Frome branch of Save the Children celebrates 50 years

MEMBERS of Frome’s branch of Save the Children charity came together last month to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

The small but dedicated team continue to raise money for the charity which works in over 50 countries, including the UK. More recently, volunteers have been helping the Syrian refugees in camps and in the Calais migrant camp know as the ‘Jungle’.

One of the original founder members, Angela Daniel, who is still very active in all the branch’s activities, told the Frome Times, “The Frome branch of Save the Children was set up 50 years ago after my husband and I met the area manager, Major Miller, at a concert in Wells in aid of the charity.

“I had heard of its work, so when he said that he wanted to start a branch in Frome, I offered to send him a list of those who might be interested; school heads, society and club chairmen etc. A public meeting was arranged, and so many people attended that a committee was formed that day.

“I have continued to be a member of the branch because I admire the work of Save the Children in so many areas, and our members have worked hard to raise money for the fund. The charity has many long-term commitments to medical, educational and social projects.

“We have, over the years, organised many money-raising events in the area, although these days our main source of income is the monthly sale of books and bric-a-brac of all kinds in the Cheese and Grain. This is usually on the second Thursday morning of each month; but at present it is weekly until December 1st.

“We have a smaller group these days and would love to have more members. We would welcome anyone from Frome or any nearby village who would like to give a little time to this worthy cause.”

Marjorie Morris, secretary of the Frome branch said, “The reason the branch has continued for  so long is hard work and  tremendous local support and goodwill. Members of the public regularly bring in lovely items, often brand-new, for us to sell on our Thursday morning stall in the Cheese and Grain and support us by buying lots of goods too.”

The branch celebrated the 50 years with a lunch at Castello in Frome saying,  “We all thoroughly enjoyed our celebration lunch. Jay and his lovely staff looked after us very well. We were joined by Adam Atkinson, the recently-appointed community volunteering manager for South West England, whom none of us had met before. Peter Smith proposed a toast to the branch.”