No to surgery move
The prospect of a new surgery development for the Chew Magna Surgery at Chew Stoke is looking unlikely, following the news that the surgery’s bid for the allocated ‘community building’ site was rejected by Charles Church.
The 1 acre piece of land with road frontage is on the former Radford’s site, on which Charles Church have achieved planning consent for a category D1 community building (non-residential).
Chew Magna Surgery put in a sealed bid for this piece of land, but have been told that they were not successful.
Dr Tim Sephton of Chew Magna Surgery said “We are very disappointed that our bid has not been successful. We believe that we are the only party who fulfilled all the category D1 criteria for this site.
“It appears that Charles Church may now be going back to the planners with a request to remove this category D1 Community restriction. Meanwhile, there are simply no other suitable sites, and those that could be explored (for example green field sites) would be years away from achieving planning.
“This is a great disappointment, not only to all of us at the surgery who have worked for a long time on this bid, but also to the health of the greater Chew Valley Community. We do hope that Charles Church will reconsider.”

Chew Magna Fairtrade launch

Chew Magna celebrated the launch of its Fairtrade Status with a sumptuous breakfast of mueslis, spreads, beverages and locally produced succulent bacon buttles. Everything consumed was produced and sold ensuring that worker, producer and shopper are fairly rewarded. The Millennium Hall was full of happy diners and shoppers sampling the food and goods for sale.
Chew Magna Primary had also been thinking about what they buy and they produced some wonderful posters for our competition on Fairtrade. Their entries were of such a high standard that the judges found it very difficult to choose the winners. Congratulations go to Ruby, Freya and Eleanor in Class 1, Ben, Ben and Martin in Class 2 and Katie, James, Gemma and Ed in Class 3.
The Fairtrade Foundation Village Status certificate was presented by our Parish Council Chairman Jon Wheatley who commended the village on its achievement and encouraged us all to continue to think about the choices we make as consumers and the effect that they have on our own and other communities.
Fairtrade status goals have to be maintained and widened for continued status. Watch out for further events in the village and in surrounding towns and cities that have or are working towards their own fairtrade goals. Information on the Fairtrade Foundation can be found at www.fairtrade.org.uk

Triumph for Scottish dance team

Corryvrechan, a Dundry-based team, danced away with the coveted Ellison trophy for Best Display Performance at the prestigious Newcastle Scottish Dance Festival.
Corryvrechan presented a stunning display, drawing inspiration from the diverse roots of the Scottish dance tradition. The team were also awarded first prize for the best mixed group and highest overall score against strong opposition from Scottish, English and International teams.
Team Leader and choreographer, Erica Archer, said “Corryvrechan is a little different. We like to push the boundaries of traditional Scottish dancing and were delighted this was appreciated by the adjudicators.”
Corryvrechan’s aim is to share Scotland’s wonderful dance heritage with a varied repertoire including Country, Highland, Hard Shoe, Hebridean and Shetland styles combined with innovative choreography and colourful costumes.
Corryvrechan has represented the UK at major festivals all over the world for nearly 20 years and draws dancers from across the South West. The team also dance at more local events such as ceilidhs, weddings, Burns Suppers, Scottish themed evenings, country fairs and charity events around Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire.
The team is proud of its own expert musicians and of its long and continuing tradition of working with some of the best Scottish musicians in the UK.
For more information see www.corryvrechan.org.uk
There are also some videos at http://youtube.com/corryvrechan and http://youtube.com/scottishdance. A short demo DVD is also available.

Under Mendip for Muscular Dystrophy
Owen Rush is appealing for people to join him on Friday April 25 for a brand new exciting fundraising event deep underground in the Mendip Hills.
The event is aimed at individuals or teams with a real sense of adventure who are prepared to go deep into prehistoric caves to find some important lost items.
The two hour expedition will start at 10am and participants will be rewarded by a sumptuous hot buffet lunch at a nearby hostelry.
No experience is necessary as qualified instructors will be with you throughout the subterranean journey into the labyrinth of these unique caves festooned with stalagmites and stalactites.
If you have a passion to explore or a wonder of the unknown then come along and join us to see the very stuff our planet is made of.
A £25 deposit secures your place if you try and raise £200 in sponsorship for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
The aim is to register people as far in advance of the event as poss to enable them to generate sponsorship for the charity so upon their request/registration they will be sent the full kit list and safety briefings.
We cannot take entries on the day places must be pre booked. The expedition will begin at 10am, so arrive at Burrington Coombe by 9.30am for your training and safety briefing by your fully qualified instructors.
You will then be taken in a group deep into Goatchurch Cavern at Burrington Coombe. The underground exploration will last approximately two hours after which you will be treated to a hot buffet lunch at the Burrington Inn nearby to the caves.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the only national charity focusing on all muscle diseases.
Ffi contact Lynne Hodgson on 01752 228128 , or email: southwest@muscular-dystrophy.org

'Not bad for an old man'

Matt and Richard Bedford
Father and son Richard and Matt Bedford ran the Bath half marathon on March 16 for the Jessie May Trust. The charity is for children and young people with a terminal illness, and provides a free Palliative Care Service for children and young people who are not expected to live beyond nineteen years.
They work in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Matt said: “My father and I raised a total of £746 for the trust. It was my dad’s first half marathon and he had been in training for quite a few weeks. I run regularly but didn’t prepare for the race at all.
“We did it together in 1:54mins, which was very impressive for a 46 year old - and an 18 year-old! It was a wet cold windy day but it was all worth it. I personally spent most of the race laughing at my dad running but he did very well for an old man!.”

Winford Pre-school 'outstanding'

Winford Village Preschool celebrated with a party after hearing the news that they had been given the grade of ‘outstanding’ in their recent Ofsted inspection.
It has been a busy year for the preschool. In August last year, we saw our new building craned into position onto the grounds of Winford Primary School. A lot of hard work followed by staff and committee to furnish and organise the new building. The children were finally able to move in to their new preschool in November of last year.
“The Ofsted result was a great surprise to us” commented Wendy Cleghorn, the preschool leader. “It is great to see the hard work of both staff and committee members being acknowledged, but the greatest satisfaction comes from the recognition that we are really striving to focus on each child as an individual and that the children are nurtured and supported to explore their own interests, at their own pace.”
“The new building has made an incredible difference,’ said Sarah Thomas, the chairperson. “Having our own purpose-built facility has enabled us to give the children a vastly improved environment in which to play and learn. We would like to thank Winford Primary School staff and Governors for their tremendous support for the project and also the financial support provided by both parents and many Winford residents. We are still urgently trying to raise funds to complete payments for the building refurbishment and would be delighted to hear from any individuals or businesses who would be able to help us in this.”
For more information regarding the preschool, please ring 01275 472742.