Entertainment entitled ‘A Dickens of a Christmas’ is to be given this coming Saturday, 9th December at the Town Hall by Encore, to raise money for the purchase of a bench in St Chad’s Well Garden in memory of local teacher and historian, Norman Voake.

The original public subscription was opened in August last year, and together with a number of generous donations already received, it is hoped the concert will enable the organisers, The Midsomer Norton Society, to reach the target cost. The aim is aim to get the seat installed in the Spring.

The concert will start at 7.30 p.m. and includes a programme of best-known Christmas songs, seasonal recitations, recollections of a Victorian Christmas and readings from ‘A Christmas Carol’, punctuated with excerpts from the musical, ‘Scrooge’.

Norman’s long service to the town as a teacher makes it appropriate that the seat in his memory should be located in a garden right next to Somervale School. At the same time, his interest in history, particularly the history of education in the town, also links well with plans to restore and develop St Chad’s Well as a memorial garden in general for the town.

Betty Voake, Norman’s widow, said: “I’m sure Norman would have been delighted with the idea of having a bench in the St Chad’s Well Garden. It’s such a lovely little garden now to go and sit, with the river running by.”

The Society is particularly appealing to past pupils and friends to come along to the concert, or to give a donation. Anyone unable to attend the concert, but wishing to make a contribution to the fund, should send it to The Midsomer Norton Society, c/o 41 Park Way, Midsomer Norton, Bath, BA3 2HE. Please make cheques payable to the ‘Midsomer Norton Society’.

The Society made a formal approach to the Town Council, and it was discussed at the June 2016 meeting. Councillors, who, as Trustees of the Town Trust, hold the St Chad’s Well Garden for the town, supported the proposal unanimously. Once the

Midsomer Norton Society has raised the estimated £800 cost of the bench, this will be handed to the Town Council, who will arrange installation with their contractors.

Tickets are available from Midsomer Norton Town Hall, at: www.midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk, or by phoning: 01761 419133.