The South West Region - 2000                       Go back to Archive categories

Here in the South West, as in all the regions, our members are well scattered, geographically. However, we have two “patches” with a higher density of members, Bristol, as one might expect, and Cornwall. Most years, the members from both these areas have to travel greater distances than most to get to a Regional Get-together, so we decided to hold two smaller events this year, with the added bonus that we have a “new” family in both areas. It was lovely to meet Clare and Pete Brady with their 4 girls at Horseworld near Bristol, as well as welcome the Moores, the Stevens and the Balls. You may have seen articles about the Brady family in local press, on TV or in Take-a-Break magazine. We had a glorious hot sunny day for the gathering, which wound up with a barbecue at a local rugby club, opened especially for us by a colleague of Richard’s. The bar was a welcome addition on such a hot day, and we all worked up a thirst playing rounders until the food was cooked! The following Saturday found us being blown down the M5 and A30 to Launceston to meet up with our Cornish members - Carol, Tim and Alice Bostock-Jorey and our second “new” family, Liz Farmer with Jonathan, and Rachel, now 8 months old  unfortunately, Graham had to work, but Liz and co were accompanied by some friends who swelled our numbers. Liz, Graham and Rachel are joining us at the conference, so we look forward to seeing you all there. We finished with a humungous picnic all together in the big barn. Both days were very enjoyable, and we managed to expend lots of adult energy in Cornwall, too, on the trampolines and in the adult ball pool! Big kids? No! The day after our Cornish Day, we were back down the M5 to Exeter, for the charity concert which was co-organised by Bet and Ivan Roberts, whose great-grandson, Ryan, has arthrogryposis. We were delighted to be presented with cheques totalling in excess of £550 at the end of the evening, and have to thank Bet, Ivan and Allan Hill for all their hard work. (I even found myself in accord with my mother-in-law for a change, as the organist was really very accomplished, and she has been a groupie of his for many years! - Linda) At the end of May, the Millennium Raft Race was held mainly thanks to the hard work of Andrew Willcocks, with much media interest in mid-Somerset. The day was hilarious, but exhausting for the racers as the water was so very high and fast we almost had to call the race off, especially when the safety boat very nearly refused to start!  The new landlords of The White Hart Inn, Chilton Polden were great, and laid on the presentation party afterwards. There will be photos on display at the conference. The most difficult part of this kind of fundraising is getting the funds in, and it is looking as if the £500 pledged may not all be forthcoming. We’ve gone into a summer hibernation now for a few weeks  it looks as if it may have finally arrived!  We’re off camping on the Isles of Scilly again, but will probably be back before we get TAGTalk! We will re-open our TAG calendar with our annual skittles match (better late than never) on Friday, 1st September, White Hart, Chilton Polden, just before the skittle season starts again.  Linda & Richard Ettey                              Go back to Archive categories © Copyright The Arthrogryposis Group