Community

Anti-fraud advice works

Club president Sandy Maclachlan with Ashley Jones

Members of the club including Alison Webb and Irene McIntosh (pictured) have been supporting the Rotary Club of Mendip in marshalling at the vaccination centre at Winchester Farm at Cheddar

A MEMBER of the Inner Wheel Club of Mendip had every reason to feel grateful to the group’s speaker at their first meeting in-person since pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Ashley Jones, from Avon and Somerset Police’s Organised Crime Unit, gave a talk about how to prevent various types of fraud at the meeting at the Rodney Stoke Inn. He later handed out information booklets which proved useful when the club member was the victim of an attempted scam just a short while later.

Drawing attention to polio

The exhibition

ROTARYNailsea and Backwell highlighted World Polio Day in October, as polio cases increased during the Covid pandemic, when polio vaccinations were suspended.

Three years ago it looked as if the world was close to eradicating polio. Members led by Chris Broughton, himself a survivor of the disease, arranged for an iron lung (tank ventilator) to be exhibited in Tesco car park.

This was the main treatment for polio from 1928 to the early 1960s and the display was designed to draw attention to this dreadful disease.

Chris also organised the planting of crocus corms at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and hopes to have other sites available in due course.

It is hoped that some £400 will be raised locally and with a contribution from The Gates Foundation, this could reach £1,200 which equates to 3,000 vaccinations.

Bulb planting at Noah’s Ark Farm “Iron lungs” saved many lives

Grants available to restart services

DISCOVERY,the organisation which supports people with learning disabilities and autism across Somerset, is inviting groups across the county to submit applications for grants ranging from £500 to £50,000 from its community fund.

This new round of funding will focus on supporting organisations to recover, innovate, and restart services in the wake of the pandemic.

Applications through Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), who are administering the Fund, are particularly encouraged from groups which tackle health inequalities, combat hate crime, and support people into employment.

Discovery is a social enterprise formed from a ground-breaking partnership between Dimensions and Somerset County Council. The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 17th.

Jean’s legacy

Hilary Cox, Libraries and Information Service and Caroline Talbott, Jean's daughter

A RESIDENT from the Chew Valley has left a legacy inspiring others to gain as much pleasure from books as she did, thanks to a generous donation from her family and friends to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Home Library Service.

Jean Coram from Stanton Drew always enjoyed books, as she said they took her off to different places in her imagination. During the latter years of her life as her eyesight became poor, she began to enjoy talking books supplied by the service.

When Jean died earlier this year her family wanted to support the service in her memory. Generous donations of £675 from the family and her many friends have enabled the purchase of 17 talking books titles.

A plate has been placed inside each book which reads: “In loving memory of Jean Elizabeth Coram, an enthusiastic member of the Home Library Service. Her family and friends invite you to journey as she did through the wonder of words.”

Caroline Talbott, Jean’s daughter, said: “Being able to listen to books meant that mum felt part of the wider world, even though her physical world had shrunk. The visits from the Home Library Service and the talking books brought mum so much pleasure, so we wanted to give something back.

“I have been overwhelmed at the generosity of family and friends which meant a collection of talking books could be bought for the library service in her memory for others to enjoy. It’s a perfect legacy and it’s wonderful for us to think that even more choices are now available for other people to enjoy. I hope they will read the book plate and think of the person who inspired the collection.”

The council’s libraries team has chosen some books by authors that Jean enjoyed, including Gervase Phinn and Sally Magnusson.

The service is for readers who have severely restricted mobility and cannot visit their local library. Volunteers get to know reader’s interests and collect and return books from the local library on their behalf.

New centre manager

PEASEDOWNSt John’s Hive Community Centre has appointed Lucy Day as manager, responsible for the day-to-day running of the building. Chair of the management committee, Joy Fraser, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Lucy to the team. “She has been a part of the Peasedown community Lucy Day for over 20 years and is well known to villagers through being a part of the Methodist Church. Plus, Lucy’s husband Andy runs The Meeting Place Coffee Shop.”

