Event raises funds for Much Wenlock Community First Responders

A community event raised £150 for the Much Wenlock Community First Responders after a county business nominated the life-saving service as its charity of the year.

Madeleys Chartered Surveyors raised money at the official launch event of their new website, which was held in the Priory Hall last month.

The event was held on the anniversary of a Grand Bazaar held in Much Wenlock in 1856 that attracted hundreds of guests and raised money for the building of a working men’s reading room at the town Corn Exchange.

Charis Denham, of Madeleys Chartered Surveyors, said: “We couldn’t match the turnout of the Grand Bazaar but we did welcome more than 60 people to the event and raised £150 for the Community First Responders selling raffle tickets.

“The prizes had been donated by ourselves and local businesses and we are very grateful to all that donated.

“The event was to officially launch our new website and we put on drinks and a buffet and welcomed the community along.”

During the 1856 Grand Bazaar the basement floor of the Corn Exchange displayed agricultural equipment – including a diagonal harrow made by William’s of Derby and a champion plough made by Howard’s of Bedford.

At the launch event on October 22 the agricultural display was provided by Mr D Harper of J.B Harper & Son, Morrells Wood Farm, Leighton, and included a collection of agricultural bygones and equipment.

Paul Madeley, director at Madeleys Chartered Surveyors, showed Mayor Councillor Yvonne Holyoak around the display during the event, which was open to the local community as well as clients and local landowners and farmers.

First Responder Robin Bennett was also there on the night and demonstrated CPR to guests as well as talking to them about the role of a First Responder, including the use of a defibrillator.

Mr Madeley said: “The First Responders are so important in rural communities and we are really happy to support them.

“The team have decided that the Much Wenlock Community First Responders will be our charity of the year and we look forward to raising more money for them into 2016.”