18 minute read
Community
Bonnets and a treasure hunt
The Easter bonnet parade
FAMILIES enjoyed an Easter Trail around the Rec in Oakhill as part of fundraising efforts for the village hall.
A rather shy Penny (wearing bunny ears) with Amy, Laurie and Rory on their way round the trail
Frome Selwood Rotary goes global
ROTARY clubs in Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset banded together last year to support the people of Nepal who were suffering badly from Covid-19. They raised more than £9,700 Guy Parkinson with goods bound for Ukraine which helped the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel in Nepal buy food and medical supplies for the community.
Earlier this year Frome Selwood Rotary also donated £1,600 to finance an “Empowering Women” project to set up a small “pickle” making and bottling business which will enable a group of Nepalese women to become financially self-sufficient.
Through this, Frome Selwood Rotary has entered into a club partnership agreement with the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel.
Guy Parkinson, Frome Selwood Rotary’s president, said: “Rotary is an international organisation that offers help to communities both local, national and international.
“We are a band of like-minded people who are committed to doing good through service and funding. This is one small step to show how communities around the world can help each other.”
Frome Selwood, alongside other Rotary clubs in the area, has also been involved in sending funds, medical supplies and other donated goods to Ukraine.
Details: Guy Parkinson 07712185798 fromeselwood@btinternet.com www.fromeselwoodrotary.org.uk
Lockdown shop thrives
BRENT Knoll Community Shop, launched as an “emergency shop” within ten days of the first Covid lockdown, has celebrated its second birthday and growing success.
Opened on April 18th, 2020, the shop’s volunteers gathered to toast their birthday and share the event with customers.
After toasting the date outside the shop, the volunteers helped serve hot cross buns, cakes, and drinks to the many customers and visitors who crowded into the parish hall for the occasion.
More volunteers are joining the team, which has enabled them to extend the shop’s opening hours. Already open seven days a week, the aim is to recruit sufficient volunteers to expand opening hours on every day.
Litter pick is pure gold
Sam Booth and Joseph Morris
YOUNG villagers Sam Booth and Joseph Morris joined Croscombe’s annual litter pick as part of their volunteering efforts to gain their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The pair, who collected rubbish from nearby Ham Woods, are also regular volunteers at the Carymoor Environmental Centre, near Castle Cary.
Croscombe residents were also joined by the McGuire family, from Shepton Mallet, for the litter pick. A NEWFood Resilience grant fund is being provided to help Somerset communities that support or directly work to make sure everyone has food.
Any community group, charity, organisation, and agency in Somerset can apply for a maximum of £2,000. The deadline for applications has been extended to May 31st - or when the fund runs out.
The grant is funded by Somerset County Council and provided by Smart Communities Ltd.
Organisers say that during the Covid-19 pandemic, communities in Somerset came together to help support individuals, families, homeless people and anyone isolated to make sure that everyone in need had access to food.
Now those groups are being offered additional funding to help continue to tackle those needs and continue the “wonderful” work undertaken over the last two years.
Gail McCarthy from Smart Communities said: “We want the grant to provide support to groups and organisations helping some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. It is first come, first served though, so we strongly recommend getting your application back to us as soon as you can.”
Litter pickers gather outside the village’s George Inn
Help for the hungry
Order in court
Martyn Russell with club president Jacky Emm
A TALK about the role of a magistrate captivated members of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Inner Wheel at their monthly meeting at Emborough’s Old Down Inn.
Martyn Russell, the husband of a club member, explained the magistracy’s history, from being set up by Edward III more than 660 years ago, to present times.
For details about the club, contact secretary Elaine Muir on 07543 973666
Legion branch centenary
A CHURCH service and tree planting ceremony marked the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Radstock branch of the Royal British Legion. Now amalgamated with the Midsomer Norton branch, the service saw the West of England mayor Dan Norris parading of the plants the rowan tree watched by county Radstock standard in chairman Major Robert McDonald and Midsomer Norton and Radstock RBL branch chairman Martin Feeney St Nicholas Church, where it has hung for nearly 30 years. After the service, a rowan tree was planted next to the Radstock War Memorial in the Miners’ Garden.
The tree was planted by West of England Mayor Dan Norris watched by guests and Legion members including the Somerset Royal British Legion County Chairman, Major Robert McDonald.
Legion member Kirk Williams carries the old Radstock standard to the altar during the service
Hearing aid Fundraising walk returns
PAULTON’Slibrary now has a hearing loop, thanks to local councillor, Liz Hardman, who funded it from her Ward Councillors Empowerment Fund.
