Radstock & Westfield Big Local help local people to make their community an even better place to live in their 5th Dragons’ Dens style event
The Victoria Hall was a fantastic venue, with the bleacher seating allowing just over one hundred residents a perfect view of the stage. It was awash with excited energy for the fifth Radstock and Westfield Big Local Dragons’ Den style event that took place on Friday 21st April.
Our three kind dragons encouraged the applicants make the most of their 90 second pitch. Grateful thanks to Craig Shaw- CEO of Advetec, Denise White – CFH CRS and Communications Coordinator and Mark Richards- Radco Store Manager for being those special dragons. Dom Chambers from Somer Valley FM led the proceedings and kept us on track with time.
Marlene Morley presented a Big Local update then the pitches began and the egg timer started – 90 seconds doesn’t sound like a long time but you would be surprised at how much information can be shared!
All of our applicants used creative and engaging methods to get their idea across from using model toy cars to acting out a play.
The residents and those who work in the area who made up the audience voted for their favourite five projects they would like to see happen in their community.
Hundreds of votes were counted while we enjoyed some delicious homemade treats created by the SWALLOW team and listened to the delightfully talented Zoe Newton from the acoustic sessions.
The successful applicants were:
The Potting Shed @ Radstock – for some seeds, soil and gardening equipment to engage, support and inspire local residents who suffer from Mental Health issues, isolation, long term illness or Bereavement.
The SWALLOW community café – who give people with learning difficulties the skills and experience required to gain employment. They successfully pitched for a new chiller for the café so they can expand the range of healthy take away lunches they can display and also some new table cloths.
The Lower Writhlington Colliery Batch Fossil Source – can now carry out the much need improvements to the fossil site in Writhlington which is currently overgrown to ensure the Annual Family Fossil Hunt can continue. The hunt is an educational activity for children (Young and older) supervised by a professional geologist which encourages learning about fossils and our SSSI geological past.
Trinity Does DIY SOS – the children from the school successfully pitched to enhance and make safe the outdoor space around the early years school field by installing steps, an outdoor patio and outdoor learning huts.
Radstock Museum – can now remodel the tea room into a 1930’s style railway buffet car to help increase visitors and give a new experience. The window mounted photographs will also be visible from the outside enhancing the exterior.
Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club – will now be able to purchase some new boxing gloves and skipping ropes giving young people the opportunity to take part in the noble art of boxing, build on their fitness, confidence and discipline.
Radstock Juniors Club – can now do more than just the usual cutting and sticking activities as they have secured funds to provide an extended and varied programme of confidence boosting activities for local children affected by learning disabilities.
Swan Community Transport – now have the funding to provide around 60 journeys for local residents who are elderly, frail or disabled in order to get to their medical appointments, buy food and reduce isolation when they meet with friends. This is an essential life line to those who can’t afford or gain access to taxis or public transport.
The Young Actors Group are an enthusiastic bunch supported by the Writhlington-based Confessions of a Youth Theatre Company – they can now develop their skills in script writing, directing and producing through accessing training at professional drama workshops and performances.
The Radstock and Westfield Big Local Team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that attended this very successful Dragons’ Den style event as without you it wouldn’t work! The event is resident led, resident supported and residents will lead and access the projects that won – That’s what Big Local is all about!