Youngsters from a Mansfield School enjoyed a residential holiday in the Derbyshire Peak District at Great Hucklow at the end of the school year. Here they participated in all sorts of local activities as well as having fun at the Centre, like learning new board games in the evenings. They said the food was wonderful! 

Vivienne Brown, Trustee of Blake's Charity presents a cheque to Lynn Farebrother of NIDAS towards weekly activity sessions for youngsters in the Mansfield area to build their confidence and self-esteem. 

Blake's Charity is  making a difference

"It's good to reflect on the help and support given to 8th Mansfield by Blake's Charity. Their financial support has been essential in re-establishing the Group. Blake's should be justly proud of what they have achieved with  upwards of 55 young people now involved with an organisation that I hold dear as a good influence on the development of young people."

Quote from Valerie Severn   07909 798656

Group Scout Leader 

Chatteris Guiding Association

"Thank you for the £1000 donation given to Chatteris Guiding Association. We have five active groups and this donation will benefit our activities like the District Campfire."

Linda Tilbrook     District Commissioner

Special thanks from “Think Children“

"A cheque for £1,000 was presented by Jean Moulson (left), a Trustee of The James Henry Blake’s charity, to Think Children’s Wendy Walton-Towle. The money will go towards helping primary school children in Mansfield who are being affected by emerging emotional, social and behavioural issues. We are extremely grateful to the James Henry Blake Charity for their support."

From the Newsletter of 'Think Children.'

Beech Academy Visit The Snow Dome

Following a Rotary Children of Courage Lunch when one of the Trustees met the deputy head from Beech Academy and its worthy recipient of a Courage Award, Michael Page and Viv Brown from Blake's Charity were invited to look around the school and meet staff and pupils.

The school offers a rich curriculum and a wide range of activities to enhance confidence and self esteem in the pupils. In the summer term, Michael Beeley and Viv Brown presented the school with a donation to assist more youngsters to attend an end of term visit.

 Charity Helps Holiday Plans

Having fun on the slopes

Taken from the Newsletter for Beech Academy-part of the Evolve Trust in Mansfield.

"In December there was a Beech Academy first. A full coach load of students visited the Snowdome in Tamworth thanks to the incredibly kind donation of £1100 from Blake's Charity. The students were so excited to be given the opportunity to take part in skiing (which was the first time for many) or take part in a range of snow games like tobogganing or snow balling. It is fair to say that a fantastic time was had by all and spirits were very high indeed when all returned safely, after singing Christmas carols and songs on the bus journey home. 

Blake's supports Annual Camp

       The Charity Helps School Holiday Plans

The James Henry Blake Charity made a donation towards two residential holidays in Keswick and Rand Farm Park planned by Asquith Primary School for the summer of 2020.  

Following a tour around the Mansfield school led by members of the School Council and Corinna Brown, the trustees heard during an assembly how much the children were looking forward to the holidays.

Trustees Michael Beeley and Vivienne Brown are pictured with head teacher Clare Harding  and  some members of the School Council.

Chatteris Mayor Nominates Army Cadet Force

Following a nomination by the Mayor of Chatteris, Linda Ashley, the Trustees of Blake's Charity were delighted to award funding to the local ACF. The army cadets have opportunities to plan and take part in a wide range of activities at their weekly meetings and work towards awards like D of E as well as joining in with annual events within the town. This donation will support their own recent fund-raising in order to attend a UK summer camp and support several members to participate in visits to Europe, including the 2020 Dunkirk Commemoration.

Donation to "Think Children" 

A cheque for £1,000 was very gratefully received by the Think Children Charity from The James Henry Blake Charity. The money will go towards helping primary school children in the Mansfield area struggling to cope emotionally with the situations they are facing. The money is even more important in these very strange and challenging times as it will enable children to easily access the vital early support they need, helping them to build strategies which will enable them to cope better and achieve positive mental health. Wendy Walton-Towle the Development Manager at Think Children would like to say, “A big thank you to the trustees for their wonderful support”.

  Send A Child To Hucklow

                Charity

For sixty years, this charity has been arranging and administering holidays at the Nightingdale Centre for thousands of children to enjoy holidays in the Derbyshire countryside. Blakes Trustee, Vivienne Brown was pleased to attend a celebration at the Old Meeting House Mansfield to mark this remarkable achievement. 

A huge

Thank You

 to all at Blake's Charity for your very kind and generous donation.

We had an amazing time at Robinwood Activity Centre

“Nottinghamshire Scouts have recently been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent to a MBE.  It is due, in no short measure to the generous donations such as yours over the years, which have allowed us to develop the Scout Group and put on the programmes and activities which has helped us gain the award. 

 The Group are extremely proud that three Explorer Scouts have gained their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award with three more not far behind.

   I think Blake’s Charity should be justly proud of their support for 8th Mansfield Scout Group.”

Valerie Severn

Group Scout Leader.

  Well Done TO YOU                   All

                          The Walesby Holiday

    At Walesby the children took part in a variety of activities that included: 3G swing, crate stacking, archery, indoor climbing, zip wire, water rafting, canoeing, sailing and they completed an assault course. The first evening they joined some other schools for a campfire and sang traditional campfire songs. The second evening we had a disco where others joined us. Every night we had hot chocolate and we played lots of outside games.

