WALKING OVER HOT COALS TO GIVE FAMILIES A BREAK

One of BREAK's five city-based shops welcomed a long-standing friend this week, when local personality Helen McDermott dropped in to pledge her support to the charity - and make a promise to walk over hot coals during a fundraising Firewalk later this year!

"I'm delighted to be working with BREAK again this year," said Helen, who opened the Charity's Unthank Road shop in the Golden Triangle three years ago, "It's a terrific charity - and well-deserving of the support of this year's Lord Mayor's Procession, which I hope will bring a substantial boost to BREAK's funds."

But taking a seat aboard BREAK's open-top bus at the head of the procession on July 15th will, says Helen, be one of her easier tasks.  "I hope we'll have fantastic weather but even if it's a sweltering day - it's not going to be anywhere near as hot as what they've got planned for me in September!"

Each year, BREAK helps around 900 families through its supported holiday programmes.   The cost of each holiday is subsidised by up to two thirds provided by income from the charity's retail chain and fundraising activities.  Sarah Bunn, BREAK's Communications Manager said that the charity has had to become ever-more resourceful in finding new ways to attract funding and volunteers.

As Helen, who's back on air from June 29th as community presenter for the new 99.9 Radio Norwich, knows only too well. "There was a time when it was enough to just turn up with a big smile and cut a ribbon," she jokes, "but these days, you have to walk over hot coals to get a charity noticed!"

And that's exactly what Helen will be doing, when she takes part in BREAK's Firewalk at the Police Gala Day on September 3rd at Norwich Showground.  BREAK was launched in 1968, to provide holidays and respite care for children and adults with special needs.   With no subsidies or government funding for the retail units, the Charity relies on fundraisers, donations and the invaluable support of an army of volunteers to maintain its 32 community based shops, 24 of which are located in East Anglia - with five of those in Norwich, at Colman Road, Drayton Road, Dereham Road, Bridewell Alley and Unthank Road.
Anyone interested in joining Helen to take part in the charity Firewalk in September, or offering their support as a volunteer, should contact Liz Holman, BREAK Community Officer on 01263 820710/ email liz.h@break-charity.org, or visit www.break-charity.org for further information on BREAK's services for children, adults and families with special care needs.

              

WEA COURSES & DAY SCHOOLS FOR THE AUTUMN TERM

Two new ten-week courses and two Day Schools are planned for the Autumn term in Sheringham.  On Tuesday afternoons, there will be a ten week-course on The History of the English Kitchen Garden.  The tutor will be Charlotte Philcox, who delighted us with her course on Wildlife Gardening a couple of years ago.  Today we easily forget how important the humble kitchen garden once was.  Using contemporary evidence - recipes, art, writing and folklore from Roman times to the present, this course looks at the significance of food, plants and gardening for both rich and poor alike.  Monastery gardens, allotments, wartime measures, the origins of familiar food plants, and the rise of industrial food production are all considered.
Venue - St Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, Cromer Road, Sheringham, from 2.30 - 4.00 p.m. Starts 26th September.  £40.00 (free if on benefit).

On Friday afternoons we have a ten-week course on Britain 10 Years On.   Tutor Norman Dovey will be asking us to think about the future ten years from now. Will we be eating more healthily, driving cleaner cars and wearing 'intelligent' clothing?   Will we be more European - or more American - shopping from home and being treated by a refashioned NHS?  Will the Conservatives be in power, universities scaling down numbers, and our labour source more reliant on immigrants?  A wide-ranging appraisal of a possible future - your contributions will be much appreciated!
Venue - St Andrew's Methodist Church Hall, Cromer Road, Sheringham, from 2.30 - 4.00 p.m. Starts September 29th. £40.00 (free if on benefit).

Two Day Schools are planned.  On Saturday September 2nd, there will be a Church Tour, conducted by Gerald Randall, well-known for previous courses on architecture and gardens.  We meet at Elsing Church at 10.00 a.m. and go on to Swanton Morley, Brisley, Mileham, and finish at Beeston-next-Mileham.  The venues are necessarily provisional, as church commitments can take precedence.  Bring a picnic lunch, or if you intend to eat at a local pub, please let us know - it's important that we warn the landlord to avoid long delays.  Please remember to reward the churches for our visit, and to sign their Visitors' Books, as this can help them with Gift Aid.   Need a lift?  Enquire when enrolling. £12.00.

Our second Day School is on Saturday 14th October, from 10.00 - 4.00 p.m. It is entitled Music in Venice, and the tutor is Andres Hernandez-Salazar, who has attracted an enthusiastic following for his music-based courses.  He says:- "Music pervades the soul of Venice as surely as the waters of the surrounding lagoon penetrate to the heart of the city".  During this day we will explore five centuries of music created and inspired by the Most Serene Republic, ranging from the Gabrielis and Monteverdi, to Vivaldi, Rossini and Reynaldo Hahn.
Venue - St Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, Cromer Road. £12.00.
Prior enrolment is essential for Day Schools.  For all enrolments, or for further information, phone Jane Idiens on 01263 837779.

ANTINGHAM BACKGAMMON CIRCLE

The first meeting of the season starts on Sunday 3rd September beginning with a Cubeless Round-Robin, 8 or 9 rounds. Prizes will include a Handicap prize; everyone receiving a bonus start based on average scores from last season.  New players of all standards are welcome and for this first event only they will be allowed a bonus of 4.00 points.  Please bring a board if you have one.  For further information, elementary instruction and rules for complete beginners, ring Cedric Lytton on 01263 824157.
Antingham Backgammon Circle meets the first Sunday in the month at Antingham Village Hall 9.45am for 10.00am start.