Charities

Zombies show a lot of heart

DOZENS of people put their hearts and souls into making the return of Glastonbury’s charity zombie walk a terror-ific event.

Held in aid of Children’s World, live entertainment including Glastonbury Border Morris, Dragon Drummers Glastonbury and jugglers Haggis McCloud and Charlie Dancey entertained onlookers as the zombies began to gather before taking over the High Street.

Charlie Dancey (left) and Haggis McCloud scare a zombie with their act

The Zombies are unleashed

Saffron collecting for Children’s World, based in Glastonbury

This chihuahua seems unconcerned by the procession Pearly queen? Savvy ahead of the procession Rising from the dead

Tom takes the Rickshaw Challenge

THATCHERSCider welcomed the BBC Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge to The Railway Inn at Sandford.

Undertaking the first leg of this year’s fundraising relay challenge was Tom Walsh, aged 16, from Cheddar, who was nominated for the challenge by The Space, the Cheddar-based charity.

It has supported Tom following the tragic loss of his dad, Rod, in 2018 and he made the ride in his dad’s memory.

The 30-mile route took him from the SS Great Britain in Bristol, over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, through Chew Magna, down Cheddar Gorge finishing at Myrtle Farm in Sandford.

Arriving with presenter Matt Baker, Tom was welcomed at the finish line by his mum Ceri, and sister Carys.

Martin Thatcher presented a cheque to Matt and Tom during their visit to Myrtle Farm

In September 2018, Tom’s world was turned upside down when his mum and dad, both NHS workers, were involved in a devastating car accident on the M5 while travelling to work.

Rod died and Ceri was badly injured and was told she might never walk again. To everyone’s relief, Ceri recovered but this catastrophic event completely changed Tom’s life.

Since then he has been receiving support from BBC Children in Need funded project, The Space, which has delivered weekly 1:1 counselling sessions to Tom, even during lockdown.

Tom, a pupil at Kings of Wessex School, said: “I can’t thank The Space enough for being there for me at such a hard and devastating time in mine and my family’s life.”

Gary Delafield, Thatchers operations director, was also at the finish line to welcome Tom and Matt at the end of their challenge. Gary has got to know Tom over the past 12 months, volunteering his time as a support and mentor to Tom during his road to recovery.

Police support BillyChip

BILLYCHIP,the social enterprise scheme supporting rough sleepers, is now being supported by Avon and Somerset Police Community Support Officers.

They have added new interactive BillyChips to their uniform, acting as a reminder of the scheme and a talking point with the community. The scheme has also been backed by Dan Norris, West of England Metro Mayor and Mark Shelford, Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.

The BillyChip platform allows people to purchase a token from participating food and drink outlets which can then be given to rough sleepers and homeless people as an alternative to cash. They can then redeem the BillyChip for food, drink and other products.

Co-founder, Meg Abernethy-Hope, from Bishop Sutton, said: "We are so grateful to the local police for their support, and for allowing the PCSOs to provide a really visible way to see the BillyChip.

“Ultimately we hope that this will help raise awareness so that people in the community know that BillyChip can be used to support rough sleepers and the homeless."

New book for Christmas

CHRIS Cox’s latest effort to fundraise for the Langport & District Red Cross Group, of which he is the leader, is a companion book to his “Total Experience Corner” memoir of a year in Jamaica.

It tells the life story of Jim and his ancestors, from an early Victorian eloper to the present day. It is called “Jim Jams” and relates the many “jams” Jim and his relations have got themselves into over

the years.

Printed and e-book copies will be available on Amazon from early December, probably at £5 (plus postage) and £2.50 respectively. You can also receive a printed copy direct from Chris for £5 including postage.

Total Experience Corner is also still available from Chris at £12 including postage or as an e-book. All profits will be donated to the British Red Cross to help keep their Langport centre shop open.

Air Ambulance’s Christmas appeal

DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced the launch of its “Share the Gift of Life this Christmas” fundraising campaign.

The charity’s latest initiative asks members of the public to show their support and raise funds by either “buying a bauble”, “giving a gift” or “sending a card” to loved ones or friends during the festive season.

Over the Christmas period its critical

care team will continue responding 19 hours per day, helping critically ill or injured patients across the region.

The charity receives no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and relies on the generosity of the public to raise their operational costs of over £5 million per year.

Fundraising manager, Emma Jones, said: “We are so excited to launch our Christmas campaign. Whether you are an individual, business, group or a school, everyone can show their support and get involved.

