Community

Tackling the effects of the pandemic

QUaRTeTCommunity Foundation’s Covid impact report shows it distributed a record £5.2 million between april 2020 and March 2021. its report, a Year like No Other, shows the reach and impact of its grant-making, and the role of community action and local charitable giving. last year a total of 930 local projects received Quartet grant funding to help local communities.

Together, these projects supported over 590,000 people in North Somerset, B&NeS, Bristol and South Glos.

This included those self-isolating or shielding, hungry families or people needing mental health support due to the pressures of the pandemic. Many of these people are often marginalised from mainstream support and opportunities or live in the most deprived areas.

Quartet also recorded its highest ever total of donations and voluntary income last year, £16.7 million. This ranged across both local and national funds, including the National emergencies Trust. its permanent endowment fund now stands at £56.6 million, making it one of the largest of any community foundation in the UK.

But it says this next year will be a crucial one for the local charitable sector as it tackles social needs exacerbated by the pandemic. it’s launched a Recovery Fund and is keen to hear from individuals and companies interested in working with them.

Chief executive, Suzanne Rolt, said: “During the pandemic we’ve worked like never before, with record levels of funds both raised and distributed. This has only been possible thanks to the generosity of our donors and fund holders.

“We recognise that the need for support across local communities is as high today as it has been throughout the pandemic. This is not a return to business as usual – Quartet is helping organisations to adapt and to work in new ways. This requires longer term, strategic support.”

Chair, Sue Mountstevens, said: “i’m so proud of everything the team has achieved over the past year and in the face of enormous challenges. Yet 16 months on the pandemic is far from over, and the demand for our grants continues to grow.

“Quartet is here to bring together people who want to help the local community with projects that make a real difference. i’d invite anyone interested in helping to tackle this rising need to read the report and get in touch with the team.”

The Strawberry Line cafe in Yatton was one of the organisations to receive support Suzanne Rolt (left) and Sue Mountstevens

A busy weekend

Uphillhad a busy weekend when it staged its 75th annual show as well as a summer fete for Weston hospicecare. in its heyday the show had over 1000 entries with the hall full of flowers and produce. With over 250 entries this year, the show still provided great enjoyment for those who attended in larger numbers than usual. The money raised through refreshments, a raffle and donations on the door will help the Uphill Village Society maintain and promote the village.

Centre re-opens

The volunteers of langport & District Red Cross hope to open their langport centre on Monday, September 6th, to welcome back friends from 10am12noon each day after the long Covid shutdown.

The entrance is in the large car park in langport and donations can be taken there during opening hours or to Somerton by arrangement with Chris Cox on 01458 273085.

They do not have room for large items such as furniture, but are usually happy to re-home mobility aids.

Lions’ playground reopens

YeOValley lions have reopened a playground for special needs children near Yatton, which had been closed because of the pandemic.

Club members have taken on a rigorous cleaning and maintenance regime on a daily basis and a “track and trace” system has been adopted.

The group, which has been serving Wrington, Congresbury, Yatton and surrounding communities for over 50 years, opened the playground about 15 years ago.

The equipment includes swings, one of which is designed for wheelchairs, and a slide built into a hill so that the risk of accidents is minimal. a portable toilet has also been installed for families to use.

The lions say it is quite evident by the response of the many families and organisations who use the playground that the facility has been missed. even in appalling weather children were keen to use the facility.

Details: playground@yeovalleylions.org.uk

Award nominee

paUlTONparish councillor, Grant Johnson, is the only finalist from the South West in the Young Councillor of the Year awards, organised by the National association of local Councils.

Grant, aged 29, said: “Representing the village where i was born and raised is truly one of the greatest honours of my life and i am so proud that the work i do in our community is raising our village's profile to the national stage."

Winners and runners-up will be announced at an online ceremony in the autumn.

Details: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/starcouncilawards

Top award for village hall

ShiphaMvillage hall has won “Gold” for the quality of management and condition of its hall after a rigorous inspection from the Community Council for Somerset.