Lucy, a trained and experienced social worker, comes with years of experience of working with foster carers and children.

The Hive opened last year, run by a team of volunteers, and was formerly the youth centre for many decades. Following B&NES council’s initial intention to close the building, the community stepped in with a vision to create a community space with a range of services and activities for local people.

Lucy said: “The Hive is a fantastic project to be a part of. It’s already home to the village Post Office, Swallow Café, the Community Library and a wide selection of community groups throughout the week.

“Our aim is to continue to build a community centre that’s at the heart of the village.”

Details: www.thehivepsj.org 01761 360021 Facebook at www.facebook.com/HiveCommunityCentrePSJ

Village team’s award

A NEWteam of enthusiastic volunteers has been busy at Ashwick and Oakhill village hall, installing new flooring, doors, windows and heating system, as well as redecorating. The group, a registered charity, have plans to install a community cafe by Jim Claydon CCS with Caroline Ambrose, treasurer, and Andy North, chairman repurposing existing rooms within the hall. They have currently raised £19,271.83 with a target of £80,000 and are waiting to hear about the outcome of several grant applications.They recently achieved Hallmark Accreditation Level 1 which is a national award which recognises the high standard of the committee members, the merit of the hall and impact for the community.

They were not only presented with that certificate by the Community Council for Somerset, they also received a special extra District Award for Mendip 2021. They have been advised to go for levels two and three together next year.

Busy time for Inner Wheel club

INNER Wheel district chairman Pam Brewster entertained members of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock club with tales about her various careers. Pam, from Frome, has gone from being a technical and commercial illustrator, an insurance company’s department head, through to motherhood and Open University graduation and then through the ranks of Pam Brewster (left) with club president teaching to school Jacky Emm headship and eventual lecturer.

Pam now runs GIFT, a charity that awards bursaries to enable young people to fulfil projects in developing countries and she is also a dementia champion, visiting shops, offices and groups giving advice on how people can live well with the condition.

Just five days earlier, club members had celebrated their 64th anniversary dinner at The Old Down Inn at Emborough where they were entertained and mystified by magician Tony Griffin.

New members are always welcome at the club’s monthly meetings at the Old Down Inn. Club secretary, Elaine, can be contacted on 07543 973666

Tree spotting

MEMBERS of Bishop Sutton and Stowey WI enjoyed a trip down memory lane to visit their oak tree at Folly Farm. Former president, Liz Balmforth, said: “We got the oak tree in 2000 when I was a delegate at the WI AGM at the NEC. “We were all given an oak sapling each to celebrate the Millennium, then got back and couldn’t decide where to plant it. Pictured (l to r) Pat Smith, Janet Thornhill, Jenny Harris, Cherryl Taylor and Julia Young Opposite the Post Office? The playing field? In the end we decided to plant it at Folly Farm.”

Current president, Jenny Harris, said: “We re-installed a brass tree plaque, which reads ‘Planted by Bishop Sutton and Stowey WI in 2000’ almost two years ago.

“The tree is about 15ft high now, planted in the corner of the vegetable garden, and looking very healthy.”

Drone glow display a first for Frome

ALMOST 300 drones were flown in formation to create dramatic displays in the skies above Frome when the town hosted the first event of its kind in the south west.

Glow in the Park at the Old Showfield was held in aid of local charities and community groups and was the first event to be staged in front of a live audience by local company Celestial.

The display saw 280 drones float majestically across the sky and move into a series of moving shapes and pictures accompanied by a poem set to music. Previously, Celestial had recorded drone displays for high-profile audiences such as Edinburgh Hogmanay, Friends of the Earth, and the Eden Project.

