Community

Another record year for real ale festival fundraising

Some of the recipients

WEDMOREReal Ale Festival celebrated another record year by distributing £20,000 to local worthy causes.

Some 16 organisations were handed cheques at the annual presentation evening, making it a fantastic comeback year for the 20th festival.

When it was last held in 2019, the total raised was £19,000. After missing last year, the festival has now raised £226,320 in total.

The beneficiaries include Children's Hospice South West, Weston Hospicecare, Weston-super-Mare Samaritans, Wedmore First School PTA and Wedmore & Axbridge Community Health Fund, which received £3,000.

Health fund secretary, Shirley Wederell, said: “On behalf of the trustees I would like to publicly thank the committee of the Wedmore Real Ale Festival for their generous donation. Also many thanks for their hospitality of a hog roast supper.

“Also huge congratulations to them for all the support they give annually by financially supporting local charities.”

Festival committee member, James Turbitt, said: “Everyone welcomed the return of the festival with open arms, helping make it one of the largest local social events in Wedmore.

“This fundraising feat would not be possible without our sponsors and our committed and enthusiastic team of volunteers who help bolster the organising committee to keep the festival running smoothly: those 6,500 pints and 246 wine and prosecco bottles don’t pour themselves!”

This year’s beneficiaries were: Wedmore in Bloom £350.00 Let's Make Wedmore Sparkle £400.00 Green Wedmore £400.00 Holy Trinity Church, Blackford £400.00 Wedmore Scout Group £450.00 Wedmore Tuesday Club £500.00 Blackford Village Hall £700.00 Weston-super-Mare Samaritans £850.00 Weston Hospicecare £1,000.00 Wedmore First School Academy & Nursery £1,000.00 Isle Of Wedmore Junior Football Club £1,000.00 Hugh Sexey C of E Middle School £1,000.00 Children's Hospice South West £2,500.00 Wedmore School PTA £2,750.00 Somewhere House (Somerset) Limited £2,950.00 Wedmore & Axbridge Community Health Fund £3,000.00

The donation to Wedmore PTA includes their £750 share of the takings from the festival raffle, which they helped to run, which generated a record breaking £2,025 worth of takings.

Reading challenge

DR PHILHammond presented certificates to youngsters who completed their summer reading challenge at the Chew Valley’s community library in Bishop Sutton.

Details: www.chewvalleylibrary.org.uk

Meetings resume

CHEDDARValley u3a’s first speaker since resuming activities was former BBC local radio presenter, Emma Britton, who is now a qualified celebrant. She was introduced by new organiser, Roy Fisher.

Details: u3asites.org.uk/cheddar-valley/welcome

Survival boxes

TONYQuinn from the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge was guest speaker at Paulton Hub Library to talk about the club’s water box survival project.

The boxes are put together by volunteers in a unit on the Westfield industrial estate ready to be sent to disaster zones around the world.

Playtime in Peasedown

Cllr Karen Walker presents a cheque to Sarah Carney, children’s worker. Also pictured are Meg Tucker, play worker, with club members (l to r) Keon, Emme, Pippa and Dylan

A POPULARchildren’s after-school club in Peasedown St John has been awarded a grant for new play equipment from the Peasedown Community Trust.

The SJ’s After School Club, based at St John’s Church Hall in Church Road, runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3.15pm to 5.45pm, with up to 15 children attending the club each day.

Details: www.stjsgroup.church/afterschoolclub or contact Sarah Carney 01761 300410 email Sarah.Carney@stjsgroup.church

Suppporting good causes

CHURCHESin Peasedown St John and Wellow have given away £10,000 this year to local, national and international causes thanks to the generosity of parishioners. St John’s has adopted the biblical principle of giving away the first ten percent of its income each year in a bid to practice what it preaches. Over the last ten years, it has given The Rev Matthew Street away £100,000 in charitable giving!

Church leader, the Rev Matthew Street, said: “The overseas projects we support often have a personal link for our church so we can receive regular feedback on how our donations are being spent.

“We are also extremely pleased to be supporting local initiatives such as the Timsbury-based charity Bibles for Children and Somer Valley Foodbank– an essential project that supports local people in food crisis.”

Meanwhile, St Julian’s Church in Wellow has given £1,000 to several charities, including Send a Cow, Carer’s Centre, Radstock and Nepali Children’s Trust.

