The South Essex Link of Chernobyl Children Life Line are very busy at the moment entertaining 8 girls and 4 boys from south eastern Belarus, one of the areas worst affected by the 1986 disaster at the nearby nuclear power plant. The children are just coming to the end of the first week of their recuperative holiday in Essex, and I had the pleasure of meeting them last night at a barbecue near Billericay, where I also chatted with some of the organisers.
Listen again – part 1:[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CCLL-BBQ-part-1.mp3|titles=CCLL BBQ part 1]
The children are paired up to stay with local host families, and thanks in part to previous coverage on Phoenix new families have come forward this year – however, there’s still a shortage, resulting in the Link’s Publicity Officer Gaynor Manthorpe and her husband Alastair looking after four of the children. I asked Matt, whose family are hosting a couple of the children for the first time this year, how they came to get involved; I also chatted with the barbecue’s host, Peter Brierley of Stock Brook Nursery. Listen again – part 2:[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CCLL-BBQ-part-2.mp3|titles=CCLL BBQ part 2]
They’re a lovely group of children, and despite the rain they seemed to be having a thoroughly enjoyable time. If you’d like to talk to the Link about the possibility of volunteering as a host for a couple of children next year contact the Chairman, Anthony Woodman, via the website.
The spirit of “togetherness” is coming to Billericay between Thursday 11 and Sunday 21 July, that being the theme of the town’s Art Trail which will take place at various shops and other venues the length and breadth of the High Street and beyond, and to find out more I chatted this morning with its President, Vin Harrop.
Vin explained that there should be something to appeal to everyone, and it’s not just about art – with other events such as a jazz concert and an evening of storytelling. The Art Trail will be centred on Billericay’s historic St Mary Magdalen Church, with its iconic 116 year old clock, and Vin read a short poem dedicated to the clock by Tim Cunningham.
You can download a brochure with full details at the website; these will also be available at various points in the High Street courtesy of a number of specially created TRAILblazers, designed by art tutor at the Fold, Marion Gill. Vin assured me that these are quite friendly – and won’t run away if you speak to them!
Listen again:[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Feelgood-Saturday-29-06-13-Vin-Harrop2.mp3|titles=Feelgood Saturday 29 06 13 Vin Harrop2]
