Last chance to claim. Tax Credits, which ever section might affect you, is raising the drawbridge on 31 July so get your claims in. Self-employed low earners may well be eligible for Working Tax Credits.

Well, it seems like yesterday that a hose pipe ban was imminent and we now have green grass and lots of water – could business be affected as quickly? It is fair to say that we are involved in major changes to our finances and revisiting our original budgets id s vital part of planning our way out of recession.

How’s this for a cheery statistic! In 1999 in the USA a total number of 28,874 people were killed by guns. In Britain the figure was 207. So sales may be down, rain maybe forecast but you are not likely to be shot for a day or two!!

You could of course order the new Bugatti Veyron super sport, crowned the world’s fastest production car with a top speed of 268 mph – how silly!!!

I hope all you retailers, cafes and hoteliers etc are displaying your “Heroes Welcome” stickers. If you do not have stickers then contact Weston-super-Mare Town Mayor. I would love us to be the ‘heroes’ friendliest town’ and be noted for it.

Quote of the day:

“I try to treat my team equally by treating them all differently”
​William Montgomery – on BBC

On Friday the 24th of September Macmillan Cancer Support holds The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning and former ‘Bond’ actress, Caroline Munro is lending her support.

Caroline who was in Weston super Mare in May at the Winter Gardens, has a close ‘bond’ with Macmillan and enjoys getting involved. The Spy Who Loved me star who famously winked at 007 just before meeting her watery end, is showing her support as a way of saying thanks to Macmillan for helping her in the past. Caroline said:

“My mother sadly lost her fight with cancer but thankfully Macmillan were with us every step of the way, of what was a very difficult time. Their support not just through nursing, but with information and advice really helped the family on the journey. They do such a great job and all the services provided make such a difference. Basically they are there when you need them. To attend or host a coffee morning will make all the difference. Please, please register though I suggest you take your chosen brew stirred and not shaken!”

Macmillan’s Fundraising Manager, Ian Dore, said:

“Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning is a key date in the  Macmillan calendar and to have the support of Caroline is a delightful bonus. Its something she is passionate about and it’s yet another example of how Macmillan helps thousands of people every year. Of course we can only do that through the kind people hosting and attending such events as The Worlds Biggest Coffee Mornings. To that end, nobody does it better. ”

Caroline played ‘Naomi’ opposite Roger Moore in the 1977 bond smash, The Spy Who Loved Me. The film grossed $185.4 million worldwide  and was nominated for 3 Oscars and is often regarded by bond fans as their favourite 007 outing. This is further reflected by Moore himself stating that out of the 7 that he had shot, The Spy Who Loved Me was his favourite.

To register to host your own coffee morning supporting Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday September the 24^th, just visitwww.macmillan.org.uk/coffee

A leading cancer charity is urging people in Weston-super-Mare to raise £8.3m – by taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Macmillan Cancer Support wants people across the Weston-super-Mare to take part in the event to help raise millions of pounds to fund local cancer services. In 2009 there were 19 Macmillan coffee
mornings held across Weston-super-Mare raising a fantastic £3630.

But this year the charity is hoping another 20 people in Weston super Mare will hold a coffee morning to raise £6000 to help fund local cancer services.

Currently Macmillan fund 98% of the Cancer Nurse Specialists in Weston General Hospital.

Liz Duvall of Great British Mobility in Weston – super – Mare has held many a coffee morning:

“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and seen the suffering that it can bring. And who knows, any of us could be effected ourselves in the future. The work Macmillan does help’s so many people. So if each of us gives just a little bit we can help Macmillan to help others. We speak to people everyday who are struggling with either their own mobility or that of a partner or family member. It makes you feel very fortunate to still be in good health yourself.

At the end of the day, good as it is, the National Health Service doesn’t have the manpower to carry out the tasks that Macmillan fulfils. And we do need such organisations to fill the gaps between hospital care and all the other aspects of cancer patient’s lives that are affected by their illness.

We have raised money for several years for Macmillan but always had fun whilst doing it. Last year we all wore green and then donated £1.00 each for the pleasure of doing so. We also made cakes and sold them to staff and other office units on our industrial estate. We had a green raffle which all the staff donated something green to and bought raffle tickets to win it all back again. We had donations from home grown green veg to green nail varnish to green underwear, sweets and green bottles! It really does get everyone involved and the offices always enjoy taking part.”

