David dives for charity

David Holdman
Diving instructor David Holdman is planning on jumping in at the deep end to complete a deep technical dive to 50-60 meters in aid of charity. Ex-Chew Valley School pupil David, who grew up in Winford (and used to deliver the Gazette and its predecessor the Digest a few years ago) now lives and works in Nailsea.

He will be using a mixture of gases called Tri-mix, carrying over 5500 litres of Helium/Oxygen/Nitrogen along with 1600 litres 50% Oxygen and another 1600 litres of pure Oxygen, so he can safely complete 20-25mins (bottom time) dive with another 40-50mins (off gassing / decompressing) prior to surfacing. David will be doing this for Child Victim of Crimes.

He says: "the Police do a great job of helping to keep our children safe, and prosecute those who think they can take advantage of the child's innocence and to see a charity that helps with aftermaths, goes beyond their call of duty! They know what the child has been through and what would really help them along the road of recovery."

The dive will probably take place in Lyme Bay in October. To sponsor David, visit Child Victim of Crimes web site www.cvoc.org.uk or www.justgiving.com/deepdive . Readers can also stay in touch with the developments via David's web site http://www.dive-right.co.uk/news.php and he can be contacted on 01275 856162 (answer machine).

Go Zero Waste Packs launched

The contents of the Zero Waste Pack
A team from Go Zero is due to launch their Zero Waste Packs on Friday September 28 outside the Millennium Hall, from 10am to 12. These are fun and educational packs stuffed full of gadgets and things to make your lifestyle greener.

The idea of the free packs is to give very practical, hands-on assistance to families or individuals who want to know what steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint. There are ten packs and each is available for loan for one month. It is then returned for another household to use, although some of the things are for you to keep. The pack includes a log sheet to record how you get on - this helps Go Zero to know the pack is making a difference and is a reminder for the users to see how successful they are being at reducing waste.

Some of the things included in the pack are an electricity usage monitor, eco cleaning materials, aids to recycling, reusable batteries and charger - all contained in a great big, reusable shopping bag. Full instructions come with each item and you can always ring one of the Go Zero Street Reps for help and advice on any aspect if you get stuck. Anyone from the Chew Magna area can apply and children will love getting involved. To put your name on the waiting list, either ring or call in at the Village Greenspace, on the High Street, Chew Magna, telephone (01275) 333430.

Pensford Church is for sale

Pensford's redundant Church
Pensford's redundant church, excluding the medieval tower and graveyard, is back on the market after it failed to reach its guide price of £150,000 at an auction on September 20. It was withdrawn at £110,000 and is now for sale by private treaty. The former St Thomas a Becket Church, in Church Street, is a Grade II* Listed Redundant Church and the Victorian church nave building is in need of repair or development.

The Church is sandwiched between the River Chew and Mill Race and accessed from Church Street via a pedestrian right of way. The church was damaged in the 1968 floods, and became an arts centre in the 1980s, a project which had to be abandoned in the early 1990s when the extent of necessary repairs to the building became clear. The church (excluding the tower and graveyard) was sold to a private buyer in the 1990s, but its condition has subsequently continued to deteriorate. Enquiries can be made to the agents David James & Partners on 01934 864300.

Artists blaze fifth trail

Visitors to the fifth Chew Valley Arts Trail will not only have a chance to buy some outstanding pieces but they'll also be able to talk to artists and crafts people about their work. That's one of the real pleasures of the event, which this year takes place on the weekend of October 13/14, according to joint organiser Sandy Bell:

"We've discovered that a lot of visitors very much enjoy watching our participants at work and talking to them about styles and techniques. So where possible, people will have work in progress and we're certainly encouraging our exhibitors to do that. The original idea of the trail was for the public to be able to see the artists at their place of work, whether that¹s in a studio, a garage or at an art group. Now it's become so popular many people are exhibiting together in halls where it is a bit more difficult to be demonstrating at the same time," said Sandy.