Praise for community groups

THEHigh Sheriff of Somerset, Thomas Sheppard, and the chief executive of Quartet Community Foundation, Suzanne Rolt, joined forces to thank a host of community groups across BANES and North Somerset.

They visited eight projects funded through the foundation in the last two years including the SWALLOW café at The Hive in Peasedown St John and the Strawberrry Line café in Yatton.

Suzanne Rolt said: “Starting my new role during the pandemic has meant that I’ve had to wait for restrictions to lift before getting out and about to see all these extraordinary projects. It’s certainly been worth the wait.

“Meeting the people who run them has reinforced for me the astonishing levels of passion and commitment that drive our smaller charities and voluntary organisations. I’ve been inspired too by the positive impact Quartet’s grants are having in our local communities.”

Quartet has awarded grants to well over 1,000 community projects in B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire since the pandemic began.

Thomas Sheppard said: “This year I want to shine a light on the great work going on in local charities across Somerset. These eight projects may serve different communities, but they all have one thing in common: their commitment to creating opportunities and improving life for some of the most vulnerable members in society.”

Sally Wilcock from the Strawberry Line Café, which received a grant of £5,000 in May 2020, said: “This grant offered us a real lifeline. Very simply, the cafe probably would not have survived and still be operating without it.

“Jobs would have been lost, particularly for our employees with learning disabilities. The grant gave us a much-needed breather, enabling our energies as directors and volunteers to go into retaining our staff, planning for the lockdown and beyond and maintaining our premises.”

SWALLOW café, Peasedown St John

Strawberry Line Café, Yatton

Details: https://highsheriffsomerset.org.uk/current-high-sheriff/ https://quartetcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/

Walking to Wellbeing in Wells

AN informal social and wellbeing walking group is back upand-running after the lockdowns and would welcome new faces.

The Wellsbeing walkers group was formed eight years ago by members of an official walk who were disappointed when it folded.

They meet every Tuesday at Morrisons in Wells (by the disabled parking bays) for an 11am start for a leisurely walk lasting about an hour before returning to the store where some enjoy a coffee.

The walk is normally paced to suit the less able and they never cross muddy fields unless by accident, having a good chatter on the way. Although currently a small group, they have walkers from far and wide including Wells, Shepton Mallet and near Taunton.

The walk is not affiliated to any organisation and anybody can join them; there is no registration, no fee, no commitment and no catch.

Flower power and more at recovery project open day

VISITORS to a unique market garden project at Stratton-on-theFosse came away with everything from the last of the season’s cut flowers to pumpkins, honey and more.

Root Connections – which helps the homeless and those in recovery through growing produce at Manor Farm – held an open day to show what goes on behind the scenes.

Root Connections is a Community Interest Company, which works with the Elim Connect Centre in Wells and Manor Farm tenants Rob and Suzanne Addicott.

Manor Farm is home to the Dairy House which offers wraparound support to offer residents the best chance of recovery and progressing positively. It is supported by Mendip District Council, Elim Connect Centre and the Addicotts.

As well as offering Dairy House residents the opportunity to learn horticulture and other skills, Root Connections has an army of volunteers and runs a food delivery service across Mendip.

Some of the Roots Connections team Suzanna with the last of the season’s tomatoes in one of the polytunnels

Rob Addicott takes visitors on a tour of Manor Farm

Visitors were welcome to wander around the vegetable and flower gardens

William with pumpkins fresh from the field Chloe – Roots offers a fresh flower delivery service from April to September Visitor Sandra Donson

Rotary centenary

WESTONRotary has unveiled a commemorative blue plaque in the town’s High Street to mark its centenary of service to Weston and communities around the world.

The plaque was unveiled on the site of the original meeting place of Weston Rotary Club in 1921.

President George Horsfield said: “I am proud and honoured to officially unveil our blue plaque in the High Street to celebrate Weston Rotary’s 100 years of service to the local community. It is located on the site of Brown’s Café, the original meeting place of Weston Rotary 100 years ago.”

Cllr John Crockford-Hawley said: "Weston Rotary has given a century of comradeship to its members and unstinting charitable assistance to countless local worthy causes. This blue plaque reminds us of the importance that volunteering still plays in the communal life of our town."