She’s pictured with Rose Cull, Carolyn Dewhurst and Joyce Kanaa.
Men’s Shed gift to school
Pictured (l to r) Lucy Stott, PTA, Josie Miel, student teacher and Zoe Durber, early years practitioner, John Goulding, Bob Killey, Alfred Bowden, Graham Ives and Ian Beeho of Midsomer Norton Men’s Shed and pupils
STOKESt. Michael Nursery & Primary School has taken delivery of two multi-coloured buddy benches for their school playgrounds, made by members of Midsomer Norton Men’s Shed.
The benches give children who may be feeling anxious or upset a friendly place to talk or be comforted.
They have been made with materials donated by Charlton’s Timber Store and Protek Woodstain.
The Men’s Shed was established in 2018 and is based at Farrington’s in Farrington Gurney, thanks to support from owners Andy and Tish Jeffery.
School head, Mel Vincent, said: “They are going to be particularly useful in helping our children adjust to full-time classes again after the upheavals of the pandemic and are also a cheerful addition to our playground.”
As well as buddy and book benches for local schools, Men’s Shed members are busy on other projects, including bird and bat boxes for conservation sites, hedgehog boxes, garden planters, welly boot benches and small wooden gifts that help to raise funds for hospitals. Men’s Shed is open to men and women. New members welcome.
Details: Steve Swift, chairman, 07775735789 or email: stephenkhswift@gmail.com
A FUNDRAISING 26-mile walk in aid of Stoke St. Michael and Croscombe schools is to return this September – with the option of shorter and virtual walks.
Called 40 For the Federation, participants each pay £40 and are encouraged to seek sponsorship on top. Last year’s event was in aid of the schools, but organisers have now teamed up with MIND in Somerset to support them also.
The walk takes place on September 24th. As well as the 26mile route, a 14-mile and virtual option is also available.
A new orchard for Croscombe
Croscombe has a new orchard of a variety of fruit trees
A wheelie good afternoon: (l:r) Andrew (pushing), Rowan (in barrow), Coral, Sarah (sitting) and Candy
VILLAGERS in Croscombe have planted a community orchard on land next to the village cemetery.
The land sits above the village and offers beautiful views over the Croscombe valley. Residents paid for the trees, with some dedicating them to the memory of loved ones.
Out of the shadows
PENSFORDEvergreen Club has been getting back to normal after the Covid restrictions put paid to their weekly meetings.
Their latest evening had entertainment from Adrian Jay's Shadows Tribute band, when everyone welcomed Adrian’s return after his spell in hospital last year. May’s programme will include appearances from singer Mike Nash, Lynn on her keyboard, and the ever popular Westfield Ladies Choir.
The club has been going for well over 60 years and welcomes anyone over the age of 50 living in Pensford and surrounding areas.
They meet every Thursday from 7–9pm in Pensford Memorial Hall. The entrance fee is £2, which includes tea and biscuits.
Welcome club to close
MEMBERSof Holcombe Welcome Club met for the last time to share lunch and happy memories 46 years after the club was started by late member Kate Attwood and some friends. It grew from strength to strength with over 50 members at one time all enjoying meals, music, outings, competitions and quizzes. Linda Smith cutting the cake But with the present committee retiring and no-one prepared to carry on, the club is to close. The lunch was made possible through a donation of money by Marilyn Burrows on the closure of Coleford Club “to be used for Pictured (l to r) Eileen Smith, Pam Kerslake, Ruth Evans and Cath something special”. The farewell lunch Selway arranged by the committee was followed by a lovely cake made and cut by member Linda Smith. Everyone enjoyed a slice with a cup of tea and there was a free raffle where everyone was a winner.
The Rev Clarissa Cridland said grace before the meal and mentioned the numerous activities that could be enjoyed in the area.
The money left over was returned to Marilyn Burrows to be donated to the Ukraine War Appeal.
Handbag swansong
THElast Rotary handbag stall outside Waitrose in Nailsea raised £435 in a mere four hours of trading.
Rotarian Roger Smith said he would like to thank all those who have helped him with the stall over the years; the people supplying him with thousands of bags and the ever-generous residents of North Somerset who have bought from the stall.
A Covid party with a difference
Photos by Mark Adler
AFTER seeing just over 90,000 patients in 18 months, volunteers and vaccinators have said farewell to the Shape Covid vaccination centre in Shepton Mallet with a garden party in nearby Collett Park to mark its closure.
