BRITISH SITCOM CELEBRITY OPENS SIGHT CHARITY RESOURCE CENTRE

Bill Pertwee MBE from Dad's Army

On Thursday 14^th July 2011 Topsham based charity for visually impaired people, Devon in Sight, held a launch day to officially open their newly refurbished Resource Centre. The charity unveiled the new logo following their recent name change from Devon County Association for the Blind. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by celebrity Bill Pertwee MBE aka Chief Air Raid Warden 'Put that light out!' Hodges’ from the classic sitcom Dad’s Army. Bill was also joined by Lady Devon whose late mother-in-law used the services of this charity for many years, and The High Sheriff of Devon The Hon. Mrs Sarah Lopes. 

Director of Services Martin Pallett said: “We were absolutely delighted to have the famous actor Bill Pertwee do us the honour of officially opening the centre on this important day which is a milestone in the charity's long and rich history. The project has created a fantastic community spirit with help from many volunteers and supporters including Exeter CVS and the local children from Topsham School.  Also many local businesses have generously offered their time and services to help us get the centre open on time and I would like to publicly thank Terry Smyth Painting Contractors, Bradfords Building Supplies and Southern Electric Contracting.  We also re-launched the charity with our new name and let people know about our plans for the future and how they can become more involved.”

Pertwee, the 84-year-old veteran actor from the popular British comedy classic broadcast on BBC television from 1968 – 1977 about the Second World War following the misadventures of local voluntary defence force or 'Home Guard', lives locally in Topsham and is a keen railway enthusiast.

Bill Pertwee MBE said: “I moved to Topsham three years’ ago and live close to the railway so am delighted to be able to support this wonderful local charity which is on my doorstep. I wish them every success and the best of luck for the future and was delighted that many local people took the time to join us on what was a wonderful day.”

 

L-R: Trustee Marilyn Lant, Bill Pertwee MBE, Lady Devon, The Honourable Mrs Sarah Lopez High Sheriff, Gwyn Dickinson MBE Chair of Trustees, Martin Pallett Director of Serves for DiS, and the Topsham Town Crier

Devon in Sight offers services and support to the visually impaired across the county.  Topsham Town Crier Keith Smith encouraged members of the public and the local community to drop in throughout the day to enjoy live music performances. Visitors to the new more spacious resource centre had the chance to enjoy complimentary light refreshments and live music including local guitarist Steve Barley and charity member Becky Brooks with her banjo. Visitors also had the opportunity to meet the team and try out some of the latest equipment to help visually impaired people.  This includes view magnifiers, kitchen equipment, talking clocks and watches and much, much more.  What's more, guests had the chance to learn about the Charity’s fascinating history and their plans to further support more people with sight difficulties.

Gwyn Dickinson MBE Chair of Trustees: The new resource centre has already proven very popular with new and existing members allowing us to provide a more effective service for the local community and across Devon as a whole for people with visual impairment. The name change, new logo and website are just the start of some exciting changes for the future of this well established and valued charity.  The expansion into the newly refurbished centre means that we can grow and improve the range of services and support we provide.” 

www.devonblind.org.uk

LOCAL PROFESSIONAL IS HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CHARITY SILENT AUCTION

Barristers' Clerk for Colleton Chambers Philip Alden is the lucky winner of a silent on-line auction for the fabulous prize of a VIP stay for two at the famous Burgh Island Hotel.  The auction organised by Chartered Accountants Haines Watts specialising in the owner managed business sector, was in aid of their charity of the year, The West of England School and College for young people with little or no sight.  Philip’s prize will include a bottle of Bollinger on arrival, dinner, bed and breakfast in one of the luxury premier bedrooms and VIP treatment throughout.

L-R: Philip Alden of Colleton Chamber/ Ben de Cruz Senior Partner Haines Watts / Marie Talbot Restaurant Manager for Southernhay House / Chris Archambault Head Chef at Southernhay House / Caroline Burkie WESC / Hugh Turner 
Front of House Manager Burgh Island

The prize kindly donated by hotel owners Deborah Clark and Tony Orchard was promoted at the recent highly successful event organised by Haines Watts at Burgh Islands’ new prestigious sister hotel, Southernhay House.  Over 60 local business professionals joined the accountants for a Pimms Reception and live entertainment by quirky musician Tricity Vogue who travelled especially from London.  The event was the first of its kind held at Southernhay House, Exeter’s newest hotel before they officially opened to guests.  The on-line auction raised £430 bringing the grand total of funds raised for the charity over the last 12 months to over £2,000.

Hotel Owner Deborah Clark says: "Haines Watts was one of the first local companies to support Southernhay House on our opening last month and we are more than delighted to offer a prize for their silent auction in aid of West of England School and College for young people with little or no sight.  The lucky winner with be treated to a luxury stay at Burgh Island - sister hotel to Southernhay House and will experience the elegance of another time on Devon's beautiful coastline.”

Haines Watts has organised a number of small events over the past 12 months with the whole team getting fully involved. They also arranged guided tours of the school so the staff could meet the children and really get a feel for the difference they could make. 

