ALTON GROUP
30th Anniversary Newsletter
February 2014
Thank you! This was a very special year for our group and we celebrated in fine style with the support of our local community and friends. We want to thank those who have been involved with the Wessex Cancer Trust over many years as well as raising the awareness of the Trust’s work to newcomers. We are very pleased to have raised over £11,000 during the year and below is a brief resume of 2013. However, this magnificent sum is not only raised from our events but also includes the kindness of local individuals, businesses and other supporters. We are extremely grateful to those who have donated their ‘birthday or anniversary gifts’ instead of presents, given the proceeds of talks, Lent lunches by Liz and Tom Brock and Judith Elphee, or made private donations.
The Alton Beer Festival again generously donated £300 from the summer Beer Festival. They continue to support local charities wonderfully from their two annual events. We are grateful to shops and pubs which hold one of our collecting tins on their counters. It is amazing how they fill up. Frances Law and Sally Horner have continued selling their attractive hand-made craft items at a variety of venues, including the Salisbury Christmas market which unfortunately coincided with a very wet day! They make a considerable sum of money for WCT every year and both their time and dedication is very valuable.
Spring Flowers Once again we were most fortunate to welcome Pam Smout from Greatfield Floral Designs in Isington to demonstrate floral designs for spring although at the time spring did seem very slow in coming. However, she produced some wonderful and varied arrangements while amusing us with her anecdotes! I think my favourite was this lovely linear arrangement.
30th Anniversary Celebration Our summer celebratory party was a Hog Roast and Jazz evening at Manor Farm, West Worldham. Our hosts were Tom and Liz Brock, who went to great lengths to prepare their two very spacious barns for our event. We are extremely grateful to them for their generosity, time and effort towards making the evening possible and such a success. The Sussex Jazz Kings had everyone’s feet tapping and brought many people on to the dance floor. The dancing and hog roast by Norman Reed Butchers helped us all stay warm on one of the rather chilly mid-summer evenings!
Memorial Concert In June Wessex Cancer Trust were fortunate to share the proceeds of a memorial concert for Alton resident, Mac Newton, at the Alton Maltings. The Trust is most grateful to his widow, Barbara Tansey, for this. The concert was a reflection of his musical life and many of his musical contacts contributed to this wonderful occasion.
Alton Health Fayre As usual we had our table at the Alton Health Fayre in September and made some useful contacts and talked about the work of the Trust. Lesley Bethell made a very impressive and informative display tracing the history of the Alton group since its inception by Roz Smith. It was shown at all our events during the year and drew a lot of interest from the public. We sincerely thank Lesley for the time and precision she displayed in producing such an exhibit.
Christmas cards We have been selling our Alton produced Christmas cards but have yet to know the proceeds from these. We do appreciate the work of many people in designing the cards and selling on our behalf especially at a time when card sending has become very expensive. However, there is still a ready market and for this we are grateful. Two of our artists have been designing for many years and it is always good to have new submissions to choose from each year.
Thank you! We had an annual collection outside Sainsbury’s and are grateful to them for their support in giving us this opportunity and to the community for their continued donations.
A Stitch in Thyme The Alton Choral Society approached our Group to offer to hold a concert in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust and this was, of course, very gratefully received! A Stitch in Thyme concert was held in October at All Saints Church and included a very varied and interesting programme of music and sings from around the UK with particular emphasis on arrangements by John Rutter. It was a most enjoyable occasion.
We were successful in being chosen by Waitrose as a beneficiary of their Community Matters scheme and received the sum of ÂŁ480 from them.
Goodbye We are sorry to lose two members of our group this year - June Wood-Higgs who had been involved for 23 years, some of which she was Treasurer and Lesley Bethell whose involvement spanned 25 years, many of which she had been Secretary. Lesley has made an extremely valuable contribution and they are both greatly missed, but their support of events continues, for which we are very grateful.
Looking Forward Now we are into 2014 and have decided that it will be a quieter year for our Group. We will still be raising funds for the Trust in whatever way we can. If anyone has any ideas such as holding a coffee morning or supper party in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust or wishes to nominate it as the charity of their choice for a sponsored event, please contact Diana Faithfull (01420 588155) and visit the website Wessexcancer.org.uk. The collection of plastic milk bottle tops and used stamps is helpful, as is collection of items and clothes for the shop in Weeke (Winchester). Collection from you can be arranged. With our best wishes for a healthy 2014 and sincere thanks for your support.
Volunteer Opportunities Community Fundraisers We are seeking new people to join our fun and friendly group, planning and running local fundraising events and activities in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust. No experience needed, just a willingness to help and time to spare. Event Helpers Could you help with a one off bucket collection or sale in your community? We often need extra pairs of hands just to help out on the day. Call us if you would like to register to help. To find out more about volunteering with Wessex Cancer Trust Alton Group, or supporting the charity in another way, please contact Diana Faithfull on 01420 588155.
Ways you can help • Join the Wessex Cancer Trust Alton Group • Help out at an occasional event
Diary Date If you would like a delicious cream tea in a beautiful garden on the river Test in Romsey on July 13th, please put it in your diary and contact the above number for further details in due course.
• Distribute event posters and flyers • Sponsor an event or a raffle prize • Make a donation of time or money.
Wessex Cancer Trust
Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1DL t: 023 8067 2200 f: 023 8067 2266 e: wct@wessexcancer.org.uk www.wessexcancer.org.uk
YOUR LOCAL CANCER CARE