THE Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Augustine’s Church, Clutton, is delighted to announce that the Sperring Charity has awarded a £10,000 grant towards the church’s urgently needed electrical rewire.

The Grade II* listed building requires a full rewiring after many of its sockets and switches failed and the ageing system became increasingly unsafe. The rewire is estimated to cost £74,000 including architect & electrical specification fees. Sadly PCC funds cannot cover the whole cost, so the PCC have been applying for grants to assist with this essential work.

The Sperring Charity, based in Midsomer Norton, has supported several projects at St Augustine’s over the past 20 years, and have generously granted £10,000 towards this project. The PCC and members of the congregation in the parish of Clutton with Cameley are very grateful for this wonderful grant which will bring the PCC funds much closer to their target.

The charity meets quarterly to consider applications from individuals, organisations, schools, and churches within a five‑mile radius of St John’s Church in Midsomer Norton. Anyone wishing to apply can download a form from www.thesperringcharity.co.uk

Completed applications must be submitted at least two weeks before the next meeting and may be delivered to Island House, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HJ, or emailed to [email protected]

If anyone would like to donate to the St Augustine appeal, visit the website www.cluttonwithcameley.com/cluttonchurch or contact the treasurer, Roger, on 01761 453063.

LOCALS will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first function held at the ‘new’ village hall in Bishop Sutton.

The event will be held from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday, September 26.

Derek Maltby, chair of Bishop Sutton Village Hall, said: “We would like all members of the community and the villages of Bishop Sutton and Stowey to attend and enjoy the afternoon and learn something of the history as to how this hall came to be built and finished in 1996 replacing the previous one built in 1922.”

This event will be free of charge to everyone attending including the refreshments

There will a static display of memorabilia and photographs of the old and new halls and organisers hope to be able to show some videos of the halls too.

To obtain a free ticket (for catering purposes), visit www.bishopsuttonvillagehall.com/event-details/a-toast-to-30-years

THE Churches of Ubley and Bladgon are to present an evening of choral music with the Mendip Male Voice Choir on Saturday, June 13, in Ubley Village Hall.

The Mendip Male Voice Choir is led and supported by professional musicians with many years of choral experience. Their repertoire encompasses a wide range of musical styles including popular and traditional British and American tunes.

Musical director, Kate Courage, studied Music and English Literature at University and has taught, directed, conducted, and composed for many choirs, groups, and schools, including twice conducting at the Royal Albert Hall Schools Proms with a massed choir of 500 children singing two of her songs.

Accompanist, Dominic Irving, studied composition and piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London for four years, graduating in 2009 with a 1st-class BMus Honours degree. In 2011, he earned an MA from Bristol University, and from 2012 to 2019, he served as the Musician in Residence at Dauntsey's School in Devizes. Actively engaged with various choirs and orchestras in the South West, he is also a published composer, with his latest work ‘Hi-Tech Etudes’, a two-volume collection of modern piano pieces designed for young players.

Doors will open at 7pm for a complimentary glass of wine.

To find out more or to book visit www.ticketsource.com/asnm

JOIN local experts, naturalists, and wildlife enthusiasts for a fascinating evening exploring the rich habitats, wildlife, and conservation stories of Felton Common.

What to expect: Inspiring talks from wildlife and conservation experts; Discover the birds, mammals, insects, and plants of Felton Common; Learn about local conservation projects and how you can get involved; Opportunity for audience questions and discussion.

The event will be held on June 16 from 7pm to 9pm in Felton Village Hall. Entry is free and refreshments will be available.

There will be a number of guest speakers on the night, featuring talks from Chris Sperring (Hawk & Owl Trust), Rupert Higgins (Felton Common’s Ecologist), Poppy Maynard (WECA Wildlife Index) and Andrew Tanner (Commoner and farmer).

Everyone welcome.

A spokesperson said: “Whether you are a keen wildlife watcher, local resident, photographer, walker, or simply curious about nature, come along for an engaging and informative evening.

“Find out more about the wildlife right on your doorstep.”

For enquiries email [email protected]

THE Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir will be joining forces with South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir to perform as part of Keynsham Music Festival on Friday, July 3, at St John’s Church from 7.30pm, with special guests the Music Man Project.

The choirs are part of a family of 30 fun and friendly, Mixed-voice Community Good Afternoon Choirs with 1,000 singers who “sing in the afternoon” around the South West, Wales and London.

Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir rehearse on a Wednesday afternoon in Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria Centre) from 2pm to 4pm with their leader John Hare. South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir also rehearse on a Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm with their leader Matt Finch at Kingswood Community Centre.

The Music Man Project is a multi-award-winning, world record-breaking international music education charity for people with learning disabilities. Musicians learn how to play a wide variety of percussion instruments, ukuleles and other interesting instruments as well as to sign actions along to their songs.

Good Afternoon Choir Founder Grenville Jones said: “This will be a very special concert for our members with a mix of music to suit everyone. It will be a great evening for Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir and South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir who very much look forward to welcoming the Music Man Project to help entertain you and to put a smile on your face!”

For further information visit the Good Afternoon Choir website – www.goodafternoonchoir.org

Tickets for this concert are priced £10 on the door or in advance from gac.ticketlight.co.uk or by calling 0844 888 9991. Under 16s are free.

THE Chew Valley Gadget Busters are here to help with digital devices with sessions planned for June 10 at The Queens, Chew Magna, and on July 8 at The Stoke Inn, Chew Stoke.

A spokesperson said: “Having difficulty using the local buses App or website to book a ride? Or do you have problems using your laptop, iPad, tablet, phone or digital camera? Or maybe you want to make video calls, send photos or use WhatsApp to contact your friends and family, but don't know how.”

Chew Valley Gadget Busters are holding face to face sessions, thanks to The Queens pub in Chew Magna and the Stoke Inn, Chew Stoke.

The spokesperson added: “So do visit Gadget Busters who are here to help.

“Either book an appointment by e-mailing [email protected], or turn up on the day. We hold one, two-hour sessions each month, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on a Wednesday, alternating between Chew Magna and Chew Stoke. It costs £3 per appointment, all of which will go to charity.”

A GOOD crowd met for our AGM. It was a joy to arrive at the hall in the evening sunshine with no rain or road closures.

We were welcomed with a glass of fizz and time to catch up with everyone’s news.

In the monthly meeting we were given dates of forthcoming events, notably our summer Garden Meeting to be held at Spring Villa on Wednesday, June 17 (please note change of date), at the earlier time of 6pm (tbc), and our ‘Summer Outing’ to The Clarks Shoe Museum in Street on Tuesday, August 10, at 2pm.

This was followed by the AGM when our president, Jen, gave us a review of another full and busy year, which was enjoyed by us all. Our treasurer, Jackie, reported on a healthy balance in our account. We have a brilliant committee who all work hard together to provide an interesting programme of events and a happy and lively atmosphere. We all thank them for that.

Special thanks were expressed to the one retiring committee member, Marilyn Barraclough, who has been a loyal member for more than forty years and has served on the committee in several roles over the years. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet with love and thanks from us all.

The evening finished with a delicious supper prepared by our amazing committee.

The next meeting is our annual garden party.