Clubs and Societies, April 25, 2013

As well as being a valued member of Mark Friendship Club, Jim was a long-time member of the church’s bell-ringing team. Jim, a navigator in Bomber Command in World War Two and honoured for his bravery with a DFC, will be sadly missed by family and friends alike.

With the arrival of our guest speaker, Jean Routley, business was suspended for an hour while she entertained us with stories of her experiences as a church organist.

The chairman reminded everyone that next year the club will be 50 years old and would welcome ideas as to how we should celebrate the occasion.

Jan Smith is now taking bookings for Weymouth on June 13, so all members should try to give her their support.

The next meeting is on May 2, when we welcome Joan McCarthy and The Reflections.

BURNHAM & HIGHBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY: St Andrew’s Church was full to the brim on Saturday as it was the society’s annual spring concert.

Just as the concert was about to start the Town Mayor Councillor Ken Smout surprised the choral society by presenting them with a civic award.

After the applause, the choir along with an orchestral ensemble, entertained a packed church to the delights of Vivaldi’s Gloria, a selection of songs from Les Misérables, and a specially commissioned piece of music written by Paul Mealor to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, entitled Jubilate Jubilee.

Soloists Pamela Rudge and Anne Stanford joined the choir to sing the solo pieces for Vivaldi’s Gloria. They treated the audience to two duets, along with a selection of solo pieces.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE HOMEMAKERS: Members enjoyed a very interesting talk by Nicky from Bakers Dolphin at our April meeting.

She told us a lot about the history of the company and about the trips which are available. Members also learned about forthcoming theatre trips, supper club and skittles evening.

Our next meeting is on May 7 at Weston Social Club.

BLEADON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: Hardy perennials, those plants that die back to soil level and then regrow, was the topic of Don Everitt’s illustrated talk to a large appreciative audience in the Coronation Hall.

The next meeting of the society will be held on Tuesday May 21 with a social and bring and buy plant sale. This event is open to anyone and is free admission.

On Tuesday June 18 John Thatcher is the guest speaker when his talk ‘A taste of Somerset’ again is open to anyone at £1 admission. Both these events are held in the Coronation Hall at 7.30pm.

During each evening bookings will be taken for our coach trip to Dyffryn gardens and house near Cardiff on July 16 leaving the village at 8.45pm.

THE INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WRINGTON VALE: Members held their annual breakfast at Regilbury Park Farm on Sunday morning, hosted by Pauline and John Alvis.

Around 80 guests sat down to a full English breakfast whilst enjoying the splendid views of the surrounding countryside.

The raffle had a breakfast theme with items from marmalade to tea bags to be won. A profit of £815 will go the Charity BRACE (Bristol Research into Alzheimer’s and Care of the Elderly) which is the president Jacky Batchelor’s chosen charity for her year in office.

WESTON PROBUS CLUB: In May we kick off our meetings with a talk by Roger Mallison whose topic is ‘AV Presentation’.

This will be on May 2 at Weston Football club in Winterstoke Road at 10.30am.

On May 16 Roy Askrill will be talking about ‘Elf and safety’ and on May 23 members and their ladies will set off on a day tour to include a boat trip around Bristol Harbour, coffee in Clifton and a coach trip into South Wales to visit an exotic garden.

Any retired gentlemen are welcome to join our club - please telephone 01934 625330 for more details.

WESTON AND MENDIP ADVANCED MOTORISTS GROUP: The group enjoyed an informative and entertaining talk by local historian Peter Davey on one of Bristol’s hidden gems - the Clifton Rocks Railway.

Beginning with its concealed location deep within the cliffs of the Avon Gorge, Peter’s fascinating history of the railway commenced with its opening in 1893, and featured a series of rare artefacts rescued from the lines commercial days. The second part of Peter’s talk dealt with the conversion of the railway tunnels to a secret transmission base for the BBC during World War II and its use as an air-raid shelter for local residents. Peters talk concluded with the aims of the volunteers now charged with restoring this magnificent example of Bristol’s transport history. Weston and Mendip Advanced Motorists Group is committed to improving driving standards and promoting road safety throughout the region. Why not see how you could benefit from our Skill for Life advanced driving course by contacting us on 07020 934714 for a free driving assessment? For more information, please visit www.weston-iam.org.uk

HEWISH AND DISTRICT WI: It was a nice change to arrive at our April meeting in the sunshine.

June Beecham gave a report on the annual meeting held in the Winter Gardens, and as usual it was an interesting day.

The WI resolution for this year is to be on the ‘Demise of our high street and town centres’.

Any member interested in seeing how the committee meetings are conducted would be most welcome to join in the meetings.

The next walk will be on May 1 starting off from the Children’s Hospice near Wraxall for a 10.30am start. The walkers usually end up afterwards in the nearest café for a welcome cup of tea/coffee, any members not wanting to walk would be welcome to join in afterwards.

The group outing will be held on June 18 with visits to a National Trust property, St Fagin’s, and finishing off the day with high tea at Marshfield WI in the afternoon, the price is £18.

