working for the future of Linton
Volt Calendar 2023
The Volt Calendar is again available this year to order. Please email trustees@linton-volt.org.uk to place your order.Featuring local scenes of our beautiful village and countryside, this makes a perfect Christmas gift.
VoLT AGM 2022
Linton Village Hall
7:45 pm Tuesday 18th October
Dear Members of the Linton & Bromsash Community,
The Annual General Meeting of the Village of Linton Trust (VoLT) will take place on Tuesday 18th October at 7.45pm in the Village Hall. All are welcome to attend. If you have any queries or questions, please email us before the day so that we have the opportunity to provide a detailed response.
Over the past 12 months we have been building upon the co-operation of the village organisations including the Village Hall, the Alma and St.Mary’s. Working closely with each to provide a series of events to support the whole village. we have not therefore been as visible as a single charity but still continue to be true to the charities aims.
It is seven years since the then Vicar and Churchwarden called a village meeting to ask for help with the maintenance of the church, in both practical and financial ways. Since then, there have been many changes of people within the village and we thought it would be opportune to ask one of the current church wardens, Dr.Ernst Zillekins to explain some of the financial pressures on the church and how the church finances work. This may give insight into why an organisation like VoLT is required to help with the ongoing maintenance of our historical churches throughout the country.
Should you wish to join, please contact one of the trustees or you can join securely online by clicking https://volt-linton.square.site.
Only members can vote at the AGM. Membership remains at £5 per adult. Even if you don’t wish to join, you are very welcome to attend and listen to the presentation beforehand.
If you a have any questions for the trustees, or Dr Ernst Zillekens, then it would help to have them submitted in advance in order to provide as complete an answer as possible.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the AGM.
Review of the September Souper Lunch
Saturday 18th 12–2pm
We were so pleased to welcome members and non-members to the first VoLT Souper Lunch at Linton Village Hall on Saturday 18th September. At this, first Souper Lunch, we offered a choice of 6 different soups – and wholemeal, sourdough or foccacia bread, – all homemade. Many soups are made with ingredients freshly and locally grown. Plenty of homemade cake and coffee was available as well.
Safety: We want to make sure that we take the greatest care possible when inviting you to take part in our future events. Although the Government has deemed it is safe to not wear masks or socially distance any more, we will be cautious for the safety of everyone. The hall will be well ventilated, and you are welcome to enjoy your soup outside in the Village Hall garden, weather permitting. Or bring your own mug and have a takeaway! Thanks for helping us keep everyone safe.
You can contact us by phone or text on the VoLT Hotline 07521 117608, or email trustees@linton-volt.
Litterpick Many thanks to everyone who continues to pick litter from our hedgerows – it makes a big difference! If you would like to join us in helping to not only clear up litter to make the village a safer place for people and wildlife, please email trustees@linton-volt.org.uk or call 0752 1117 608.
We have some litter pick equipment (includes pickers and hi-vis jackets ) to help you pick safely, so just contact us if you need some stuff!
Newsletters and Communications
We have updated how we communicate with the membership as we now exclusively use Mailchimp when doing whole membership mailings. This provides us with an industry leading secure platform to allow us to produce newsletters, whilst allowing you to know who the communication is from and the opportunity to share it and control your subscription. As a membership organisation we are allowed to communicate with our members directly, but we can also have subscriptions to non-members for newsletters. If you’d like to receive a newsletter, please contact us.
We have just circulated our second occasional newsletter which has more information about VoLT and what we are about. This will also be available to download from the VoLT website.
VoLT Calendars
We would love to have your photos for 2023 calendar, so why not think about taking photos now? We would be interested in anything of the area – maybe details of our village that are so easily overlooked? Just contact us as above with your ideas (we’d love to hear from you) and photos, and have a look at our new website for more images!
Ebay Selling
We have closed entries now for eBay but we have had many items to sell from light bulbs and empty whiskey bottles to an entire collection of vintage clothes – thank you very much for your contributions. We have still got quite a few items to put up for sale and we are working through them. Once we have finished we will review the situation but later in the year we may well run this again so keep an eye out for things you may want us to list.
Previous Events:
Saturday 7th December 2019: Community Litter Pick
At the Spring clean up on the 6th of April 2018, volunteers collected 12 full black bags of rubbish plus sundry items too large for a bag. Since then we have a number of “litter haters” who selflessly go out and collect litter for the community. Roger Davies has filled 8 since the litter pick and we have filled 4 bags (photo 2) with detritus found between Shutton and Jays Green in the last 3 months! It is worth noting that this is not any rubbish, it is M&S rubbish! I know that there are other folk who spontaneously collect litter. Please accept all our thanks who pick in the parish !
