~ BearCat Collective & Honesty Jar News ~
Cost Of Living Crisis Grant from The ASDA Foundation - November 2023
|
Thank you #AsdaFoundation for your grant that covers our utility bills for 4 months.
This will make a massive difference to the project, allowing our volunteer team to focus more on the important tasks of providing and improving our services to the community and saving tonnes of useful items from landfill, with less pressure on fundraising activities. This is especially welcome at this time of year when our running costs increase. Thank you facebook.com/AsdaFoundationCharity instagram.com/asdafoundationcharity |
Magic Little Grant Received - June 2022
|
We received a Magic Little Grant through the partnership between Localgiving and Postcode Local Trust. Postcode Local Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Our community resource project received £500 to support basic running costs of The Honesty Jar. Magic Little Grants www.localgiving.org/magic-little-grants Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community groups. Local Trust | Postcode Local Trust localgiving.org People’s Postcode Lottery www.postcodelottery.co.uk |
Henstridge Flyers WI & The Honesty Jar Fashion Show - May 2022
|
Huge thanks to Henstridge Flyers WI for organising such a fabulous, fun, fundraising evening at Henstridge Village Hall with clothes supplied by The Honesty Jar Project. A wonderful way to bring people together, share community resources and make use of our wonderful village halls. More fabulous photos on our THJ Events page. |
Lockdown Relief Support from The Somerset Fund - April 2021
Thanks to a grant from The Somerset Fund our running costs have been covered for a three month period which is a huge relief as many overheads are fixed. We are delighted to have been in a position to continue providing services throughout all of the lockdowns via contactless collection and post, despite vastly reduced income.
|
|
Support from Co-op Local Community Fund - March 2021
Help from the Co-op Templecombe Local Community Fund means we can go ahead with community mental health training sessions despite a reduction in our fundraising due to lockdown challenges.
These courses are of benefit to individuals, families and those working in clubs, groups and local businesses, please help to spread the word.
Training via Zoom April 2021
Interactive, subsidised, online sessions
Open to all
Mon 19th April - Mental Health Resilience
Tue 20th April - Autism Awareness
Wed 21st April - Dementia Awareness
Thur 22nd April - Self Harming
45 Minute Online Awareness Training Sessions starting at 6.30pm.
Registration is a £5 contribution as a commitment to attend, which will be added to the funding pot to provide future community training courses.
Free places are available to those with limited access to finances.
More information and booking here...
www.BearCatCollective.co.uk/HealthandSocialCareTraining
Facebook Event Link
Training developed & funded by The Honesty Jar, Co-op Templecombe, Simply Training and BearCat Collective
Care organisations wishing to receive training please contact Simply Training direct
Thank you to the Co-op Templecombe for supporting our Community Mental Health Training Project
These courses are of benefit to individuals, families and those working in clubs, groups and local businesses, please help to spread the word.
Training via Zoom April 2021
Interactive, subsidised, online sessions
Open to all
Mon 19th April - Mental Health Resilience
Tue 20th April - Autism Awareness
Wed 21st April - Dementia Awareness
Thur 22nd April - Self Harming
45 Minute Online Awareness Training Sessions starting at 6.30pm.
Registration is a £5 contribution as a commitment to attend, which will be added to the funding pot to provide future community training courses.
Free places are available to those with limited access to finances.
More information and booking here...
www.BearCatCollective.co.uk/HealthandSocialCareTraining
Facebook Event Link
Training developed & funded by The Honesty Jar, Co-op Templecombe, Simply Training and BearCat Collective
Care organisations wishing to receive training please contact Simply Training direct
Thank you to the Co-op Templecombe for supporting our Community Mental Health Training Project
BearCat Awarded Grant from The Local Connections Fund - February 2021
We have received two tablets courtesy of The Local Connections Fund supplementing our single old smart phone. The new tablets have enabled volunteers to keep in touch with our community, process donations and redistributing items more efficiently to those on low incomes and those struggling to find items due to shops being closed.
Volunteers are able to use the tablets to organise our rotas, create social media posts to share what the team are doing with our community and showcase new items that have arrived. Those more fluent in IT skills are teaching, sharing and helping other members so that several of us can work together to message and respond. Thank you @DCMS for helping us stay in touch and share resources for resilience.
Volunteers are able to use the tablets to organise our rotas, create social media posts to share what the team are doing with our community and showcase new items that have arrived. Those more fluent in IT skills are teaching, sharing and helping other members so that several of us can work together to message and respond. Thank you @DCMS for helping us stay in touch and share resources for resilience.
What you would like to do?
The Honesty Jar project (THJ) is organised by BearCat Collective (BC), a small grassroots constituted group who have been running community events for 12 years, mostly in rural areas. It is a swap-shop providing free access to books, clothes, toys, school uniform, shoes, games, kitchenware, tools and household textiles. Anyone can take items and exchange them, either for other things or a voluntary donation. We also support local people online, through providing community mental health training, sharing their ideas for creative craft and sending photos and videos of what we have available for delivery and contactless collection. We are working to improve communication skills, knowledge and confidence of volunteers and staff, as a means to increase awareness of facilities and better support people from the community and local groups who interact with us in-person and online. Our current IT equipment is old and out of date, so we are not able to make full use of software updates and current app's. We would use the grant to fund two iPads with insurance and tec.-support for 2 years to ensure that we can safely stay in touch, record video, use online meetings and live stream. One tablet would be for the office, the other for the swap-shop, with SIM card facilities so that they can be taken out into the community. We source IT training from those with appropriate skills within our pool of volunteers, promoting mutual support. There are strong bonds of friendship and support between our team of volunteers and the 40 daily in-person visitors, 6 days per week. We receive requests for help every day through private messages and comments. We all help to spread the word about The Honesty Jar through posters, leaflets, e-newsletter (1,253 subscribers) and social media. Facebook (2,634(THJ)+874(BC) = 3,508 likes), Instagram(216), Twitter(432) followers.
How does your project meet at least one of our funding priorities?
