Lindy, has been chair of fundraising for an incredible 30 years forYoung Bristol which provides opportunities for 12,000 young people to help them overcome barriers and achieve their potential. The charity was originally founded as Clubs for young boys aged 8 – 24 in 1928 by prisoners of war returning home with the aim of helping them to become responsible members of Society. Now, it provides youth clubs and opportunities for girls and boys in addition to enabling young people to obtain National Citizen Service Awards. It holds a variety of watersporting opportunities in the city’s docks, an annual 100 mile canoe race on the River Wye and provides high ropes challenges at Kingcott Farm (just across the Suspension Bridge). All of which gives young people opportunities to explore, learn more about themselves and achieve something – perhaps for the first time in their lives.

In the year when Bristol is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the traditions and role of Lord Mayor, it was particularly interesting to be joined at our Club supper by a former Lord Mayor, Clare Campion-Smith, who told us that only 9 women have held the post throughout these years. Although we are aware of the Lord Mayor, I am not sure we realised just what it entails. It sounds exhausting attending 730 events is one year. However, it was a year of fun, challenges and memorable events on occasions very diverse. Clare brought her robe and beautiful hat for us to enjoy.  We all realised what a valuable function the Lord Mayor performs.  

During the First World War soldiers and their families relied heavily on letters and parcels to raise their morale. Sally showed us the work of a team of textile artists and Cotham School GCSE textile students demonstrating their amazing sewing skills. They replicated some of the parcels and memorabilia showing us the pleasure the contents gave those receiving them. Their work was displayed at an exhibition at Bristol Cathedral and continues to be displayed in local libraries: Fishponds Library BS16 3UHL from 5th-19th Sept. Hillfields Library BS16 4HL from 23rd Sept.-11th Oct. Bishopston Library BS7 8BN from 16th Oct.-27th Nov.

Toby is one of three directors at Clevedon Salerooms.  He is a chartered arts and antiques surveyor and has been with the firm for 15 years.  Some of us have known Toby for many years and we were not surprised when her demonstrated his expertise and entertained us with a delightful talk about the salerooms and his work. The Salerooms have quarterly specialist sales; antiques, interiors, collectables and jewellery sales; free valuation days and jewellery, watch, silver and gold valuation days. He told us how he got into the antiques business and interesting facts about what sells and what doesn’t.  He pointed out that what we may have loved and cherished for many years if it is not popular will not sell at a price we expect and then later the tables will turn and may become much sought after.   Thank you Toby for an