The Somerset Region has over 300 members mainly in the Taunton and surrounding areas where most of the fundraising events are held. The Committee is committed to hosting more events across the county not only to recruit more members but to spread the word further afield and to seek those projects where we can help those most.

Over the years the main project spend has been £100,000 to the Taunton Opportunity Group (Spoon House, Taunton), £50,000 to Brainwave, Bridgwater, £40,000 to the National Blind Childrens Association, Highbridge, and £20,000 to Selworthy (disabled) School, Taunton. More recently, £40,000 to Fiveways School, Yeovil, £20,000 to Westhaven School, Weston-Super-Mare, £17,000 to Ups & Downs (Downs Syndrome support group), £15,000 to The Priory School, Taunton, and a large project in the making in conjunction with Somerset County Council in which the Somerset Committee have pledged £40,000. All this together with numerous chunks of £10-15,000 for a wide variety of equipment to help Somerset schools and homes for disadvantaged children has been enabled through the generous support of our First XV Team, stalwart members of this unique charity and all those who attend our functions.

Somerset First XV

The success of the National First XV encouraged the Committee to look into a Regional First XV and the Committee approached local business with gusto to create the Somerset Region’s own. This was fully tried and tested in Somerset, which was a first, and other Regions soon followed to acquire their own First XV Team.

The Somerset’s First XV comprise of local businesses: Wilkie, May & Tuckwood, Clarke Willmott, Formpro, The Sanctuary, The Castle Hotel, Carshop, Limited Edition, Source Financial, Ashfords, Walon, Jelf Group Plc and Viridor.

In return for an investment of £1000 per annum, members of the First XV receive:

• Full and prime advertising and publicity in ALL Regional events
• First option for tickets in ALL Regional events
• First option for two International tickets
• Inclusion in two full page adverts each year in the Limited Edition (Taunton’s glossy)
• Framed certificate of membership with publicity

Alternatively, the Somerset Committee have recently launched “The Bench” where upon for an annual investment of £500 companies are promoted and included in our advertising in ALL Regional events only.

Somerset’s “On the Bench” include: The Queens Arms and Taunton Brewery Company
If you would like further details on how to join the Somerset’s First XV or “The Bench”, please contact David Reed on e-mail Davidreed952@btinternet.com  or 01823 332045

Another first for the Somerset Region is the inaugural launch of The Ladies Dinner. Organised by Carole Stagg, Sally Reed and Judith Richards, 40 ladies sat down to a delicious three course diner at the celebrated Castle Hotel, Taunton, in aid of Spoon. So much did the ladies enjoy themselves, that other similar events have been promised.

So all in all the Somerset Committee are always looking ahead, seeking new ventures, planning new projects, organising special events throughout the county in helping disadvantaged children in the county.