Volunteers and visitors tell us that they feel pride, belonging and ownership when they donate time, labour, items or money to the project, as they know that profits fund accessible training sessions live online and in-person on autism, dementia, mental health and conflict management, plus family friendly workshops and community live music events. THJ is also hub for sharing knowledge; crafters, trades persons, teachers and engineers give advice; including, fabric dying, IT, spinning, resizing and making clothing and curtains, also repair and maintenance of sewing machines, musical instruments and electronics. We redistribute an average of 1.5tonnes of reused items per month; we could not achieve this constant cycle without the mutual support of local organisations we work with supporting homelessness, rehabilitation, isolation, hardship and refugees, including local doctors surgeries, youth groups, The Hub Yeovil, Hidden Needs Trust, Gateway Church Yeovil and Friends of Guys Marsh Prison, to mention a few.
How does your project involve your community?
Local people are involved and consulted in every decision, we constantly receive feedback, ideas and recommendations in person, via emails, social media, and through our volunteers online group-chat. We have been overwhelmed by local support and goodwill surrounding this project, 4 months after opening our doors we were able to relocate to larger purpose-built premises, with improved access and outdoor communal area, made possible by many helping hands and funded purely by visitors voluntary donations into the 'jar'. We currently have 36 active regular local volunteers, many of whom walk and cycle to the project, an additional 40 ad-hoc volunteers and 4 paid part-time roles (who are sourced from our pool of volunteers). Since opening in November 2019 we have had approximately 8,500 in-person visits. Our Facebook page reach in the last 12 months = 135,096(The Honesty Jar page) +46,383(BearCat Collective page) = 181,479 total reach. We have published 847 posts in this period. We are told by visitors and volunteers that the simple everyday interactions have the highest value for their mental health, we are working constantly to encourage and enable continued access to our physical and social resources, especially for those home-schooling and isolating during lockdown.
The Honesty Jar project (THJ) is organised by BearCat Collective (BC), a small grassroots constituted group who have been running community events for 12 years, mostly in rural areas. It is a swap-shop providing free access to books, clothes, toys, school uniform, shoes, games, kitchenware, tools and household textiles. Anyone can take items and exchange them, either for other things or a voluntary donation. We also support local people online, through providing community mental health training, sharing their ideas for creative craft and sending photos and videos of what we have available for delivery and contactless collection. We are working to improve communication skills, knowledge and confidence of volunteers and staff, as a means to increase awareness of facilities and better support people from the community and local groups who interact with us in-person and online. Our current IT equipment is old and out of date, so we are not able to make full use of software updates and current app's. We would use the grant to fund two iPads with insurance and tec.-support for 2 years to ensure that we can safely stay in touch, record video, use online meetings and live stream. One tablet would be for the office, the other for the swap-shop, with SIM card facilities so that they can be taken out into the community. We source IT training from those with appropriate skills within our pool of volunteers, promoting mutual support. There are strong bonds of friendship and support between our team of volunteers and the 40 daily in-person visitors, 6 days per week. We receive requests for help every day through private messages and comments. We all help to spread the word about The Honesty Jar through posters, leaflets, e-newsletter (1,253 subscribers) and social media. Facebook (2,634(THJ)+874(BC) = 3,508 likes), Instagram(216), Twitter(432) followers.
How does your project meet at least one of our funding priorities?
Volunteers and visitors tell us that they feel pride, belonging and ownership when they donate time, labour, items or money to the project, as they know that profits fund accessible training sessions live online and in-person on autism, dementia, mental health and conflict management, plus family friendly workshops and community live music events. THJ is also hub for sharing knowledge; crafters, trades persons, teachers and engineers give advice; including, fabric dying, IT, spinning, resizing and making clothing and curtains, also repair and maintenance of sewing machines, musical instruments and electronics. We redistribute an average of 1.5tonnes of reused items per month; we could not achieve this constant cycle without the mutual support of local organisations we work with supporting homelessness, rehabilitation, isolation, hardship and refugees, including local doctors surgeries, youth groups, The Hub Yeovil, Hidden Needs Trust, Gateway Church Yeovil and Friends of Guys Marsh Prison, to mention a few.
How does your project involve your community?
Local people are involved and consulted in every decision, we constantly receive feedback, ideas and recommendations in person, via emails, social media, and through our volunteers online group-chat. We have been overwhelmed by local support and goodwill surrounding this project, 4 months after opening our doors we were able to relocate to larger purpose-built premises, with improved access and outdoor communal area, made possible by many helping hands and funded purely by visitors voluntary donations into the 'jar'. We currently have 36 active regular local volunteers, many of whom walk and cycle to the project, an additional 40 ad-hoc volunteers and 4 paid part-time roles (who are sourced from our pool of volunteers). Since opening in November 2019 we have had approximately 8,500 in-person visits. Our Facebook page reach in the last 12 months = 135,096(The Honesty Jar page) +46,383(BearCat Collective page) = 181,479 total reach. We have published 847 posts in this period. We are told by visitors and volunteers that the simple everyday interactions have the highest value for their mental health, we are working constantly to encourage and enable continued access to our physical and social resources, especially for those home-schooling and isolating during lockdown.
The Honesty Jar Mentioned in the Guardian - April 2020
COVID Lockdown Support for the Local Community at The Honesty Jar - March 2020
|
|
|
The Honesty Jar Moves to New Purpose Built Unit - March 2020
Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre in Henstridge have kindly responded to our request for larger local premises with more inclusive access. They have shipped in a unit that used to be a primary school building in South Wales. Our fabulous team of local volunteers have helped pack up, remove shelves, put up new shopfittings and restock the new SwapShop in super quick time... we were only closed to the public for one day! Well done everyone, and special thanks to Stalbridge Removals and Transportation
The Honesty Jar Opens It's Doors - November 2019
'The Honesty Jar' itself is a pot to receive voluntary contributions.
The SwapShop is a community recycling station where you can take things and exchange them for either other things or cash, once our running costs are paid, we use any profits to run family friendly community live music, craft events and training sessions for home carers and youth groups on topics such as autistic spectrum disorder, dementia awareness, mental health and conflict management.
