http://www.thelivingtree.org.uk/

The Living Tree Cancer Support Group, Bridport (2026)

02/06/2026

We had a really interesting drop-in last Friday, with a talk from Penny Saunders from the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation. Penny has visited us several times over the years and it is always lovely to see her. She reminded us about the fantastic work of the DCCF, who can assist those who are struggling financially as a result of cancer treatment affecting themselves or a close family member. Their website www.dccf.co.uk gives a lot of information on how they can help, including the application form if someone is keen to apply for a financial award. Contact details are also on their leaflets which we have copies of at Drop-in.
Please join us this Friday, 5th June for 1pm MINDFULNESS with Caroline Hoffman - all welcome, no prior booking or experience required, followed by 2.15pm TRIPUDIO then 2.30pm SINGING FOR HEALTH 🎵 with Jane Silver-Corren and 3.30pm TAI CHI & QI GONG with Marie Carty. Everyone is welcome to join in or to just come along for tea & chat. Our Friday drop-in activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.

BRIPORT FOOD FESTIVAL 🌮 - OUTREACH STAND
The Living Tree will be attending the Bridport Food Festival on Saturday 13th June and will be located in Bridport Town Council's marquee. Living Tree members who are interested in volunteering to help out during the day and at other outreach events would be most welcome. Please contact via the Living Tree email [email protected] or 07341 916976 if you are able to support us. You can then be included in the rota.

SOUNDBATH ☯
The Living Tree will be holding another Soundbath session on Sunday 5th July at St Mary’s Church House next to the church in South Street, Bridport. We will assemble at 10am for a 10:30 start. