Father and son hope for double championship

Roger Orgee, who is just 17 years of age and from Langford was awarded a Scholarship to compete in the Formula BMW UK Championship in 2006. Only five drivers were selected to receive a helping hand with their budget for this year's championship. In 2006, Roger successfully competed in the 20 race championship, running strongly with the other rookies in the pack and was congratulated by the organizers on his ability, which they predicted would develop into a winning format.

Roger's PR aptitude (and future promise) was rewarded when ITV's MOTORSPORT UK selected him to star in a 20 minute programme based around his weekend at the October Silverstone race meeting. His progress has been closely monitored by the motoring press who are totally supportive. So much so that Autosport carried a headlined article about his 2007 plans without him even issuing a press release!

Roger's Dad (Roger Senior) says: "For 2007 we plan to enter the Formula Ford championship which runs at Castle Combe, our local South West circuit. Formula Ford is fast becoming the best proving ground for young drivers as it utilizes state of the art single seaters but costs are substantially lower than F BMW. However the formula still offers a ladder of progression that can be achieved at a realistic cost."

One point of additional interest is that Roger senior also starred at the Combe back in the seventies and eighties when he won the Formula Ford Championship and later the UK Formula Libre series in a F3000 March. They say: "We hope we can be the first father and son duo to pull off a double championship win!"

String quartet for Harptree

Celticana are an all-girl string quartet from Wales with warmth, enthusiasm and charm with a style that is fresh and ahead of the pack. Although they are still young, these musicians are already considered to be one of the most creative, musical and vibrant ensembles to arrive on the classical scene. Past performances have included the Welsh Proms, Windsor Castle and St David's Hall, Cardiff. From the vast wealth of the classical music repertoire to a contemporary take on jazz standards to popular music, nothing is beyond this ensemble's reach. East Harptee Theatre Saturday March 31 at 8pm. Tickets: (01761) 221820 (01761) 221536

Wonderful Wizard of Woz

Scarecrow (Rob Creber), Tin Man (Gareth Williams) and Lion (Louise Creber)
The magical Wizard of Woz story was told with great enthusiasm and enjoyment by Clutton parents and children joined by some Temple Cloud parents and children. The story took us from Dorothy's (Bridget Walker) journey to Woz, where she came across Scarecrow (Rob Creber), Tin Man (Gareth Williams) and Lion (Louise Creber) as well as Munchkin adults and children. Joining the group was Toto (Kay Williams) who bounced very energetically.

They travelled the yellow brick road, coming across Wicked Wanda (Melanie Pitt), the Grimm Brothers (Mark Gould, James Drew and Mandy Moreaux), the Wicked Witch of the West (Caroline Glover) and her evil monkey sidekicks (Anne Merrick, Sian Davies Todd and Allainah Harvey) along the way.

Eventually they reached the Wizard of Woz (Gary Williams), a very scary speaking head, who finally revealed himself as Norman, the hall caretaker. At the end the Good Witch of the North (Sarah Williams) arrived and sorted everything out. Interspersed through all the action were dances by a children's ballet group, the Munchkins (Infants children), Scarecrows (Junior girls), Green Girls (Senior Girls), King Kong monkeys (Junior boys) and four witches. The whole play was performed with verve, skill and humour and the audience loved it, applauding vigorously at the end.

Words and photos by Pat WIlliams

Elections 2007
Are you happy with the performance of your councillors, on Bath and North East Somerset Council or North Somerset Council or your parish council? On Thursday May 3 you will have a chance to say 'well done' and vote for candidates who may be standing for a further four years in office.

On the other hand you may feel you could do better yourself, and if so you will have until April 4 to get your nominations submitted to the relevant council elctoral services office. There is a particular need for parish councillors as recent years have seen a gradual decline in the number of people prepared to make the necessary commitment to help look after the interests of their community.

One local parish council, Hinton Blewett, failed to get the required minimum of three nominations in April 2003, and was only saved from disbandment by volunteers stepping forward subsequently. Powers of parish councils are limited, but they nevertheless can make a big difference to the qualtiy of life in parishes, as the notes in the Gazettes regular 'Parish Council Review' demonstrate.

There is a minority of parish councils that have never responded to the Gazette's requests for copies of minutes or notes, and have never offered other information about themselves. Under the circumstances it might be reasonable to wonder about how well they are doing their job, or about their commitment to democracy. Perhaps you could do better.

Further information from B&NES Electoral Office 01225 47743, or North Somerset Council 01934 888888. Mendip Disctrict Council has produced a booklet titled 'Becoming a District Councillor' which is available on the council's website www.mendip.gov.uk, or by contacting 01749 648999, or emailing customerservices@mendip.gov.uk For general info about parish councils and the responsibilities of parish councillors see www.nalc.gov.uk

Legendary box player for Litton
The Old Down Acoustic Club, based at the Kings Arms Litton, is putting the disappointment of February's cancelled Spikedriver's concert behind them and looking forward to their next on Friday March 9 when they will be welcoming John Kirkpatrick. A dedication to folk music, a passion for keeping the tradition alive coupled with a larger than life character has made John Kirkpatrick one of the most well-known and popular performers on the British folk scene for the past twenty-five years.

He is widely regarded as Britain's leading exponent of 'squeezebox' instruments. During this time he has helped to shape the revival of folk song and dance in Britain. John feels so passionately about keeping the tradition alive that he has written several articles on the subject and writes "Traditional music isn't cool and sophisticated, it isn't easy listening, it isn't quiet and introspective. It's simple and straightforward, it's full of life and lust, it's dark and dangerous, exotic and mysterious. It addresses the uncivilised part of human nature, it deals with epic themes in a way we can cope with, it channels our excess energy and it makes us feel we belong somewhere."

John is a warm, spontaneous, energetic character and Friday 9th March will be an evening guaranteed to please an audience appreciative of traditional English folk music. John will be supported by club regular, singer songwriter Sarah Curtis. Doors open 7.30pm and tickets are £10. For further information and sales ring Cathy Judge on 10761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766442490 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk

Chew Valley School 50 year reunion
2008 sees the 50th anniversary of the opening of Chew Valley School. Major celebrations are planned and many readers would surely wish to be involved. Were you ever a pupil at Chew Valley School? Were you sitting there in the school hall on January 13 1958, the day it first opened its doors?

Or perhaps you were a child of the sixties when Beatlemania was at its peak? Or maybe you belong more to the seventies, eighties, or nineties? Have you ever wondered what became of those classmates you shared so much of your formative years with? Who married whom? Where do they live? What ever happened to their dreams? Your dreams? Wouldn't it be great to meet up - to have a chat, have a laugh, have a drink, dance the night away. A trip down memory lane - re-live your youth.

The school is planning a series of events looking back and looking forward. The centrepiece will be a Summer Festival and Reunion, provisionally planned for Saturday July 19 2008. The school wants as many former pupils and teachers to come and enjoy the event and help celebrate 50 years of remarkable achievement. The school needs your help in contacting people and establishing a database of addresses: "We would really appreciate a call from you, giving your name, address, telephone number/email address etc, and the same details of as many other former pupils as possible."

Contact Mrs Seeley, Headteacher's PA. 01275 332272 or preferably by email 50years@chewvalleyschool.co.uk