The assessors’ report said: “This is an exceptionally well run and maintained hall which meets and, possibly, exceeds all the criteria for hallmarks 1, 2, & 3.”

Chair, Jeff Brewster, is proud of the whole team who, because of their commitment and efforts, ensure the highest standards of administration and maintenance continue to be met.

The hall’s management committee are not resting on their laurels and are updating the booking system and have recently had their website redesigned.

Jeff is keen to widen the membership of the management committee from both the local community and area. he says he is looking for people of all ages to bring new skills and talents to the team.

The award is a tremendous boost for this popular facility as its events programme fills again after the recent restrictions. Featuring a large hall, kitchen and two meeting rooms, it is an ideal venue for a range of activities.

Fresh new look for memorial hall

VillaGeRS in Stoke St Michael have been celebrating the reopening of their memorial hall after extensive refurbishment work carried out during the pandemic.

The hall committee used the time when the building was closed to the public to carry out repairs and improvements including removing years of smoke and grime – especially on the wooden floor. Other work including reconfiguring the toilets to make them more accessible and opening up long-forgotten fireplaces. The garden and patio at the back of the hall – opened in 1923 – also received some tlc.

The committee hosted an open day for the community and is offering to let out the hall for free for the next 12 months to people living in the parish.

Teresa Taylor-Wolff in the newly-planted garden and seating area

The memorial hall was built in memory of those killed in World War One The hall was built on land donated by the local Knatchbull family. This sign – from the pub nearby – was rescued from a skip

Welcome! Hall committee members (l:r) Teresa Taylor-Wolff, Peter Steer, Richard Hobbs, Karen Pearce and Susan Steer

For details, visit: www.stokestmichaelhall.co.uk

Parish clerk retires

ChRiSGittins has retired as clerk to Timsbury parish Council. at his final meeting, council chairman, Josie pownall, made a presentation on behalf of all councillors to mark his five successful years in the job.

She said: “During Chris’s time the council’s role has expanded considerably as B&NeS council reduced its role in local affairs.

“Chris has handled these changes with skill and understanding and we are all grateful for the very real contribution he has made to improving village life.”

Chris said: “i enjoy living in the village and hope to be here for many years yet. Timsbury is a thriving parish with a strong community life. i look forward to continuing to be part of it.”

Josie Pownall and Chris Gittins

Loving their library

FaMilieS in Shepton Mallet were treated to a free day of fun to celebrate the reopening of the town’s library. love Your library Day was organised by 7 Starlings CiC, which has taken over the running of the refurbished building following years of uncertainty over its future.

Somerset County Council worked with Shepton Mallet Town Council and 7 Starlings – helped also by funding from Glastonbury Festivals – to agree a new way forward for the library which will see the building also being used for community-based activities.

Families, volunteers and guests in the new-look children’s area with Abby and Richard Young, from Tall Tails Theatre Company

Richard creating a buzz as he acts out The Bumblebear, a book by Nadia Shireen Abby gets a helping hand from her daughter, Ember, as she reads Ruby’s Worry, by Tom Percival

Rotary celebrates 100 years

WeSTON Rotary is celebrating its centenary with an anniversary exhibition at Weston Museum’s community room. it was unveiled by Mary Macfarlane, granddaughter of the club’s first president T. ernest Macfarlane. The display will be open to visitors until the end of October.

Weston Rotary president, George horsfield, said: “When our predecessors met on 23rd September 1921 little did they know that the excellent work they started would still be going strong 100 years later.

“Today we are proud to support Weston Food Bank as our 100th year charity. in the 1920s the focus was on The Rotary Boys’ house, an incredible project which provided holidays for children for over four decades and is described in detail in the exhibition.” another highlight of the display is the voice recordings of some members describing why they joined Rotary and how it has enriched their lives.