Our speaker, Sandra Sayer spoke on skin care, bringing along with her a lovely range of Mary Kay cosmetics.

Please continue to bring along any saleable items for the bring and buy table.

We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the Hewish Village Hall and the next meeting will be on May 16. New members and visitors are always very welcome.

WORLE WIND BAND: There are two opportunities to hear the band in May, both promise to get your feet tapping. What are you waiting for, buy some tickets?

On May 11, 7.30pm at Sidcot School in the large Meeting House there will be a concert in aid of Macmillan Cancer Research and entry is by donation of £5.

For more information visit http://www.sidcot.org.uk or our website.

On May 18, 7.30pm at Mark Church. Ticket information is available on our website.

Are there any tuba or trombone players out there who are interested in joining our band? If there are then we’d like to hear from you.

We would like to boost this section of our band so if you think you might meet the spec please contact Julia Ratcliffe, our musical director.

For more information on the band and our concerts, please see the website www.worlewindband.co.uk

WESTON YOUTH ORCHESTRA: The orchestra will soon be joining forces with the pupils from Sithobelumthetho School of South Africa to perform a vibrant concert at the United Reformed Church, Weston on May 25.

The concert will feature as part of Project Zulu-a campaign designed to help raise funds for Sithobelumthetho School and to enhance the educational experience of its pupils. The concert is sure to be full of energy and the orchestra are greatly looking forward to welcoming students from Sithobelumthetho School to Weston. For more information about Project Zulu please visit www.projectzulu.org and for more information about Weston Youth Orchestra please visit our website at http://westonyouthorchestra.org.uk

MOOSE INTERNATIONAL WESTON LODGE 55: Our charity donations for 2012/2013 are as follows: Kunkujang Tractor £1,767; Weston Hospice Leagues of Friends £50; RNLI £700; Freewheelers £700;

Luhimba Appeal £100.

WESTON CROQUET CLUB: The club invited chairman Councillor Terry Porter and his wife Jan to the opening of their lawns for the summer season and to unveil their new pavilion purchased during the winter months.

Also attending the unveiling ceremony was Penelope Skelley, chairman of Bleadon Parish Council.

Following the opening ceremonies members enjoyed an afternoon of croquet and are looking forward to the coming season.

Weston Croquet Club is situated in a lovely setting in Bleadon village and although having a thriving membership would welcome new members and are hosting two open days on May 11 and May 19 starting at 2pm.

For details contact 01934 812128 or 07547163862.

CHEW VALLEY PROBUS CLUB: We meet monthly for fellowship, lunch and a speaker at Mendip Springs Golf Club, Congresbury and are keen to recruit new members. If you are a retired professional or businessman and would like to join us please ring our membership secretary Barry Mather on 01934 822462 for further information. Twice yearly we hold a Ladies Luncheon.

Our meeting in April was given a talk by Peter Roswell on ‘Life in the RAF’ and our talk at the May meeting will be on bee keeping.

WESTON BRASS: The historic church of St Andrew’s in Banwell, was the venue for the latest concert by Weston Brass.

This wonderful old church provided the perfect acoustic and atmosphere to a tremendous concert by the band.

The evening was completed with a celebratory party at the home of Gill Rogers, secretary and long time member of the band and resident of Banwell.

Our next concert marks the 50th anniversary of the band, and will be held in the Winter Gardens on May 11 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available at the box office and it promises to be a night to remember.

Many ex-players of the band are expected to be in the audience, and it will be lovely to catch up with old friends and reminisce about the earlier days of the band.

There is always much more information on the band on our website www.westonbrass.com

WORLE HISTORY SOCIETY: Our next meeting will take place on May 2 at 7pm. We meet at Worle Community Centre in Lawrence Road, Worle. Raye Green is the speaker for the evening and the topic will be Worle’s listed buildings and we hope that some of the owners of the building will be able to join us.

Members cost £1 and visitors £2, with all welcome. Contact Raye on 516773 for more details, or have a look at our website www.worlehistorysociety.net

RAFA CONCERT BAND - BLAKEHAY RESIDENT BAND: Last Wednesday a few of us travelled up to Northolt to visit the HQ RAF Music and on Thursday afternoon a few of us visited the Mayor’s Parlour at Grove House for a reception.

Just a reminder that we are holding a concert wind band workshop in The Blakehay Theatre on Saturday. The director of music on the day is Dr Chris Davis. There will be a short concert given by the musicians from 4-5pm in The Blakehay Theatre auditorium. Members of the public can attend for a small charge of £2 payable on the day.

There will be displays that the general public can attend free of charge in the upper studio from 10.30am including one from J Packer, music instrument specialist.

YATTON ROTARY CLUB: Following previous years successes a St Georges Day Celebration will take place at Yatton Rugby clubhouse on Saturday at 7.30 for 8pm.

There will be a roast beef and Yorkshire supper with apple crumble dessert or cheese.

There will be entertainment plus sing along to Stiffy Corting and dancing to Old Memories (CDs) for a price of £12 per head or £25 per couple!