“We would love for people to send messages to the crew and spread the joy of Christmas with their loved ones. Every penny raised will make a big difference and enable us to continue saving lives.”

Details: www.dsairambulance.org.uk/share-the-gift-of-life-this-christmas

Kitty’s role in helping heroes

EIGHT years after being given just two weeks to live, Kitty Harrison from Glastonbury, has taken up the position of Regional Sports, Activity and Fellowship Practitioner with the charity, Help for Heroes.

She spent her teenage years in hospital before learning to walk again and then successfully trekked up Indonesia’s Mt Rinjani. Kitty, aged 26, says she can use her own life experiences in her new role helping veterans in Bristol and Somerset.

She moves to the charity from roles with the Paralympics High Performance Sport Faculty, in Bisham, and the Elite Cricket Performance Academy, in Isleworth, where she has coached, encouraged and managed athletes during the last four years.

She said: “I was in hospital for three years, so, to keep my brain active, I threw myself into everything I could do. I had organ failure; I was tube fed and my body just rejected everything. I was given two weeks to live when I was 18, because I was unable to digest any food.

“Cognitively, my brain wasn’t functioning very well; I couldn’t string a sentence together and I developed a speech impediment. I was in a wheelchair, and everything just shut down on me. But then they changed my tube-feed, and I was suddenly able to digest food a bit better. And I’m here to tell the tale.

“Everything I do now is about trying to help people, to bridge the gap and play my part in helping them feel healthier and happier, however that may look. I know what it’s like to be injured or have physical or psychological issues which may feel like it’s stopping you from being the person you want to be. I want to use my experiences, and what I’ve learned along the way, to help other people.”

Kitty Harrison

Treat for tractor fans

Dom Lowe from Pensford on his Massey Ferguson 148

CHEWValley Young Farmers’ tractor road run saw tractors of all shapes and sizes taking part, giving sightseers something to remember as they drove around the Chew Valley, taking in both sides of the lake.

Organiser, Lewis Tibbs, said: “On the day we collected an amazing amount of £2,500 and would like to thank everyone that made this event such a great success and donated so generously.

“We hoped the event would be supported by young farmers and locals. Once the entry forms were available we were inundated with people wishing to attend and had a total of 75 tractors taking part, with some coming from as far as Wiltshire and Glastonbury.

“The road run went very well, helped by the beautiful autumn sunshine. People were watching and cheering the tractors as they drove through all the villages and past Chew Valley Lake, before returning to Stanton Drew for hot drinks and a hog roast.”

The money will go to Cancer Research UK. The club meets on a Monday evening and is currently organising its January Snow Ball.

Words and pictures by Ros Anstey

Welcoming group (l to r) Clare Tibbs, Jenny Tibbs, Georgie Lane, Caroline Batten and Caroline Sweet Leading the way

YFC members

Young volunteers to honour keyworkers

MEMBERS of the Children’s World charity’s youth committee are organising an awards ceremony and tea party in December to say thank you to the area’s keyworkers.

Nominations are open for anyone to put forward the name of a keyworker they think should be honoured at the event on Saturday, December 11th in Glastonbury.

The youth committee says keyworkers will receive an award for their dedicated work and a free goody bag whilst members of the local community will be using music, written word and art to show their appreciation.

There will be a raffle, with the proceeds going to St John’s Ambulance, and the opportunity for local services and charities to showcase what they offer. l The party will take place at Abbey House in Glastonbury from 2-4pm.

Details: Angela Bolton 07709 677998 or email youthcommittee@childrensworldcharity.org

Quiz nights are back

KEYNSHAMMencap has held its first quiz night in over two years, with 82 contestants at Saltford Hall, showing the event is as popular as ever.

Fundraiser, Amanda Leonard, said: “This was our first independent fundraising event since the start of the pandemic and so we really did not know what to expect. The total raised that evening was just under £1,000, which was just superb.”

With Christmas getting closer the group will be the beneficiaries of two Keynsham community events, a craft fair on Saturday, November 27th at the Key Centre, 10am2pm, and a Christmas Market shopping event on Saturday, December 4th, 12-8pm, at The Wine Bar.

Keynsham Mencap’s next event is the Music Man project Christmas concert on Sunday, December 12th at Manvers Street Church in Bath. It is free admission, with a retiring collection, and needs to be booked.