The display features a pictorial record of Weston Rotary’s work as well current initiatives including visits to longleat for local schoolchildren and an easter party for Weston Super Seniors. Weston Rotary has played an active role in developing the Rotary Young leaders awards (RYla) for several years. in addition the club is part of Rotary international’s efforts to provide sanitation and clean drinking water to people in flooddamaged areas in Kerala, india as well as other initiatives in a range of countries.

Fundraising to finance the work is raised at various points throughout the year from pounds for pines (collecting Christmas trees) in January, through to a fun Dog Day show and golf competition in the summer.

Mary Macfarlane is pictured with (l to r) local MP John Penrose, Rotary president George Horsfield and Councillor John Crockford Hawley

Pulling power

allSaints Church in publow was open for visitors to climb up and view the bells, while the bell ringing team were only too happy to show visitors what bell ringing entailed. They say pulling a bell is good for agility, co-ordination and reaction time, plus you Bell ringers (l to r) Peter Owen, Charlie Tricks and Stephen Rogers can get a full body cardiovascular workout by walking up the stairs to the tower!

Tower captain, Stephen Rogers, said: “We had quite a few people go up the tower with one lady expressing a keen interest in becoming a bell-ringer. She is coming along on Wednesday evening, which is practice night, to have a go.

“We currently have a team of seven, with two new recruits, but are always on the lookout for new recruits.”

Go along any Wednesday evening at 7.30pm to have a look at what they do.

Details: stephen.rogers68sjr@gmail.com

New president

Ken Rock (left) handing over to Clive Hawkins

TheRotary Club of Nailsea and Backwell have welcomed their new president, Clive hawkins, for his second stint – he was president 20 years ago. he takes over from Ken Rock who conducted all of the meetings in his year via Zoom. Whilst the club are optimistic for the future, they are always keen to welcome new members.

Green grants available

SOMeRSeT Community Foundation (SCF) has recently awarded £50,000 in grants to 22 groups to create or develop green community spaces across the county. These grants were made possible thanks to Somerset County Council with the support of Somerset Community Food.

The foundation says green social prescribing, nature-based therapy, growing and nature all featured prominently in the applications for grants, many in relation to recovery from the pandemic. andy Ridgewell, senior grants manager at SCF, said: “a few years ago we started to get more applications from groups using gardening to help people in their communities.

“in March 2019 we worked with Spark Somerset to organise a networking session called Grow for Good, bringing together over 20 local gardening and horticultural projects to network, exchange ideas, and potentially work together. The outcome was a conversation with Somerset County Council about sustainable food systems and food poverty, and directly influenced the creation of the £50,000 Growing Grants fund.”

Groups receiving grants included axbridge Community allotment association, Cultivating Community, Frome, Feed avalon CiC, Glastonbury, Frome Field 2 Fork CiC, Green henton, honeymead Garden Society (allotments), Baltonsborough, Manor house Road Community Garden, Glastonbury, plotgate Community Farm, Barton St David, Root Connections CiC, Wells, Shipham Community allotment association, Stepping Stones playgroup, Wells and The Mendip School, Shepton Mallet.

The foundation is also awarding grants of up to £2,021 to organisations and sports clubs who deliver sports development programmes for young people up to the age of 25. it’s managing applications for a national charity, Made By Sport. Recipients so far have included anglo Boxing Sports Community Centre, Shepton Mallet, purple elephant productions CiC, Frome and Wells Cricket Club.

Details: www.somersetcf.org.uk or call 01749 344949

Market returns

Thefirst publow Church market held since the Covid restrictions were lifted has exceeded all expectations, raising over £700 for church funds. instead of being held in pensford Church Rooms, it was held in all Saints Church, where there is more room. The next morning market will on Saturday September 4th, 10-11.30am at the church.

Community award winners

ChelWOODBridge Rotary Club has announced Sam Oliphant from Chew Magna as winner of its community award for the last year.

Rotarian, Colin Robinson said: “Sam’s good work spans many years, starting with a small informal meeting group for the over-70s in Chew Magna which grew to over 30 members who continue to meet regularly.