The trail involves more than 50 local artists and craftspeople, and features some very well known, established individuals as well as talented newcomers and young people showing off their prowess, sometimes using interesting modern methods. By getting together for the trail the exhibitors are saving on overheads and so able to offer unique work at very competitive rates as there are no commissions to pay.

"We expect that the public will wish to browse lots of venues before they decide what to buy. They can take their time, shop around and chat to exhibitors, often hearing about the stories that lie behind the finished pictures and crafts," she added.

The Chew Valley Arts Trail covers 26 venues offering paintings in contrasting styles, illustrations, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, decorative glass, pottery, photography, candle craft and jewellery. Brochures, which include a map and a snapshot of the work on show, are widely available.

Distinctive green signs will guide visitors around the venues. Opening times: Saturday October 13 and Sunday October 14 10am until 6pm (Some venues may open longer). Individual venues should be contacted for information on disabled accessibility. Ffi call Sandy Bell Press Officer and Joint Organiser (01275) 333128 email: Tintinna@aol.com or Gill Shaw (01275) 474440 Joint Organiser. Look for the trails leaflets (left) or visit www.chewvalleyartstrail.co.uk (this should be available shortly)

Back Luke's NY Marathon
Luke Hasell, organiser of this summer's mini-V festival near Chew Magna, hopes that his charity fundraising efforts will top the £10,000 mark after he runs the New York marathon on November 5. He decided to enter the NY marathon as the date marks the fourth anniversary of his father Martin Hasell's death, four years ago.

Luke has already done the London marathon, clocking up a very creditable 3 hours 13 minute finishing time. Luke decided to carry on the fund raising efforts started by his mother Sandra, and events such as the mini-V festival (which raised around £7,500) and a golf day (raised around £1,200) have pushed the total raised towards £10,000. He wants to say a big thankyou to everyone who supported these events. The three charities which will benefit from this are the British Heart Foundation, CLIC and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

However, Sandra is now also affected by cancer, and the day Luke ran the London marathon was the day she started chemotherapy. Luke is hoping that the many people who enjoyed the mini-V festival, and anyone else who supports these charities, will want to sponsor his New York marathon run and help him get to £10,000 raised.

You can donate online by going to the website www.bhf.org.uk/default.aspx?page=7900&p=35000 and there is a live link to this site from the Gazette website at www.chewvalleygazette.co.uk, from the news page for October.
Alternativaly, if readers would like to sponsor Luke they can send a cheque made paybable to "Martin Hasell Memorial Fund" to Herons Green Farm, Compton Martin, Bristol BS40 6NL

Outstanding report for Cameley School
Teachers, staff, pupils and governors at Cameley Primary School are celebrating an exceptional report from Ofsted, the official body for inspecting schools, which rated it as outstanding - putting it amongst the county's elite. Only around 300 schools country wide achieve 'outstanding' status and Headteacher, Dieter Cook is delighted with the result. Ofsted and HMI (Her Majesty's Inspectorate) Inspector Chris Nye comments: "The school has gone from strength to strength and is providing an outstanding quality of education for its pupils". Reflecting the views of many, one parent commented, "Here, my children simply fly".

The school is successful because it places high value on pupils' academic achievement as well as their personal development and wellbeing, both of which are outstanding. Headteacher Dieter Cook said: "The staff, pupils, parents and governors are delighted with the inspection findings of our school and that we were judged to be outstanding in all areas. We all work together to make the school the outstanding school it has been recognised as. This outstanding school promotes excellence in all aspects of the pupils' education. Its strong ethos shines through in its calm and welcoming atmosphere and in the exemplary behaviour of the pupils. We are all very proud of our school, though we continually strive to do better."

The report comments on the strong teamwork at the school, and the shared enthusiasm which celebrates success but challenges staff to achieve even greater heights. It also comments on the exceptionally good progress that pupils make because of the outstanding quality of teaching and learning.