Former
model writes of 'Love on the Run'
Caroline Fabre at the book signing at Waterstone's, Wells
Chewton Mendip writer Caroline Fabre, a former international model, held a successful
book-signing session to launch her new book, "Love on the Run", at
Waterstone's, Wells, in June. More than a hundred people were there. This is
Caroline's third novel, after "Swan Season" and "Our Father's
House". More recently Caroline has turned her attentions to marathons and
triathlons, and has competed in London, Kenya Dublin and France.
She has recently been training to compete in the half ironman triathlon in June 2007. Her new novel is about three women who are running away from their problems and end up running in the London marathon. Caroline has signed contracts with Fen Books for two titles, "Love on the Run" which is due to be featured in the popular magazine, Runners World; and "Love & Loyalty" which is scheduled for release in the autumn. Following recent negotiations for the rights to re-publish Caroline's back catalogue, Fen Books say they are thrilled to announce that contracts have now been agreed and these previously published titles will be added to the Fen lists. "Love on the Run" ISBN 9 78095518 2 77, 257pp, £8.99
20th
anniversary celebration for the EHO
Barbara Fox,
David Pitts and Pat Warren and young musicians
One evening some
20 years ago, David Pitts, Barbara Fox and Pat Warren (pictured right with some
of the orchestra's newest players) and their respective families were having
supper together. They talked about the joys of making music and floated the
idea of getting other like minded families together to do just that. That was
the inception of the East Harptree Orchestra. The EHO, under the eagle eye of
its conductor David Pitts, has been getting the young and the not quite so young
together to make music ever since and celebrated their 20th Summer Concert in
the grounds of Harptree Court (thanks to the Hill family) on Saturday 23rd June.
After a mercifully dry but chilly picnic interval the regular players (now numbering some 140) were joined in the second half by some 60 former players. The programme was, as always, eclectic and ranged from a wonderful (no really) rendition of the nicest bits of Dvorak's 9th Symphony through the themes from Dallas and Brideshead Revisited to "Bat out of Hell". The evening was interspersed with suitable Last Night of the Proms numbers, an early Christmas number, "In Dulce Jubilo" played by this year's leavers and an atmospheric "Wimawe" played and sung in the dark by the light of hundreds of glow sticks.
The audience outshone itself by coping with singing refrains from various musicals and large bits of Latin and doing the now infamous hand jive. All was held together by David's humorous repartee. It was yet another marvellous community occasion. and one in which all who are associated by this now venerable institution can be justly proud. Gill Stobart
Mini-V
Festival raises £8k for charity
Pippa
Marland of Carmina
The extremely
ambitious live music event on June 9 at Woodbarn Farm, Chew Magna, proved a
huge success and has raised £7,971 for charity according to organiser Luke Hasell.
The event was to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation, CLIC and the
Mutiple Sclerosis Trust. For 12 hours, a dozen bands played on two indoor stages
in a lovely rural setting a few minutes drive down some very narrow lanes from
the Chew Valley Lake.
The capacity crowd were served a good mix of music: the infectious rhythms of Brazilian Beatz, the out-and-out metal of Nexzis, the punk of the Blofeld Band, the grime/hip hop of Barrio Kingdom and much more. Bido's African drumming session was lively and Pippa Marland and Rob King of Carmina produced a delightful set of jazz-meets-celtic folk. Marland's warm vocals and fine sax playing were demonstrated well on the lovely Weather In The Heart and they did a very nice version of Van Morrison's Moondance. Oddly it was another folk act, Wylde Green, that really got the early evening crowds going.
For a short while the Irish trio turned the festival's main stage into a barn dance. They played well, worked hard and deserved the enthusiastic response. Post War Spain are a Chew Valley band so had a lot of local support although they could have impressed wherever they played. The influence of Muse is a bit obvious in their big production numbers, they have a lot of talent musically and a great singer. Gleaming Eyes was the best song of the festival. Other bands included Bad Science, Barrio Kingdom, SeaGull Strange, The New Breeds, Snatch22, Blofeld Band, Speed Queen, Nexzis, Tranpersonals, Dj Clarky, DJ Withy. Catch links to their websites and video footage at www.miniv.co.uk
Chew
Magna Greenspace on national TV
The Village Greenspace, Chew Magna's community office and small bookshop had
its first visitor on May 30 just before the official opening to the public.
BBC News and Crimewatch UK presenter Fiona Bruce came to Chew Magna to film
inserts for a one off documentary "How Green is Your High Street?"
to be aired on June 28 on BBC2. Chew Magna is greener than most high streets
with a good supply of local produce and Fairtrade and Traidcraft products available
at The Post Office. The TV programme will look at why the big supermarket chains
are waking up to what their customers are now demanding, more environmentally
friendly shopping and food that has not traveled thousands of miles. Research
carried out for the BBC will be of interest to the local Co Op store that have
recently started offering reusable shopping bags.
