Gary Barlow
Win £1,000 for a Berkshire charity! Three £1,000 prizes are up for grabs as Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) launch its 2018 Vital Signs survey. Can you spend just five minutes to give your opinion of life in the county? If you do, you can then nominate a charity to win one of the prizes. This is the fifth year that the Vital Signs survey has been implemented to uncover the hidden areas of deprivation within Berkshire. It enables the Berkshire Community Foundation to produce a ‘health-check’ report prioritising need and the areas for action. This year the focus is on a safe home, good health and secure employment as the foundations of wellbeing. The results drive BCFs fundraising. The organisation raises funds for, and makes grants to local charities and community groups addressing identified need across Berkshire. Last year Mental Health was identified as the major issue and £250,000 was raised to fund vital projects improving the mental health of adults and children. Gerry Lejeune, Chief Executive of BCF said “This is a fantastic opportunity for local people with local knowledge to influence our fundraising for the next year.” Please take the survey and help those in need in Berkshire: http://www.berkshirecf.org/ vital-signs-survey
inspireS BIKE RIDE! Four years ago Mortimer resident, Paul Carless, was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. Shortly after diagnosis, Paul met the original WI Calendar Girls who produced the famous alternative - WI nude calendar in 2000 which raised money for Leukemia Research. They inspired Paul to get involved with the charity Bloodwise which raises funds for research into cures for all blood cancers. Paul started to undertake physical challenges to raise funds and raise the profile of Bloodwise. The last couple of years have seen Paul and his friend, Tom Stockwell, cycle from London to Paris twice, complete the Blenheim Triathlon and the London Ride100 and ride from Coast to Coast across the UK. When ‘The Girls’ musical (written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth about the WI Calendar Girls and their fundraising initiative) was running in London's West End last year, Paul helped in a voluntary capacity with merchandising and bucket collections. The opening song from the show contains a lyric about a flower truck that drove from Amsterdam to Yorkshire. This is the inspiration for this year's challenge. From 10th - 14th July, Paul and Tom will be cycling from Amsterdam to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales. The WI Girls are very supportive of their challenge, which is intended to salute the Calendar Girls for inspiring Paul, but also as a mark of thanks for everything they have done for blood cancer patients. The Girls will be there at the finish and the boys have had some amazing support, including a lovely message from Julie Walters who starred in the film and from Tim Firth, the film writer and Gary Barlow who wrote the musical.
THE Sun Shone for FIRST Sun Shine FESTIVAL Well, the Sun Shine Music Fest certainly stayed true to its word with the sun shining in abundance all across the late May Bank Holiday weekend for this inaugural event. Over 2000 music fans from far and wide came to enjoy the first ever Sun Shine Music Fest, a family music festival - right on our doorstep in Padworth - and its mix of tribute bands and ‘originals’. With bands including Katrina (ex-Katrina and the Waves) and Doctor & the Medics, and tribute bands including Ed Sheeran, Take That, Katy Perry and Duran Duran.
We’d like to give a big shout out to the festival team who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the Sun Shine Music Fest happen, as well as all the volunteers who gave their time so willingly. All in all, great acts, good food, fabulous fun and the most amazing crowd. And the best news is, they’re ready to do it all again! The Sun Shine Music Fest has announced 2019 Super Early Bird Tickets are now on sale, with WEEKEND CAMPING tickets available for just £30! (Under 13s go free, too!) Now that really is an offer not to miss, so what are you waiting for? Check out their Facebook page Sun Shine Music Fest for the link to book these Super Early Bird tickets
Alongside the music were some delicious food stalls, real ale and cider from award-winning breweries and a fun fair - with a helter skelter you could see for miles - and entertainment for the kids. For those preferring shelter, seating and quick bar service, there was also a VIP area, hosted by none other than our good selves at Village Eye magazine! After dark, the party kept on going with the Silent Disco always a great way to end the night! Silchester-based charity, Guardian Angels (who support the welfare and well being of children who have suffered the loss of a parent or guardian) were ever-present all weekend, supplying volunteers for all manner of tasks including main gate, litter picking and bar duties.
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