Tag: Sturminster

Community Chest given a surprise donation

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A charity shop set up to help keep its village bright and appealing has been given a £500 donation to mark a funeral home’s one year anniversary.

Volunteers at Sturminster’s Community Chest Charity shop were invited to enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies at The Co-operative Funeralcare as a way of saying thank you.

One of the funeral co-ordinators in Sturminster, Gay Wilson, has been volunteering at the Community Chest Charity shop over the last few months and felt they deserved some recognition for their hard work.

The donation was kept as a surprise and presented to the volunteers at The Co-operative Funeralcare’s one year anniversary on 10 December 2019.

Gay Wilson said: “Since the branch opened a year ago, we have been spreading the message that we are more than just a funeral home. We are part of Southern Co-op – the regional, independent co-operative – so we are a part of the community.

“Over the last few months, I have been volunteering at the Community Chest Charity shop so know how hard the volunteers work. It is lovely to be able to thank them at our anniversary event!”

The Community Chest, which comes under the umbrella of Sturminster Newton Economic Development Society, is a community venture set up to help maintain Sturminster’s reputation as a great place to live, work and play.

All profits from the shop are used to support initiatives to keep the town bright and interesting, encouraging residents to stay and tourists to visit.

Cheryl Basten, Community Chest Manager, said: “I would just like to say a huge thank you to The Co-operative Funeralcare colleagues for their very kind donation and the recognition of our very hard working and committed volunteers.

“We have had an amazing year, with great support from the community and are now seeing the fruits of our labour with projects that are enhancing our environment.

“We have a suggestion box in the shop so if there is something you are passionate about and would like to be considered for funding then please pop into our lovely little shop.”

The Co-operative Funeralcare in Sturminster is part of the regional, independent co-operative, Southern Co-op, which encourages volunteering and donations as part of its community engagement programme.

The Love Your Neighbourhood initiative addresses four key social themes – promoting greener, healthier, safer, and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

To find out more email SturminsterFuneral@southerncoops.co.uk, call 01258 472073 or visit the branch at 4 Market House, Station Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FG.

Birthday celebrations in Sturminster Newton

Posted on by ashleymarsh

The whole community is being invited to celebrate a funeral home’s one year anniversary and recognise the work of volunteers at a special local cause.

The Co-operative Funeralcare in Sturminster opened its doors on 10 December 2018 and will be holding a special anniversary event exactly one year on.

To mark the special occasion, Funeral Co-ordinators Gay Wilson and Robyn Marriott have invited volunteers from the Community Chest Charity shop to enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies.

Complimentary light refreshments are also being offered to families and friends in the town who would like to help celebrate the occasion.

Gay Wilson said: “Since the branch opened a year ago, we have been spreading the message that we are more than just a funeral home. We are part of Southern Co-op – the regional, independent co-operative – so we are a part of the community.

“Over the last few months, I have been volunteering at the Community Chest Charity shop so know how hard the volunteers work. It is lovely to be able to thank them at our anniversary event. We also have a surprise in store for them!”

Gay will also be baking home made cakes for the event on 10 December from 4pm to 6pm.

Light refreshments, cakes, mulled wine and mince pies will all be available on the night.

Gay added: “Everyone is welcome – whether you want to find out more about us, how we support the community, how we support loved ones at a time of need or if you just want a free mince pie.”

The Community Chest is a community venture wholly owned by the Sturminster Community Benefit Society, set up to help maintain Sturminster’s reputation as a great place to live, work and play.

All profits from the shop are used to support initiatives to keep the town bright and interesting, encouraging residents to stay and tourists to visit.

To RSVP, please email SturminsterFuneral@southerncoops.co.uk, call 01258 472073 or visit the branch at 4 Market House, Station Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FG.

Tales of a war veteran to mark Remembrance Day

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Stories told from father to daughter to granddaughter are to go on public display in Sturminster to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.

Gay Wilson, Funeral Co-ordinator at The Co-operative Funeralcare in Sturminster, will be decorating the branch’s window ahead of 11 November with the story of her mother and father’s Second World War experience taking pride of place.

Remembrance Day 2019 also marks the 101 anniversary of her mum who was born on Armistice Day and was given the middle name of Peace.

Herbert John Ling and Lilian Peace Ling’s experience of World War Two was written up decades after the fighting had ended – by Gay’s niece as part of a school project.

Gay, who has lived in Sturminster for 21 years, said: “My father always had great true stories to tell us all about the war, some of which we heard a few times, but nevertheless always fascinating to hear.

“This time of year is especially poignant for my family as mum was born on 11.11.1918. She went on to have 11 children starting with my sister who she was pregnant with when my dad joined the army. She was born in 1940.”

Pages of her parent’s memoirs will go on display in the window of the funeral branch in Station Road with the rest available to read inside.

The account includes memories of her father being on a convoy to Malta carrying ammunition and food supplies. The ship was attacked and one of the holds was hit but thanks to some quick thinking and bags of flour, they were able to get into Valletta harbour safely.

On his last ship, Gay’s father recalls the terrifying moments which they were beached off the coast of France just days after D-Day. Lorries were able to unload their supplies but the crew had to wait until the tide came back in before they could get back out to sea.

Gay added: “My father was a hero to me and my family, but we also always remember all of the heroes that fought for us and our Country during both World Wars.”

Poppies will be available in branch with all donations going to the Royal British Legion.

Other displays of remembrance will also be on show at Southern Co-op funeral branches across the south.

To find your nearest the branch, click here.

New Blackmore Vale funeral home seeks charity partner

Posted on by ashleymarsh

As a new funeral home in Sturminster Newton is preparing to open its doors to the public, an appeal is being made for a new charity partner.

The new funeral home at 4 Market House, Station Road, will be owned by local people as it will be part of Southern Co-op – a co-operative society owned by its members and formed in Portsmouth almost 150 years ago.

Southern Co-op’s Sturminster Newton Funeralcare is set to open on 10 December and colleagues are looking for a local charity partner to support over a 12 month period through various fundraising events.

Locals have until 10 January to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community.

The partnership could be with any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

Wessex Cancer Trust has recently become a charity partner with Southern Co-op. Sofie Bennett, Head of Development at Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “Wessex Cancer Trust was delighted to be selected as one of Southern Co-op’s local charity partners.

“The whole team has fully embraced fundraising and awareness raising and together we’re making a real difference to local people affected by cancer. We are so grateful for all their enthusiasm and support.”

The project must meet one of Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes – creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Since we launched our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme, we have partnered up with such a wide variety of charities and good causes from local schools and men’s sheds to hospitals and mental health charities.

“Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping the communities which they work in so have come up with some great fundraising ideas including quizzes, tea parties, summer fetes and bike rides. There are so many ways to raise money for a good cause and have lots of fun at the same time. We look forward to finding Sturminster Newton’s new charity partner.”

For more information about Southern Co-op’s charitable partnerships or to apply, click here.