The day had begun with Apple Day celebrations in the Old Showfield and a “blossom circle” planting. Mayor Andy Wrintmore said: “It was simply a fantastic display from the entire Frome community. The Blossom Circles honoured the very best of this community; not only our well-loved charities, also the people just getting on and improving their neighbourhoods, and the lives of their neighbours. The Apple Day activities were the usual excellent mix of apple pressing, planting and all things harvest like and then the drones were just the most amazing spectacle from the most amazing new Frome company.”

John Hopkins, one of the founding directors of Celestial, said: “The team at Celestial are thrilled to have had the chance to create a ground-breaking show for their hometown of Frome. The audience were amazing, and the feedback has left us buzzing. We could feel the love in the air that night. Huge thanks to Arts Council UK and Frome Town Council for the opportunity."

Money raised will be split amongst a number Frome charities who supported the collection on the night. They include Fair Frome, The Christmas Get Together, The Pod, Active and in Touch, Frome Town Band, Frome Carnival, The Missing Link and Collegians Football club. l Donations can still be made by texting the word glowfrome followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70085 e.g. texting glowfrome3 to 70085 will donate £3 up to a maximum of £20.

A total of 280 drones were involved in the show

Sheep are a window on town’s creativity

FAMILIES gathered at Shepton Mallet Library for an art workshop ahead of the town’s Window Wanderland at the end of November.

The wanderland involves homes and businesses decorating their windows which are lit up at night, creating an artistic trail for people to follow. Families at the workshop – run by the community interest company Make the Sunshine –created almost 30 sheep which will be used to decorate the main window of the library.

The event is being supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council, Somerset Community Foundation and Somerset Skills and Learning. It runs from Thursday, November 25th to Sunday, November 28th from 6-8.30pm.

The session was held in the library’s new children and community area

Getting crafty with sheep Everyone was given a silhouette of a sheep to work with I made this!

For details visit: www.makethesunshine.co.uk

Busy Christmas

CHEW Stoke WI has been busy, holding a members’ show, featuring crafts, produce and photos and a programme of walks, including this one to Deer Leap, Priddy.

They now look forward to their AGM in December, Christmas supper and the WI group carol service, which will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Bishop Sutton on December 8th at 7.30pm.

Soup for lunch

THEpopular soup and pudding lunch, held regularly in West Harptree Memorial Hall, raised £501 for the village church. One guest, who enjoyed her soup lunch was 93-year-old Ann Burston from East Harptree.

The church’s next event is a carol concert and supper on Saturday, December 11th.

New vicar welcomed

The Rev Andrew Hiscox (centre) with the area Dean the Rev Tom Yacomeni (left) and Archdeadon, the Ven Adrian Youings

THERev Andrew Hiscox has been licensed as the vicar for Winscombe and Sandford in a service conducted by Archdeacon Adrian Youings at St James’s Church in Winscombe.

Churchwarden, Diana Williams, said: “This was a wonderful service for the parish. Andrew was initially licensed in a Zoom service in April 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

“However, last night we welcomed him in person as our vicar and were able to celebrate his ministry.”

He previously served as a curate in the parish, having previously worked in the financial sector. He and his wife Corinna have two children who attend local schools.

Breakfast supports hospice

BLAGDON'Sannual big breakfast for Weston Hospicecare was again a big success, raising around £650 for the hospice.

One of the organisers, Tina Smith, said: “We think the amount raised was amazing considering that we were not sure how confident people would be coming out and mixing

Helping families through winter

QUARTET Community Foundation is expanding its Surviving Winter appeal to benefit more people, including struggling families, as well as the many thousands of local elderly people in need. It says many households who were already struggling to make ends meet are facing a perfect storm as fuel and food prices rise just as incomes are Suzanne Rolt squeezed further. As well as helping the elderly, the money raised by people donating their winter fuel payment or making a donation, will help it to direct grants to local charities across the area addressing fuel poverty, isolation and financial pressures over winter.

Chief executive, Suzanne Rolt, said: “It’s so often those with the least who bear the brunt of these crises.

