The Right Worshipful Brother Michael T. Penny, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Devonshire, presented cheques to 24 Devon charitable organisations at Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Plymouth on Friday 20 April.

Each organisation received a donation from the ‘Wake’ Endowment Fund formed by William Alexander Kneel, the Provincial Grand Master of the Devon Freemasons between 1970 and 1984.

There have been approximately 370 beneficiaries to date receiving a total of £40,000.

Each representative was accompanied by at least one member of the local Masonic lodge that sponsored them and who also added to this donation.

Robert Boyd, from the ACE charity based in Brixham, said” We received a very warm welcome to the Lodge by everyone involved and it was heart warming to witness the benevolence of the Devon Masons to such a large group of charities. We were told that donations to non- Masonic causes is an important part of their charitable work.” 

After the presentations we enjoyed an excellent buffet supper and a chat over a welcome drink.

The Access to Community Education (ACE) Charity will hold their AGM at the Brixham Adult and Community Learning Centre, Brixham College, Brixham on the 3rd May 2012.

ACE members and members of the public are invited to attend. Please notify Yvonne Ramos on 01803 853302 if you require any further information.

Sue Parker, a former member of ACE, compiled the birthday list for ACE and sent members a card on their birthday. Now she has asked for someone else to continue this work. Denise Morris is now responsible for the task.

Gill Clarke, the ACE Chair Person, thanked Sue for her hard work and presented Sue with an orchid plant from the Group. 

The ACE Write Way Group meet each Thursday and their recently completed a book of poetry and prose is the result of much laughter mixed with serious discussion. Everyone brings their life experiences to the sessions and their book shows adults who return to learning can get so much from the experience. Second time around can be better. The Write Way shows the ‘abilities’ of people with disabilities.

Fund raiser, Robert Boyd, has managed to get the £1,000 together to fund the print run of 200 copies by claiming Gift Aid on donations to the ACE abseil.

The group have been working together for 5 years and the book includes work from two members (Charlotte Parkinson and David Mack) have died since the project began. Tutor, Sam Watson, chose the work with the group and Jenny Harriman acted as editor for the layout and put it together in Quark for ACE Print at Furzeham.

This booklet has given the group increased confidence, including the volunteers who support disabled adults – they all have pieces included, as does Sue Slimm, the ACE Careworker who supports this class.

ACE has already sold 100 copies which are on sale at the Brixham Adult & Community Learning Centre, The Torbay Bookshop in Paignton and Another Chapter in Brixham. They are extremely good value for £5.99

John Demeger, Head of Adult & Learning Education said “What a delightful book. The group have so much talent, it is a joy to read. Such a range of styles and topics. A real insight into this group of talented individuals. I took a copy home for my wife and she thoroughly enjoyed it as well.”

The group hope to undertake another booklet in the future of their own work.

Press Release

The recent ACE plant sale and garden opening went very well, with over 50 people attending despite rainy downpours. Chair of the Brixham Town Council, Cllr Martyn Hodge officially cut the ribbon at 11am to open the new section which is being transformed into a Devon Hedgerow plus four vegetable beds currently filled with beans, onions, rhubarb shallots and sweet peas.

Thanks to the newly purchased pergola bought with a donation from Tesco, the plants were on show but out of the rain, enabling people to choose their favourites. The sales barrow donated by Brixham Town Council had flower tubs for sale whilst inside, pottery tutor, Tessa Amies, was demonstrating and selling pottery.

The Adult & Community Learning (ACL) admin team and the ACE Friday garden volunteers made cakes, flapjacks and buns which were very popular, helping swell the amount raised to £165.00

Cllr Martyn Hodge said “I really enjoyed the talk by Katie Babbs (the ACE gardening tutor) to get a free garden lesson and pick up lots of advice was most unexpected. The ACL centre’s gardens looked wonderful despite the weather and the ACE group have obviously put a lot of hard work into making it so welcoming.”

Katie was delighted with the result but pointed out that there are still flowers and doorstep tubs available if people missed today…. Call 01803 853302 or just pop in.


Photograph supplied by the Herald Express newspaper

Maggie Dodd was surprised whilst cooking burgers for the annual ACE BBQ by Cllr Martyn Hodge, Chairman of Brixham Council.  Martyn had come to present Maggie with the annual Brixham Civic Award after receiving a nomination from Rob Boyd which said

“Maggie is a founder member of the Access to Community Education (ACE) charity which provides learning, leisure and recreational activities for disabled adults and their carers. Maggie has been a faithful, valued carer and volunteer from the start (1989) with her disabled son Bruce. She is the ACE Treasurer managing an annual budget of £60,000. She always has a warm greeting for everyone, diligently arranging the lunch time meal for 50 people each Thursday. She also organises the annual BBQ and prepares, serves and clears away” – which is just what she was doing when Martyn arrived.

Rob said, “Maggie meets every prospective member at their home, explaining the aims and objectives of ACE and how they may benefit from joining. Her calm perceptive mind is invaluable in solving conflict situations and many turn to her for help to solve issues in the group and at home. She is known as the ‘Wise Woman’.”

On 25th November Yvonne Ramos, the much loved administrator of ACE, celebrated her birthday. The members had clubbed together to by her a camera. The attached photographs have captured both her embarressment and pleasure. Well done Yvonne for your many years of service to our charity.
          

Tessa Amies was invited to go to the House of Commons as she was short listed for a STAR award in the category of Lifetime Achievement. This is a national award organised by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) each year with ten categories.