Details: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/westonrotaryclub

Venues wanted for café-style concerts

(Photo courtesy of Martin Veal/Fromedia) MUSICIANS Trio Paradis have been awarded National Lottery funding to bring a series of caféstyle concerts to small venues around Mendip. The trio have been the inresidence afternoon performers at Midsomer Norton town hall since 2012 and also give monthly daytime concerts at several venues around the South West. Trio Paradis concerts are informal, with cafe-style seating and refreshments. Linda Stocks (cello), Now they are looking for Jacquelyn Bevan (piano) and village halls, churches and other Lisa Betteridge (violin) community buildings around Mendip for a series of concerts starting next year. Organiser and pianist, Jacquelyn Bevan, of Radstock, said: “Our concerts are as much social hubs as musical events; a great place to meet friends and make new ones, and socialising is so important for wellbeing and mental health.”

Entrance is by donation so everyone can attend, and people are invited to join in and contribute cakes and read poems, as well as helping to set out tables and chairs and publicise the events.

During the Trio’s 2014-18 tour of their Arts Council-funded show, Women of World War One, they visited many rural venues and were struck by the demand for live performance. Jacquelyn added: “Many people do not have transport and would love to have regular events in their local community.”

For details, contact Jacquelyn via trioparadis@icloud.com or WhatsApp (Facebook @trioparadisbath) or visit www.trioparadis.com www.wsmRotary.uk Twitter

Frome hosts gala Inner Wheel dinner

Pam Brewster (centre) with guests at the dinner

THE Inner Wheel Club of Frome has celebrated the inauguration of one of its members, Pam Brewster, as chairman of the District 20 group of clubs, with a gala dinner.

Frome hosted the evening get together with approximately 90 guests from all over Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. The national association president of Great Britain and Ireland, Betty Roberts, attended, together with three other district chairmen and Rotarian District 1200 governor Michael Fernando.

Marathon walk for village schools

MORE than 30 walkers tackled a 26-mile route across east Mendip to raise £6,300 for two village primary schools.

Called 40 for the Federation, the route began and ended at Stoke St Michael primary school passing its federation partner Croscombe primary school. The money raised will improve play facilities at both schools.

The event was organised by David and Tam RichardsonAitken, whose children attend Stoke school. They were supported by the staff, Friends of Croscombe School, Stoke PTA and communities of both Croscombe and Stoke schools and Little Roots Pre-School, as well as the wider village communities and local businesses.

And they’re off – with 26 miles of Mendip ahead The walkers gather for a briefing ahead of the day

The route included Coleford, Mells and part of the East Mendip Way

Passing through Mells

Community at its core

Peeling apples for fritters

THE Market House in Castle Cary was the venue for the town’s annual apple day celebrations.

All things “apple” were on offer, from juice pressing to freshly cooked fritters, live music and children’s activities. The day ended with an illustrated talk in Caryford Hall about apples in art, by Colin Wiggins.

Stewards needed for lantern parade

More volunteers are needed

SHEPTON Mallet’s lantern parade will definitely be taking place this year and the festival committee is looking for more volunteers to act as stewards on the night.

This year’s parade – on Saturday, December 18th – will see road closures in place as the procession makes its way from Collett Park to the Market Place.

Kate Lovell, chair of the lantern festival committee said: “Stewards are absolutely vital to the success of the lantern parade. We need volunteers on the night to keep everyone safe and make sure the parade goes smoothly.”

Volunteers are also needed for lantern making workshops in the run-up to the night. The workshops will take place at Paul St Community Centre on the weekends of November 27th/28th December 4th/5th and December 11th/12th. There will be a small charge for materials. Families are particularly welcome.

Cider and apple juice sellers were busy throughout the day

The spectacular ram from the 2019 parade

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Kate at katemartin.lovell@btinternet.com or visit: https://www.sheptonlanternfestival.org.uk/

Festival celebrates diversity

MANY of Frome’s estimated 50-plus nationalities were represented at the town’s one-day Multicultural Festival.

Poland, Eritrea, Turkey, Spain, Tibet, China, Venezeula, the Czech Republic and Spain – along with England and Wales –were amongst the countries running stands and staging displays at the free event at the Cheese & Grain.

Visitors were able to enjoy typical food and activities including Japanese calligraphy and folk art as well as live music and performances. Organised by the community group Multicultural Frome, the day was opened by Frome’s deputy mayor Sara Butler.

