Somerset Freemasons launch £2.5-million charity appeal at annual meeting
OVER 450 Freemasons from across Somerset and visiting provinces gathered on Thursday, April 2, for the Annual General Meeting of Somerset Freemasons, led by Ray Guthrie, to celebrate achievements, recognise contributions and outline future charitable ambitions.
A key part of the meeting was the appointment and promotion of members to senior roles, recognising their contribution and the important role they will continue to play in supporting Freemasonry across Somerset.
The meeting also highlighted the significant charitable impact of Freemasons across the county, including a grant of over £43,000 awarded to Young Somerset by the Freemasons’ Charity to support young people and families in the region.
A major announcement of the day was the launch of a new charity appeal aiming to raise £2.5-million to support charitable causes, with a significant portion set to directly benefit good causes within Somerset.
Speaking following the meeting, Ray Guthrie, leader of Somerset Freemasons, said the organisation remains committed to supporting both its members and the wider community through charitable giving and local engagement.
The meeting concluded with a well-attended luncheon, reflecting the strong sense of community across Somerset Freemasonry.
Probus Club hear from retired British Airways captain
NEW president, David Badham, chaired the April meeting of the Monument Probus Club of Wellington, held at the Beambridge Inn, Sampford Arundel. He welcomed 29 members and one guest, Roger Tozer.
During a brief business section of the meeting, it was announced that the club had been well represented at the recent funeral of former member Alan Craig.
Arrangements were outlined for the club’s autumn break to the Milford Hall Hotel in Salisbury. It was also announced that committee member, Richard Smith, was making arrangements for a bluebell walk.
The president then welcomed the speaker for the morning, retired British Airways captain Richard Sillett, whose talk was entitled "Speedbird 1 - Memories of a BA Pilot".
Mr Sillett recounted how, after leaving Minehead Grammar School as an 18-year-old, who was very keen on aeroplanes, he enrolled for a two-year course at the College of Air Training, based at Hamble Airfield in Hampshire. At that time, the college was the country's premier facility for the training of pilots for BA and other major airlines.
The speaker related how the very rigorous course commenced with him flying Chipmunk aircraft, usually under the watchful eyes of former World War II RAF pilots.
After successfully completing the course, Mr Sillett embarked on a flying career, consisting of nine years as a BEA co-pilot, followed by 25 years as a captain.
He told members that the first commercial plane he had flown was a Vanguard with propellers and his career progressed with him flying the Trident III, Viscount and Boeing 757 and 767.
Members were enthralled at some of the stories of places he had flown to and people he had met, including the late American singer Whitney Houston, who he welcomed on to the flight deck.
Mr Sillett, who retired from BA at the age of 55 in 1997, said: "Every flight was different. You could never get stuck in a rut."
After answering a variety of questions from members, Mr Sillett was thanked by the president.
The next meeting of the club will be at the Beambridge Inn on Thursday, May 7, at 11am, when Mark Baker will give a presentation about the Great Western Canal.
Monument Probus Club welcomes new members. More information can be obtained from the Hon Secretary via email at [email protected].
Garden centre first in the country to stock new seeds
SOMERSET’S Blackdown Garden Centre is one of the first in the country to stock Seed Revolution’s wildflower seeds and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Organic Vegetable Seeds.
Seed Revolution, one of the UK’s fastest growing seed companies, has secured a listing with a number of Blue Diamond Garden Centres across the country, including the Blackdown Garden Centre in Wellington, Somerset.
Blue Diamond Garden Centres is the largest garden centre group in the UK.
A dozen different varieties of wildflower seeds from Seed Revolution are now available to buy, including Cornflower, Field Poppy, Forget Me Nots, Ox Eye Daisy, Red Clover, Sainfoin and Chicory as well as a selection of seed mix packs.
All the seeds are British and grown in the UK.
The listing also includes a selection from the range of organic vegetable seeds which Seed Revolution has exclusively developed in partnership with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage.
The River Cottage Organic Vegetable Seeds available to buy from Blue Diamond Garden Centres include Parsnip Halblange, Chard Fireworks, Courgette Nero Di Milano, Kale Nero Di Toscana, Basil Sweet Genovese, Cucumber Marketmore, Rocket Rucola, Spinach Matador, Parsley Moss Curled, Radish French Breakfast, Sweet Corn Golden Bantam and Carrot Nantes 2.
Seed Revolution Wildflower Seeds and River Cottage Organic Vegetable Seeds can be found in store now in dedicated display units.
Max Mancroft, Seed Revolution founder, said: “We’re delighted that Blue Diamond Garden Centres are stocking both Seed Revolution’s wildflower seeds and our exclusive River Cottage Organic Vegetable Seeds in ten of their garden centres.
“We’re a modern seed brand engaging a whole new generation of grower and we’ve had an incredible response since we officially launched at our first trade show in February.
“Our customers, 50 per cent of whom are under the age of 50, are loyal and keep coming back for more. They love our eye-catching packaging, our high quality and attractive price.
“Lots of our customers are getting into gardening for the first time, whether they have a garden or just a windowsill in their flat to grow from, and they like the fact that we make seeds joyful, accessible and fun to all.
“We’re also seeing customers buying our wildflower and organic vegetable seeds as gifts because they’re the perfect size to tuck inside a card or, bundled together as a bespoke selection, they make a great present.”
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “I’m incredibly excited about our collaboration with Seed Revolution, our first ever range of organic vegetable seeds.
“At River Cottage we love working with people who share our values. Together, we’ve produced a brilliant range of seeds for people who want to grow their own healthy produce.
“Our organic seed collection offers customers some of our favourite varieties of vegetables, whether they’re a seasoned gardener or just starting. It means they can grow and take the finest, freshest vegetables from their garden straight to their kitchen.”
St Margaret’s Colour Run to return for its tenth year
ON a buzzing day in May every year, hundreds of runners, fundraisers, and fancy dressers gather at Taunton Racecourse to cover themselves in colour and enjoy a fab family day out in support of St Margaret’s Hospice Care.
For the tenth year, St Margaret’s Colour Run is returning to Taunton Racecourse on Saturday, May 16.
The daytime celebrations will begin with the Bubble Toddle at 1.30 pm –an event designed especially for young children and families.
Children up to age five can take part in a 200m dash through a magical stream of bubbles.
This will be followed by the family-friendly Colour Run at 2 pm.
Participants can walk, jog, dance or skip through clouds of colour and foam.
The afternoon promises laughter, mass colour throws, live music, and delicious street food.
Shauna Booker, Event Manager at St Margaret’s Hospice Care, said: “The Colour Run has always been one of our most joyful events, and after ten years we really want to celebrate big this year.
“We’re so excited to bring the community together again for a full day of colour. In the afternoon we’re excited to bring everyone together for a big colour throw inspired by the Holi festival to celebrate everyone crossing the finish line. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”
Events like this play an important role in helping St Margaret’s continue providing free, specialist care to people across Somerset - whether that’s in patients’ homes, in the community, or at its hospice hubs.
The Colour Run 2026 will once again take place at Taunton Racecourse, Orchard Portman, Taunton, Somerset TA3 7BL.
Event timings are as follows: registration from 12 noon, Bubble Toddle at 1.30 pm, and the Colour Run at 2 pm.
Tickets are available now. To reserve your place, visit: www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/event/colour-run
Local school to open new hall named after spy
Schedule for the ceremony: 2.45 pm, arrival; 3 pm, tea and cake; 3.30 pm, the official opening with speeches; 4 pm, depart.
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