“She then added for the benefit of the group monthly birthday breakfasts, weekly table tennis and yoga sessions and the occasional days out where she hires and drives a 16-seater bus!

“Following the Covid-19 outbreak she came up with a number of innovative actions, including Chew Chat on the cricket pitch, to keep the group together whilst adhering to government pandemic guidelines.”

The club also announced a special 2020 Covid-19 award to Karen aniola from high littleton. Mr. Robinson said: “When the pandemic struck Karen quickly mobilised over 25 volunteers to offer help to any vulnerable member of her local community.

“This resulted in the formation of the ‘high littleton Volunteer army’. She set up a Facebook page for communication between her group of volunteers to ensure that any requests for help were dealt with effectively and she kept everyone in the group up-todate, forming a real sense of community and team spirit.”

Sam Oliphant Karen Aniola

Still under military command

aFTeRa difficult year due to Covid, Wrington Vale Rotary’s retiring president, Roger Vincent, a retired senior sub-mariner, has handed over the chain of office to Bob preedy, a retired senior army officer, hopefully with more normal times to come.

Holiday help for children

BaTh & North east Somerset Council is supporting the most vulnerable children in their area by “topping-up” the summer free school meals voucher scheme. each eligible family will receive an extra £5 per child per week on top of the £15 per child per week already provided.

The support is in the form of e-vouchers that can be spent in supermarkets by parents and carers of children who receive benefit-related free school meals and children who meet similar criteria in early years’ settings.

More than 2,000 families in Bath and North east Somerset are in receipt of the vouchers, with more than 4,000 local children benefitting. eligible families will be contacted via email from august 26th with instructions on how to receive an additional £30 voucher to cover the extra £5 top-up.

Volunteers wanted

ValleYarts is looking for volunteers to help run events, now that restrictions are easing. The benefit is they get to see performances for free! it’s holding a welcome session at The pelican, Chew Magna, on Wednesday, September 1st at 7.30pm in the barn.

Details: info@valleyartscentre.co.uk

New village hall

a FUNDRaiSiNGspa afternoon tea was held by the new Meare and Westhay village hall charity, which aims to build a new hall for the community.

The event, held in alan and Rita Wren’s garden, saw 20 ladies enjoy a pamper from laura Wilcox from Temple Spa, scones, cakes, prosecco and pimms, all provided by Rita.

Organisers say the community came together and the event raised £230.

Rotary’s Big Breakfast

At work in the kitchen (l to r) Roger Owen, Umang Patel and Graham Robinson

NOWin its 13th year, Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club's annual Big Breakfast was another big success, drawing in the crowds, as well as 70 drivers and passengers from the Classic and historic Motor Club, who started their rally after breakfast.

The event is usually held in a large marquee used for the Stanton Drew Flower Show but moved to the village hall when the show was postponed.

Ann and Sam Budd taking orders from members of the Classic and Historic Motor Club Chefs Ray Lithgoe and Rob Taylor, watched by Ken Biggs and Doris Gillette

Member Hugo Pike serving breakfasts to (l to r) Phil Townshend, Liz Richardson, Karen Warrington, Julie and Andrew Vickery and Colin Bennett

Lions boxing clever for Air Ambulance

Alan Sanderson is congratulated by club secretary Ian Williams on becoming president

CiTY of Wells lions Club is leading the way in a new fundraising initiative to help the Dorset and Somerset air ambulance.

The club is asking people to donate their unwanted mobile phones to be recycled and any valuable components to be sold in aid of the charity.

With the support of Wells City Council, the club has arranged for a secure box to be available during opening hours in the town hall reception where unwanted phones can be handed over. The phones are being collected by Reciproc8 on behalf of the charity.