Turkish food delights Amy Morris demonstrates the Chinese game cat’s cradle – fan sheng

Jez Pearson and Alyson Evans were representing Frome’s Welsh community

Some of the dancers from Mr Wilkins’ Shilling clog morris side

Sara’s marathon

SCHOOL cook, Sara Box of Temple Cloud, has raised money for the Royal British Legion by running this year’s London Marathon.

Sara, who is cook at Cameley CEVC Primary School, said: "This was my first marathon and I completed it in 6hrs 22 mins! I followed a 16-week training plan for this race but have been running for about three years.

“It was a truly magical experience and, yes, I did weirdly enjoy it. I met some lovely people along the way too. Thank you to everyone who has donated.

“I have so far raised over £800 for the Royal British Legion. As both myself and my dad were in the Royal Navy, I thought it was appropriate to raise the money for them. When dad died in January they were a great source of comfort for mum.”

Dogs helped by Lions

YEOValley Lions held their annual golf day at Tall Pines Golf Club hosted and organised by Lion president Derek White assisted by members of the club.

The event raised £3,000 for the charity Dogs For Good, which supplies fullytrained dogs to work with people with special needs.

Community café is back

STANTON Drew Community café is back to its monthly café morning, after a long break due to Covid. It’s held on the second Saturday of the month in Stanton Drew Church, 10Brenda Dale unloading jams and preserves 12noon, raising funds for the church, local organisations and good causes.

One of the organisers, Anne Bennett, said: “We serve bacon rolls, good coffee and hot drinks and lovely homemade cakes. Visitors can also purchase crafts, sometimes plants and wonderful homemade jams, marmalades and pickles.

“There is always a happy atmosphere and plenty of opportunity to meet old friends for a catch up, as well as new ones.”

The café has raised thousands of pounds since starting in 2015.

Painting project

Pictured (l to r) Rotarians Graham Foster, Roger Smith, Ted Potter, and organiser John Churchill

ROTARYNailsea and Backwell have added a new school project to the many they have undertaken over the years.

They have been busy painting benches, fences and outside walls at Wraxall School before the onset of winter.

John Churchill, the Rotary contact with the school, said: “Wraxall School is a great environment for the students. We are delighted that Amy Townsend and her team have welcomed us in to help them. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Café volunteers praised

DELICIOUS homemade food encouraged villagers to flock to Congresbury Community Cafe for a double Macmillan coffee morning, which raised £1,106.

Café manager Ian Sheppard said how good it was to see so many people supporting this worthwhile cause, praising the hard work of the café volunteers and thanking the sponsors, Debbie Fortune estate agents and Hearmore U.K.

School challenge

CHILDRENat Cameley primary school were delighted to take part in a Maths challenge at King Edward’s School in Bath.

School head, Hannah Maggs, said: "They did so well and loved the opportunity, even if they were not placed."

The photo shows the two teams (l to r) George, Joseph, Emily and Amelie, proudly holding their certificates of participation.

Party returns

AFTER a two-year break, Peasedown St John’s popular Party in the Park festival is to return next year as part of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

It will be held on Beacon Field on Friday, June 3rd, 12–7pm, with crowds of 2,500 expected.

Details: www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk or Facebook

A gift horse for village school

Ken Lloyd with headteacher Anna Hind, reception class teacher Verity Baker and some of Squirrel class

NUNNEY resident Ken Lloyd knew exactly who would appreciate an antique rocking horse he spotted whilst attending an auction – the village schoolchildren.

Having bid successfully for the item, Ken was invited to Nunney First School to unveil the gift and see the delight on the faces of pupils in the Squirrel reception class, where the emphasis is on learning through play.

Ken, a former governor at the school, said: “I’d gone to the auction to bid on another lot and just knew the rocking horse would be perfect for the school.”

Foodbank open

THEKeynsham foodbank team say they are getting ready to help an increasing number of people, many of whom never thought they would ever need such help.

Project manager, Garry Wheadon, said: “The volunteer team at Keynsham Foodbank often take calls from people in urgent need of food. If you, a friend, family member or colleague need our help, please do not wait until the cupboard is bare. You do not need to sell the TV. If you need us, we are here for you.”

The third Keynsham Foodbank centre is now open at Victoria Methodist Church. Earlier this summer, the Keynsham Foodbank volunteer team restarted their “collect-from-our-door” service at St Mary’s in Saltford, swiftly followed by St Francis in Keynsham in September.

