MY only official engagement this week has been to attend the Chard carnival committee’s annual meeting – one of the groups the Mayor of Chard holds an honorary position on.

The committee gained three extra members this year and retained all its former members, so we can look forward to another great evening’s entertainment when the Carnival takes place this October.

It made me think about volunteers and how the community needs them to make the town work.

Volunteers form a large part of our society and they form a bond that links and strengthens our community, especially now we are physically packaged more closely together and yet are becoming more isolated from each other.

There are various reasons why you may want to volunteer, maybe to develop new skills which would help with self-confidence or as a stepping stone into work.

It connects people together that would be unlikely to meet in normal life and people will benefit from your work or there is a transfer of skills.

I have met so many groups over the last two years who might need your skills or help.

It might be that you can offer a few hours a week to further the development of other people in the town or you just might like to join a group such as one of the local theatre groups.

Whether your skills are artistic, manual, secretarial – or even just being able to make a cup of tea and have a chat – I am sure someone in the town needs your help.

The Chard Town Council website has a list of local organisations you might find useful to get hold of a possible group for you.

But I have also met many people and if I can help you find the right group do not hesitate to contact me and I will try and help. My contact details are available online and at the Guildhall.