4


Gloucestershire Independent


Community groups are inspired at get-together


MORE than 30 different com- munity groups from across the Stroud district have come together in Dursley to get in- spired to do more in the com- munity. Organised by local commu-


nity organisation World Jun- gle, the event at the Chantry Centre in Dursley sawpartic- ipants enjoy a range of pres- entations, including from the Asha Centre, the Barnwood Trust, the former editor of the Journal Soil Association, Stroud District Council as well as from World Jungle di- rector Ben Ward. Workshops ran throughout


the day on improving com- munication,


volunteering


and on ways to create more active communities. Feedback from the groups attending was positive, in- cluding Suzie Philips, from the Learning Disabilities Partnership, who


said:


“What a brilliant event. I found the day extremely use- ful and very inspiring.” Groups who would like to


find out more about oppor- tunities to work together can contact Ben Ward at World Jungle on 07889 512644 or email ben@worldjungle.org. uk Alternatively, visit: www. worldjungle.org.uk


Lack of funding won’t stop the hanging baskets from blooming


WOTTON’S in Bloom team hopes to overcome funding shortfalls to ensure the town’s hanging baskets go up for a fifth consecutive year. The volunteer-run group needs to raise £9,000 to install 120 baskets around the town and keep them fed and wa- tered in the summer months. Each participating trader


or business will be charged a nominal fee of £40 for a basket and a bracket, with the extra cost for tending the plants be- ing met by grants, donations and fundraising. Funding problems have threatened the project over the years since its inception in 2010, but organisers are deter- mined to meet their target and keep Wotton blooming. Wotton in Bloom commit-


tee chairman Sue Hunt said “More than once we have been convinced that we would not achieve our target. “By far the largest single cost is the maintenance of the baskets for the summer months and that is the same, irrespective of how many there are. But it really is worth it when you see how they brighten up the town. Each basket represents jolly good value for money as it includes watering, feeding and everything else. Thank- fully, the town council and


February 20, 2014


Injured men preparing for take-off in daring feat


ADVENTURERS and wound- ed soldiers preparing for a daring flight to the South Pole by microlight have been in Sweden to test out their aircraft. Kemble-based Flying for Freedom’s British Antarc- tic Microlight Expedition, is planning a feat that has not been attempted before by an- yone, able bodied or disabled. But among the team making


the perilous journey in open cockpits next year are eight injured servicemen. Engineer and pilot men-


tor John Laity, from Minety, came up with the idea for the project. Flying for Freedom pro- vides post rehabilitation training for service person- nel as a way of encouraging them to get out of bed in the mornings and help them reintegrate with society, he said.


The Wotton in Bloom team is hoping to make the town a picture (3922684)


chamber of trade have been unstinting in their support each year.” Chamber president Alex


Wilkinson said: “This project is a valuable asset. There is no doubt that the hanging baskets bring visitors and


trade to the town, which is to everyone’s benefit.” Mrs Hunt added: “We are constantly on the lookout for more volunteers to join us and would specifically wel- come people to help with our fundraising activities as well


as those who might be able to tend the baskets on the occa- sional basis.” Anyone wishing to join the team or make a donation to the project can contact Sue Hunt at suehunt2@btinter net.com or on 01453 521263.


Among the team are Cirencester polar adventurer Charlie Martell, former Para officer Martin Hewitt whose arm was paralysed after he was shot in an attack on the Taliban, Capt Luke Sinnott who was severely injured by an improvised explosive device and paraplegic pilot Dave Sykes.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24