volunteering history is extensive and still growing: • Long service medals, Royal Observer Corps, 22 years; National Savings Club 25 years • 30+ years flower arranging and various roles at Churchill Methodist Church • Volunteering at Manor Hospital Bath, 12 years; Weston General Hospital, ten years • Vine Counselling (Congresbury) receptionist and trustee, 15 years • Trustee of alms houses, 15 years at Victoria Jubilee Homes, Langford, plus Cottage Homes, Churchill • Helping at residential homes, St Monica Trust, Sandford and St Michael’s Cheshire Home, Axbridge Her roles have ranged from leading singing groups to feeding stroke patients. Ann said: “As a youngster, my parents moved house and I had to quickly learn to make new friends in a new school, so I grew up happy to meet and greet strangers. Also, I really enjoy helping people because, after all, we all need a helping hand sometimes.”
Ukrainian culture on show at coffee morning
TRADITIONAL Ukranian Christmas songs, handmade crafts and home baked treats were on offer at a special fundraising coffee morning in Evercreech.
The event took place to boost the humanitarian efforts by the group Somerset Aid for Ukraine which was due to send its third consignments to Kyiv as Mendip Times went to press.
Held in St Peter’s Church, the coffee
Kyrylo, aged 11, also entertained visitors All smiles from some of the key people behind Somerset Aid for Ukraine
morning coincided with the Orthodox Christmas, the first Christmas away from Ukraine for many of the families.
Further fundraising events – also celebrating Ukranian culture – are due to be held in Cossington, on February 10th, and Wedmore on February 24th.
As well as donating money, visitors handed over dozens of bags of essential goods such as sleeping mats, clothes and other items. A date for a fourth trip to Ukraine has still to be arranged, but is expected to take place in the autumn.
Traditional songs. Singers (l:r) Ivanna Shapoval, Bohdana Ushatenko and Nadiia Latsyba Galyna Tryndyuk (left) and Tanya Kornya with some of the handmade goods on sale. Behind them is a Ukranian flag with goodwill messages from the war front
Craft workshop
COMPTON Dando’s final craft workshop of the winter will be on Saturday, February 4th, following the success of the last one.
Harriette Dottridge, who set up the non-profit making club several years ago, said: “That was the best craft day so far. We finally had about 26 and everyone was so helpful and cheerful, happy to be there and busy and sharing all they were doing.”
The workshop will be held at Compton Dando village hall, 10am-4pm, with lunch.
Details: Harriette 07791 832592 email: hdottridge@hotmail.com
High flyer
CHILDRENat Chew Stoke Church School were visited by Bristol Flyers basketball star, Corey Samuels, through the school’s link with the Bristol Sport Foundation.
The foundation’s aim is to develop and coordinate the delivery of community sport in Bristol and beyond.
Recycling centre closure plans are scrapped
NORTH Somerset Council has announced that Backwell Recycling Centre will remain open as it scraps a budget saving proposal to close the facility from April 1st.
The decision follows discussion about the council’s progress to close a £17m gap in its budget that took place in a meeting of the council’s executive in December. One of the possibilities put forward was closing the facility to save an estimated £300,000 a year, reducing the number of recycling centres in North Somerset from three to two.
There were approximately 80,000 visits to Backwell Recycling Centre in 2021/22.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “We’ve listened to residents and the strong feeling against proposals to close Backwell Recycling Centre and acted on this by removing this from next year’s budget.
“Like all councils across the country, we face continuing inflationary cost pressures and stretched resources. At the same time, we are seeing rising demands on our services from more residents being pushed into poverty.
“We continue to work hard to explore cost savings that could be made right across the council to close the budget gap for next year, which is about 10 per cent of our net budget. Unfortunately, we’re having to make really tough decisions.
“We have one of the best recycling rates in the country currently and we will continue to encourage people to reduce, re-use and recycle as much as possible by delivering our ambitious waste strategy”.
Councillor Bridget Petty, the council’s ward member for Backwell and executive member responsible for the climate emergency, said: “Along with other local councillors, I was contacted by many residents who raised their concerns over the potential closure of Backwell Recycling Centre. Villagers can see both sides – while some support the closure due to concern about traffic, many others are keen to protect local jobs and retain a facility that they value.
“One of the council’s key priorities is to be a carbon neutral council and area by 2030. I’m keen for us as council to be working with residents to reduce the number of visits that they feel they need to make to all our recycling centres and promote re-use within our communities”.
Discover –and join in!
STREET Parish Council is hosting a Discover your Community event on Saturday, February 25th.
The event, at the Crispin Hall, will see a gathering of community groups which support to residents of Street and the surrounding areas.
Visitors will be able to find out what is on offer and the council hopes they might be persuaded to sign up to volunteer. l The event runs from 11am-3pm.