Items are also gifted to those in need through organisations such as Help & Care, homelessness, rehabilitation, isolation, hardship and refugee support groups. The Honesty Jar project is run by local non-profit group BearCat Collective, who have been running these SwapShops on a pop-up basis as part of many other community activities at various village halls, fetes and shows around North Dorset & South Somerset for the last ten years.
The SwapShop is a community recycling station where you can take things and exchange them for either other things or cash, once our running costs are paid, we use any profits to run family friendly community live music, craft events and training sessions for home carers and youth groups on topics such as autistic spectrum disorder, dementia awareness, mental health and conflict management.
Items are also gifted to those in need through organisations such as Help & Care, homelessness, rehabilitation, isolation, hardship and refugee support groups. The Honesty Jar project is run by local non-profit group BearCat Collective, who have been running these SwapShops on a pop-up basis as part of many other community activities at various village halls, fetes and shows around North Dorset & South Somerset for the last ten years.
The SwapShop gets it's first bricks n mortar home! - October 2019
Our touring pop-up SwapShop is trialling a permanent base at The Toy Barn in Sherborne. We have kindly been offered use of a beautiful old stable building
The First 10 Years - October 2019
BearCat Collective Timeline ~ Milestones
|
| ||
Summertime Pop-Up SwapShop Venues - May 2018
BearCat Collective has helped to find new homes for tonnes of unwanted items through the SwapShop.
We mend, wash and sort all kinds of everything, so that items can be reused, upcycled, repurposed and kept out of land fill. The Pop-Up SwapShop is bigger than ever this year, with clothes, tools, shoes and all kinds of bric-a-brac. There is also the ToySwap Teepee, The Bear Pit (full of cuddly toys!) and the Story Corner BookSwap.
If you have nothing to swap, simply put your 'Magic Hat' contribution into one of our giant hippo money boxes. All profits from the Swap fund social training, family friendly craft & drama workshops and music events in local community venues.
In 2018 the SwapShop is visiting...
Green Scythe Fair - Sun 10th June
Petherton Folk Festival - Sat 16th June
The Blackmore Vale Revival - Sat 7th July
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival - 20th-22nd July
Bridport Folk Festival - 27th-29th July
The Green Gathering - 2nd-6th August
Gaunts House Summer Gathering - 9th-12th August
We mend, wash and sort all kinds of everything, so that items can be reused, upcycled, repurposed and kept out of land fill. The Pop-Up SwapShop is bigger than ever this year, with clothes, tools, shoes and all kinds of bric-a-brac. There is also the ToySwap Teepee, The Bear Pit (full of cuddly toys!) and the Story Corner BookSwap.
If you have nothing to swap, simply put your 'Magic Hat' contribution into one of our giant hippo money boxes. All profits from the Swap fund social training, family friendly craft & drama workshops and music events in local community venues.
In 2018 the SwapShop is visiting...
Green Scythe Fair - Sun 10th June
Petherton Folk Festival - Sat 16th June
The Blackmore Vale Revival - Sat 7th July
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival - 20th-22nd July
Bridport Folk Festival - 27th-29th July
The Green Gathering - 2nd-6th August
Gaunts House Summer Gathering - 9th-12th August
Dementia Awareness Training - January 2018
Great feedback from today's training session, a few excerpts -
"This session helped me very much, so important to be able to talk to others openly in a similar situation, especially people you don't know" - family carer.
"Very informative. Felt involved and at ease. Fitted a lot of info in a short space of time. Everyone should do this course." - community work professional.
"I learned that lots of patience is needed, dementia is more complex than I realised" - professional carer.
"This session helped me very much, so important to be able to talk to others openly in a similar situation, especially people you don't know" - family carer.
"Very informative. Felt involved and at ease. Fitted a lot of info in a short space of time. Everyone should do this course." - community work professional.
"I learned that lots of patience is needed, dementia is more complex than I realised" - professional carer.
26/01/18
Blackmore Vale Magazine
Blackmore Vale Magazine
SUBSIDISED TRAINING COURSES - October 2017
Autistic Spectrum Disorder Awareness & Dementia Awareness
An exciting new initiative sees affordable, professionally run training courses in Autistic Spectrum Disorder Awareness or Dementia Awareness at Tinneys Lane Youth & Community Centre in Sherborne, Dorset. This training is especially for local individuals and small local groups; eg. family carers, youth, voluntary and community clubs. This type of training is widely available, but can cost up to £120 per delegate. BearCat Collective, a local not-for-profit working in the local community for the past eight years has received a Community Fund Award from the Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles Fundraisers to run three training sessions.
Samantha of BearCat says "It is challenging for families to care for a loved one who has a mental condition at home. A professional carer will be trained to provide appropriate care; the family carer rarely gets that opportunity. Our solution is to provide affordable training close to home, at a convenient time and as cheaply as possible, whilst making use of the great local community facilities at Tinneys Lane. If these courses are fully booked we will provide additional dates, and are looking forward to providing a larger range of training courses to the local community in the future.”
Initial courses will run on Tuesdays 30th Jan, 6th Feb & 13th Feb 2018 from 10am-1pm. To apply for a £10 place on one of these training days please write to [email protected]
Notes about the organisation
BearCat Collective is a not-for-profit group of skilled professionals and trained volunteers, bringing accessible, hands-on family education and entertainment local community venues. This year they have provided inclusive, affordable Personal Safety and First Aid training for Holwell Youth Club, and activities for ‘Focus on Youth’ at Tinneys Lane Sherborne Area Youth & Community Centre; and also at ‘Schools Out’ PlayDays, and the ‘National PlayDay Celebrations’ at Ninesprings Country Park, both run by South Somerset District Council.
The BearCat Craft & Swap tent provides a ‘pop-up’ safe, fun space with make-n-do direct experience education at local events. Visitors simply put a donation in the 'Magic Hat' to cover the cost of materials, so everyone can get involved regardless of financial means. This year the tent has visited many events including The Green Gathering, Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, The Green Scythe Fair, Priddy Folk Festival, ColourFest (with Treehouse Theatre) and Petherton Folk Festival.