Weston gets a new lifeboat

THE last Atlantic 75 lifeboat in the South West has retired after saving lives in Weston-super-Mare for more than 20 years. It has been replaced by a newer Atlantic 85.

The crew celebrated by launching both their Atlantics, old and new, together with their D Class lifeboat to say goodbye to a type of lifeboat which has served them well.

One of the crew afloat was David Ridout who recently became the last lifeboat crew in the UK and Ireland to gain a pass as a helmsman of the A75. He has now passed as a helm for the A85.

David Ridout

Birnbeck Pier is go!

NORTH Somerset Council and the RNLI have confirmed that they can now start working to renovate Weston’s Birnbeck Pier for the first time since it had to be closed for safety reasons in 1994.

The private owner has agreed to sell to the council; they and the RNLI will be supported by Historic England to secure grant funding reserved for restoration and community projects. The work, which will provide a new lifeboat station, will be phased over several years.

Duncan Macpherson, RNLI principal estates manager said: “The RNLI is extremely grateful for the support and commitment of North Somerset Council in its determination to secure a longterm base for the RNLI’s lifesaving in Weston-super-Mare.”

Radstock remembers

Just one of the many wreaths to be laid at the war memorial

Max Feeney lowers the legion branch standard

Frome falls silent

Time for a chat before the service commences

Frome mayor Andy Wrintmore at the head of the parade

Chewton Mendip

Long Ashton

Midsomer Norton

Hugh Sexey

Lympsham Baltonsborough

Pictured (l to r) outside St Dunstan’s Church Rob Howes (standard bearer), Tom Medlicott (vice chairman), Martyn Underdown (president), the Rev Chris Hopkins, John Westcott MBE (senior member), Eric Conway MBE (chairman).

Chilcompton

Robin Tatem lays a posy of poppies on the grave of Private Charles in the graveyard of the former Christ Church. It was part of the annual dressing of the graves organised by the Midsomer Norton and Radstock branch of the Royal British Legion

Back in time for pupils

Harry Jones, Station master Colin Button, Education liaison John Marriott and Steve Webb with year 6 pupils

PUPILS from Bishop Sutton school were “transported” back in history at Midsomer Norton Station when they visited recently.

Station staff dressed in World War Two uniforms of Home Guard and Land Girl told them about the major events in the conflict and the role played by the station at that time. Coal and transportation of military personnel was key in communications during the war.

Roger Taylor, museums officer for the S&D Heritage Railway said that the station welcomes visits from schools: “We believe that the station helps to make history of the railway alive for youngsters and if they can experience an actual ride in historic coaches that makes the experience even greater fun.”

The pupils enjoyed a ride along the line towards Chilcompton tunnel where there are plans to build an extension. l To book a school visit, go to: www.sdjr.co.uk

Still dancing after all these years

The side outside the Old Station Inn at Hallatrow

CAM Valley Morris Men have celebrated their 40th anniversary with a tour of the pubs they first visited.

The tour began at the Star at High Littleton, followed by the Old Station Inn at Hallatrow and the Ring O Bells at Hinton Blewitt.

Still making merry

Lottery grant for Somerset charity

PROMISEworks, whose volunteer mentors support vulnerable children and young people across Somerset, is celebrating the award of £337k from The National Lottery Community Fund.

This money will enable the charity to help many of the 200 young people currently on its waiting list following a dramatic increase in referrals since the Covid crisis.

Robert Peto, chair of PROMISEworks, said: “We are thrilled that the importance of our work has been recognised by The National Lottery Community Fund. National Lottery players can feel proud their contribution will help less fortunate families and young people across Somerset. We will also reach out to our local communities to encourage their generous-minded volunteers to step forward and train with us as mentors.”

Joanna Davey, volunteer mentor said: “I now have an appreciation of how Covid has disrupted young people’s education and how so many have had to cope with tremendous pressures. For my young person, who feels anxious about attending school, it’s added another layer of complexity to her life.

“It’s exciting too, playing a part in helping a young person make decisions and steer their way through the hurdles of exams and next steps. Knowing the potential she has and the significance of this time in setting her on a positive track, feels like a real privilege. I draw on my experience to share it in a way that adds value to her life.”

The charity will now move forward with its plans to become better-known across Somerset and to expand links with businesses and local partners, in order to build long term support both in finding new volunteer mentors and raising funds.

PROMISEworks mentors and mentees enjoy paddleboarding