Farncombe Student Donations for "Walk Free" - thank you !

On Saturday 5 December we had 4 walkers who were doing John O’Groats to Lands End (only 1200 miles) staying at Farncombe. Think for a moment about the weather over recent weeks ……………….! Charlie, Nick, Claudia and Martin are raising money for two charities that work with women and children who are trafficked as slaves and with former child soldiers. Their website is www.walk-free.org.uk

My first job, in 1967, was teaching in Kenya and from 1973 to 1975 I worked for Unicef in the southern Sudan, so those two causes have an immediate pull for me. In addition I am planning to ride 2,500 miles round England via 30 cathedrals for the Family Holiday Association and for Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre when I retire in 2013. I will buy the poor unsuspecting horse in the summer of 2012. So I have some empathy with those doing such things.

We asked the Farncombe students to support Charlie, Nick, Claudia and Martin and to encourage them, I agreed to give an additional 50p for every £1 raised.

I am delighted to say that on 7 December we paid £99 to the charities via the www.walk-free.org.uk website.

Well done Farncombe!

William

Help set a brand new Guinness World Record - Plant a Tree

Plant a Tree and help break a World Record
Be part of the biggest tree planting attempt in the UK ever
Saturday 5th December
11am - 12noon

Are you ready to grow something seriously groundbreaking? Help celebrate National Tree Week by teaming up with the BBC for an amazing one-off event. Tree O'Clock is a nationwide challenge to plant more than 600,000 trees within a single hour (11am - 12 noon on 5th December).
That's a heck of a lot of trees in just one little hour. Which is why Tree O'Clock needs as many people, schools, workplaces and community groups as possible to muck in. You can either plant a tree in your garden or join in one of the organised events at various locations locally.
Every tree must be planted between 11am - 12 noon. So grab your wellies, roll up your sleeves and help set a brand new Guinness World Record.

Log onto the website for full details, planting tips and how to make your tree count, http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/partners/

Sudeley Spring Grand Sale - VIP Ticket Offer

Spring Grand Sale – VIP Ticket Offer

Thursday 23rd - Saturday 26th April 2009 10am - 2pm or 2pm - 6pm and Sunday 26th April 10am - 4pm

VIP ticket for Friends of Sudeley with added value benefits

Treat yourself to a great day’s shopping against the glorious backdrop Sudeley Castle. Select from more than 120 companies selling a tempting array of exclusively-sourced products for the home and garden as well as antiques, garden plants and statuary, decorative accessories such as lamps and cushions, and some unusual fashion and gift items. The small companies taking part have been founded by intrepid travellers bringing back unusual items from off-the-beaten-track or talented artists and craftspeople using their skill to produce original one-offs or smart buyers who have discovered new ranges and negotiated competitive prices. The event takes place in a luxury marquee with wooden, carpeted floors, and there is an adjoining restaurant marquee and free car parking.

VIP tickets

What does VIP status offer you? First and foremost, at least 34 of our most popular exhibitors are offering VIP customers a minimum of an extra 10% discount off purchases made at the Spring Grand Sale. A full list of participating companies with their added value offer can be found on www.grandsales.co.uk, click Spring Grand Sale.

Second, your VIP ticket will allow you to re-visit the Sale on another day, a bonus should you want to consider a big buying decision. You will be able to make use of our shopping bag ‘creche’ at the entrance where you can leave bags – without charge - while you continue to shop. Moreover, if your shopping bags threaten to overwhelm you or you have large items which are heavy or unwieldy, VIP customers can bring their car up to the entrance of the marquee to pick up their purchases.

Finally, VIP customers will be able to buy the bargain hunter’s Bible, The Good Deal Directory – which gives you details of 3,000 factory shops selling great bargains for you, your home, garden and family – at half price – just £5 – and your copy will be personally signed by the author (as long as stocks last).

What you’re likely to find at the Spring Grand Sale

Items on sale in a luxury marquee with wooden carpeted floors and an adjoining restaurant marquee include garden furniture; oak dining tables; delicious homemade cheese; antique Bergeres sofas; original watercolours; faux flowers in vintage cachepots; real fruit licqueurs; wildlife sculptures; decorated peg buckets; garden thermometers; solar lights; vintage fabrics; children’s toys, books and clothing; decorative textiles; cutting-edge cutlery and tableware; unusual jewellery, stylish shoes, fashion accessories and much much more.

How to book your tickets

VIP tickets cost the usual price of £6.50 so VIP status won’t cost a penny more (children under 16 are free). However, they are limited in number so do apply early. They can be bought by visiting www.ukgrandsales.co.uk, phoning 01634 226203 or by writing to PO Box 75, Rochester, Kent ME2 2DB enclosing an SAE. Please state which day and time suits you (either 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm on Thurs-Sat or 10am-4pm on Sun) and quote reference SUD in order to claim your discount. When re-visiting the show, you can come at any time.


Benefit a charity

The Spring Grand Sale supports the local charity Against Breast Cancer.

(We regret that pushchairs and dogs are not allowed in the marquees)

Sudeley Castle is Open Daily: 10.30am – 5.00pm From 30th March 2009 Adults: £7.20Concessions: £6.20Children (5 – 15yrs): £4.20Family Ticket (2 Adults, 2 Children): £20.80
www.sudeleycastle.co.ukVisitor Centre: 01242 604244Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JD

Art auction for Red Nose Day

Help a brilliant cartoonist raise some funds for RED NOSE day !

Bid until midnight on Friday 13th (Red Nose Day)
http://www.paulnocher.com/rednoseday

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and Voices for Hospices

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and Voices for Hospices is taking place on 10 October 2009 with events and activities celebrating and supporting hospice and palliative care around the world. For more information visit www.choirs.org.uk/hospice.html