Regular Performance Nights and SwapShops have been run by BearCat since 2009, with entrance and refreshments by suggested donation. There are well displayed tables and rails, with patrons are encouraged to bring items to swap or donate including garden produce, clothing, toys etc. All ages with talents to share, can get in touch for a spot on the stage. More information on www.bearcatcollective.co.uk
Samantha of BearCat says "It is challenging for families to care for a loved one who has a mental condition at home. A professional carer will be trained to provide appropriate care; the family carer rarely gets that opportunity. Our solution is to provide affordable training close to home, at a convenient time and as cheaply as possible, whilst making use of the great local community facilities at Tinneys Lane. If these courses are fully booked we will provide additional dates, and are looking forward to providing a larger range of training courses to the local community in the future.”
Initial courses will run on Tuesdays 30th Jan, 6th Feb & 13th Feb 2018 from 10am-1pm. To apply for a £10 place on one of these training days please write to [email protected]
Notes about the organisation
BearCat Collective is a not-for-profit group of skilled professionals and trained volunteers, bringing accessible, hands-on family education and entertainment local community venues. This year they have provided inclusive, affordable Personal Safety and First Aid training for Holwell Youth Club, and activities for ‘Focus on Youth’ at Tinneys Lane Sherborne Area Youth & Community Centre; and also at ‘Schools Out’ PlayDays, and the ‘National PlayDay Celebrations’ at Ninesprings Country Park, both run by South Somerset District Council.
The BearCat Craft & Swap tent provides a ‘pop-up’ safe, fun space with make-n-do direct experience education at local events. Visitors simply put a donation in the 'Magic Hat' to cover the cost of materials, so everyone can get involved regardless of financial means. This year the tent has visited many events including The Green Gathering, Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, The Green Scythe Fair, Priddy Folk Festival, ColourFest (with Treehouse Theatre) and Petherton Folk Festival.
Regular Performance Nights and SwapShops have been run by BearCat since 2009, with entrance and refreshments by suggested donation. There are well displayed tables and rails, with patrons are encouraged to bring items to swap or donate including garden produce, clothing, toys etc. All ages with talents to share, can get in touch for a spot on the stage. More information on www.bearcatcollective.co.uk
BearCat Training Courses - March 2017
BearCat is proud to announce that we are now able to offer subsidised professionally run training sessions. Especially aimed at small local groups, where funding for training is an issue eg. youth or community clubs.
Providing local community groups, volunteers and families caring for vulnerable people at home, eg. dementia sufferers, special needs children, with up-to-date, relevant information and professional advice on issues affecting those in their care.
These include mandatory subjects for those working with vulnerable people, such as Safeguarding/Child Protection, Positive Behaviour Management, Dementia or Autism Awareness. The courses include design, delivery, admin and evaluation of the training and certification with information packs.
The first of these were run for Holwell Granary Youth Club on 16th & 23rd March 2017
These were training courses in First Aid and Conflict Management for members, volunteers and youth leaders of Holwell Granary Youth Club.
The Youth Club meets each Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm, either in the Village Hall or The Granary (next to the Rectory). Membership is open to young people in the Blackmore Vale area from the age of 11. Weekly subs are 50p and refreshments are provided. New members are always welcome.
There's always plenty to do: snooker, table tennis, games, quizzes; sometimes meetings are held in the Village Hall for more boisterous games like dodge ball and indoor football. For more information about the club contact Anne Budgell 01963 23428.
Providing local community groups, volunteers and families caring for vulnerable people at home, eg. dementia sufferers, special needs children, with up-to-date, relevant information and professional advice on issues affecting those in their care.
These include mandatory subjects for those working with vulnerable people, such as Safeguarding/Child Protection, Positive Behaviour Management, Dementia or Autism Awareness. The courses include design, delivery, admin and evaluation of the training and certification with information packs.
The first of these were run for Holwell Granary Youth Club on 16th & 23rd March 2017
These were training courses in First Aid and Conflict Management for members, volunteers and youth leaders of Holwell Granary Youth Club.
The Youth Club meets each Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm, either in the Village Hall or The Granary (next to the Rectory). Membership is open to young people in the Blackmore Vale area from the age of 11. Weekly subs are 50p and refreshments are provided. New members are always welcome.
There's always plenty to do: snooker, table tennis, games, quizzes; sometimes meetings are held in the Village Hall for more boisterous games like dodge ball and indoor football. For more information about the club contact Anne Budgell 01963 23428.
Free Willow at BearCat HQ - March 2017
We are harvesting willow for summer craft workshops.
There is plenty to spare!
If you have a need for any, please get in touch.
It is sturdy, so suitable for garden structures, hurdles etc.
Free to collect, Silverthorne Farm, Milborne Wick, near Sherborne
Celebrating 5 Years of Fabulous Relationships with Local Events - January 2017
-
This season marks five wonderful years of repeat bookings
year on year from two of our favorite events:-
- the small and perfectly formed
Petherton Folk Festival
set in and around the beautiful Somerset village of South Petherton
- and the larger than life, weekend-long extravaganza
plus rally that is the
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
This season marks five wonderful years of repeat bookings
year on year from two of our favorite events:-
- the small and perfectly formed
Petherton Folk Festival
set in and around the beautiful Somerset village of South Petherton
- and the larger than life, weekend-long extravaganza
plus rally that is the
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
SwapShop to the Rescue - November 2016
A local family were left with nothing when their home burned down.
Happily the SwapShop was able to supply them with clothes and bedding, Hurrah!
Thank you to all those who donate at our Village Hall events
throughout the winter months.
A New Home for BearCat - August 2016
BearCat HQ has moved
still in the DT9 area, just a few miles up the road.
Thank you to everyone who has helped moving & cleaning,
also those who supported the garage sale and
your messages of support and encouragement have been invaluable.
