A cheque for £1,300 was presented by Bristol Water marketing manager Janice Saunders to Emma Puckey of Children's Hospice SW, the sum having been raised from the Life for a Life tree plantings at both Blagdon and Chew Lakes. The presentation took place at the Chew Lake site, close to Woodford Lodge. Two new Memorial Forests were launched by the 'Life for a Life' charity at Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes in September last year.

The land was made available to the not for profit registered charity by Bristol Water plc as part of an ongoing partnership. Alan Parsons, Chief Executive of Bristol Water said: "We were pleased to make plots of land at Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes available to Life for a Life - the sites have wonderful views over the Lakes and are peaceful and make ideal settings for memorial forests".

Established in 1999, 'Life for a Life' has memorial forests across the UK. These sites enable people to commemorate the lives of their loved ones by planting a tree in their memory. For more information about the charity, visit their website on www.lifeforalife.org.uk.

Chew goes quackers

Ready for the off, Chew Magna Duck Race. Photo by Ric Ayrton

Chew Magna High Street was overrun with ducks this month as sales of sponsored birds for this year's Chew Magna Duck Race began in earnest. Over three consecutive weekends members of the Chew Magna Society, the race organisers, could be found in residence on the High Parade giving everyone in the area the chance to join in this annual village event.

"We've been holding a race for quite a few years now" said Chew Magna Society Chairwoman Sam Oliphant. "And each year it's got bigger and better. This year we'll have around 1200 ducks racing down Streamside being cheered on by eager spectators!"

The race itself is the first of this year's calendar of events organised by the Society whose aim is to try and preserve traditional community life and to raise funds for local good causes. Winner of this year's big race was George Weaver, a Year 5 pupil at Chew Magna Primary School.

The full race report is on the Chew Magna Society noticeboard in the porch of Chew Magna doctor's surgery. In addition to this information, you'll also find more details on the Society itself and its next event - Party In The Paddock - a free family fun-day exclusively for Chew Magna residents that will take place on Sunday July 2 in Chew Court paddock.

Pensford's longest serving staff member retires

Runners set off on the 2006 Pensford 10k Photo by Anne Collier

Janet Dando's association with Pensford School spans 55 years; as pupil, parent, helper, cleaner, caretaker and dinner lady. But undoubtedly 'Mrs Dando's' most important role is that of loved and trusted friend to generations of children. As a girl she attended Bishop Sutton school until was 15. However from the age of 10 the girls were coached over to Pensford every week to be taught 'domestic science' while Pensford boys went to Bishop Sutton for woodwork. In a taste of things to come her lesson included cleaning the school!

Later all four of Janet's children were pupils at Pensford. As a parent she became involved in the PTA and helping in the classroom. Then 24 years ago she took on the job of cleaner in charge cum caretaker and for the last 12 years she has been a dinner lady as well. During this time she has coped with a number of crises including two major floods due to burst pipes, both on New Years' Eves. There was also the memorable morning when she came in to find the main hall ceiling had collapsed. The 'temporary' chicken wire repair was to remain an interesting architectural feature for some years.

Officially Janet retired at the end of March but her charges may not have even noticed. She still pops in regularly to assist with swimming, crafts, trips and SATs and never misses a school fair where she is famous for her regular tombola stall. As Janet puts it: "Retirement is great. Now I have the best of both worlds. I can spend time at home but still come into school and work with the children."

Words and photo by Rose Harrison-Wolff

Bath residents join airport campaign
At a meeting of Bath residents concerned about the growing number of planes flying over the city, the Bath MP, Don Foster, urged his constituents to oppose plans to double the size of nearby Bristol International Airport (BIA). Over fifty people attended the United Reform Church on Grove Street in Bath, for the first meeting in the city organised by the campaign to Stop Bristol Airport Expansion (www.stopbia.com).

Bath is located on the turning circle of planes approaching and leaving BIA from the east, and there is anxiety among residents that these expansion plans will endanger the peace of their world heritage city. Many at the meeting had already noticed a substantial increase in flights over Bath in the last two years, and were worried that this was just a taste of things to come. Don Foster said: "I am absolutely convinced that the plans that BIA have come up with are based on incorrect figures."

Winford's new pavilion is opened
Winford Cricket Club's new pavilion will be opened on Saturday June 3. The event will start at 12 noon with a buffet lunch. The club wants to thank the craftsmen and individual firms and sponsors who contributed so much to the construction process. It was a 'community build' in the best sense of the word and the project could not have been such a success without their help.

From 3pm onwards an outdoor event will be provided for Cricket Club members and their families, invited guests and cricket supporters from the wider community and the village. Attractions will include: hog roast, BBQ, bar, disco music and music by Clevedon Brass Band. Invited guests will be Mr Roy Kerslake (President Somerset County Cricket Club), Mr Richard Parsons (former Chairman, Somerset County Cricket Club), Mr Malcolm Buck (Secretary, Crusader North Somerset Cricket League), Mr Mike Littleton (Community Support Officer, Bristol International Airport). At 4pm two members of the Club Chairman Mr Robet Pearce and President Mr Hugh Gregor will make short speeches. This will be followed by Mr Roy Kerslake (Somerset CC) who will be asked to cut a ribbon helped by junior members Amey Wilson and Tom Riley.

PCT decision welcomed by councils
Bath & North East Somerset Council and North Somerset Councils have warmly welcomed the decision of the Department of Health and the 'Expert Panel' to replace the existing 12 primary care trusts (PCTs) in the region with seven new trusts which match local authority boundaries. The existing 12 PCTs aim to improve the health of residents through a number of measures including development of GP services, commissioning of hospital and specialist facilities and public health campaigns.

Strategic Health Authorities across the UK have been required to put forward proposals to reduce the number of PCTs as part of new national government policy. B&NES, NS and other councils all strongly supported the option for seven PCTs whose borders would match those local authorities with Social Services responsibilities. However the AGW SHA recommended to the Department of Health that three super-trusts be created.