SPOON FEATURE 31
Devon gives away it’s One Millionth Pound
11 years of putting the fun into Fundraising in the County will see Team Devon’s one millionth pound being given away this year.
It initially started with Bruce and Trudy Priday being invited to a Spoon ball in Marlborough, with the speaker Gareth Chilcott (a one time opponent of Bruce’s) making a point of coming over to explain Spoon.
the annual Pumpkin Ball which all Wooden Spoon Founders once attended in the early years saying it reminded them of the sort of event that
might be suggested. Devon has now had a number of golf club captains appoint Spoon as their chosen charity. Many Devon members have taken up the challenge with our encouragement for national funds through The Four Peaks and London Marathon.
Bruce Priday, Devon Regional Chairman
Bruce was advisor to the UK question writer of Trivial Pursuit at the time and saw a link with Spoon, so made contact to find out about, what quickly became apparent, to be a great fun charity. The then effervescent Chief Executive, David Roberts, was on to the bigger picture in a flash and dispatched his terrier, Tony Richards, who was commissioned with growing the regional presence. The Pridays were not only soon trapped but hooked and the Devon region was born.
Bruce set up a dinner inviting many business and rugby friends and a committee was formed. The committee has changed over the years but seven of the originals are still there. It has as many women as men in the ranks; as Bruce says, “It is as Margaret Thatcher once pointed out, if you want something said ask a man; if you want something done ask a woman”. The Devon Patron is Sir John Evans (now ex-Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall) and the joint Presidents are David Trick and Danny Grewcock who often support events. The Committee used to meet at Stover School and the Head, Philip Bujak, who was an active committee member hosted many events including a pivotal musical event with Alfie Boe who has since gone on to mega-stardom. The Devon Committee now meets at the Passage House Hotel in Newton Abbot which Roger Haywood owns and has been a member of the Committee for the whole 11 years. Roger hosts
Devon Pumpkin Ball. Left to right; Mike Hart, Viv Leonard, Jenny Hart, Miles Leonard, Katy Biggs, Keith Biggs, Judy Parnell, Paul Parnell, Veronica and Nigel Berisford
Spoon itself started out with.
The first proper event in Devon was a Barn Dance and the first project supported was at The West of England School in Exeter for children and young people with little or no sight. A purpose built boat was presented to the school by Sir John Evans and how fulfilling it was to watch those children being taken out to sea and to see the face of a little blind boy coming alive when he had caught a mackerel whilst fishing on the boat. His carer placed the fish in his hands so he could ‘feel the look’ of the fish. The experience was incredible and unforgettable for him as it was for us simply watching him and his joy.
The growing membership of over 700 in those 11 years creates the core and The Corporate Marketing Partners in Devon make the events sustainable allowing the Committee to vary events from Golf Days to Christmas Lunches, Quiz evenings to Book Launches, Balls to Sportsman’s dinners and anything else that
Ole Redman, Pete and the twins at a North Devon dinner organised by Paul Jewels
A huge heartfelt thank you to all of the supporters in Devon helping the County’s disadvantaged children who just need a little leg up so they can aspire to be the best they can be.
Article by Bruce Priday Spoony with Trudy Priday
For more information please visit
www.woodenspoon.com/devon
www.woodenspoon.com Autumn 2011 Spoonews
A thank you from youngsters at the Oaklands Park project
Wooden Spoon Devon have now provided for 19 projects with four more in ‘working up the proposal’ stage spread all around the county and this year are proud to be granting the MILLIONTH POUND. That figure massively superceded because sometimes directly through the efforts of the Devon committee partnership funding is located from other trusts and even statutory ‘capex’ pots so the Spoon contribution acts as a catalyst.
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