Christchurch in Walton-on-the-Hill was the venue for “Sing Carols” led by Reverend John Gordon to raise funds for TWOAT. The highlight of the evening was provided by a choir from Walton Primary School who beautifully performed a repertoire of songs from their Christmas Show based on Dickens’ story of Scrooge. Mike Fox, Chair of TWOAT, told the children and the fifty or so adults attending about a school for 150 children of refugees from Myanmar where TWOAT has used money raised from previous “Sing Carols” events to help pay for the children to have three school lunches per week. Unfortunately other food supplies have been reduced for the refugees as the Thai government wants them to return to Myanmar but they are afraid to do so. TWOAT therefore needs to continue to fund the lunches. The generosity of those attending contributed over £350 to TWOAT’s 2019 Christmas Appeal to provide funds for various schools that TWOAT supports.
Our annual meeting took place in November. Reports concerning activities to friends and supporters included a presentation by Dr David Curnock a trustee of another local charity called BREAD. This charity was established some years ago to support a hospital and local community in Berega, a remote rural area of Tanzania. TWOAT has recently provided support for Berega Hospital to create a new epilepsy clinic using BREAD to provide the link. Dr Curnock described how one Epilepsy sufferer, who had previously been enduring 3 or more fits per day, had had his medication adjusted and was now able to contemplate returning to school studies and leading a normal life. TWOAT is paying the salary cost of the clinic’s outreach worker, Charles. He has already started to travel to remote villages to check for Epilepsy sufferers who would typically be unaware of the true nature of their symptoms as these types of fits are often considered by uneducated people to be the work of evil spirits. During his first few visits Charles has already identified 12 possible sufferers whom he has asked to attend the clinic. The evening also included a tribute to John Tedder who was retiring after having served as Treasurer since the charity was founded. During his thirty plus years in office the charity has raised over £500k all of which has gone to the overseas aid
Dr Curnock speaking at 2019 ASM
Our Teas & Talks event in Christchurch Hall, Walton Street, Walton and another one in Kingswood Village Hall raised over £300 for our projects.
You can view details of the individuals and local businesses who kindly donated promises and the names of the winning bidders by clicking here: Auction winners 2019
To visit the now finished online auction go here but do note that many of the items marked with an * that went for further bidding to the Auction event received a higher bid there which became the winning bid.
These are photos from the Auction & Sing-along event on June 29th – click on them to enlarge.
The first John Allinson Memorial Sponsored Walk on Friday May 31st attracted 33 participants in the morning and a further 5 in the afternoon. The weather was dry but slightly cooler than expected.
Note You can enlarge photographs by clicking on them.
Walk leader Dick Shelley outlining the initial route outside the Royal Oak in Brockham.
The early stages went along the old coach road between Brockham and Dorking
passing some interesting gnarled trees along the way.
Next we joined the Deepdene Trail climbing onto a ridge with spectacular views on either side.
Digby has his own sponsorship page and was very well-behaved, even carrying his own stock of “poo-pouches” until unfortunately he found a cowpat in which to roll!
Dorking Golf Club provided a convenient staging post with coffee and biscuits made available in advance. Cakes were an extra luxury for those that felt the need. The balcony provided lovely views over what appeared to be a very challenging hole with an elevated green with steep slopes ready to return their balls to inaccurate drivers.
The next stop was the Hope Family Mausoleum although it was not open for viewing.
A field with poppies continued the memorial theme and reminded us that the 75th anniversary of D-Day was approaching as we returned towards Brockham and the Royal Oak.
After a very pleasant lunch at the Royal Oak, Dick Shelley outlined the afternoon route to those continuing and the new arrivals. Digby now had a companion as Revd. Tim Astin was accompanied by his dog Tess.
Dick led us over the Betchworth to Dorking railway line imparting some more historical gems from research done by local historian Jean Clew. This related how horse-drawn railway trucks had brought lime down from the quarries and kilns to be attached to the main railway near the bridge on which we were standing.
One of the best preserved kilns can be seen in the distance just above and to the right of Jeff’s hat! (remember you can click the photo to enlarge the image)
We continued on to the Wyevale Garden Centre’s car park where a vehicle had been pre-positioned to return the footsore after 7.5 miles to the starting point. Others walked on….
via the ruins of Betchworth Castle before they headed back along the coach road to Brockham and the Royal Oak.
The walk will be repeated on Saturday June 8th. Participants need to register at 9.15 am outside the Royal Oak in Brockham.
You can still support TWOAT and the walkers via the sponsorship page here