This month is settling in, and making plans for events during autumn & winter
... all suggestions welcome!
Our new home is Silverthorne Farm, Milborne Wick, Dorset DT9 4PW
still in the DT9 area, just a few miles up the road.
Thank you to everyone who has helped moving & cleaning,
also those who supported the garage sale and
your messages of support and encouragement have been invaluable.
This month is settling in, and making plans for events during autumn & winter
... all suggestions welcome!
Our new home is Silverthorne Farm, Milborne Wick, Dorset DT9 4PW
Special Guest Performers at Holwell - February 2016
Highlights for this Friday at Holwell Village Hall include :-
Ash Mandrake ~ Alternative, folk rock, world, medieval, jazz, blues, fusions and tangents!
a huge variety of videos on Youtube, go on take a peek.
ashmandrake.com
Also the Chiff Chaff band will be kicking off the evening
with a singalong selection from the 50s & 60s.
Plus a great selection of our fabulous regular performers,
see you there x
Changes at Holwell Music Night - January 2016
Explore, Experiment, Evolve
Three years and still going strong!
Three years of music nights at Holwell has seen friendships forged,
neighbours meeting, sometimes for the first time, new bands formed,
people, young and old, performing in public,
confidence growing, barriers overcome.
Entertainment has included stand up comedy, a baroque orchestra,
folk bands, singer-songwriters, poets, school children performing,
authors speaking about their work, a community choir, country music,
opera, dancing, all with great company.
'First Friday' performance evenings are truly thriving,
regularly supported by a fabulous bunch of community minded attendees
from Holwell, surrounding villages and far afield.
The format of Holwell performance evenings is evolving.
We will no longer be serving alcohol
and there will be a charge of £4 entry on the door.
You are welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks.
There will still be a wide selection of soft drinks, hot drinks,
fruit juices & seasonal specials available from the village hall kitchen.
And, a special treat for December...
hot mulled non-alcoholic fruit punch. Yum!
We will still provide light snacks, and of course
you are welcome to bring and share food.
Originally inspired by PeaceOneDay, the aim of our performance evenings
is to provide a forum for shared experience, not to make a profit,
however these events must be completely self sustaining.
Please do continue to spread the word, come along and join us and enjoy yourself.
We would love to host occasional larger evenings, up to four a year,
with a booked band to at the end of the evening and a bar.
Theme suggestions welcomed.
These are YOUR evenings, all ideas suggestions and support welcome.
If you are interested in volunteering time on an ad hock basis, or regularly,
for preparation during the month or help on the day, please email me on:
E: [email protected]
Three years and still going strong!
Three years of music nights at Holwell has seen friendships forged,
neighbours meeting, sometimes for the first time, new bands formed,
people, young and old, performing in public,
confidence growing, barriers overcome.
Entertainment has included stand up comedy, a baroque orchestra,
folk bands, singer-songwriters, poets, school children performing,
authors speaking about their work, a community choir, country music,
opera, dancing, all with great company.
'First Friday' performance evenings are truly thriving,
regularly supported by a fabulous bunch of community minded attendees
from Holwell, surrounding villages and far afield.
The format of Holwell performance evenings is evolving.
We will no longer be serving alcohol
and there will be a charge of £4 entry on the door.
You are welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks.
There will still be a wide selection of soft drinks, hot drinks,
fruit juices & seasonal specials available from the village hall kitchen.
And, a special treat for December...
hot mulled non-alcoholic fruit punch. Yum!
We will still provide light snacks, and of course
you are welcome to bring and share food.
Originally inspired by PeaceOneDay, the aim of our performance evenings
is to provide a forum for shared experience, not to make a profit,
however these events must be completely self sustaining.
Please do continue to spread the word, come along and join us and enjoy yourself.
We would love to host occasional larger evenings, up to four a year,
with a booked band to at the end of the evening and a bar.
Theme suggestions welcomed.
These are YOUR evenings, all ideas suggestions and support welcome.
If you are interested in volunteering time on an ad hock basis, or regularly,
for preparation during the month or help on the day, please email me on:
E: [email protected]
Special Guest Performers for Holwell - November 2015
November Music Night in Holwell Village Hall
In honour of a significant Birthday of a volunteer crew member for the BearCat Craft & Swap Tent at local events during the summer and also a familiar face at the Village Hall Music Nights, we are having a very special band for the latter part of the evening.
We are delighted to announce the Kangaroo Moon will be playing, Yay!
Doors open at 7pm, there are a few early performance slots available, please get your name down as soon as possible, The Halsey Community Choir will also be singing, so this is going to be a truly magical evening. Free entry, contributions welcome.
Facebook Event for Friday 6th November
In honour of a significant Birthday of a volunteer crew member for the BearCat Craft & Swap Tent at local events during the summer and also a familiar face at the Village Hall Music Nights, we are having a very special band for the latter part of the evening.
We are delighted to announce the Kangaroo Moon will be playing, Yay!
Doors open at 7pm, there are a few early performance slots available, please get your name down as soon as possible, The Halsey Community Choir will also be singing, so this is going to be a truly magical evening. Free entry, contributions welcome.
Facebook Event for Friday 6th November
Bears Re-homed in Toy Teepee - July 2015
Local Dorset based company, Elm Tree Textiles is teaming up with BearCat Collective for another recycling initiative. The BearCat Toy Swap Teepee is visiting events, fairs and shows across Wessex throughout the summer, giving young people a safe place to explore, read, meet new friends and play.
How does it work? Kids are free to visit the teepee as often and for as long as they like. They can choose something to take and leave a contribution that they feel is a fair in exchange, either stuff and/or cash; instigating discussion on reuse, value, worth and repairing items.
Contributions received help to support the collection, transportation, sorting, cleaning, storing and displaying of swap shop swaps. Contributions also help provide the means to ensure unwanted items are passed on to other groups, reused, recycled or disposed of correctly.
