Seven brides for Seven D'wharfs

The age old story had some major twists in Clutton PTA's pantomime this year. Princess Blanche is rejected by her stepmother, the wicked queen, and is mothered by the palace washerwomen, Fairy, Persil, Surf, Daz, Ariel and Omo and renamed Snow White.

The wicked queen checks her own beauty against her mirror daily, but ten years later the mirror tells the queen she is not the most beautiful in the land and she sends two airmen to deliver a poisoned apple to now beautiful, but bossy, adult Snow White.

Meanwhile a backwoodsman called Doc D'Wharf arrives at the laundry, needing his clothes washed, and a wife, in that order, and asks Snow White to marry him. "Why not" she says and goes off to pack. The airmen arrive and tell Doc to kill his fiance, but he avoids the job and takes Snow White back to his hovel, with Daisy the cow. There his six brothers, Grumpy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy and Dopey are living in squalor, so Snow White sets them to work cleaning up.

They decide to look for wives, as this is women¹s work, and set off just as the six washerwomen come looking for Snow White. Bumping into each other in the forest they become paired up. The queen meets her end with her own poison, the washerwomen and brothers are married by a passing preacher, and they all live happily ever after.

In between children gave spirited performances as woodsmen, cowgirls and forest animals At the end headteacher Gary Williams gave heartfelt thanks to everyone involved: Melanie Pitt who wrote and produced, Lou Creber who directed, the cast and the vitally important "backroom boys" - those involved in lighting, sound, scenery painting, scenery moving, make up, costume making, choreography, refreshments and clearing up, etc. and all of which was totally professional. Words and photo Pat Williams

Corinne comes back to the valley

There's good news for fans of the fast-rising American singer-songwriter Corinne West who returns to the Chew Valley on Saturday 19th April to play at East Harptree Theatre. Since her first visit last year, Corinne has steadily built on her already impressive reputation and in October last year released her new album, Second Sight.

Produced by legendary mandolinist Mike Marshall and featuring such luminaries as Darol Anger on fiddle, Tony Furtado on banjo and Jerry Douglas on dobro, the album is bringing her even greater acclaim. Maverick magazine describes her as 'a brilliant songwriter with a powerfully eloquent singing voice' and she has been compared with Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris and Mary-Chapin Carpenter amongst others.

The evening at East Harptree is once again being presented by local promotions company PLEASE and promises to be a memorable night. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8, available from PLEASE on 01761 221448 or 0777 900 3168, or email info@please-events.co.uk

Half Marathon for Children's Hospital

On March 16 local fitness instructor, Nicky Greaves and her husband Anthony will be running the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for the Cranio-Facial department of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. The hospital offers hope to children suffering from rare, complex and often life threatening disorders.

Specialists and expert consultants at the hospital offer the widest range of paediatric expertise under one roof in the UK. It's a place where medical professionals from all over the world research and investigate causes and also try and find cures and treatments for a wide range of childhood illnesses. It's a place where miracles happen.

The NHS meets the day to day running of the hospital but they need millions of pounds more to extend their pioneering research, to buy the latest equipment and to support services which are so valuable to the families and children at the hospital. Nicky and Anthony have a nephew, Zach, who unfortunately has Apert Syndrome.

He is now 8 months old and has already had 3 major operations to his head and hands. He is a fantastic little boy, but he will have to endure many more operations in his life. Nicky and Anthony would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to support them in raising money for Tiger Ward in the Cranio-Facial Department through sponsorship of their run. Please make a donation via www.justgiving.com/nickyandanthonygreaves

Rockers bop the night away


If ever a joint was a-Reeling and a-Rocking it was Chew Valley School on January 26 2008 at the 11th Chew Valley Charity Rock n Roll Extravaganza. The evening was once again a fabulous success with £2,170 profit raised to be shared between the Children's Hospice South West and Chew Valley School Society.

Organisers of the event, Chew Valley based band Rockola (who kindly donated their services), started the event with their infectious set of rock n roll classics and immediately the dance floor was packed as dancers began to bop the night away.

The Bruvvers who have performed along with the greatest from Jerry Lee Lewis to The Beatles followed and demonstrated their impressive musicianship and vast repertoire of classic rock music, keeping the dancers on their feet. They also reprised the hits they had with Joe Brown, such as 'Picture of You' composed by The Bruvvers bass guitarist Pete Oakman.

Rockola would like to thank the many people who worked hard to make the night such a success including Setter & Lee Estate Agents for sponsoring the posters and tickets and The Chew Valley Gazette for publicity. For anyone who fancies trying their hand at bopping to a great local band, Rockola run a thriving rock n roll club at the Pill Memorial Club the second Friday of each month (except April which will be on Saturday 12th). Further details from 01275 333102.

Rapid response limits fire damage
Chew Magna Fire Brigade managed to arrive at a fire at Hope Chapel in Battle Lane, Chew Magna, just 8 minutes after the 999 call was logged in the middle of the night at 00:44 on January 28.

The fire was put out by two crews (one from Chew Magna and one from Bedminster) and the early warning, via an automated alarm, helped limit the damage to smoke damage, mostly. The fire, at design consultancy Reach, is thought to have been caused by an electric heater.

Firefighters had to break a window to gain access, which is taken as confirmation that the fire started accidentally. Reach moved into Hope Chapel in 2004, which was formerly occupied by Village Design. The firm first came to Chew Magna in 2000, occupying the office at Wellington Place which the Gazette vacated to move to 5 South Parade. Reach is a nationally recognised branding and packaging consultancy employing 15 staff. The company works with national and international brands such as Air Wick, Ryvita, New Covent Garden Soup and Clearasil.

Children's Hospice fundraising events
In April this year The Children's Hospice South West will be celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of their second Hospice, Charlton Farm at Wraxall, Bristol. In that year 70 families have been welcomed there to receive the support and specialist services provided, and to enjoy the tranquillity of the beautiful surroundings.

£11.5 million was raised to build the Hospice and prepare it for opening, but now an ongoing £3million a year is needed to run it. The Chew Valley Friends of the CHSW have been fund- raising since the initial planning, and are grateful to all who have supported them. They now plan two events for this Spring.

There is to be an Antiques Evening at Ubley Parish Hall on Friday March 14, when Toby Pinn of Clevedon Salerooms will give a talk , followed by discussions and valuations of items brought along by ticket-holders. A delicious hot supper is promised. The next event will be a Quiz Evening at the Queen Adelaide, Blagdon on Monday, April 28, again with a hot supper. Further details and tickets are available from Janice Dean on (01761) 462940, Joyce Fielding on (01275) 332462 or Lesley Elsam on (01275) 332846.