Macmillan’s fundraising manager for Weston super Mare, Ian Dore, said:

“Macmillan is there to help from the moment someone is diagnosed with cancer and the support we provide is vital.  Our doctors and nurses offer specialist medical care and emotional support, while our benefits advisors help cancer patients get the government money they are entitled to.  Macmillan will even provide grants to people with cancer who are struggling financially.

All the services we offer are essential, and we rely on the money raised from events like the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning to fund them. So we are asking people across Weston super Mare to put a smile on their mug and help Macmillan reach more people affected by cancer in their area.”

Fundraising manager Ian Dore continued:

“The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is a really fun event that is easy to take part in, especially as you can tailor it to suit yourself. “If you can’t do it on September 24 then pick another day, if you’re not keen on coffee and would rather have cocktails or even herbal tea then that’s fine as well. All that matters is that you take part and help us raise more from this year’s coffee morning than ever before.”

To take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 24 September go to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 070 1315.
Liz Duvalls contact number: (  01934  ) 875883

Well, first budget done and dusted and not as hard as some expected. The big guns like the FSB think that it is to be expected, knowing we have to balance the books and get out of debt. If it makes you feel any better, VAT in Denmark and Sweden is 25% and our 20% which comes into force on 4 January 2011, puts us in line with most European countries, but talks have started to re-consider.

Population is predicted to hit 65 million by 2020, that should keep someone busy (in retail I mean)!

Weston’s Water Park is almost ready, the Pier will be open soon, most of the sea defences are complete – bring on the grockells – let’s make hay etc!!

The need for a town train increases to help with parking and mobility around the town centre. This could be your project – talk to me for details.

Just a scan of the new “What’s On” in North Somerset shows there are a lot of people striving to put on interesting and varied events across the county. As for the clever programmes coming from Tyntesfield House – I applaud their ingenuity, we could all take a leaf from their book.

And finally ….

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

​Oscar Wilde

On July 18th a team of riders will be pedalling a ‘quadricycle’ 56 miles all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Because of the restriction of the gears, this biking behemoth will mean 9 solid hours in the saddle!

The Great Weston Ride is a new biking event for the Southwest starting off in Bristol, continuing down through the Mendips and passing the rock of ages, the route finally finishes on the lawns in Weston super Mare. The Quad Squad organised by Emma Williams are hoping to raise over £3,000 for this very worthy cause.

Emma of Congresbury said this of her motivation:

“Members of the team have personal reasons for getting involved and It’s quite shocking and upsetting when I realised just how many people I knew had had some direct experience with Cancer. All those that spoke about their experiences wanted to get in the saddle and say thank you for the help and support they received from Macmillan during their difficult journey. It is really heart-warming to see friends and friends relatives step up to take part in this immense challenge enabling them to give something back to the charity that helped them and their families.”

The team intend to do the distance as a relay and not all at once. The Quadricycle provided by The Carriage Company on Weston seafront, is not geared and its 1st all the way. The latter part of the course is reasonably flat but the first 26 miles are demanding for someone on a normal bike, let alone a Quadricycle.

“I am both excited and apprehensive about the challenge. In theory 56 miles on a quadricycle sounds hard, in practice I think it’s going to be really, really tough. I have a strong and motivated team that are up for giving it everything they’ve got, and with the support and help from all our families and friends I genuinely believe we will enter Weston super Mare on the 18th of July, an exhausted but proud team of cyclists. Its going to be a huge physical challenge for all of us.”

Macmillan Cancer Support currently provides 98% of the nurses at the Weston General Hospital and fundraising manager for Weston super Mare, Ian Dore said:

”Make no bones about it, this is not a jog on a beach or a walk in the park type event. The Great Weston Ride, although fun is a tough one. To even contemplate doing it on something less than a fully geared bicycle is one thing, doing it on a Quadricycle ticks the insanity box! The Quad Squad deserve to reach and exceed their target not because just of the arduous task that awaits, but because it reflects their commitment in helping others, after Macmillan have helped them.”

You can show your support and help them achieve their goal by donating via this website http://www.justgiving.com/TheQuadSquad

On the 26th of June there is the opportunity to meet some of the team, make a donation and see the Quadricycle at the Weston super Mare Town Council Community Show