No room at the Inn

Clutton Primary School Infants (Keystage 1) put on a traditional nativity play for parents and friends, with vigorous performances by some children. The innkeeper, played by Dylan was most positive about having no room when Mary, Joseph and the donkey arrived at his inn. The youngest children trooped on and off stage on cue, while the older children sang loud and clear. Some beautiful angels and some sturdy shepherds played their part, followed by kings and camels. At the end, everyone sang enthusiastically and head teacher Mr Williams congratulated them for remembering their words and putting on such a moving performance. Words and photo by Pat Williams

Local routes win with Connect2

Although no schemes within the Chew Valley will directly benefit from Sustrans: Connect2's Big Lottery Fund £50 million prize, a couple just outside the area will be easily accessible to valley cyclists and walkers.

Sustrans: Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will create new cycling and walking routes to improve local travel in 79 communities across the country.

Bristol, Ashton Park, Long Ashton and links to Nailsea and Backwell This scheme comprises a number of key links and connections which together make up a large network of routes. A proposed Festival Way links central Bristol to the major events site at Ashton Park and then continues on to Long Ashton, opening up links to its residents. The long-sought Cambridge Batch link beside the mainline railway will provide a link to Backwell school for Long Ashton residents and an attractive way to Tyntesfield for National Trust site visitors. The link will overcome a major gap in the public footpath network in the area.

Bath, Two Tunnels The Two Tunnels Greenway is a bold proposal to create a virtually flat four mile path from Bath to Midford. It will Connect2 communities in between including schools, playgrounds and parks along the route of the former S&D railway, passing through Linear way, the Devonshire tunnel, Lyncombe Vale, The Combe Down tunnel and the Tucking Mill Viaduct. Benefits will be provided to all types of people including the disabled, parents with baby buggies, ramblers and cyclists, both for commuting and leisure purposes. Two lit tunnels and the magnificent Tucking Mill Viaduct will provide an inspiring, highly practical link between town and country, with its unique blend of industrial heritage, wildlife and geology.

Another local project is in the reserve list, and so might be elevated to the join the full list:

Midsomer Norton Connect2 to Radstock. The hills around Radstock pose a barrier to walking and cycling. This proposal aims to complete a route along the high level disused railway that used to connect the two towns. Links from the railway path will connect communities to work and leisure facilities - including the creation of a new town park along the route. The key to the success of this project will be the crossing of the A362 Radstock/Somervale Road. Midsomer Norton and Radstock desperately need more recreational space for both cycling and walking.The towns could also do with some more open space so a park is an excellent idea.

On receiving the news they had won John Grimshaw, CEO and founder of Sustrans said: "To say I am delighted is such an understatement - this is fantastic news for Sustrans. But, more importantly, it is fantastic for the 79 communities and many other partners and local authorities across the UK with whom we have been working for the last two years. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us, but the hard work starts now to build those bridges, tunnels, crossings and networks of paths. Ultimately the real winners will be those millions of people who will now be able to Connect2 their shops, schools, workplaces and each other every day!"

Help for parents
Parentline Plus, a charity which provides free 24-hour help and support to all parents and carers, has organised two free parents groups for November when parents can talk through the issues that are of concern to them. The first begins on January 8 at Castle Primary School, Newlands Road, Keynsham, Bristol when the theme will be 'Less shouting more cooperation.'

The group will meet at 1pm every Tuesday for five weeks. There will be a free creche at this venue but spaces are limited and must be booked in advance by ringing the phone number below.

On Wednesday January 16 a course called 'Bringing up Children after Separation' will start at Keynsham Library, The Centre, Keynsham, meeting at 7pm for three weeks. "Many parents find that when they do come along to our events, they really enjoy being able to chat to other parents, swap tips and ideas and generally have an opportunity to let off steam," says Esther Williams, spokeswoman for Parentline Plus in Bristol.

Parentline Plus runs free services across the Bristol and Bath areas. Single parents and carers can meet up to share experiences together if they like and we sometimes have services specially for grandparents or younger parents too. To get more information or to find out more about what is available in the area, please call Esther on 0117 953 5525 See also www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Across the Sinai desert for Dentaid

Sarah Clarke. left, with another charity walker
Sarah Clarke's trek across the Sinai desert proved to be a memorable experience for her and the other volunteers from around the UK who were raising money for Dentaid. She would like to thank all the patients and staff of Harptree Dental Surgery, friends and family in helping her raise money for Dentaid, enabling the charity to continue to provide dental care for people less fortunate than ourselves around the world.

Sarah said: "The challenge I completed took place between November 25 to December 1. Our first day of trekking was following in the footsteps of Moses as we climbed to the top of Mount Sinai to watch the sun set. The next three days took us through the magnificent Sinai desert, with red-brown mountains surrounded by dry, yet colourful, desert plains. We trekked over rocky mountains, through wadis and across the sand which at times seemed never ending. Our Bedouin guides were always with us to encourage and to ensure we did not get lost! The sight of our camp late in the afternoon was a most welcome one."

"As the sun set it soon became quite cold but our high spirits kept us warm along with the track suit bottoms, thick fleeces, socks, hats and gloves that we wore before getting into our sleeping bags under the Bedouin tent. I have lasting memories of the trek and the new friends that I have made (including the camels) and again would like to thank everyone who supported me."

The overall figure raised has not been finalised yet, as money is still coming in. If you want to add a sponsorship donation you can send a cheque made out to Dentaid to the West Harptree Dental Surgery, or drop some money in the collecting box when you're there.

Wenfre community consultation
Representatives of the Committee of Wenfre Community Consultation will shortly begin to visit groups and organisations in Felton, Regil and Winford in a bid to reach as many people as possible to find out what members of the local communities want.

The committee has been busy over the late summer months, attending all three produce shows of Felton, Regil and Winford, and have already had meetings to discuss a number of the issues raised by people at these events. From Christmas the group will be moving forward under the direction of a new Chairman Mike Davis.

Mike has lived in Winford for 34 years and has been actively involved in various village groups. If you live, work or socialise within our community, get your thinking caps on. Visits to local interest groups will be starting shortly and will continue for some months into the New Year.

These will be very informal and short introductions to the idea of a Community Plan. You are invited to talk to us about ANYTHING that may concern you or that you would like to see done. If you cannot wait for us to find you, or you are a group we have not yet contacted about a visit and would like one, you can contact us on 01275 472773, email us at info@wenfre.co.uk, or reach them via www.wenfre.co.uk