Clubs and Societies, August 6, 2015

Members were involved in a contemporary twist on a very traditional form of embroidery during their meeting in July. Needle lace is a particular branch of stumpwork where small stand alone embroidered pieces are made and then attached to a background. Sounds complicated - not really as the main stitch involved is buttonhole stitch and the tutor, Clare Clensy, guided everyone along each step of the process. Requiring concentration to the point where time passes incredibly quickly and everyday cares are banished from the mind. By the end of the day’s workshop most participants had made a minuscule pair of trousers, and some had made a start on a jumper or a tea towel.

The next meeting is the annual meeting on September 26, and the next stitching day is on October 24. If you would like to know more please contact Sue Anderson on 01278 723644 or visit www.avalonembroiderersguild.weebly.com

MENDIP ROTARY CLUB:

At a recent meeting members were entertained by a special visiting Rotarian. Gareth Stamp is a Somerset-born educationalist who lives and works in Kazakhstan. He helped to found one of the world’s newest Rotary clubs in the capital Astana, and is now the first president of that club.

Mr Stamp spoke about the country itself, which is as large as the whole of Western Europe put together, but with a population of only 17 million, and about its problems since independence from the Soviet bloc in 1998. It is a poor country but its citizens, who have diverse faiths and ethnic backgrounds, are hospitable and friendly. His club currently has 24 members, comprising 11 different nationalities.

President Chris Steel said: “Founding a new Rotary club in a country as large and diverse as Kazakhstan must have been a huge challenge, and we admire Gareth for his perseverance in seeing this project through, from which the people of Astana will certainly benefit in the future.”

SANDFORD WI:

Our next meeting is on Monday with doors opening at 7pm. We are having a wine tasting evening with the experts from The Wine Shop in Winscombe.

Please make sure you check out all the notices regarding theatre visits, days out, clubs and the group outing to Swindon shopping outlet. Next month is the Avon Federation Art and Craft Exhibition at M Shed. We have lots of exhibits from our members. Ladies we are so proud of you, well done.

WRINGTON VALE INNER WHEEL:

Wrington Vale Inner Wheel held a successful coffee morning at Axbridge Town Hall on Saturday with stalls selling scarves, jewellery, cakes and books. Visitors were impressed with the scarves and jewellery. The money raised will go to the charity Canine Partners.

For your diaries our next event will be a ploughman’s lunch at St James Hall, Winscombe on September 24.

SSAFA:

‘SSAFA, the oldest and largest national charity supporting the military, veterans and their families, wish to thank Morrisons and members of the public for their generous donations at our recent collection.

Thank you also to Weston Rotary Club and its members for their extremely generous donation of £1,200 last Thursday, which will help us to continue our work. We are always seeking those who qualify for our help and anyone interested in volunteering for fundraising or casework. We can be contacted on 0845 8500510.

WEST WOODSPRING INNER WHEEL:

Club members were out in force last Thursday, when Weston Rotary Club held its nineteenth annual Charity Golf Tournament at Weston Golf Club. From greeting and registering the teams in the clubhouse, to feeding the golfers with bacon butties out on the course, to selling raffle tickets, then encouraging everyone to part with even more money trying their hands at a putting competition, the Inner Wheel ladies, co-ordinated again this year by Carol Schubert, played a major part in the day’s fundraising for local charities, Winter Warmth, SSAFA and the Active Stroke Group. If you are interested in joining Inner Wheel and would like more information, then please contact our club secretary Sheila Harding on 637727.

RAFA CONCERT BAND - BLAKEHAY RESIDENT BAND:

We had a pleasant day, weather wise, on Sunday for the afternoon bandstand concert and for the Grove Park café owner John Horler, who co-ordinates the bands. Tickets are now on sale for the Wells Cathedral concert, taking place on August 21 and are available from Wells Cathedral box office. Enquiries for musical support from the band continue to arrive. For further information on the band or perhaps how to join, please visit our website rafaconcertband.org.uk or ring 01934 820205.

Future engagements include: August 21 - Wells Cathedral, 75th Anniversary, Battle of Britain concert; September 8 – Wings Appeal lunchtime concert, Bristol; September 26 – private function; October 28 – Quintet – buffet, Weymouth.

MACULAR SUPPORT GROUP:

Marking the tenth anniversary of the group on July 14 at the Winter Gardens, the guest speaker was Kathy Yelp, chief executive of the Macular Society.

Her talk was very informative about latest research and new treatments of macular degeneration.

Our committee member and volunteer Marion Robinson made a special cake, beautifully iced. Kathy also presented three volunteers with their awards for their service to the group.

WESTON BRASS:

Blake Gardens in Bridgewater is fast becoming a favourite venue for Weston Brass. With a very large crowd, on a beautiful summer’s day, the band played a very entertaining programme that was very well received. The band was boosted on the day by several ex-players coming to swell the ranks in the middle of the holiday season. After the concert the band was all invited to band member Sam Roe’s home for a barbeque where a good time was had by all.

The next concert will be in Grove Park on August 16, followed by a contest in Exmouth on September 5.

Our website has all the details regarding forthcoming concerts, vacancies, latest news and contact numbers for booking the band for your function at www.westonbrass.com

WINSCOMBE PROBUS:

The club will meet on Monday at 10.30am in Winscombe Community Centre to hear a presentation by Greg Hodge Beardsley entitled ‘The comet catcher’.

WESTON FLOWER CLUB:

Wednesday July 27 was the clubs last meeting before the summer break. The talk for the afternoon was entitled ‘Down on the farm’. It was decided to start the meeting with a ploughman’s lunch, which was a great success and enjoyed by all. Margaret then talked to us about her life as a farmer’s wife for the last 50 years, which was extremely humorous and entertaining.

The next meeting of the club will be on September 28 and visitors are always welcome.

THE BELLES OF BURNHAM WI:

The Belles of Burnham WI formed in January this year as part of the 100 year celebration of the WI. We meet on the first Tuesday in the month at 7.30pm at the Avenue Tennis Club, The Grove. We have regular speakers and social events and are keen to increase our membership in line with the 100 years of WI to 100 members.

We are not all about jam making and craft, many of our members have no idea how to knit or crochet and cooking is something you use a microwave for! However there are many members willing to help you if you are interested. With access to the largest voluntary organisation and our own training venue, there is plenty to learn and get involved with if you want.

If you would like a couple of hours to yourself with the chance to learn new skills, meet new people and maybe make a difference with issues that affect us all - why not consider coming to our social event on Tuesday at 7.30pm, Avenue Tennis Club to find out more. There will be a bar open and a bring-a-plate of food operating. We have a drumming group joining us where we can role up our sleeves and have a go too.

Please contact jacqui.strong@hotmail.co.uk or follow us on Facebook Belles of Burnham for further information.

Our September meeting is all about chocolate - what else could you ask for?

BURNHAM-ON-SEA MOOSE INTERNATIONAL’S LODGE 123:

Members joined with others from across the district to attend a barbecue at President Trevor Savage’s home. The 75 people attending the event were heralded by brilliant sunshine and on the menu was the usual raffle, raising £140, a coconut shy, field sports and the usual socialising that accompanies all Moose International activities.

The event is estimated at the present time to have raised over £400 towards Moose welfare. Many thanks to the Ladies Circle members who co-ordinated the food, and Trevor and Pam for their welcoming hospitality

Legion 8 took over from the old district council, and raises funds for Moose welfare activities.