Launching the new phone recycling scheme in Wells are (l:r) club member Eve Loring, secretary Ian Williams and treasurer Mary Ellis

Thank you tea

Jane Flower (right) chatting to tower friends

Tower Friend John Gully enjoying his glass of Prosecco

MeMBeRS of pensford’s Tower Friends were treated to a ginger cream tea as a thank you by Jane Flower for helping each month with the tower’s fundraising Sunday teas, which have raised more than £600 in the past three months. after enjoying a glass of prosecco, provided by Tower neighbour Chris Downton, everyone adjourned into the Church Rooms where they enjoyed ginger flavoured scones spread with rhubarb and ginger jam and fresh clotted cream.

The next fundraising afternoon will be on Sunday, September 19th, from 2pm with the bonus of a duck race, being held for charity by pensford Tennis Club, next door.

Pensford’s new “library”

Some of those who helped (l to r) John and Jenny Gully, Sarah Bishop, Charlie Bishop and Dave Parnell

peNSFORD now has its own “community library”, an old red phone box installed at the bottom of Wick lane after standing for many years in the garden of Millstream Cottage in Stanton lane. it’s been donated by the pattimore family in memory of John and Brenda who were proud pensfordians for over 60 years. The box, renovated by a small team of villagers, is now open for business with a range of titles to choose from.

Sarah Bishop, who organised the project, said: “The box came from Wookey hole (it was decommissioned) and was a birthday present for my mum from my brother Simon. he was working for BT at the time. So, it was my mum’s box. She used it as a greenhouse for her flower seedlings after it arrived in the early 90s.

“i want to give a big thanks to all contributors who gave up their time to work on it and those who provided the cash for renovation materials. also a big thanks to the Flukes in Millstream Cottage for patiently allowing us access to their garden over the year for the renovation.”

Making money from waste Happy birthday!

Julie Leader and pupils with some of the waste they have collected so far

ShiphaMFirst School is encouraging the local community to collect “hard to recycle” waste and raise money for the school.

There’s now a drop-off point outside the school for people to leave items like tooth brushes and tooth paste tubes, Marigold gloves, biscuit and snack wrappers, air, home and laundry care products and packaging, and writing instruments. local resident Julie leader has signed up to the programmes offered by TerraCycle, the world leaders in the recycling of this kind of waste.

None of this can be included in local kerbside recycling collections so traditionally has ended up in landfill or been incinerated.

Mrs. leader said: “i was looking for a way to reduce the amount of waste packaging the community produces, and about three years ago i found these great free programmes run by TerraCycle to recycle a whole host of waste which the local council recycling collections can’t accept.

“anyone can sign up and collect waste at home for recycling. i decided to go one step further by setting up a public access drop-off location at Shipham First School, where anyone can drop off their hard to recycle rubbish.”

The waste is then recycled by shredding, cleaning and turning it into a pellet format which can then be used by manufacturers to create new generic plastic products such as outdoor furniture, lumber and construction applications.

For each unit of waste collected, the school receives TerraCycle points that can be redeemed to provide more equipment for its Green Club to buy litter pickers and more bins.

So far Shipham has collected 8,000 pieces of waste, raising over £30 for the school. MeMBeRSof Bishop Sutton and Stowey Wi had a day out to the lavender fields at Faulkland where they celebrated pat Smith’s 88th birthday.

They also held a high tea for the group’s 80th birthday, which will be celebrated at Bishop Sutton village hall on September 4th.

Bigger choice as real ale festival expands

The 20th Wedmore Real ale Festival takes place from Friday, September 10th until Sunday, September 12th at Glebe Field, opposite Wedmore village hall’s car park.

The new, larger site allows them to offer over 100 choices of ale, cider and wine, as well as a wide selection of food and live music. Sunday’s grand finale is the Beer Bucket Challenge.

This year’s willing volunteers, who have agreed to be soaked in cold beer in aid of charity, are Charlotte Cundy, emily Mulliner, emma andrews, lexie Gower, linda Moorcroft, Shannon loughrey, Sarah love, Dave powell, Finn Cavanagh, Nick Munyard, pip Nicholls, Matt lloyd and Simon Tremlett. in 2019, the festival raised £19,000 for local good causes and has raised £205,000 since 2001.