2020

Grants to individuals included helping several families fund the cost of school camps, supporting people with mental health issues and funds to purchase much-needed white goods. For reasons of confidentiality no details can be given of these grants but they will have been approved for reasons of education, financial need or personal development.

We awarded grants to fund access to mental health therapy, transportation, and the purchase of school uniform.

Grants to organisations included the Nailsea branch of Citizens Advice Bureau, repairs to the lift at the Methodist Church, Wellspring Counselling, The DEN at Nailsea School, 1^st Nailsea Scouts, and Nailsea Social Club towards provision of their Christmas lunch. The Trust also paid for the renewal of the defibrillator battery on the High Street, outside Break charity shop.

The establishment of a memorial to John Smithson is well underway. He was an enthusiastic supporter of The DEN at Nailsea School, which supports students in building confidence, social skills, an empathy with nature, and improving emotional health. We plan a dedication ceremony of a canvas extension, which will give protective cover for wellbeing workshops and nature craft projects being held outdoors.

2019

The Trust is proudly sponsoring the Nailsea in Bloom flowerbed on the corner of Pound Lane and Clevedon Road. Along with the mosaic designed by students which now graces the side of New Look in the town shopping precinct, these colourful additions are ways the Trust can support efforts to create a vibrant environment and sense of community in Nailsea.

Grants to individuals this past year have included funding for summer camps, music tuition, sporting and dance competitions, and replacement of much-needed household goods. For reasons of confidentiality no details can be given of these grants but they will have been approved for reasons of education, financial need or personal development.

Grants to organisations this past year have included the Nailsea Skatepark Festival, Nailsea Festival of Music, the annual Flower Shows, Wellspring Counselling, Leg Club, the Nailsea Defibrillator Project, the Comrades Club Lunch Club, the Nailsea Social Club 50+, and The DEN at Nailsea School.

Our Chair, N. Elliott, enjoyed talking about the Trust to members of the Nailsea WI, Nailsea & Backwell Townswomen's Guild, and Nailsea Town Council. We were present at the Spring Horticultural Shows at Nailsea School and the Skatepark Festival, which were great opportunities for raising awareness. 

We were very saddened by the death of Anthony Tavener, a much valued and respected friend and member of the Trust.

2018

Grants to individuals included funds for a variety of household goods, and sport and educational opportunities. For reasons of confidentiality no details can be given of these grants but they will have been approved for reasons of education, financial need or personal development.

We re-established our arrangement with Wellspring Counselling, subsidising the cost of counselling for qualifying residents.

Several of us attended the Skatepark Festival. We also met representatives of Nailsea Young Carers and Home Start. 

Several members of Norman Baker’s family met with representatives of Nailsea Community Trust and Nailsea Playing Fields Association at the unveiling of the Norman Baker memorial bench at the Grove Sports Centre cricket pitch.

Grants to organisations this year include

·      Nailsea Skatepark Festival—towards winners’ trophies
Greenslade Pre-school—technology hardware
Nailsea Memory Café—technology hardware
Nailsea Little Theatre—grant towards replacement of sound and     lighting equipment
Nailsea in Bloom Mosaic Madness project
Sponsorship of the Children’s categories in the Flower Shows

Elim Housing Association (welcome packs which include a few household basics for new residents)

Tickenham Village Field sub-committee (towards the cost of a toddler swing in the play area)

Kingshill School (furniture for an area where vulnerable children are supported at lunch-time)

1^st Nailsea Scouts (two tents for Ten Tors training)

Nailsea School (software tool to aid in administration of student safeguarding)

the Voyage Learning Centre and

The DEN at Nailsea School’s emotional health project.

 The D.E.N. at Nailsea School

We learned with sorrow of the deaths of founding Director Captain Peter Harrison and past Honourable Secretary Judith Codrington. Many of the current Directors remember them well and send their condolences to Peter’s and Judith’s families.

We enjoyed the Flower Shows and Nailsea Concert Orchestra’s March performance, at which Chairperson N. Elliott spoke about the Trust. The audience and musicians donated a generous £275.99 to the Trust at the exit collection. The Trust is proud to support both organisations, which play an important role in Nailsea life. Several of us were able to attend the Nailsea Music Festival, and also the opening ceremony of the Community Garden at Holy Trinity Church. The Trust is proud to have supported both of these projects as community-benefit events.  

2017

·     Several organisations received grants this year, including

    Nailsea Disability Initiative, Wellspring Counselling, 1^st Nailsea Scouts, Nailsea Festival of Music, the Skatepark Festival and Activities Showcase, Trendlewood Community Festival, and the Leg Club, purchasing ergonomic kneelers to aid the nurses providing care for the patients. We also contributed towards the costs of continuing the  Connect youth worker initiatives in Nailsea School for another year.

Directors attended several local events—the Town Council public meeting, the Skatepark Festival and Activities Showcase, both Flower Shows, the Nailsea Music Festival and the Mason’s Community Day. We are always pleased to talk to people about the Trust and its aim to improve the quality of life in our community.

Several individuals and families received grants from the Trust. For reasons of confidentiality no details can be given of these grants but they will have been approved for reasons of education, financial need or personal development.

The Trust has sadly lost two of its founder members, Norman Baker and John Smithson. Norman was the driving force behind Nailsea Community Trust, and many have benefitted from his vision of a local charity for local people. He devoted a lifetime to his beloved Nailsea. John was our first secretary, then became a Director and continued his active participation until just before his death. Both he and John will be much missed.

2016

Several individuals and families received grants from the Trust. For reasons of confidentiality no details can be given of these grants but they will have been approved for reasons of education, financial need or personal development.     

We feel we are joining the technology revolution by having a website redesign, which feels like a bold but necessary step for the Trust. Look out for www.nailseacommunitytrust.org.uk  

Or Organisation applications approved this year include

a rWellspring Counselling, Trinity Community Garden (£2000 to be used for plants), Nailsea United Reform Church (funds towards the purchase of chairs to be used in their community rooms), and Nailsea Festival of Music (printing of winners’ certificates).

The Trust also approved a grant towards the creation of an outdoor play area at Greenslade Pre-school.

    Kingshill School received funds for their Lego Therapy programme, and Nailsea Skatepark Project was granted a substantial sum towards this community resource. We received this lovely token of appreciation from them.