The re-opening of Victoria marks the final stage in Keynsham Foodbank’s re-opening for collection and “return to usual”.

Banwell gets a new scout HQ

IT may have taken a little longer than expected, but Banwell now has a brilliant new amenity for use by scouting, girlguiding and other organisations within the village.

It was back in 2016 that trustees of the local charity the Kathleen Jones Family Charity (KJFC) made a surprise offer to help replace an old RAF hut, which had been scout HQ for 40 years.

After four years of planning, on February 17th 2020 under the watchful eyes of KJFC trustee Wally Rice and 1st Banwell Scouts project manager Brian Peat, MIH Builders Ltd “gently” brought the old hut down to the ground.

The new building then began to rise in spite of delays caused by the pandemic. On September 19th trustees of the charity and members of 1st Banwell Scout Group came together to officially open the building.

Jeremy Birkett, Axe District Scouts representative, said: “Undoubtedly, without the generosity of the KJFC charity and its trustees there would be no new scout hut in Banwell. So huge thanks go to them.

“But we must also recognise the support provided by Banwell Parish Council, Burnham & Weston Solar Fund, National Grid Hinkley Connection Project and Thatchers Foundation.

“It is a perfect example of how a local community can work together to make something happen.”

Before . . . Official opening: Kathleen Jones Family Charity trustees cutting the ribbon (l to r) Joseph Rice, Roy Rice, Andrew Hebden, Lorna Adams, Laura Wainwright and Wally Rice

. . . and after

Rotary talent show returns

EACH year The Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton & Radstock host a Talent Show which gives individuals between the ages of 11-18 an opportunity to perform before an audience and the chance of winning the esteemed Richard Jones Memorial Cup and other cash prizes. Do you sing? Are you musical? Do you dance? Tell jokes? Juggle? Perform magic? Or perhaps something more unusual? If so, drop the club an email or call and join them for an audition to be held in January-February 2022. Club member John Dando, one of the organisers of the event, said: “We haven’t had a chance to show off our talents lately, so now’s the time to get on stage and share your flair with the community.” Please save the date, March 19th, 2022 to experience an evening of creative talent at The Dragonfly Theatre, Writhlington School. If you are able to help the club advertise the event by displaying a poster, or would be interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact them.

Ringers appeal for new members

Postlebury Bellringers in the tower at St Leonard’s Church

POSTLEBURY Bellringers held an open day at St Leonard’s Church in Marston Bigot to showcase their skills and to try to recruit some new members.

The group ring regularly at the Postlebury group of churches in Marston Bigot, Nunney and Wanstrow as well as organising social events and visits to ring at churches around the country. They say bellringing is open to anyone over the age of ten, no musical skill is required nor is being a church member.

Coleford rocks the night away

THE Coleford Revival Group community organisation brought back live music to the village’s Royal British Legion hall with a night to remember.

The evening began with a solo set by Rodney Allen, from Pilton, and was headlined by a Beatles tribute band – The Cavernites – who hail from Liverpool.

The CRG organised the night as a post-pandemic celebration for the local community and is currently hard at work – under new chairman Nicola Phillips – finalising plans for a free Christmas lunch for the village’s pensioners with the option of delivering festive hampers to anyone who prefers to stay at home. They hope to revive Coleford Village Day next year after it was twice cancelled due to the pandemic.

CRG committee members with The Cavernites The Cavernites

Rodney Allen. The specially-painted backdrop was a homage to the Cavern Club

Duane Conn, from the Weston-super-Mare based rockabilly band Duane Conn and the Connections

Andy O’Connor, lead singer of Slidestone, a rock and blues covers band

For details, visit: www.colefordrevivalgroup.org or find them on Facebook

Collecting apples

APPLE gifting has recommenced in Blagdon after Covid restrictions put a halt to it, with children from Blagdon School being taken around Eldred’s Orchard by Suzanne Wynn, who runs the Blagdon Orchard Group.

The children gave apples to the elderly members of the village lunch club. Suzanne said: “We are delighted to have restarted this tradition after a break owing to Covid.

“The only aspect that we didn’t incorporate this year was the children gifting the apples in person and singing their harvest songs at lunch club. Instead, a recording of their harvest assembly was played to keep the event Covid secure.”