"It was exciting and really fun. We got to do so many things, I would not have got chance to do, back at home. It was fun being with my friends as well. My favourite part was the 3G swing, because you got to                                   really high!”

     Thank you once again for the generous donation - our children all had a wonderful time  on these trips and really benefitted from the                                       experiences.

Action Packed Days .....

              So Many Happy Holiday Memories 

A cheque for £2,000 was presented recently to Year 4 Teacher Caroline Eady and Head-Teacher James Marshall at St. Peter’s C of E Primary and  Academy Mansfield by the Trustees of James Henry Blake Charity to enable pupils to attend a ‘Back to Nature’ trip at Wollaton Park Adventure Club. The Charity was set up over one hundred years ago by James Henry Blake, a former Mayor of Mansfield, specifically to benefit children in deprived areas of Mansfield. Times change but many Mansfield people will recall the name Blake from the Blake and Beeley’s hardware store on Church Street Mansfield. James Henry Blake was a regular worshipper at St. Peter’s Church, Mansfield, where there is a window dedicated to his memory. Caroline Eady gave heartfelt thanks to the Trustees, Jean Moulson and Vivienne Brown.

 Chair of Governors, Christine Bacon, reiterated the school's appreciation saying this educational trip will benefit the children enormously and give them opportunities they may not otherwise experience.

In June 2023 the Trustees received news and thanks for the visit of the children.

"Without your contribution, the experience would have been out of reach for many of our children.They have been given some fabulous memories to take forward in their lives as well as develop new life skills like washing up after themselves and cleaning their tents."

Caroline Eady Class Teacher

Support For the Work of the  J.H.Blake Charity

During the past year, the Charity had received three donations. One had been 

in memory of a local social worker with the foster service, from her family and friends. 

A second was a collection following the excellent SSPC Show for schools, singers and dance troups at the Palace Theatre. Stephen Glover, the promoter, had told the audience all about the James Henry Blake Charity during the show and it was wonderful to see what talented youngsters there are around the town.

Finally, the trustees were delighted to receive a donation from a local charity to enable more funding to be given in support of holidays for youngsters in the area.

Thanks for 

your Support

It certainly was a holiday to remember for the Boys' Brigade when they set off for a week's camp in a farmer's field at Briggflats, an event that has been run for many years by its dedicated leaders from St Mark's Church.

After an eventful journey with the threat of severe weather and in a borrowed mini-bus, which actually packed up near Scotch Corner, finally the marquee and tents were pitched in a stiff breeze and the well- planned activities could begin. Good weather lasted all week apart from when it was time to pack up!

With visits to Kendal and its swimming baths and a walk up to Fox's Pulpit, where George Fox had preached to over 1000 people another day, Wednesday's highlight was a cruise on Lake Coniston where the youngsters learned about Donald Campbell's attempt on the world water speed record and how famous childrens' films had been made nearby.

Thursday meant a "scramble" to the top of "High St" for the more experienced walkers where the clear views were breathtaking, followed by a downward route along the Roman road towards Penrith past the Mardale Valley.

The final hot day was spent at Blackpool with the many attractions of the Pleasure Beach and Promenade to be enjoyed by the young and young-at-heart, including sitting in a Mk9 Spitfire.

This camp, surrounded by sheep and rolling hills, is no luxury site, but the boys took great pride in keeping everything in tidy order. With good cooked food, opportunities for archery, star- gazing and a sing-song in the evening, the leaders felt sure this experience would have a significant influence on the life-skills of the young people and be a lasting memory for years to come. Blakes' Trustees are looking forward to the Awards Night photo presentation in November and a chance to meet all who went. 

From a report by John Irons (Capt)

Blakes Charity was delighted to support the visit by a panto group to the Flying High Ladybrook Academy in December 2023. 

After chatting to members of the school council, two trustees enjoyed watching one of the excellent performances of “Sleeping Beauty” in the school hall, when the children were totally absorbed by watching a live performance, a new experience for many of the 420 children in the school. 

Thanks to a generous donation from the James Henry Blake Charity, Inspire and Achieve Foundation were able to take young people aged 16-18 on an action packed break as part of the Princes's Trust Team programme delivered in Mansfield. 

During this residential trip, our young people were able to participate in various activites including archery, zip lines, pedal karting, axe throwing and Via Ferrata. Wrapping around these exciting activiites, young people enjoyed bonding as a group; cooking and sharing meals and stories around a campfire, playing board games and challenging one another at karaoke. 

Despite the rain, this time away was a welcome break for young people facing a range of barriers such as poor mental health and learning difficulties. We loved to see these young people make new friends, be independent and push outside of their comfort zones with new activites and experiences to boost their self-esteem and confidence. 

Christina Turner, The Inspire & Achieve Foundation 

Y4 had a fabulous time at Hathersage and would like to say a heartfelt 'thank you' to the James Henry Blake Charity for their generous donation. This helped make the trip more affordable during a time when the cost of living is at an all time high.

The children need these opportunities to further develop Independence and also experience activities that are often new to many of the children. Again, thank you for your help - it is certainly appreciated.       

Kerry Chadburn, Head Teacher

Members of the 2nd Chatteris Scouts display their group banner at a recent event. The donation enabled the scouts to take part in various new activities, including some support for a Day Out at a nearby Ski Dome.

Learning to sail was great fun for some cubs from the 8th Mansfield St Lawrence Scout Group. The group enjoy a wide variety of activities to enhance their personal and social development.