Seven-year-old’s fundraiser in memory of grandmas

Seven-year-old’s fundraiser in memory of grandmas

A kind-hearted youngster from Upper Tysoe has turned a painful accident into a fundraising opportunity in memory of his two grandmothers who died this year.

Seven-year-old Bob Carroll has already raised more than £130 for Shipston Home Nursing by charging his friends and family to sign his plaster cast after breaking his ankle whilst trampolining.

Bob has been left wheelchair-bound and in plaster following the accident at home last week.

Since his mum Jo helped him set up a JustGiving page this week, the donations have been rolling in.

Bob, who also suffered the loss of his other grandmother from cancer in April, said: “I’m really pleased that I’ve raised such a lot of money for charity. My mum and dad are very proud of me and I’ve been very brave, because it hurt a lot.”

Shipton Home Nursing care for terminally ill people who wish to be nursed at home. Their service is run by a team of qualified nurses, specialising in palliative care and is completely funded by charity donations.

Jo Carroll, who has named two of the lodges at her Winchcombe Farm Holiday retreat after her sons Bob and Will, added: “Shipston Home Nursing were our lifeline when my mum was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and died just eight weeks later. They are truly amazing people – for all that they do and the difference that they make.

“We are thrilled that Bob has managed to raise money for them and hope that there will be many more donations to follow. We have special pens so you can choose to write your name in either gold, silver or bronze and if you can’t come and sign his cast personally, you can note the name you would like to add in comments box on the JustGiving page and Bob’s daddy will add it for you- and we’ll send you a photo!”

Visit here

More information about Shipston Home Nursing can be found here

Further information about Winchcombe Farm can be found here

Review: A simply beautiful show

Review: A simply beautiful show

Beautiful - Carole King The Musical,Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

It makes a refreshing change for the life and works of a songwriter to be celebrated in a musical, rather than solely a singer or band.

And it’s soon apparent just how much there is to celebrate when it comes to Carole King – an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent – and, quite frankly, mind blowing back catalogue of hits.

Following her first number one hit at the age of 17 with Will You Love Me Tomorrow? King – with lyricist Gerry Goffin, played by Tom Milner – has become part of music legend. Cue the Belgrade Theatre’s sensational musical journey through such greats as Take Good Care of My Baby (Bobby Vee in 1961); The Locomotion (Little Eva 1962); Up On The Roof (The Drifters 1962); Chains (The Cookies 1962, The Beatles 1961); One Fine Day (The Chiffons 1963); I’m Into Something Good (Herman’s Hermits 1964) and Don’t Bring Me Down (The Animals 1966).

Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit song-writing team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

The takes us back to the heart of King’s landmark 1971 album Tapestry, which won a string of plaudits and remained the best-selling album by a female artist for a quarter of a century.

Molly-Grace Cutler (The Worst Witch) steps into the huge shoes of this enormously talented musical icon with aplomb. Cutler and Milner (Waterloo Road) bring something extremely special to the Coventry opening night audience with their on-stage partnership, more than ably assisted by Seren Sandham-Davies and Jos Slovick, as fellow prolific songwriters of the time Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.

At the centre of this talented troupe of versatile musicians, it’s Cutler’s raw and distinctive vocals that most impress. Look out for more of her in the future.

Beautiful – tour – 2022 Production photos taken on the 28th February 2022, at Curve Theatre Leicester, Directed by Nikolai Foster

Don’t be put off if, like me, if you had little prior knowledge of King’s career. You’re familiar with far more of her hits than you realise and will be singing them all the way home.

If you’re hankering after something uplifting as the autumn nights draw in, I can’t recommend this one enough. Grab your ticket and be part of one of the most enjoyable two hours of live entertainment you’ll have for some time.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical plays at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre until Saturday. Tickets can be booked via: https://www.belgrade.co.uk/