Lightmongers visit to New College Worcester, 22^nd November 2011

On 22^nd November a group of Lightmongers visited New College Worcester, our affiliated School for blind and partially sighted children and young people. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the work of New College and to show our support for the excellent work undertaken there. The School gives support to the Lightmongers as part of the affiliation e.g. joining our float for the Lord Mayor’s Show for several years now, so it was an excellent opportunity for us to visit and show our support to them.

The Master, John Harding, together with his wife Barbara, David and Pat Rowden, Eddie and Gill Taylor, Hugh Ogus and Ray Reid, formed the visiting Lightmonger group. Following a brief introduction to the work of the School and its immediate priorities and challenges by Mardie Smith, the Principal, we enjoyed a tour of the School led by pupils and staff. It was very clear from the talk and the tour that there is a wide range of subjects taught, including life-skills, to a high level of attainment.

We enjoyed lunch in the School canteen, which was excellent and then had a further discussion with Mardie and members of her team, where we were able to ask questions arising as a result of our tour. The day finished with the presentation of a cheque for £3000 to the School, presented by the Master, John Harding, to further invest in facilities for the pupils. The £3000 came directly from our fund-raising activities during the past year i.e. the charity Golf Day organised by Past Master John Otten and the Thames Path Walk organised by Gill and Eddie Taylor.

A big vote of thanks to all Lightmongers for their generous support to these fund-raising activities! From this brief report you can see how the funds are being applied in pursuit of one of the Lightmongers main charitable cause i.e. helping to alleviate sensory deprivation.

Eddie Taylor

Deputy Master