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Today is Tuesday, 6 January, 2009. |
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Ware Festival Charities 2001
The following charities have been chosen by the Ware Festival committee to benefit from the Ware Festival. Money raised from the sale of Ware Week Draw tickets and the collection taken during the procession is distributed to the chosen charities. Some groups also generously donate their profits. The following four causes have been selected as this year's beneficiaries:
East Herts Victim Support
East Herts Victim Support is a charity providing emotional support and practical help to victims of crime in the local area. 25 volunteers cover East Herts and Broxbourne providing free and confidential emotional support, information and practical help to people who have suffered as a result of crime.
They assist with Criminal Injuries Compensation applications and provide witness care in the magistrates and Crown Courts. EHVS have supported approximately 277 victims of crime in the Ware area. Although the Home Office fund the salaries of the Co-ordinator and Scheme Assistant, fund raising is necessary for volunteer expenses and training, as well as office expenses.
EHVS always aim to provide the best care and service to victims of crime, and so are desperate to recruit and train further volunteers.
For more information, please contact: 01992 504137.
C.H.I.P.S
CHIPS - Children's Intergrated Playscheme started as a pilot project of the Social Services in 1994 for children with special needs and their siblings, offering respite care to their parents.
In 1998 the scheme had to apply for charitable status and parents formed a committee to maintain and develop the scheme. The committee includes representatives from Health and Social Services and other friends of CHIPS.
The scheme now has about 150 family members and covers Bishops Stortford, Hertford, Ware and surrounding villages.
CHIPS prides itself on providing a safe, happy and fun environment for all its children. CHIPS provides Summer Playschemes, Saturday Clubs, Sibling Support groups which gives the brothers and sisters of children with special needs the opportunity to meet, as well as Parent Support groups. They provide training for parents and volunteers working in the group.
For more information, please contact: 01920 411915 or 01279 652911
Ware Arts Centre
The Ware Arts Centre was conceived in 1974 and with the help of Ware Town Council, English Heritage and E.H.D.C the idea became a reality the following year. Situated in the Eastern end of the Old Maltings in Kibes Lane, the object is to provide facilities for local people to take part in all forms of the Arts. A lot of work over the years has provided a suite of rooms comprising a small studio/ rehearsal room, two other small rooms and latterly a cowl studio with excellent overhead natural lighting.
Making regular use of the building are Operatic, Dancing, Poetry, Music and Art groups as well as other occasional users. There is also an Art Exhibition on each spring bank holiday weekend. The total annual visitors number well over 10,000.
Being over 100 years old the fabric has worn out and urgent renovations are needed to bring it back to shape, so the Festival donation will be invaluable to this group.
For more information, please contact: 01920 463881 or 01992 467706
ST.Mary The Virgin Parish Church
There has been a church in Ware for well over a thousand years. In 1078 the church and land was given to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Evroul in Normandy, (a connection of which 'St. Evroul Court' in Crib Street is a reminder), and a Priory was built. The church was rebuilt in 1380 under the sponsorship of the Princess of Wales (Joan the Fair Maid of Kent) the wife of the Black Prince and mother of Richard II. Later additions were made in the 15th century by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII. The church was extensively restored in 1848, 1885 & 1905. The extension to the church was built in 1982.
Despite vigorous scheduled maintenance, last year a number of additional serious problems with the Fabric were unearthed. During routine work on the South Aisle roof serious hidden damage to the roof structure and walls was found. Investigations lead us to believe the North Aisle roof is in a similar state. A bulge in the South Transept arch is causing concern and the Church Architect and English Heritage Surveyors feel the wall is in danger of collapse. All this work will cost at least £470,000. Grants have been applied for, but we must still raise a very large sum indeed.
Until the repair work has been completed we regret that we are unable to offer the church as a venue for the many local groups who use it.
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