Scouts need you
DID you know that Kingswood District Scouts have 1,089 young people who enjoy gaining skills for life in Beaver colonies, Cub packs, Scout troops and Explorer Scout units?
They do this in 15 Scout groups covering most areas of the district, from Hanham and Longwell Green to Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Bitton and other areas in between.
Groups function because of adult volunteers who give up their time to transfer skills to our young people, the adults themselves having undergone appropriate training provided by the Scout Association.
Overseeing the operation and functioning of all groups in the district is the district trustee board, comprising a chair, treasurer and lead volunteers, as well as others who can be co-opted onto the board.
Currently, the board has no treasurer and efforts thus far to find one have been unsuccessful. Transaction levels are low throughout the year, and do not involve cash. All is dealt with via online banking and transfers.
We are desperate to fill this vacancy, so are appealing to readers who may be interested to take on the role or may know some other family member or friend who could do so.
Our outgoing treasurer stands ready to provide full instruction about managing the money, but to anyone with an accountancy or bookkeeping background, the role will hold no difficulties or novel processes.
We hope some readers of the Voice may be tempted to get in touch – please contact me on 0730 588 5942 or email Chair@kingswoodscouts.org.uk.
Bob Sellar
Trustee Board Chair
Take part in our festival
ST JAMES Church in Mangotsfield will hold its second Christmas tree festival in December.
The festival will once again be a free community event, bringing people and local organisations together, and will be open from December 11 to 14 for visitors to come along to the church, see the variety of trees on display and share in the joy of Christmas, getting into the festive spirit.
We invite local businesses and organisations to take part by decorating a Christmas tree to display in church.
This can be a good way to promote organisations and businesses, and cards or leaflets can be left by the trees.
Saturday December 14 will include breakfast with Santa, children’s Christmas crafts and story time in the morning, and musical entertainment in the afternoon.
We will also be serving seasonal refreshments during the opening times and a light lunch will also be available on the Saturday.
If you would like to know more, please call 07826 312630 or e-mail mummyruth@hotmail.co.uk.
Ruth Oakley
Festival Organiser
Donors needed
AFTER a busy summer, there is a need for people in Bristol to help fill available blood donation appointments in the coming weeks.
Right now, there is a particular need for more O negative and B negative donors, as well as more donors of black heritage to help treat patients with sickle cell anaemia.
O negative is the blood type used to treat patients in emergencies, including accidents and childbirth, and is therefore in constant high demand.
If you have one of these much-needed blood types and are able to donate, please go online at www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to book an appointment.
By giving an hour of your time, you could save up to three lives.
Gerry Gogarty
Director of Blood Supply
NHS Blood and Transplant
Picnic was a big success
BRISTOL Little Big Band’s picnic in the park event at the end of August in Page Park was a great success.
The team in the Bean Tree Cafe supported us and we sold over 100 tickets to locals who came along in the sunshine to enjoy a bit of jazz.
We played 27 tunes, including Fly Me to the Moon, Summertime, Begin The Beguine, Chattanooga Choo Choo, In The Mood and Bare Necessities.
We had a Glenn Miller ‘super fan’ in the audience who was in her element. She, along with a group from a birthday party, started the dancing, which was great fun.
A shout out to Stan, who made us his delicious lemon cake.
We’ll definitely be doing it again next year – look out for the poster or follow us on Facebook.
Vicky Rogerson
(Alto sax )
Join in walking football
MANGOTSFIELD United walking football recently competed in our first tournament at Portishead FC.
We won five games and drew one, competing against Clevedon, Nailsea, Weston-super-Mare and a host of other well-established teams, even though we had only been training for eight weeks, so this was a great achievement.
We play every Friday between 7pm and 8pm at Mangotsfield United FC and extend an invitation to any men over 50 and ladies over 35: sessions cater for all abilities and are focused on having fun.
If you are interested, just turn up on a Friday evening or contact Steve on 07830 138237.
Ed Edwards