“This could be working families who were just about keeping their heads above water before the fuel price hike came along and now have to choose between food or heating; or older people coping with health issues who always struggle to heat their homes as temperatures start to drop.

“Over the last 18 months we’ve seen just how effective local organisations can be in responding at speed to a major crisis, offering support to the people we live alongside.

“We plan to work hand in hand with the fantastic local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations across Bristol, B&NES, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to provide vital support in our communities.”

Details: https://quartetcf.org.uk/donate-now/

Hazel and Colin Parfitt and Beryl Millard enjoying their breakfast

again in the club.

“It was good to see so many people coming to eat but also to stay for a chat and catch up with friends and neighbours which has been so much missed in the last 18 months!”

The team are now looking forward to their next event, a Christmas coffee morning, on Saturday, November 27th, 1012noon at the village club. There will be stalls, plus a raffle, as well as Weston Hospice Christmas cards on sale.

Polio campaign

WRINGTONVale Rotary Club celebrated World Polio Day by planting crocus corms at Langford. The purple crocus is used to raise awareness of the campaign to eradicate the disease.

Details: www.rotarygbi.org/donatepolio

Men’s Shed available

THEStreet & Walton Men’s Shed is open for new members both male and female, with plenty of space in their two workshops for you to work and a kitchen/social area for you to chat over tea or coffee.

They open three days a week, Mondays, 9am-12.30pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-4.30pm. They may be opening for extra days if there is a demand.

There is also a ladies’ session 1-4.30pm on Tuesday afternoons and a mixed session on Thursdays 1-4.30pm.

They are still accepting donations of tools and equipment (no matter how big), so let them know about any unwanted Christmas presents or tools that have been replaced.

Details: https://streetwaltonmensshed.wixsite.com/streetwalton-shed 01458 443940

Beulah’s treat

BEULAHBranch, one of East Harptree’s best-known residents, got a special treat for her 90th birthday. Her friend and cousin, Vera Mayes, took her to an evening with Daniel O’Donnell at the Bath Forum.

A thorny gift

Holy Thorn

EACHyear Somerset gives a special Christmas gift to the Queen by sending her a sprig of flowering Glastonbury thorn to be on her breakfast table on Christmas morning.

The Glastonbury thorn flowers twice a year and legend links it to Joseph of Arimathea and the proof that Glastonbury was “the holiest earth of England”.

The gift of these Christmas cuttings to the monarchy can be traced back many hundreds of years; the modern tradition of a thorny gift to the monarch was restarted in the 1920s and carries on to this day.

It will be my great pleasure to be part of this year’s cutting ceremony with the Mayor of Glastonbury to wish Her Majesty a very Happy Christmas.

At the close of the year there is an opportunity to look back and reflect on all those who have given service to the many communities across our county, very often volunteers without any expectation of recognition.

The county is well served by our police, ambulance and fire services as well as volunteer organisations such as the RNLI and St John’s Ambulance. In the last year we know there have been huge pressures on those who work in our NHS and with a long winter ahead they deserve our gratitude as do those who work in the vaccination centres across our county.

The two community foundations – Quartet and Somerset Community Foundation – have made record grants in Somerset and they will have an important role in helping those on the margins survive winter. I know they will be looking both for those in need and also for our donations.

Thank you to all those who have helped in 2021 in so many ways.

I hope our Queen will enjoy her thorny gift from Somerset and recognise our deep affection for her and our best wishes for a very different Christmas, sadly, without Prince Philip at her side.

THOMAS SHEPPARD High Sheriff of Somerset

Hospice fayre

WESTON Hospicecare’s Christmas Fayre will take place at St Paul’s Church Hall, in Weston on Saturday, December 11th, 25pm.

Supporters can expect Christmas stalls from volunteer supporters, local businesses and the Friends of Weston Hospicecare. There will be a chance to meet Santa too!