The Village Greenspace opened its doors on June 4 to a steady stream of interested customers wanting to find out what this new enterprise has to offer. They were able to purchase new books or bring in old books to swap for others on the shelves. This has proved to be a popular opportunity for many who read a paperback novel once and are happy to swap it for another without any expense.
Denise Perrin, who volunteered to set up the new village project said: "The intention is to extend the range of books and also provide a selection of energy saving gadgets and devices. We are talking to the Centre for Alternative Technology in North Wales who already have a thriving shop onsite and anything they can teach us will be welcome." The Community Office is of particular interest to anyone living in the Chew Valley who would like to find out what services and organizations are available in our area.
A comprehensive information service is being established and any suggestions are welcome. Go Zero is based there which will provide a focal point for environmental awareness and practical help with some of the projects. Denise adds: "We have been trying to establish a local car club and lift sharing scheme and also attract more takers for Dragonflyer Mobility Ltd which utilises the Airport Shuttle service. These need a local administration point and now we have that. The Go Zero Skill Swap scheme will also operate from the Village Greenspace and we are looking for more volunteers for the pilot scheme."
Within the first week the Community Office was helping the Rector of St Andrews, Charles Roberts, with his overwhelming administrative load. Lynette Cox who is the first full time member of staff is managing his diary, dealing with correspondence and sorting through the large number of telephone enquiries that come into the office daily. The Community Support Officers have been looking for a local office to base themselves and will soon be available on a regular basis to answer any questions and offer advice on any concerns. If you wish to become involved in The Village Greenspace as it develops its service and have spare time to offer as a volunteer, pop by the office and leave your details.
Widdecombe
backs Jacob
Fresh from her startling cameo appearance on Dr Who (endorsing Harold Saxon,
the demented Prime Minister) Ann Widdecombe addressed a packed meeting at the
Farmborough Village Hall in June. She was speaking to the North East Somerset
Conservative Association which had had to turn people away owing to her popularity.
Ann Widdecombe spoke on a wide range of issues. She said that political correctness
was undermining freedom of speech. She praised David Cameronıs leadership and
admired his ability to persuade people to listen to the Conservative Party again.
Ann Widdecombe said that people had seen through spin and wanted a truthful approach. She answered many questions and gave her endorsement to Jacob Rees-Mogg the Conservative candidate for North East Somerset. Jacob Rees-Mogg proposed a vote of thanks. He said that many people complained that modern politicians were all bland and did not say what they thought. Ann Widdecombe proved that this is not the case. Her forthright style and straight talking won her many admirers. She proved that the Conservatives are a party that can be trusted. He said that after her retirement from politics after the next general election she would always be welcome in North East Somerset.
Everyone
for tennis at Bishop Sutton
Ever
thought of trying your hand at tennis but not sure where to start? Or maybe
you haven't picked up a racquet in years but have been wondering whether that
lethal backhand is still as good as it once was. On Sunday July 15, from midday
onwards,
Bishop Sutton Tennis Club is holding an Open Day with BBQ for members and anyone interested in finding out more about the club. All ages and standards will be made very welcome and donıt be put off if you don't know anyone - a warm welcome and an introduction to other members are guaranteed. As well as playing some friendly tennis, there will also be a chance to 'Play the coach', test the speed of your serve against the speed gun and see an exhibition match. Entry is free and there will be a BBQ and paying bar. As a special incentive to new members, the joining fee of £50 will be waived to anyone joining on the day making membership of the club (just £120 annually for a family) even more spectacularly good value.
The club has five courts, two of which are carpet. These courts, although a wonderful surface to play on, do unfortunately take a great deal of up-keep to maintain and the club is currently raising funds to buy the necessary equipment to ensure they can be kept in optimum condition. So, if you are an existing member of the club who uses these courts, why not come and support the BBQ and help raise the necessary funds. All standards of play are catered for at Bishop Sutton. The league teams are always looking for new recruits among the more able and experienced players and there is league practice for both sexes every week.
Coaching is available for all ages, adult and junior box leagues run to enable members to gain experience in playing competitively and an informal session open to less experienced players runs on a Monday evening. Anyone wanting to know more about the Club or the Open Day can visit www.bishopsuttontennis.org.uk or contact Anne on (01275) 331227. Alternatively, why not just turn up (on your own or with your family) on July 15. Who knows, you might discover you have more in common with Andy Murray than you ever imagined .....