Business chips in to make the Valley special

Recently I was delighted to attend an event to thank businesses for their support of the events and activities organised by the Chew Magna Society, just one of many groups of village volunteers who give generously of their time and create a great community spirit throughout the Valley.

The gathering was held in the Wine Rooms, which is one of our members, and I was delighted to see a good number of other members, who have been regular purchasers of Easter Ducks and Christmas Stars, helping the Society to fund their much valued work.

It was a reminder to me of just how important business is to the life of the Chew Valley. Our members provide a very wide range of goods and services, as illustrated in the leaflet we have produced and which are widely available. It means you can often find a personal service to deliver what you are looking for without going onto the internet or driving further afield. Even more businesses are opening up, providing a wider range of jobs, allowing those who wish to continue to live and work in the area in which they were brought up to do so.

But they also do so much more than simply run their businesses. They are truly part of the local community and support financially and in other ways the many activities and good causes that make this place so special.

Whether it’s a local show, a fete, a 10k, a ploughing match or a beer festival there will usually be a business chipping in to help make it happen, supporting the often unsung work of the volunteers who consistently put their shoulders to the wheel.

When people talk about the lifestyle of the Chew Valley, which so many people want to come and share, this is what it means. Everyone doing what they can to support one another. Businesses providing jobs, goods and services and supporting local causes and Residents volunteering and making use of what’s on offer, helping generate a strong and sustainable local economy and doing their bit to keep village traditions going.

It really is a winning combination when we all work together and I am confident that by doing that, we can withstand whatever national and international economic winds may bring.