Senior Partner at Haines Watts Ben de Cruz says: "The final event held at Southernhay House proved to be one of our most popular. It was a wonderful opportunity for our associates from the local business community to be one of the first to have a sneak preview of this  glamourous new boutique hotel based in the heart of Southernhay before it opened to guests. The fabulous prize generously provided by Deborah and Tony really helped to boost funds for our very worthy charity of the year and attracted lots of interest from bidders."

Caroline Burkie, Fundraising and PR Officer for WESC says:  “Haines Watts and the West of England School and college for young people with little or no sight (WESC) have had a fantastic year together and the silent auction for a stay at the Burgh Hotel rounded off our Charity of the Year partnership perfectly. We are incredibly grateful for Haines Watts’ dedicated support.”

www.hwca.com/exeter

SCHOOL PROJECT EXCITES THE SENSES

Green fingered schoolchildren, parents and staff from Topsham School based in Orchard Way which teaches girls and boys aged 3 - 11 lent a hand to local charity Devon in Sight for the visually impaired to create a brand new sensory garden to mark the official opening of the new Resource Centre at the charity's headquarters in Topsham.

Back Row L-R: Justin Vernon, Martin Pallett Director of Services (DiS) Front Row: Patrick Hurcombe-Dennell, Marilyn Lant, Leo Tapp and Mo the Guide Dog

Five families and trustee Marilyn Lant lay the groundwork and started initial planting for the sensory garden, before pupils from the local school carefully chose plants and flowers which stimulate the senses through scent and sound in the passing wind. The garden is an attracive replacement to the granite which existed previously. All plants, as well as planted tubs and hanging baskets have been kindly donated by local garden centres St. Bridget's Nurseries and Otter Nurseries.

Sustainability Coordinator Justin Vernon says, “The charity approached us to find out how we could get the involved with the launch of the Resource Centre. We were pleased to help this worthy charity particularly as the project fits nicely with our local community projects. The children have been fully involved in the design and choosing the plants which have been generously donated and personally delivered by both St. Bridget’s and Otter Nurseries. It gives the children ownership and get involved with local community projects for different groups and with people with specific needs.  Also a lot of the children walk past the centre on their way to school so in the long term they can continue to see all their hard work develop and grow.”

The project is part of an ongoing school incentive to increase the children's awareness of sustainability issues. The Eco club was set up seven years ago and since then has been involved in numerous local projects including The club pays regular visits to Highfield Farm, a local organic farm in Topsham, where they helped to set up a kitchen garden and bring produce back to the school to cook or sell. The group will also help with the upkeep going forward. Future plans include developing what will initially be a gravel area, into a floral mosaic and building a seating area.

Director of Services, Martin Pallett says, “We are very grateful for the time and energy spared by the children, parents and staff at Topsham school. The sensory garden is going to be a huge asset to the charity by stimulating the senses of those who visit us whilst also giving the building some real kerb appeal. I was delighted that we managed to have it completed in time for the launch of our new resource centre on the 14^th July, when the famous Dad's Army actor Bill Pertwee cut the ribbon marking its official opening.”

www.devonblind.org

ROYAL ARTIST EXHIBITS NEW COLLECTION AT TRITON GALLERIES TORQUAY

Sensuelle 1

Outstanding British artist Darren Baker, commissioned to paint Her Majesty The
Queen visits Triton Galleries in Torquay to unveil his highly anticipated new collection.  The exhibition included limited edition prints on canvas entitled Vision Sensuelle I, II and III, plus many new original paintings.

Local art lovers got the rare chance to meet this modern master at two separate exhibitions held at Triton Galleries in Torquay.  The first was a private viewing for clients at the new dedicated Triton gallery within the luxury designer fashion department store Hoopers located in the restaurant area on Friday 1st July.  The second event was held at the Torwood Street Gallery on Saturday 2nd July between 1.00 – 3.00 pm with a champagne reception.

Awarded best artist at The Fine Art Guild Ceremony in London and The Garrick Prize, Christies, Darren Baker is taking the art world by storm with his classic realism. Having painted notable figures including Prince Charles, Tony Blair and the Bahrain Royal family, he is now embarking upon the the most prestigious commission of his career painting The Queen in celebration of her 85th birthday and the 90th anniversary of The Royal British Legion, an accolade accorded to a very small number of artists in the monarch's lifetime. The finished original will be unveiled at the end of August at the Royal British Legion Headquarters.

Darren Baker second from right with Anne Craib and art lovers

Commercial Director at Triton Galleries, Anne Craib says, “We are delighted to be welcoming such a prestigious and celebrated artist to Torquay. Darren continues to leave the art world in awe of his stunning originals and the nation is eagerly awaiting the
unveiling of his portrait of The Queen in August.”

Darren Baker's fine art works span a number of different subjects including interiors, figurative works, equestrian and ballet studies, portraits and landscapes. Darren says his true admiration in the art world is for the grand masters including Rembrandt and Vemeer.  The latest achievement for Darren is being selected to exhibit his fine art at the Florence Biennale, the most prestigious and respected contemporary art event in the world.

www.tritongalleries.co.uk