Chard Carers Support Group column

Ingrid has a thorough knowledge of the plants and flowers she uses, showed us three simple but effective arrangements, and also gave us an insight into air/road miles of various blooms – for instance, because they have to go to a central warehouse, the distance some narcissus from Cornwall travel is actually further than some lilies from the Netherlands.

Ingrid explained techniques and the materials to use to get the best out of either bought flowers or what you can find in the wild (obviously make sure you don’t raid anyone’s garden!).

Chatting while constructing we moved on to a discussion about the Ukrainian’s recently accommodated in the area due to the war with Russia.

It would appear Chard and the surrounding areas continue to do a sterling job in supporting these refugees and many are now settled and well-integrated into the community.

The usual round-robin of news was exchanged and we had a brief discussion about the latest research from Carers UK – The State of Caring 2022.

Some of the figures for the input of unpaid carers throughout the UK were astounding: there are 10.6 million unpaid carers in the UK and their support is valued at £530m per day and a staggering £193 billion per year.

Chard Carers Support Group is off on a Christmas shopping trip to Trago Mills on 30 November 30 (two spaces left on the coach at the time of writing, so if anyone wants information please see contacts below).

On December 4 the group members will be at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club for a Sunday carvery cum Christmas meal and the regular December meeting will be on Monday, December 12, 10.30am to 12.30pm in the hall behind English Martyrs Church, East Street, Chard.

Contact Pat on 01460 220026, Kate on 01460 394331, email chardcarers@aol.com or find us on Facebook – Chard Carers Support Group.

Written by Chard Carers Support Group