The Month That Was May '25

Supporting both locally and internationally, in May we had a visit from one of the leaders of a charity in India we have supported in the past, found time to visit the RNLI, supported the Wells City Harriers in organising and running the Wells Festival of Running and supported the Mayor at his inauguration ceremony; and next month we are being asked to support Sounds Joyful at the Cathedral.

Father Anthony drops in

Andrew Mann our guest speaker this month had to drop out for health reasons at short notice.

However, we were so lucky in that Father Anthony from the charity RTU was visiting and willingly took the floor to update members on the work and affairs of RTU. This is a charity that the club has supported in the past and for which we received a district grant. Stan Jones, the chair of the district grants committee and a number of other visitors joined for the evening. Alan gave the introduction and Sharon and Bob shared the vote of thanks.

Ice Age to Cold War Walk

Lead by Andrew Buchanan a group from the club hiked across the brow of the Mendips from the Westbury Quarry to the Draycott iron age camp and back to the nuclear bunker at Westbury Beacon before heading off to the Queen Vic at Priddy for lunch. A thoroughly entertaining morning so much so that we’d love to invite Andrew back to talk to the club as whole. And why Ice Age: well, the quarry is famous for being the site of the Westbury Cave, which collapsed approximately 600,000 years ago, preserving a nationally significant collection of fossils, including small mammals and cave bears.

Supporting Wells in Bloom

 Thanks to Chris the club’s plaque is ready and waiting by the fountain. 

Wells Festival of Running

Held on the end of May bank holiday Sunday the event saw a record number of entries for the senior races. The 8’s and under and junior races held on the Cathedral Green were a big success – well done Claire and Chris. The balloon raffle organised by Ray raised over £900, even though the windy conditions on the day meant that the tethered exhibition flight had to be cancelled. Over at Dulcote, the water station set up by Stuart and June was ‘run off its feet’ and did excellent work. Well done to both and their team of helpers. However, the stalls on the Green struggled as we ended up with a very limited footfall on the Green all morning, despite the Town Square being pretty well packed and despite promotional efforts to encourage spectators and runners to visit the Green. Overall, subject to final numbers, the event looks to have raised net of costs over £3,000 for donation to local organisations and good causes

Mayor Making

Recognising the role we play in supporting the local community, we were invited to attend the City of Wells 651^st Mayor Making Ceremony of Cllr Louis Agabani on Saturday 10^th May in Wells Town Hall. Dressed in full presidential regalia Alan supported by Sally represented the club at the ceremony.

RNLI Visit

Many of us support the RNLI in an individual capacity and, following the talk earlier this year by Mike Brown on the history of the RNLI, were keen to join the trip organised by Ellie to the RNLI training centre at Pool. Split into two groups we got see the training simulator, a number of workshops where crew members are trained in the intricacies of hydraulic systems and diesel engines and the pool where crew practice all the emergency drills associated with man over board, launching inflatable life rafts, righting capsized ribs, plus no doubt many other essential skills. The tour concluded with lunch in the visitors canteen and then good snooze homeward bound in the coach.