What the SwapShop achieves:
Helps reduce landfill
Reduces fossil fuel depletion
Illustrates the true worth of goods
Enables useful items to be reused
Reduces the need for new raw materials
Helps to reduce the burden on council tax
Enables people to unclutter without worrying
Demonstrates an alternative to solely using money
How does it work? Kids are free to visit the teepee as often and for as long as they like. They can choose something to take and leave a contribution that they feel is a fair in exchange, either stuff and/or cash; instigating discussion on reuse, value, worth and repairing items.
Contributions received help to support the collection, transportation, sorting, cleaning, storing and displaying of swap shop swaps. Contributions also help provide the means to ensure unwanted items are passed on to other groups, reused, recycled or disposed of correctly.
What the SwapShop achieves:
Helps reduce landfill
Reduces fossil fuel depletion
Illustrates the true worth of goods
Enables useful items to be reused
Reduces the need for new raw materials
Helps to reduce the burden on council tax
Enables people to unclutter without worrying
Demonstrates an alternative to solely using money
Praise for the SwapShop - 18th June 2015
"One of the best bits was the toy swap tent where you can either swap a toy or take one and leave a donation. This is such a great idea for keeping the kids entertained as they can take something to play with then take it back and swap it when they get bored. Cherry found this furry crown to add to her look!"
http://alongcamecherry.co.uk/a-mini-somerset-music-festival-experience
http://alongcamecherry.co.uk/a-mini-somerset-music-festival-experience
Duvet Day at Holwell Table Top Sale - 6th June 2015
There will be a free giveaway of duvets at Holwell Village Hall on the morning of Saturday 6th June from 10am to 1pm. Local company, Elm Tree Textiles is teaming up with BearCat Collective who organise events at the village hall. The duvets are used and in varying condition, some will be fit for normal use, others would make perfect pet bedding or substitute for garden fleece.
“We collect from schools and textile banks all over the South West of England, currently providing our services for the benefit of Dorset and Devon County Councils, The Salvation Army, The Fire Fighter's Charity, The Children's Society and The Starlight Foundation. We hope that local people and small businesses will make creative use of this free material, to recycle and reuse it, reducing unnecessary waste.” says company partner Mrs Pippa Gillard.
There will also be local crafts, bric-a-brac and refreshments at Holwell Village Hall Table Top Sale and SwapShop, DT9 5LN. Anyone wishing to reserve a quantity of duvets, or book a table (£5) please call 01963 23145 or email [email protected].
“We collect from schools and textile banks all over the South West of England, currently providing our services for the benefit of Dorset and Devon County Councils, The Salvation Army, The Fire Fighter's Charity, The Children's Society and The Starlight Foundation. We hope that local people and small businesses will make creative use of this free material, to recycle and reuse it, reducing unnecessary waste.” says company partner Mrs Pippa Gillard.
There will also be local crafts, bric-a-brac and refreshments at Holwell Village Hall Table Top Sale and SwapShop, DT9 5LN. Anyone wishing to reserve a quantity of duvets, or book a table (£5) please call 01963 23145 or email [email protected].
BearCat Teams Up with SSDC Play Rangers in 2015
Following the success of The National Play Day Celebrations at NineSprings Community Park, and workshops last summer, BearCat again teams up with South Somerset District Councils Play Rangers.
Providing free of charge craft workshops during school holidays at Scout Halls, Community and Church Halls in Yeovil.
Plus providing live music, facepainting, crafts and swap-space at SSDC outdoor family events.
Providing free of charge craft workshops during school holidays at Scout Halls, Community and Church Halls in Yeovil.
Plus providing live music, facepainting, crafts and swap-space at SSDC outdoor family events.
WriteUp in Blackmore Vale Magazine - Page 37 edition 09/01/15
Variety Performance Night
These 'pop up fetes' have been happening in local village halls over the last three years, with Holwell the longest running and most regular venue. There is varied entertainment ranging from Victorian music hall, poetry, classical music, folk tunes and song to storytelling, and more many forms of shared entertainment we can all enjoy.
This month's regular Performance Night and SwapShop at Holwell, is on Friday 9th January. Doors open at 7pm and there is a special Children's Area at all BearCat events with games and crafts. There are a maximum of ten performers slots, so get your name down, or just pop along to see what it's all about and enjoy the entertainment.
In the SwapShop & ToySwap you can exchange seedlings, books, clothes, excess produce, in fact any unwanted items (if you've nothing to swap, simply pop a contribution in the hat). Refreshments and snacks are available, including delicious dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian food.
These 'pop up fetes' have been happening in local village halls over the last three years, with Holwell the longest running and most regular venue. There is varied entertainment ranging from Victorian music hall, poetry, classical music, folk tunes and song to storytelling, and more many forms of shared entertainment we can all enjoy.
This month's regular Performance Night and SwapShop at Holwell, is on Friday 9th January. Doors open at 7pm and there is a special Children's Area at all BearCat events with games and crafts. There are a maximum of ten performers slots, so get your name down, or just pop along to see what it's all about and enjoy the entertainment.
In the SwapShop & ToySwap you can exchange seedlings, books, clothes, excess produce, in fact any unwanted items (if you've nothing to swap, simply pop a contribution in the hat). Refreshments and snacks are available, including delicious dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian food.
2014 : A year in the land of BearCat
Here are some of our highlights from the past year - What were yours?
We would love to hear, share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.
You may have found us at an Arts Centre, Care Farm, Town Square, Community Cafe,
Country Park, Church Hall, Farm Land, Town Park, School Hall, Hotel, College Hall,
Manor House, Pub, Village Hall, Community Centre, Church Green,
Village Green, Sports Ground or Radio Station.
A huge Thank You to everyone who has been involved in any way in all projects.
It is a privilege to work alongside the many groups and individuals
providing such fabulous support for our local communities.
In 2014 we have :
Hosted 38 SwapShops
Run 26 Craft Workshops
Performed Live at 60 Events
Hosted 23 Live Music Events
Recorded Audio at 14 Events
Raised Funds for 4 Churches
Worked With 3 Local Schools
Received our First Grant Funding
Provided Face Painting at 11 Events
Worked With 1 Local District Council
Supported 12 Charities by Raising Funds
Worked With 3 Fundraising Organisations
Worked With 10 Local Independent Businesses
Supported Events in 31 Towns & Villages Across 5 Counties
Wow!