The team of 200 saw some of the volunteers working nearly 90 shifts, welcoming people as they arrived at the car park, on reception and helping to administer doses.
Centre leaders Emma Flynn, Dr Amelia Randle and Professor Michael Harris praised the community effort involved in running the facility which drew support from groups such as rotary clubs, retired medics and nursing staff.
Prof. Michael Harris (left), Debbie Rigby and Dr Amelia Randle and Emma Flynn (centre) with some of the Shape team
Dr Amelia Randle wearing some upcycled jab jewellery
Emma Flynn saying thank you to the team
Maria Bicheno administers a jab to a patient at one of the final sessions at Shape
Jab jewellery made by Debbie Rigby was presented to everyone
Tania Cook administers a jab to a patient at one of the final sessions at Shape
Volunteer vaccinators were each presented with a medal for their efforts
Mosaic project nears halfway stage
Club treasurer Mary Ellis and president Alan Sanderson present the cheque to Ruth Ames White at the Wells in Mosaic studio
AN ambitious project to illustrate life in Wells in a giant mosaic has received a donation from the city’s Lions Club.
The cheque, for £200, will go towards artist Ruth Ames White’s depiction of the Moat Boat Race organised by the club on the Bishop’s Palace moat. Work on the mosaic is reaching the halfway stage. When complete in about two years’ time, the six-metre diameter walkable map of the city will be installed next to the Bishop’s Barn.
Ruth said: “Some of my own family have participated in Wells Moat Race over the years. The event always has a real sense of fun and evoked a community atmosphere; it has a worthy place in the mosaic.”
Mary Ellis, treasurer of Wells Lions, said: “We are so pleased to give further support to this wonderful project and sponsoring the quatrefoil that will depict the Wells Moat Boat Race, a community project that we are particularly committed to, is very special.”
There will be an opportunity to see Ruth’s progress on the project at an open studio and garden fundraising event on Sunday, May 15th, from 2-5pm.
For details, visit: www.facebook.com/wellsinmosaic or email contact@wellsinmosaic.org
Grants available
SOMERSETCommunity Foundation has grants up to £2,500 available for smaller charities, community groups, sports clubs and social enterprises based in the county.
It is encouraging groups that run on less than £100,000 a year to apply now for funding from The Somerset Fund.
The grants can be used to pay for essential running costs, like rent, utilities, insurance, or staff time – sometimes known as core costs. The money can also be used for the costs of delivering a project or service in or for your community.
The deadline to apply is Friday, June 3rd, 5pm.
Honouring 50 years as a rotary club member
(L:r): club president-elect Ken Salter, David Dodgson and Clive Morris, secretary
ROTARIAN David Dodgson’s half-century of membership of the organisation has been recognised with the presentation of a framed certificate signed by Nicki Scott, leader of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.
David, a member of the Rotary Club of Weston-super-Mare, also received a letter from Shekhar Mehta, president of Rotary International, congratulating him on 50 years of service and emphasising the importance of “Service Above Self” in projects big and small that have potential to transform people, communities and even nations.
David, a well-known Westonian and local businessman, joined Rotary on March 8th 1972 and is a Paul Harris Fellow. The presentation was made by club president-elect Ken Salter.
Rotary’s new recruit
President John Palmer (right) and Graham Osborn
THE Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge has welcomed a new member, Graham Osborn, who previously taught English in Indonesia and Thailand for special business purposes.
He is currently working on software development for systems integration in the health service. The club welcomes new members.
Centenary celebrations for Owen
WELLWISHERS turned out in force to help Nunney’s oldest resident celebrate his 100th birthday. Owen Hillier MBE, who has spent a large part of his life fundraising and helping the community, had a queue of visitors at his home including two granddaughters who came over from Australia. During the first lockdown, Owen raised more than £20,000 for Dorothy House Enjoying his day: Owen Hillier Hospice by walking 100 metres a day to support their Stepping Up appeal. Over the years, Owen and his family have raised more than £90,000 for the charity.
Owen is a WW2 veteran who was a member of the Air Force Service police for Bomber Command in Kilmington. He later went on to work for Mendip District Council and, until recently, was an active community volunteer.
Over the years he has supported many local groups including the Friends of Frome Hospital and Frome Youth Club and Nunney church. In recognition of his decades of dedication, Owen was a awarded an MBE for his services to the community.
