For most people, 14th February means one thing - cards, and hopefully flowers, from the one you love for Valentines Day. But for a lot of families, 14th February is special for another reason - International Congenital Heart Disease Day. It may be surprising to hear that each year one in every 145 babies born in the UK will be affected with a congenital heart disease; a defect of the heart or malformation that is present at birth. To signify the day in the South West, Max Appeal! supporter Claire Hennessey of Redhill, organised a balloon release at Bristol Children's Hospital.

Claire's daughter, Alicia, now six and attending Burrington School, underwent two operations during the first 18 months of her life to correct a congenital heart defect. Claire now works hard trying to increase awareness of the condition through Max Appeal!, a charity for families affected by DiGeorge Syndrome, the condition Alicia was born with. Together with other families of children treated for heart conditions at Bristol Children's Hospital and the Mayor and Mayoress of Bristol, 145 balloons were released from the hospital. 144 of the balloons were red and one was blue, to represent the one child in every 145 that are born with congenital heart disease every year.

Claire commented: "The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of congenital heart disease and to make parents of these children aware of the support networks available to help them through the traumatic times. When Alicia was undergoing her operations and we were still learning about the condition, I found the support tremendous and just to talk to people who had faced similar experiences was extremely reassuring." As well as the balloon launch in Bristol, Claire's husband, Mike Hennessey travelled up to London to a Reception that took place at the House of Commons where Roger Boyle, the National Director for Heart Disease, amongst others spoke to Parliament about raising awareness.

Mike said: "It was very interesting to see the inside of the House of Commons and to meet so many national figures in child heart care gathered in one place. Bristol Royal Hospital for Children was well represented and the whole day was a very special occasion."

To find out more about congenital heart disease and the support that is available in this area, visit www.maxappeal.org.uk.

Niki Martini

Winford Pre-school get set to move

Here are the children of Winford Village Pre-school proudly showing off the snowman picture they made with coins collected from family and friends.

They raised a total of £80. This was just one of the many fundraising events which to date have raised approximately £1,400. The Pre-school Committee are frantically fundraising to enable their move out of the Winford Village Hall into a new purpose-built classroom. North Somerset Council has donated the classroom building, but funding must be found to raise an estimated £20,000 to pay planning costs and to have the classroom moved from its current site (in Backwell) to its new location at Winford CE Primary School by the start of the Autumn term this September.

This move to a purpose built modem environment is critical to the future of the Pre-school to allow it to continue to provide high quality community-based education and care for the pre-schoolers in the village in a safe and stimulating setting. The Pre-School will be able to increase the days offered from four to five, possibly including some afternoons. It, will also allow the Pre-school to foster closer ties to the Primary School. Sponsorship and donations from local businesses or individuals are desperately needed to enable the Pre-school to fund this project.

Any contributions, however small, would be gratefully received. For more information please contact Committee Fundraiser Cara Smith or Playleader Wendy Cleghorn on 07786 304111.

Consultations for child carers
The Family Information Service of Bath and North East Somerset Council is holding a consultation event for parents/carers of young children (0 to 14 years) to give their views on the services Bath & North East Somerset Council currently provides for children and young people in those areas.

This includes childcare, early year's education, play, parenting support, health advice and information. The Consultation for the Chew Valley is being held on Thursday March 30 at the Chew Stoke, Methodist Hall, Water Lane, Chew Valley. Parents and carers can come along to either an afternoon or evening session. The afternoon session will run between 1pm-3pm and the evening session will run between 7pm - 9pm.

A free High Street voucher worth £10 is on offer for those who want to stay for two hours. Places are limited at these events, so if you would like to attend please ring Family Information Service on free phone 0800 073 1214 or email fis@bathnes.gov.uk

Lady Chatterley's hoover
Blue Moon Theatre Company are presenting their new show 'Lady Chatterley's Hoover', written and directed by Wendelynne Heelis, in Chew Magna on the 24th and 25th of March. It will be their familiar blend of songs, sets, costumes and madness, with surprises thrown in! Set in the Thirties in times of great sociological change, it features Sir Remmington Chatterly, his butler Dyson, and a host of other electrifying characters providing a heady mix of entertainment coupled with Blue Moon's renowned historical accuracy!

The doors will open at 7 for a 7.30 start, and there will be a light supper included in the price of ten pounds. Seating will be in tables of eight, but tables will be made up on the night if you want to buy just two or three tickets. The venue is the Old Church Hall in Chew Magna, opposite the Queen's Arms, feel free to dress in Thirties attire, if you so wish. Tickets can be bought through Wendelynne Heelis on 01275 891 833 or from the post office in Chew Magna.

Campaigners say no to nuclear Somerset
Hinkley Point, Somerset, has been earmarked as the first site for a new generation of nuclear reactors if the government Energy Review proposes this in July. Anti-nuclear campaigning group, Stop Hinkley, is stepping up its campaign with a 'No more nuclear in Somerset' petition.

The group's petition says: "Once again the government is promoting nuclear power as a solution to our energy needs, yet for 50 years the nuclear industry, at huge cost to the taxpayer, has been polluting the environment, harming our health and bequeathing a burden of hazardous waste to many future generations Nuclear power is unsafe, uneconomical and utterly unnecessary. The government should invest in safer, cleaner, cheaper alternatives." If you would like to obtain copies of the petition (deadline for submission is April 10), contact Stop Hinkley, Rydon Lodge, West Quantoxhead, Taunton TA4 4DW.

www.stophinkley.org

Clutton panto raises £3,700

The growing popularity of the Clutton PTA annual panto also means growing totals raised for charity - this year's raised an amazing £3,700. 25 per cent of this will be donated to Barnardo's. Cinderella was Clutton PTA's 15th pantomime written by Melanie Pitt.

A superb cast told the traditional story of Cinderella (Louise Creber) demoted to skivvy to her step mother Widow Twanky (played by Mandy Moreaux) and her step sisters Hanky and Panky (Caroline Glover and Kate Lister). Buttons (Rob Creber), the Fairy Godmother (Jonathan Pearce) and two makeover girls Trinny and Susanna (Sam Langford, Vicky Boyle, Kay Williams and Allainah Harvey appearing in alternating performances) transformed her to be whisked off to the ball by two dashing airman, Carrstairs and Carruthers (Gareth Williams and Bernie Kitama). There she met Prince Rupert (Tamsin Milroy) and the King and Queen (Duncan Soper and Sarah Williams) as well as Bugle Boy (Ian Glover) and Lord Cuthbert (Russell Tanner). The inevitable happened - Cinderella and the Prince fell in love, before Cinders fled the ball leaving behind her slipper.

All came good in the end, in true pantomime style. Interweaving the story were various dance sequences involving infants, junior and senior schoolchildren and Copa Cabana dancers.

Words and photo by Pat Williams