Tessa went to London with her nominator, Jenny Harriman, on November 24^th, the day that students were protesting on Parliament Street and outside Downing Street against cuts in their grants. They were unable to get close to Parliament in a taxi due to huge areas being cordoned off. There were mounted police, helicopters and ambulances everywhere, with skirmishes taking place between the students and police.

After going through the security checks Tessa and Jenny had time to view Westminster Hall where the Queen Mother lay in state, St Stephens Hall which was the original Parliament meeting place and onto the Central Lobby, which is used as the backdrop in all TV political reports. They also went into the viewing gallery of the House of Lords and watched a debate about the current education white paper.

At 4pm they joined 30 others to go to the Strangers Dining Room for the award ceremony. Where they were welcomed by Dr David Collins (LSIS chief Executive) and commended for their outstanding teaching by Jim Cunningham MP, who pointed out that getting a national STAR award, was more difficult than getting an OBE or MBE. After a delicious tea John Hayes the Minister for FE gave a speech saying

“What a pleasure it is to celebrate success with the ten national STAR award winners. We all have a passion for Further Education, skills, and the power of learning, so it is wonderful to celebrate with those who make a difference. Historically education had a role in shaping the future, but in the 21^st century we have not celebrated this role enough. We need to build on the skills of inspirational teachers as learning is crucial to all our lives and to future generations. When you ask older people about relationships that really counted they usually name a teacher who made a positive impression on them or someone who helped them learn and grow. The people here tonight are very important because you change lives, you are all very special.”

Mr Hayes also commended the artistic and creative table decoration flower arrangements that had been created by Southwark College and invited guests to take them home.

This speech was followed by the presentation of the awards with each recipient receiving a glass STAR and framed certificate. Tessa’s citation said:

Tessa began her teaching career over 40 years ago after leaving Bath Academy of Art. Initially she taught Art and Crafts in Somerset and when she retired Tessa moved to Devon where she has taught ACL classes for the past 10 years more recently for South Devon College. She is approaching 70 next year. Tessa is remarkable, she quietly changes people’s perception of learning; especially those who may not have thought they could cope with coming to an ACL centre. As a teacher of practical subjects she has created an environment at Brixham where everyone attending the centre can see how students who appear to have less ability (learning disabled, physically disabled, older people with dementia, those with mental health issues) actually have high level skills. Tessa encourages her students to display their work out and around the community as a means to encourage others to get involved with ACL courses. She has raised South Devon College’s reputation as an accessible centre and has worked to ensure that everyone can discover a practical skill that will give them pleasure and satisfaction, many going onto set up their own businesses in the arts.

Jenny and Tessa also met Alan Tuckett, the Director of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) who has led the campaign for many years to maintain Adult & Community Learning (ACL). He commended Brixham ACL’s reputation and told them that he was a ‘Brixham boy, having been born at Burton Street’ and still had family in the town and that he would visit next time he came on holiday.

Stephen Criddle, Principal of South Devon College said ‘I’m really delighted that Tessa’s huge contribution to education and particularly to local adult and community learners in South Devon has been recognised at the highest level.’

Tessa will be featured in the Times Educational Supplement who have sponsored the event.

NB: Tessa has also revealed that she was a student at the original South Devon College where she studied secretarial skills and cookery before going onto Dartington College.
     

The staff from Brewer's, the decorators' suppliers on New Road, Brixham, did a sponsored run that raised £257.00 for the benefit of ACE. The money will help subsidise the numerous classes enjoyed by the disabled members of the charity.
 

 Present: G Clarke (Chair), M Dodd, B Tout, R Coleman, R Boyd, G Young, J Harriman, Y Ramos.

·                     Grahame reported that the Thursday group would like debating, drama, ecology (with volunteer Natasha) and a visit to the Zoo.

·                     Gill proposed asking an ACE member to take on a pastoral role.

·                     Gill gave an overview of the LINk meeting she attended and how changes to health funding would impact on ACE. Dr Sam Barrel will visit on 27^th January.

·                     Community chest LINk project currently undertaken by Gail funded by LINk.

·                     LINk hospital survey to be issued.

·                     University students are all placed elsewhere this year.

·                     Approx £20k was committed to year end.

·                     The Lloyds TSB account has been set up and Maggie will move the reserve account monies ASAP. It was agreed that Rob and Jenny would be additional signatories.

·                     Gardening opening to take place on May 10th or June 17th with Sarah Wollaston MP

·                     Agreed to contact Sarah Wollaston to see if she could meet with ACE on 24^th or 31^st March at House of Commons. Decided to take representatives of different disabilities who do not need high level care (preferably with their own carer). Only one Careworker could go as others required for ACE Thursday group.

·                     Enrolments slow with Yvonne having to chase up members. Art and Craft has few students.

·                     AGM to be on May 12^th. YR to circulate details to members.

·                     A lunch for volunteers to be planned for Monday 31st January

·                     Rob Boyd and David to review a free website that enables donations

·                     The Write Way group to be asked to support Geopark festival from 28 May – 5 June with creative writing promotion

·                     Agreed that the Write Way booklet should be costed and produced, linking with poetry groups and the October festival

·                     Grahame agreed to be the ACE representative at CVA

·                     FACTS Training will offer wheelchair awareness for volunteers.

·                     Gill arranged for a Trustees night at the old Smokey on February 28th.            

·                     Date of next meeting: Monday 7th March at 7pm.