Wellwishers raise a glass to Owen
Owen and his wife Peggy with daughters Christine Steward and Susan Edwards
New president
Pictured (l to r) Andrew Davies, Robin Weelen and Peter Davey
SHEPTONMallet 41 Club past president, Robin Weelen welcomed Peter Davey as the new club president at the AGMat the Manor House, Ditcheat. Andrew Davies was then voted in as vice president
This will be busy year for Peter and 41 Club members as they prepare to celebrate the club’s 40th anniversary. Peters’ chosen charity is the Children’s Hospice South West at Wraxall.
Gifts for young carers
AXBRIDGE District Rotary and Burnhamon-Sea Rotary say they would like to say a huge thank you to all the people and traders who donated Easter Eggs for young carers.
These carers are an unseen army of children looking after members of their family who have health issues, while still going to school and trying to have a normal life. In total 909 eggs were distributed.
Pictured (l to r) Sam Bateman, Axbridge Rotary, Alli Waller, youth support worker, Jenny Eaton, Burnham Rotary, Chris Ashton, president Burnham Rotary, Paul Bateman, chairman Axbridge Rotary
Details: Lesley Watts 07828 153390 Sam Bateman 07976 782581
WI members strike a pose
Emma (front left) with Strawberry Line members
PROFESSIONAL dance teacher Emma Hill put members of the Strawberry Line WI through their paces with a Madonnathemed evening at Cranmore Memorial Hall.
New members welcome.
Let’s dance! Members learn one of Madonna’s dances
Find Strawberry Line WI on Facebook
Easter bonnets
Pictured (l to r) Rhoda Davidson. Jenny Penny, Janet Smith, Yvonne Phillips, 1st prize Sheila Gwilliam, 2nd prize Jenny Davis, Barbara Avery and Maureen Ford
PENSFORD Evergreen Club held an Easter Bonnet competition, which was won by Sheila Gwilliam. Judging the competition was entertainer Mike Nash, who later entertained the group with songs from greats such as Matt Monroe.
River Chew causes concern
The monthly meeting was packed
THE River Chew, which flows 17 miles from its source in Chewton Mendip to Chew Valley Lake and then joins Bristol’s Avon at Keynsham, is in poor ecological health and has deteriorated badly over the last 20 years.
This was revealed by Amy Wade, who is the River Chew Community Engagement Officer for Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) to a packed coffee morning in Compton Dando.
She said there are now 62% less fish in Pensford than there were in 2016–2019. A recent report showed problems caused by sediment and pollution.
Amy said local people could get involved in helping to improve habitats. They also work with landowners to manage the land and river and monitor the river for wildlife and water quality.
Their riverfly monitoring scheme tests water quality by checking what creatures are in the water. They are running training courses this summer to expand their network of volunteers. One will take place in Pensford on June 22nd.
Amy Wade
Easter party
JULIE Docherty, who runs the Age UK Day Centre in Midsomer Norton, organised an Easter celebration with bonnets, hot cross buns and games.
The charity has day centres in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton, which provide fun, friendship and activities, as well as a two-course hot lunch and tea and coffee throughout the day. They also provide transport to and from the venue.
Pam Brown Jen Smith
Lorraine Batley Joyce Young
Mary Clements
Details: 01225 466135 • reception@ageukbanes.co.uk
Bag a bargain
CASTLECary group, Saturday Stitch, is thriving again after the closures caused by lockdown, and is preparing for its first ever coffee morning on May 28th at the Market House.
The group is a friendly creative collective of people who want to work with fabric and yarn in many creative ways including machine and hand sewing, knitting, crochet etc.
Meeting twice a month, sharing skills and resources, the group welcomes people of all abilities with the goal of having a creative time and, of course, a good chat. Once a year the group also holds its very popular Stash Buster, which is a chance to swap, sell or give away the surplus or unused items that crafters somehow seem to accumulate in their workrooms.
This year the Stash Buster will be held at the coffee morning, so newcomers are welcome to join them for more information about the group and to bag a bargain too.
Details: Sally Yeoman 07929 097374 sallyyeoman@btinternet.com
Mums’ Easter fundraiser
FARMBOROUGH mums got together to raise much-needed funds for extra-curricular activities for their pre-school. The morning raised £259.25! The event was held at Farmborough villager hall over the school holidays, which enabled some of the older children to help the littler ones on the art and craft table.
Organiser, Tonya Fray, said: “The money raised will be used for activities such as yoga sessions to aid gross and fine motor skills, as well as going towards running our forest school sessions”
