BANWELL WI:

Last month we had a lovely 74th birthday party with a delicious buffet catered by our President Lara. Big thanks go to Peter Shipton who showed photographs on the big screen of Banwell Fun Days, the Scarecrow Trail and open gardens events.

We welcomed guests from Sandford, Winscombe and Locking WIs. Our annual meeting starts at 7pm on November 12. This is the night we vote our new committee in. Any enquiries please call Alison on 01934 824900.

WESTON CHESS CLUB:

In division two of the Somerset leagues Yeovil were the visitors last week. The teams were evenly matched on grading and a hard fought encounter was anticipated.

The visitors scored two quick wins on boards three and four. Oliver Isaac on bottom board drew his game and it looked as if Yeovil were on the way to a win on board four where Kerry Kyriacou was heavily down on material. However, his opponent was extremely short on time and, as he began a series of checks with his queen, his flag dropped. Normally this would result in loss of the game but, as Kerry only had a lone bishop which could not force checkmate by itself, a draw was declared. Only afterwards was it pointed out that the Yeovil player had overlooked a checkmate in one.

Peter Chaplin and Mike Townsend on the top two boards both played accurately to win as time was about to run out making the match result a fortunate 3-3 draw.

WESTON YOUTH ORCHESTRA:

Weston Youth Orchestra will be performing at the Boulevard United Reformed Church on Sunday at 5pm. It will be an enjoyable evening of orchestral music performed by both our junior and senior orchestras as well as a number of solo items. The orchestra rehearse throughout the year and perform concerts at a variety of local venues in Weston and the surrounding area.

We continually welcome new members from a number of different schools and colleges, so if you are a young musician aged 21 or under and would like to join an orchestra please get in touch, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our website www.westonyouthorchestra.org.uk to view our full concert diary, past programmes and for more information about the orchestra.

WESTON ROUND TABLE:

The RHL Weston Beach Race has become a major feature in the calendar for motorcyclists attracting participants, their families and with spectators from across Europe. This year Round Table worked with RHL, the event organisers, to further develop the community engagement element of the race. This saw members of Round Table based in Weston, Thornbury, Downend, Bristol and Clevedon volunteer to join in the fun of the weekend with bouncy castles, popcorn, board games and a colouring competition. Over the two days hundreds of people visited the family area and enjoyed the attractions helping to raise £400 for the BBC Children in Need appeal.

If you are male, aged between 18-45 years and would like to know more about Round Table, you can learn more at www.rountable.co.uk or text JOIN to 60066.

WESTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY:

The society had an interesting evening when Nigel Phillips gave a talk ‘Somerset’s living coast’. Nigel is a member of the Somerset Wildlife Trust, the marine section, and is currently working on a survey of the marine life on the coast from Weston to Porlock, which he said is an internationally famous coast. He went on to show some excellent photos of plants and marine life on the coast and answered numerous questions.

Our next meeting is on November 12 at 7.30pm at St Peter’s Church Hall, Baytree Road and Rev Steve Hartree is to give a talk ‘Around the shows’, that is much appreciated. Admission is free for members and £1 for visitors. There will be a raffle and refreshments and new members welcome.

For more information on the society call Cynthia Filer on 01934 514057 or visit our www.wsmhorticultural.org.uk

RAFA CONCERT BAND - BLAKEHAY RESIDENT BAND:

On November 11 in the Blakehay Theatre there will be a special Armistice Day Concert, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets will be on sale at the box office. If you are interested in booking or joining the band please visit our website www.rafaconcertband.org.uk or ring 01934 820205.

Future engagements include: October 28 – Ensemble, anniversary buffet in Weymouth; October 29 – poppy launch, Bristol Airport; November 11 - Armistice Day Concert in Blakehay Theatre.

BLEADON PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP:

The group had a workshop/studio evening of portrait photography ably supported by Ian Johnson who supplied all the sets and equipment to enable members to participate. One man and his Dog also featured with a thank you to the young ladies who gave their time.

A critique evening will be held on October 27 with Howard Rockcliffe, a professional photographer with a wide scope of experience.

We are a friendly group of all abilities, with interests in all aspects and techniques of photography trying to appeal to anyone wishing to improve their photographic skills. The group is affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain, through Western Counties Photographic Federation (WCPF).

Visit www.bleadonphotographicgroup.weebly.com for further information.

THE NOTABLE CLUB:

Members enjoyed a cruise down Sharpness Canal aboard the fully adapted for the disabled Willow Trust boat, Leonard Matchan with a picnic lunch on the canal bank. Members also enjoyed a pub lunch at the Super Mare, Hungry Horse.

We enjoyed a special surprise buffet to celebrate Sylvia’s birthday and over 25 years membership. Sylvia received many cards and was presented with a basket of flowers.

Next week volunteer helper David Elsey is giving a PowerPoint presentation

‘Land of the Black Pharaohs’ this will be an informative and enjoyable talk by David of his recent visit to Sudan and ancient Nubia.

The Notable Club is a weekly, socially active lunchtime club for physically disabled people aged 16 to 60 years. Please contact Dina on 07845220349 for further information.

WESTON CIVIC SOCIETY:

The next meeting of Weston Civic Society is on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Blakehay Theatre. John Crockford-Hawley will be speaking on ‘Conservation areas’. All are welcome; admission is £2 for non-members.

WORLEWIND BAND:

This Saturday the band will be performing a prom concert in aid of the Harvest Home Fund at Burtle Village Hall. Tickets are nearly sold out and any enquiries for the last few should be directed to Heather Lee on 01278 722377. It promises to be a great evening packed full of musical fun. The band is now taking bookings for 2016 and anyone wishing to engage the bands services can contact us via our website www.worlewindband.co.uk or by telephoning our musical director, Julia Ractliffe on 01934 517719.

SANDFORD VILLAGE HALL:

There is a change of date for our Christmas party. The party will now be held on November 27 starting at 7.30pm. We have some great entertainment arranged and a super festive buffet. Tickets are available from Mr John Dunster on 01934 844777.

PROBUS MILTON:

Probus Milton is a club for socially active and retired men, meeting on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 10.15 for 10.45am. We meet at Milton Methodist Church where you will be welcomed with refreshments. We mingle socially for half an hour before receiving a presentation by a hired speaker. At our recent meeting, local historian, Pat Hase, gave a very informative talk ‘Victorian pleasures and pastimes’. Our next meeting is on October 22 and we will have a talk by Peter Trigg titled ‘Steaming through West Somerset’. New members are always welcome and for further information telephone Peter Mansell on 01934 51920 or visit www.probusmilton.org.uk or email secretary@probusmilton.org.uk

SOROPTIMISTS:

Soroptimists of Weston were delighted to welcome Kay Turner, President of the South West and Channel Isles region to a business meeting of the club. President Kay is nearing the end of her term of office and has been endeavouring to visit all the clubs in the region. She said that this was the first business meeting she had attended and congratulated Weston Soroptimists on their award winning project Skirting Science. President Kay’s charity for her year has been WaterAid and more than £2,000 has been raised which will go to help communities in Nepal affected by the devastating earthquake in the region.