* Pictured above Class Teacher, Leanne Davies, Mike Pengelly - Regional Manager, Diane of the Talgarth Store and Erin O'Mahon - Area Manager
FYI Talgarth joined children, parents, carers and staff during Class Assembly in school last week to see what the children in the Infant Classes had been up to. Joining them that morning was local Co-op Team Manager Diane James of the Talgarth store.
Diane was invited to the assembly to see the new 'Incredible Years' puppets, recently purchased by the Friends of Talgarth School, and only made possible by a wonderful donation of £700 and a further donation by Mr Brian Cargill of Harvey Shop Fitters Ltd during the shops recent refit of £250, also made the purchase possible.
Diane who raises money locally donating to many local causes gave the impromptu donation after a feedback session to the staff who's store have been featuring the 'The Friends of Talgarth School' as part of its 'Community Fund Programme'.
The Puppets used during 'teaching and well being sessions' for children include 'Dina the Dinosaur and Mollie and Wally', hand-made in America they are a vital part of a teacher-led programme to help children talk about issues in class. Aided by the puppets the youngsters are able to talk through class-led discussions with their peers and is part of a full programme in which Infant teacher Leanne Davies of Talgarth Primary has been fully trained.
Unbeknown to Diane, she was also being joined that day by Jacky Savage Regional Trainer for the Food Division and Store Manager Christopher Gunning. Dianne who's charitable work has been fully supported by the Co-op so impressed her Team Managers was about to get a huge surprise. After an introduction to the assembled audience by Class Teacher Leanne Davies and Ann Dierikx of the Friends, Diane was asked to come forward and was surprised by Regional Manager - Mike Pengelly and Area Manager - Erin O'Mahon who presented her with a bottle of bubbly and bouquet of flowers.
The Friends were extremely grateful of the donations which gave a massive boost to funds and are very grateful to the support of the local Co-op Store. The charity has recently been in receipt of £1,400 rises by residents swiping their membership cards. As a member, every time a swipe is made during a shop at Co-op, 1% of the spend on selected own-brand products and services goes to the Co-op Local Community Fund.
Co-op members have helped raise over £14 million for local causes and as well as sales from carrier bags, supports projects supported from in and around the local community.
The children and staff seem delighted with the donation and purchase of the puppets. Miss Sam Toone, Acting Head expressed her gratitude to the Co-op team and to Dianne and further reiterated the necessity of support for the Friends Charity in supplementing today's difficult budget decisions faced by education in current times of Austerity. The School which will soon close along with Bronllys Primary School, to re-open is September as 'Ysgol y Mynydd Du', operating on two sites until they move to the brand new building currently being built on outskirts of the Town. The new Friends is already formed for the new school by amalgamating current members of both School PTA associations and thanks the local community for it's huge support.
For more information of the Co-op Community Fund and how to support your local charities : https://www.coop.co.uk/membership or talk to a staff member in store.
Pictured below, Diane is joined by Jacky Savage- Regional Trainer, Christopher Gunning - Store Manager and the Friends of Talgarth School
Dianne is surprised with bubbly and flowers by the Co-op Management Team
The School Friends shown recently receiving the £250 donation from Mr Brian Cargill of Harvey Shop Fitters Ltd after the recent opening of the new store
Talgarth School has recently benefited from a £1,400 donation as part of the Co-op Community Fund Programme, pictured Christopher Gunning Store Manager and Acting Head of Bronllys and Talgarth Schools Sam Toone
More stories