We are concerned about everyone’s health and safety at the events and so at forthcoming litter picks
- will issue everyone with hi-vis jackets
- will provide litter pickers, bags and gloves
- would ask that all children are accompanied by an adult
- will ask everyone reads and signs H&S guidance before picking
VoLT is working with Hereford CC to get approved signage installed in litter hot spots around the village, to see if we can dissuade people from dropping litter.
There is a feeling (from litter pickers) that the majority of litter possibly comes from people stopping to eat and drink and who are passing through from the A40 to the M50.
Christmas Auction Night at The Alma
The fifth annual VoLT pre Christmas Auction was held at the Alma on Monday November 25th 2019. Many people came along to enjoy a free supper and to bid on the many and varied lots, which included a flight, taxi ride to an airport, cases of wine, designer handbags, jewellery, a meat hamper, and much more. A fun evening which raised over £1800.
Many thanks to Gemma and Dan for hosting, and to all who donated lots and to everyone who attended for their support.
Saturday 9th March 2019: VoLT ‘Race Night’
A full house enjoyed a fun night of horse racing. New this year was the ‘John Wood Winner Takes it All’ Stakes in memory of the late John Wood. A great time was had by all. Here are some images of the night.
The Annual VoLT Pre Christmas Auction 2018
The fourth annual VoLT pre Christmas Auction was held at the Alma on Monday November 26th 2018. Over 40 people came along to enjoy a free hearty supper of beef stew with crusty bread and to bid on the many and varied lots, which included a day at the Races, top soil, designer handbags, jewellery, a meat hamper, and much more. A fun evening which raised over £2000. Many thanks to Gemma and Dan for hosting, and to all who donated lots and to everyone who attended for their support.
(photos from 2017)
Some of the fantastic items on show before the bidding commenced
Litter Pick on Saturday 17th November 2018
With the verges and hedgerows dying back and revealing more litter, it seemed like a good time to pick litter. Thank you to everyone who helped on the day and those that keep the village tidy on an ongoing basis.
VoLT goes Global; Sunday 19th August
Following the success of last year’s Regional Repast, Village of Linton trust went ‘Global’ with the menu for this year’s annual Summer Get-Together. A sell out crowd arrived at The Alma Inn from 3pm to sample tastes from Scandinavia, Greece, France, China, India, Brazil, The Caribbean and Australia to name but a few.
Christmas Auction
What a fun night this was! On Monday 27th November, Volt held their 3rd Annual Christmas Auction at The Alma Inn. As in previous years, all items were new, and items from brands such as Osprey, Radley, Schaeffer, Tefal, and Joules were on offer. There was a lot of hilarity and some great bargains were snapped up by an enthusiastic crowd. Many thanks to Gemma and Dan for providing hot nibbles and for hosting the event.
Halloween event at The Alma Inn
‘Regional Repast’ Sunday August 6th at The Alma Inn.
The Annual Summer Get-Together this year was on the theme ‘Regional Repast’, and featured much loved foods from around the UK, taking the form of a tea party with music. The weather stayed fine, and the event was sold out. Many thanks to everyone who came and supported this event, and to everyone who made it possible. A very enjoyable afternoon with plenty of delicious food, raffles and a produce stall.
Here are some photos which attempt to capture the wonderful atmosphere of the event.
Menus
Poached Scottish Salmon served on Irish Soda Bread
Mini Cornish Pasty
Lancashire Creamy Cheese served on LancashireOven Bottom Muffin
Cumberland Sausage Roll
Hereford Beef on Scottish Plain Bread
Scotch Egg
Vegan Menu
Cherry Trees Thai Style Fishless Cake
Meat Free Cornish Pasty
Linton Olive Tapenade on Scottish Plain Bread
Meat free Sausage Roll (Cooked in Linton)
Chickpea & Kale Spread on Scottish Bread
Bean Pate
Dessert Menu
Devon Cream Tea/Bakewell Tart/Somerset Apple Cake/Welsh Apple Dragon Scones, and Vegan Desserts
Past Events;
Easter Extravaganza
Surprise eggs
One of the game stalls
‘Race Night’
Many thanks to everyone for supporting this event and raising money for VoLT funds. This was a really fun night with plenty of laughs and excitement in cheering the horses along – in good preparation for the Cheltenham Festival! The sausages and mash were delicious followed by fruit kebabs and cheese and crackers. Finally, some great raffle prizes completed the night. So many winners! Look out for next year- put a date in your diary now!