It’s Yatton village’s chance to celebrate another annual display of the 42,500 crocuses they planted alongside the approach roads and to raise funds for End Polio Now.

Tables need to be booked by contacting either Paul/Lesley 01934 838780, Chris/Scotty 01934 833877, Doris/Eddie 01934 832837 or email tony@AWWandco.com

TENNYSON LODGE NO. 4947: On April 10 we visited the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity at Filton, Bristol.

It was a very interesting and informative meeting with Penny Lawrence, Keri, the helicopter pilot and HEMS Doctors for The Tennyson Lodge Master Tim Gosling and members Malcolm Ashford, Derek Bromwich, Darrell Genge, Jack Edgell, Alan Trask and Andy Wade.

We were very pleased to be able to present two cheques one from the Tennyson Lodge of £500 and a matching cheque from the Somerset Masonic Charities.

This donation will be put towards the replacement of the existing helicopter which will allow greater capacity for patients as the existing is very tight for space.

‘SHAKE A LEG’ – ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY: Join us for an afternoon of sing-song, dancing and chatting. We meet on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month. Our next meeting will be on May 14, 2-4pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church hall, Baytree Road, Milton. There will homemade cakes, tea and a raffle for £1.50. For further information call 01934 620391 or 01934 625324.

WESTON CHORAL SOCIETY: Members invite you to their spring concert on Saturday in All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Weston. Commencing at 7.30pm tickets are priced £10 available at the door.

The concert, entitled ‘Royal Music’ commemorates the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in June 1953.

Although the main choir will take a rest throughout the summer, some members will be meeting for a summer workshop.

Contact Gill Rummings on 01934 626349 for further information.

On September 3 the main choir will recommence rehearsals for their autumn concert on November 30. If you enjoy choral singing and would like to get involved, why not come to our rehearsals, held in Milton Methodist Church Hall, Milton Hill, on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm For further information call Gill Williams on 01934 813255 or visit www.westonchoralsociety.org.uk

CONGRESBURY OVER 60S CLUB: Members were delighted to welcome entertainer Chris Rainbow who treated them to a wonderful selection of songs and instrumentals taking in ballads, rock and roll and country and western songs along the way.

From songs by Matt Monroe, Dusty Springfield, the Walker Brothers through to Elvis and Don Williams they travelled through a full range of well loved songs and the instrumentals Apache and Ghost Riders in the Sky nearly brought the house down.

With such a wonderful array of songs the afternoon came to an end all too soon and we look forward to welcoming Chris back in October.

At the next meeting Ian Parsons will talk on re-potting orchids and there will be a practical session for members who wish to bring along a plant to re-pot and bookings will be taken for the coach trip to Swanage on May 21.

There are just a few vacancies available for prospective members who would enjoy making new friends at this lively club, please telephone 01934 832004 for further details.

SSAFA: A reminder that our bring and buy and coffee morning is being held at the Victoria Methodist Church hall, Station Road, on May 20.

Admission is only £2.50 with coffee/tea and biscuits provided.

We hope to have a good turnout as it is one of our few fundraising events to help pay for our modest overhead expenses.

Come along and bring your friends. We are currently dealing with a good many cases involving ex-service personnel and their dependants and would welcome anyone who thinks that they might like to join us, ideally as a caseworker.

The committee continue to meet every Wednesday morning at 10.30am to noon at the RAFA Club HQ, Eagle House Alexandra Parade.

We can be visited there or telephone 01934 644024 for further details. Out of these hours our secretary, Anne Kerruish, can be contacted on 01934 811386.

BLEADON SUGARCRAFT CLUB: Bleadon Sugarcraft Club will be having their annual meeting today (Thurs) at Bleadon Village Hall, 7 for 7.30pm.

The meeting will be followed by a question and answer session about sugarcraft. Visitors are welcome to attend for a fee of £3.50 and tea and coffee will be provided.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN (SPUC) WESTON BRANCH: The April coffee morning was very successful. Many thanks to our supporters and volunteers, especially to those who were kept so busy in the kitchen, those who baked homemade cakes and to our acting chairman, Charles, who again provided the raffle prize, a fine bottle of port.Our next event will be our popular annual wine tasting evening in June, again with buffet, quizzes and raffles. Our next coffee morning is planned for September. In the meantime we are continuing, as ever, with our leafleting and campaigning for the prolife cause.

49 CLUB: The 49 Club, Baker Street would like to invite you to the following events:

On Saturday Vince Karaoke and Disco will entertain 8pm till late; On Sunday the O’Fiddlearys – Father and Son will entertain 4-6pm. To celebrate the refurbishment of the Bob Nash function room on May 4 there will be a James Bond Casino Night. Fancy dress is optional but feel free to dress to impress! £5 buys $100 chips to chance your luck.

There will be prizes, a buffet, and a pint for £2 and shots for £1. Temporary membership is available, so come along and join in the fun.

Visit our website for further information at www.49socialclub.com