We would love to hear, share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.
You may have found us at an Arts Centre, Care Farm, Town Square, Community Cafe,
Country Park, Church Hall, Farm Land, Town Park, School Hall, Hotel, College Hall,
Manor House, Pub, Village Hall, Community Centre, Church Green,
Village Green, Sports Ground or Radio Station.
A huge Thank You to everyone who has been involved in any way in all projects.
It is a privilege to work alongside the many groups and individuals
providing such fabulous support for our local communities.
In 2014 we have :
Hosted 38 SwapShops
Run 26 Craft Workshops
Performed Live at 60 Events
Hosted 23 Live Music Events
Recorded Audio at 14 Events
Raised Funds for 4 Churches
Worked With 3 Local Schools
Received our First Grant Funding
Provided Face Painting at 11 Events
Worked With 1 Local District Council
Supported 12 Charities by Raising Funds
Worked With 3 Fundraising Organisations
Worked With 10 Local Independent Businesses
Supported Events in 31 Towns & Villages Across 5 Counties
Wow!
Press Release : Holwell Music Night - June 2014
The June Holwell Village Hall Performance Night got off to a swinging start with a selection of solo violin melodies, classical and western swing from Sylvia Barry followed by a folk duet with her daughter Samantha. Debbie Wakefield of Henstridge sang a rich blend of Americana songs. Singer songwriter Kara Richards of Somerton delighted the audience with her thought provoking ‘dark country’. These two joined forces on-stage, accompanied by Samantha on the fiddle bringing a rare treat of three part vocal harmonies. The evening was brought to a superb end with the theatrical vocals of John Bullock of the Dorchester based yStrels band accompanied by bass licks from Simon Spencer of Buckland Newton band Equinox.
The night was streamed live on the internet courtesy of Ed Sedgely from Bournemouth University’s Media Department, kit testing for escapades at Glastonbury and the Green Gathering later this summer. The sound during the evening was engineered and recorded by John Moore (Radio Avalon) of Willowsound based in Templecombe.
Visitors kindly brought some delicious home-made sweet and savoury additions to the buffet table. There was also a lot of activity in the SwapShop area with plants, books, clothes and shoes being recycled around the local community. This regular event run by BearCat Collective takes place on the First Friday of every month at 7pm in Holwell Village Hall DT9 5LL.
The night was streamed live on the internet courtesy of Ed Sedgely from Bournemouth University’s Media Department, kit testing for escapades at Glastonbury and the Green Gathering later this summer. The sound during the evening was engineered and recorded by John Moore (Radio Avalon) of Willowsound based in Templecombe.
Visitors kindly brought some delicious home-made sweet and savoury additions to the buffet table. There was also a lot of activity in the SwapShop area with plants, books, clothes and shoes being recycled around the local community. This regular event run by BearCat Collective takes place on the First Friday of every month at 7pm in Holwell Village Hall DT9 5LL.
Community Fund Grant Award for BearCat - April 2014
BearCat Collective have been awarded a grant through the Community Fund of The Rotary Club of Sherborne, to fund the purchase of refurbished computer equipment to support their work being carried out in the DT9 area.
Photo : In Sherborne, to give the 100th Anniversary Lecture on the founding of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, Rotary's National President Nan McCreadie congratulates Ian Dodds a Trustee and Secretary of RCSCF on the success of the Community Fund in its launch year.
Photo : In Sherborne, to give the 100th Anniversary Lecture on the founding of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, Rotary's National President Nan McCreadie congratulates Ian Dodds a Trustee and Secretary of RCSCF on the success of the Community Fund in its launch year.
South Somerset District Council PlayDays with BearCat - April 2014
BearCat have teamed up with South Somerset District Council's Play Rangers for hands on workshops for both the National Play Day celebrations at NineSprings Yeovil and 'Schools Out' PlayDays in August 2014.
For more info see the BearCat Diary and :-
www.southsomerset.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/play-and-youth
For more info see the BearCat Diary and :-
www.southsomerset.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/play-and-youth
New Regular Music Night Confirmed in Yeovil! - March 2014
Return of the Folk & Roots Night! @ The Courtyard in Yeovil - now Every Third Thursday
Thank you to everyone who supported our first night, as it was so successful, that it will now be a regular event!
Live Music, Hot Food & Bar
The craft shop will be open too, with a special discount during the music night!
A splendidly quirky & unique venue -
the old stables by the cattle market (ex Vintage Fair Arts Cafe) now run by The Hub Yeovil and renamed as The Courtyard a welcoming cafe environment also selling handmade goods with a social conscience.
£2 entry - performers free
To perform email BearCat Glenn [email protected]
The Courtyard, Market Street, Yeovil BA20 1HZ
(look for white railings between The Pall Tavern & the car sales showrooms)
Please keep supporting the venue, it is a great local community enterprise, pop in for coffee,
they're open every day from 10am-5pm
Thank you to everyone who supported our first night, as it was so successful, that it will now be a regular event!
Live Music, Hot Food & Bar
The craft shop will be open too, with a special discount during the music night!
A splendidly quirky & unique venue -
the old stables by the cattle market (ex Vintage Fair Arts Cafe) now run by The Hub Yeovil and renamed as The Courtyard a welcoming cafe environment also selling handmade goods with a social conscience.
£2 entry - performers free
To perform email BearCat Glenn [email protected]
The Courtyard, Market Street, Yeovil BA20 1HZ
(look for white railings between The Pall Tavern & the car sales showrooms)
Please keep supporting the venue, it is a great local community enterprise, pop in for coffee,
they're open every day from 10am-5pm
Chiselborough Community Folk & Performance Night - January 2014
Chiselborough Music Night will now be more of a ‘community joining in’ event run by the villagers. They hope to encourage more village participation on a less formal stage. Welcoming musicians, singers and poets alike, interspersed with shorter solo spots. There will still be refreshments (some hot nibbles), swap shop and kids area with an additional crafts table.
