Avon Dassett has a fabulous range of activities for the jubilee weekend suitable for all the family.

• Best decorated house/garden – still time to enter for generous cash prizes – please have decorations completed by Thursday for judging
• Thursday 2 June – singalong through the decades and film quiz at The Yew Tree from 5.30 pm
• Friday 3 June – Vintage teas at the Reading Room, 2-4 pm raising money for the Queen’s Canopy. Let Liz know if you can provide a homemade cake or scones. Family Village Treasure Hunt with prizes and free ice cream for all participants. Start at the Reading Room, 2-4 pm. Evening band at The Yew Tree
• Saturday 4 June, jubilee at party at Bitham Hall, children welcome. Tickets £10 for Avon Dassett residents or £15. 3 course meal and music
• Sunday 5 June, family sports afternoon and picnic at Avon Carrow 4-6 pm

For more details on any event, to offer cakes, enter your house for the best decorated competition or for tickets for the Saturday party contact Liz on 07811 343556

Kineton Station is celebrating 100 years of Ammunition Technical Training in the British Army on Saturday 9^th July 2022 at Kineton Station, Marlborough Barracks, Temple Herdewyke, Southam, CV47 2UL.

This event is Free and all are welcome. There will be lots of food and drink stalls available,  a Live Band performing from 1700hrs, Parachute Display from the RLC Silver Stars, Military aviation flypast, Fun activities for the kids, Military Display Stands and more.

Stratford Foodbank have highlighted the most needed items they require donating this month:

• FRUIT JUICE – LONGLIFE
• CORDIAL
• UHT MILK
• INSTANT COFFEE – small jar
• TINNED CHILLI
• TINNED SPAGETTI BOLOGNESE
• FRUIT SQUAH
• RICE PUDDING
• CUSTARD
• PEANUT BUTTER
• JAM
• HONEY
• POWDERED MILK
• ANGEL DELIGHT
• TINNED CARROTS
• RICE PUDDING
• TINNED HAM
• PASTA SAUCE – NOT REFRIGERATED
• CLEANING PRODUCTS [FLASH/CIF ETC]
• TEA BAGS
• SAVORY SNACKS
• BISCUITS
• SHOWER GEL
• CURRY SAUCE
• RAZORS
• SHAMPOO

If you can donate, please contact them on 07736 929029 or info@stratforduponavon.foodbank.org.uk

Enter your house, garden, gate or even tree in the ‘best decorated’ competition.

Theme is ‘red, white and blue’ – let your imagination go wild!

The competition is free to enter but please let Liz Hirst (07811 343 556) know by 15 May if you are entering so we can create a map of the decorated houses and know what/where to judge.

Judging will be before midday on Friday 3^rd June.

PRIZES

First prize: £50

Second prize: £30

Third prize: £20

AVON DASSETT QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Programme

Thursday 2^nd June

1730: Sing along at The Yew Tree: Songs from every decade of the Queen’s reign. Film Quiz with prizes

2030: Lighting of beacon on Burton Dassett Hills

Friday 3^rd June

Morning: Judging best decorated house competition

1400-1600: Vintage Teas in the Reading Room and Village Treasure Hunt with prizes. Free Frellies ice cream for all participants

Band at The Yew Tree

Saturday 4^th June

1830 til late: Jubilee party at Bitham Hall, sit down three course meal and disco

Sunday 5^th June

1600-1800: Sports afternoon and picnic at Avon Carrow

Other celebrations to come: commemorative pottery installation and tree planting

For more details contact Liz Hirst (07811 343 556)

MENtalk takes place:

• In Warwick on Tuesdays from 12 till 2pm at St Nicholas’ Park Leisure Centre (CV34 4QY)
• In Rugby on Wednesdays from 10am till 12pm at Rugby School Sports Centre (CV22 5DJ)
• In Coventry on Thursdays from 12 till 2pm at Moat House Leisure Centre (CV2 1EA)
• In Nuneaton on Fridays from 2 till 4pm at Jubilee Sports Centre (CV10 7EZ)

WOMENtalk takes place:

