Can you believe that it's that time of year again! Time has been flying here because we've been so busy! We have lots of exciting things happening between now and the end of term, so read on for details!
Take Bertie home for Christmas!
He's sociable and loves to get involved, if a bit cheeky at times. Is Bertie in person a bit much for you? Then how about this amazing artwork as an unforgettable Christmas present?
Local artist Jo Bansall painted him from life over several weeks and is offering us the chance to buy a limited signed A3 print on high quality paper for £48 - with £20 from the sale of each print going to The Avon Centre. Prints are available to order from Jo's website -order Bertie
Christmas Around the World
As you know, every year The Avon Centre runs a popular Nativity, which welcomes participants, volunteers and members of the local community to enjoy a mince pie, sing and watch the horseback Nativity story.
This year we are very pleased to be making the Nativity more inclusive, and Emma and Vic who have taken on the mammoth task of organising it, want to include everyone's experiences. For this to work we will need your help. We want to hear from you. If you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Eid, Diwali or have no religion and just use the winter break to spend time with friends and relations, we would like to know your experiences and what you like most about the holiday season. Please get in touch and let us know what you do. And please save the date, 14th of December, 6:15pm for this year's celebration.
Thank you!
On Saturday, we welcomed the family of local equestrian Jenny Godwin, along with close friend Shelley Ford, who recently organised a memorial show in tribute to her. We were so grateful to receive a donation of over £2500 from the show's proceeds.
It was a privilege to hear of Jenny's passion for horses and people. This generous gift will help the Avon charity to support its participants, mirroring her dedication and commitment.
Also pictured are some of Avon's staff and volunteer team along with horse Teddy, who proved very popular on the day !
Money for old clothes!
Our next Bags to Schools collection is on November 27th. If you're thinking of having a clear out in preparation for the 100s of presents you're anticipating receiving this December, consider bagging up your old, wearable clothes, paired shoes and bags and popping them in the barn! This is a really easy way to help us raise funds and clear out some clutter!
More Road Closures...
Because we know how much you enjoyed the road closure at the beginning of the month, we thought we'd organise another one for you (not really)!
The iron bridge which over looks the road leading to us from the Shirehampton side will be being repaired from November 27th. This means that if you approach us from that end there will be diversions in place. Please allow extra time to reach your session.
As with the last closure, we did not arrange the diversion and have no control over where it takes you. We very much appreciate your patience, and please be assured that it is as frustrating for us as it is for you. We wish the bridge a very speedy repair!
Looking for Gift ideas?
Why not choose a Christmas gift this year for your family and friends that they will love and at the same time contribute to our charity?
Our first set of Christmas Vouchers is now available for purchase from our website shop: https://www.theavoncentre.org.uk/shop-1
1) Shetland Session voucher: 45min session with our herd of Shetland ponies (minimum age 4). Cost per one voucher is £15.
2) Horse Simulator voucher: 30min private lesson with a BHS instructor on our horse simulator. Cost per voucher is £35.
3) Hacking Track Hire voucher: for 2024 season, unlimited time, canter track, fields, woodlands, hills, cross country course. Cost per voucher is £15.
(Please note that the vouchers are digital and the frames are an example of how you could choose to print and gift them)
The Golden Spade!
For almost ten years we have been supporting HM Probation Service by hosting a team of volunteers for unpaid work on a Sunday. This month they honoured us by presenting us with a golden spade to mark their 50th Anniversary! Sadly I did not get to keep the spade, but we do have this splendid photo thanks to Paula!
Christmas Cards have arrived!
This year our in house artist (and RDA Coach) Vic has done us some more fabulous Christmas card designs. They are £4 a pack or 3 packs for £10. You can grab them from the office, or order them to collect from the shop section of the website.
Let's get social!
To help us better communicate with our team of volunteers and respond more quickly to queries from the volunteer community we have set up a Facebook group for our current volunteers! If you would like to be a member of our Facebook Group you can join here.
Want to stay up to date?
Several of you have contacted us to say you are not receiving this blog to your inbox anymore. This could be because we haven't written one for a while (sorry), it could be because the mailout is going into your junk, or there could be other technical gremlins at play! To try and help everyone stay up to date we have additional options for you.
You can follow us on Facebook - we will always post the link to this there.
If you are a volunteer (and not on Facebook) you can email Viktorija and she can add you to a mailing list on Better Impact and we can send it out to you.
You can join the Newsletter Membership on EC Pro. With thanks to Cat for the step by step guide below on how to sign up.
1. Log into your EC Pro Account and press "My Account"
2. On your "Welcome to the Avon Centre Dashboard" scroll down until you reach "Clubs/Liveries"
3. Click on "Clubs/Liveries"
4. Click on "Create a New Subscription"
5. Under the drop down choice of "Club" select "Newsletter - £0.00 p/year"
6. Press "Continue"
You should now be subscribed to the Newsletter
Book house finished!
We were pleased to welcome this week a challenge team from ISS. As well as clearing out a space for us to have a shop, they helped build some shelves, fences and finished our book house! It is now set up by the picnic benches so you can come and donate a book you like, or borrow one to take home and read!
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