More photos to follow
Monday 28th November; Christmas Auction at the Alma
Some of the fantastic items on show before the bidding commenced
The bidding starts
The happy auctioneer
This was a great evening of bargain hunting at rock-bottom prices, with 30 lots including quality branded goods such as Radley, Cross, and Bosch. The quality items included fashion watches, DIY tools, children’s toys, festive food and drinks hampers, cases of wine, a Golf Package, a Meal for Two at The Alma and much more. It was certainly nail-biting stuff with some intense bidding for specific items, and there were some great gifts to be had,- some were even opened and enjoyed on the night! A grand total of £1100 was raised. Many thanks to everyone who came along and bid, and especially to Gemma and Dan at The Alma for hosting the event and providing nibbles, as well as a very generous auction lot.
Saturday 29th October; Pumpkin Party and Autumn Fayre 4-6pm at the Alma
Some of the pumpkins after the sale, round the village
The Pumpkin Party & Autumn Fayre held at The Alma Inn on Saturday 29th October was very well attended with many of the little people in fancy dress. Pre-carved pumpkins were on offer and the children’s pumpkin carving competition was judged by Mrs Sandie Von Sommeren. Jams, chutneys and marmalade were on sale, and Liz Denbigh’s home-made toffee apples sold out in minutes! Games for young and old on offer included ‘Vampire Do-nut Bobbing’, ‘Pumpkin Patch Pick’ and ‘Spooky Skittles’. The event raised £525 for VoLT funds.
As part of the Village of Linton Trust Hallowe’en celebrations the suggestion was to ‘Light Up Linton with Lanterns’ and the good people of Linton responded enthusiastically. Pumpkin lanterns were to be seen all over the village – on walls, in hedges, by front doors, on gate posts and when all were lit, it was a magnificent sight to behold. The Village Hall was surrounded by spooky (and some not quite so spooky) faces. The pumpkin lanterns attracted non -residents to come and see. And when all was done and dusted, all the lanterns were sent to a local farm to be enjoyed by the pigs!
Sunday 7th August; Annual Get-Together & Antiques at the Alma
This was a lovely opportunity for everyone to get together and enjoy a delicious lunch in the warm sunshine at the Alma. Many thanks to Howard, Carol and Carole for the salads, pork rolls and puddings, and to Gemma and Dan of the Alma for the use of their beer garden.
This year, everyone was invited to bring along an object to be valued and there was a really interesting supply of vases, jugs, glass, jewellery, dolls, and possibly the oldest – a piece of 4th century Roman glass. All these posed some interesting questions for our antiques experts, – many thanks to Ms. Lin Forward and Mrs. Anne Bailey. Many thanks for providing this service! Here are some photos of the event.
Many thanks to everyone who supported this event – who bought a ticket and a valued object for our knowledgeable experts to view.
The warm pork rolls about to be served
The lunch party
The Buffet Lunch Tent
A valuation
View from the Garden
Raffle Prizes
Carole’s Iced Victoria Sandwich
The Chutney Stall
Members enjoying the lunch
Saturday 12th March ‘Clean for the Queen’
The aim of this nationwide initiative was to collect litter and tidy up the parish, in time for her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday which will officially be celebrated in June. Members of VoLT and First Linton Brownies collected rubbish from the parish lanes, and enjoyed cups of tea in the Village Hall afterwards.
‘Gilbert’s Race Night’ Saturday 5th March
Linton Village Hall
In fond remembrance of Gilbert Van Someren, a founding member and trustee of VoLT, ‘Gilbert’s Race Night’ was held on Saturday 5th March at Linton Village Hall. This was a really fun and exciting evening, from the off, with eight sponsored races to bet on. Thank you so much to our kind and generous sponsors for supporting the races and devising some pretty creative race names! A delicious hot supper three furlings out was much appreciated and kept punters energy levels up and helped everyone stay the distance. The last race on the card, fittingly, was ‘Gilbert’s Gallop’. A great evening; many thanks go to everyone who supported this event, and who donated their time, energy and presence to make this a really lovely way to celebrate and remember Gilbert.
VoLT Auction
Monday 30th November in The Alma
This was a wonderful evening with lots of brand new high quality items across a price range and intended to appeal to all ages. As a taster, the auction items included a Radley handbag, a kingsize double bed, Nespresso coffee maker, television, cases of wine, a meat hamper from a well known local family butcher, power tools, and amazingly a flight in a light aircraft, very generously donated on the night!
This was definitely VoLT’s biggest fund raiser to date, and there was lots of cheering as the tension built, with a fine performance from our auctioneer Bob who has obviously another career ahead of him should he so wish, ably abbetted by Russell.
Thank you to everyone who donated items and who came and bid for them.
Gemma and Dan in The Alma were wonderful hosts for this event, and it was great fun for everyone as hopefully the photos show.
Spooky Hallowe’en Lunch
Saturday 31st October, at 12.30. Tickets £5 Adult and £2.50 Kids
Tickets are available from the Post Office and the Alma Inn from 1st October.
Feel free to dress for the occasion, and to bring your ghoulfriends!