Fairford community news with Chris Roberts.

Slimming World sessions to start

NEW Slimming World sessions are starting on Saturday from 9.30am -10.30am in Fairford Community Centre.

These will be weekly sessions but more sessions can be added when these are full.

It takes only 10lb to drop one dress size!

For more information, contact Jo on 07815 838944 or visit: slimmingworld.co.uk. Booking is essential.

Poppy Appeal across the town

AS well collection points in Fairford shops, cafés and pubs for the annual Poppy Appeal, the Royal British Legion (Fairford Branch) will be setting up a stall outside the Palmer Hall from 9am till early afternoon on Saturday, which is the week prior to Remembrance weekend.

You will be able to purchase your poppy and make donations.

Virtual AGM

DUE to Covid-19, the Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities will be organising a ‘virtual AGM’ using the Zoom video conferencing facility.

They accept that this is not ideal as not all members will be able to access this, but they consider it important that they hold the AGM for the financial year 2019.

They will also look at how they can get the Annual Report and Accounts and the AGM Minutes out to all members including those who do not use or have access to electronic media.

They are planning to hold the AGM during the month of November and, once the date has been finalised, this will be published in the normal way.

Covid-19 Support Fund

THE Community Friends’ Covid-19 Support Fund established to provide financial support to local organisations, charities, volunteer groups, families and individuals, who have been impacted by Covid-19, remains open for applications.

To date, from 41 applications, grants of approximately £46,300 have been made to 33 different groups and individuals within our area of benefit.

Please refer to the website for details of how to apply and the criteria used to assess applications. Visit: friendsoffairford.org.uk.

Baby Loss Awareness Week

BABY Loss Awareness Week was recognised at the beginning of October and Fairford, once again, turned pink and blue, writes Chris Roberts.

The week is an annual event offering the opportunity to remember babies who have been lost and to bring baby loss into the national conversation, reducing stigma and isolation for those who have experienced it.

Since this time last year, the horrid truth is that many more people will have lost babies and, tragically, some of those people will have had to go through the experience alone due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

People experiencing infertility will also have had treatments agonizingly delayed.

As a local support group for baby loss and infertility, Embrace is aware that, while the circumstances for baby loss are even tougher than usual, the support available is almost certainly reduced.

They really want to offer friendship and support to anyone who has been touched by baby loss or infertility and who would like to walk that journey with others.

If you, or anyone you know, has been touched by baby loss, whether recently or long ago and would like more details on the work of Embrace, please contact Kate on 01285 712565 or embracefairford@gmail.com.

Tree Plantation

LOCAL wedding florist, Corky and Prince, have launched their social responsibility project with an Indian-based group, Chaithanya.

The Kempsford-based business has funded the creation of a Custard Apple tree plantation on a remote hillside in Chittoor District in the province of Andhra Pradesh.

It may look barren now but, when the trees become established, they will improve the micro-climate.

“Two hundred and fifty saplings were planted between the monsoon rains this autumn” said Fi Passey, who runs Corky and Prince.

“They will be tended by the villagers and the first harvest will be 2023.”