• In Warwick on Tuesdays from 10am till 12 at St Nicholas’ Park Leisure Centre (CV34 4QY)
• In Nuneaton on Fridays from 12 till 1.30pm at Jubilee Sports Centre (CV10 7EZ)

Paul’s story

Here’s a case study from Paul, one of our recent MENtalk beneficiaries who’s been able to return to work following our support and regular attendance at Coventry sessions:

“When I first joined MENtalk I wasn’t in a great place mentally. Even after my first session I was still undecided, but I went back and was very glad I did. Both Sky Blues in the Community coaches were really approachable and made me feel welcome; as did all the other guys who were involved. I really enjoyed each session and they really helped me with my mental health, so I started to look forward to going every week. I’ve made friends and also completed a leadership qualification while I was involved. Even though I’m now back in work, I really miss the Thursday sessions. MENtalk has helped me a great deal and really helped me through a tough time.”

Partnership – online update event – Thursday 28^th April from 10-11am

We’d like to invite you to an online session where we’ll provide our latest news, developments and answer questions about our work. We hope you can make it. Please register here if you’d like to attend:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Learn More | Meeting options

Mental Health Co-ordinator position

We’re looking for a new team member to support our mental health work and are currently recruiting, so please let your networks know about this exciting new role. See below for more details:

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/march/vacancy-mental-health-co-ordinator-at-sky-blues-in-the-community/

The post holder will deliver our mental health work with a focus on developing our children and young people’s offer across Coventry and Warwickshire. This will involve planning and delivering our mental wellbeing intervention which includes mental wellbeing courses, 1-2-1 support and physical activity support networks. The deadline for applications is Friday 29^th April.

The Plunkett Foundation which has supported the village in its purchase of The Yew Tree is having a ‘Walk for Plunkett’ to help raise money for other community-owned initatives.

Avon Dassett is supporting this endeavour by hosting a 5 mile circular walk starting at 0900 from The Yew Tree on Sunday 8 May 2022.

Please join the walk and pledge sponsorship money to the Just Giving page.

Please find below details of a FREE-8-week bushcraft course for adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, isolation, or just poor wellbeing.  It is a great opportunity to connect people with nature for wellbeing.

The course is in partnership with Recovery Academy and starts on Friday 1 April 2022 at Brandon Marsh, Coventry, CV3 3GW.

To find out more see: https://www.recoveryandwellbeing.co.uk/Courses (Course name: The Environment and Me) or call 024 7622 9988

An exciting project has transcribed the loss accounts from the Civil War which took place in England between 1642 and 1646. Parishes like Avon Dassett were called upon to quarter and provision troops and horses from both sides, as well as supply money, goods and even arms. The village was also taxed to support the garrison at Warwick castle. After the war, parishes were encouraged to submit details of the losses they had suffered during the conflict and the compensation claimed. There is no evidence if this was ever paid or not.

The only local person named in the Avon Dassett accounts is Richard Woodward, described as a gentleman but he does name the officers and regiments who passed through the village and the support that was given.

The records give a fascinating insight into this troubled period of British history and shed light on how it affected ordinary communities.

The Avon Dassett accounts may be viewed on the Warwickshire County Record Office website. The transcriptions were done by volunteers led by Dr Maureen Harris.

With the Jubilee weekend approaching fast funds are changing regularly-apply ASAP

Government web site https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/funding/

The National Lottery Community Fund are making available grants of up to £10,000 from the Awards For All programme for community-led events throughout 2022.

Deadline 31^st March 2022

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england

The National Lottery Heritage Fund 

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/ps7million-legacy-nature-and-communities-queens-jubilee

Sport England have opened their Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund, focusing on the role of sport and physical activity in tackling inequalities and building stronger communities

https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/queens-platinum-jubilee-activity-fund

The Arts Council has also announced £175,000 to help libraries celebrate. The funding will be distributed by Libraries Connected, and will provide £1,000 for each library service

Throughout the year community organisations will also be able to apply for grants from the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants programme, which has been refreshed with new guidance to better support a broader range of ambitious cultural projects

Non-Jubilee branded but worth a look

Heart of England Community Foundation  https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/available-grants/

Magic Little Grants will be awarding £500 grants to 2,650 charitable organisations https://localgiving.org/magic-little-grants/