For further information email : [email protected]
For further information email : [email protected]
Share Your Talents at Holwell Village Hall - It's a Piece of Cake! - Summer 2013
Every performer will 'bee' receiving extra bonus treats at the regular Village Hall Performers Nights. BearCat Collective, who host these 'pop up fetes' in local village halls, have been featured on Honeybuns Bakery's wrapper for their top-selling Maple & Pecan Flapjacks. To celebrate, these scrummy cakes will be given away to every performer, whether it is poetry, music, storytelling, or any other form of shared entertainment we can all enjoy.
Doors open at 7pm. There are a maximum of 10 performers slots, so get your name down, or just pop along to see what it's all about. In the SwapShop & ToySwap you can exchange seedlings, books, clothes, excess produce, in fact any unwanted items (if you've nothing to swap, simply pop a contribution in the hat). Refreshments and snacks are available, including delicious dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian food. Anyone wishing to perform, exhibit or get involved email BearCat Glenn [email protected]
Doors open at 7pm. There are a maximum of 10 performers slots, so get your name down, or just pop along to see what it's all about. In the SwapShop & ToySwap you can exchange seedlings, books, clothes, excess produce, in fact any unwanted items (if you've nothing to swap, simply pop a contribution in the hat). Refreshments and snacks are available, including delicious dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian food. Anyone wishing to perform, exhibit or get involved email BearCat Glenn [email protected]
BearCat Collective Run Their First Family Fun Day - Sept 2013
Family Fun Day 22nd September 2013 from 12 noon
Join in the BearCat fun with Face Painting, Acoustic Music, Kids Cabaret, Henna, Talks, Craft Workshops, Short Films, SwapShop & Toy Swap ... Phew!
The International Day of Peace occurs on 21 September each year - a day for wide-scale community action
On this day there will be official world wide cease fire, enabling vital aid to gain access to areas cut off by war and to bring all of humanity together in a day of focus on peace. To celebrate and participate in this momentous occasion join us on at The Balsam Centre in Wincanton from 12noon.
The aim of this event is to provide a space for music, poetry, art, story telling, games or any other form of shared entertainment that we can all enjoy, although the day is about peace the subject matter is down to the individual.
Anyone wishing to perform or volunteer time please contact BearCat Glenn [email protected]
There are events going on all over the world on this weekend, Peace Day's existence is due to the work of Jeremey Gilly and the work that this amazing man is doing can be found on ... peaceoneday.org & www.facebook.com/peaceoneday
The Balsam Centre www.balsamcentre.org.uk : Balsam Park, Wincanton, BA9 9HB : 01963 31842
Join in the BearCat fun with Face Painting, Acoustic Music, Kids Cabaret, Henna, Talks, Craft Workshops, Short Films, SwapShop & Toy Swap ... Phew!
The International Day of Peace occurs on 21 September each year - a day for wide-scale community action
On this day there will be official world wide cease fire, enabling vital aid to gain access to areas cut off by war and to bring all of humanity together in a day of focus on peace. To celebrate and participate in this momentous occasion join us on at The Balsam Centre in Wincanton from 12noon.
The aim of this event is to provide a space for music, poetry, art, story telling, games or any other form of shared entertainment that we can all enjoy, although the day is about peace the subject matter is down to the individual.
Anyone wishing to perform or volunteer time please contact BearCat Glenn [email protected]
There are events going on all over the world on this weekend, Peace Day's existence is due to the work of Jeremey Gilly and the work that this amazing man is doing can be found on ... peaceoneday.org & www.facebook.com/peaceoneday
The Balsam Centre www.balsamcentre.org.uk : Balsam Park, Wincanton, BA9 9HB : 01963 31842
First BearCat Village Hall Performance Night - Sept 2012
The 21st of September is World Peace Day, the International Day of Peace.
Annually, on this day there is official world wide cease fire, enabling vital aid to gain access to areas cut off by war and to bring all of humanity together in a day of focus on peace. To celebrate and participate in this momentous occasion join us at Holwell Village Hall (near Sherborne in Dorset).
The aim of this event is to provide a space for music, poetry, art, story telling, games or any other form of shared entertainment that we can all enjoy, although the day is about peace the subject matter is down to the individual.
Entrance is a suggested donation of £1 and there will be refreshments and drinks which will also be by donation. There is ample car parking and the evening is expected to start around 7pm and finish about 11pm. All proceeds to Holwell Village Hall for upkeep and running as a community resource.
Anyone wishing to perform (a PA is provided) or volunteer time please contact BearCat Glenn [email protected]
There are events going on all over the world on this day, this particular event is organised by local musicians 'Bearcat Collective' with the help of Cabin Fever Crew. Peace Day's existence is due to the work of Jeremey Gilly and the work that this amazing man is doing can be found on ...
http://peaceoneday.org
http://www.facebook.com/peaceoneday
Annually, on this day there is official world wide cease fire, enabling vital aid to gain access to areas cut off by war and to bring all of humanity together in a day of focus on peace. To celebrate and participate in this momentous occasion join us at Holwell Village Hall (near Sherborne in Dorset).
The aim of this event is to provide a space for music, poetry, art, story telling, games or any other form of shared entertainment that we can all enjoy, although the day is about peace the subject matter is down to the individual.
Entrance is a suggested donation of £1 and there will be refreshments and drinks which will also be by donation. There is ample car parking and the evening is expected to start around 7pm and finish about 11pm. All proceeds to Holwell Village Hall for upkeep and running as a community resource.
Anyone wishing to perform (a PA is provided) or volunteer time please contact BearCat Glenn [email protected]
There are events going on all over the world on this day, this particular event is organised by local musicians 'Bearcat Collective' with the help of Cabin Fever Crew. Peace Day's existence is due to the work of Jeremey Gilly and the work that this amazing man is doing can be found on ...
http://peaceoneday.org
http://www.facebook.com/peaceoneday
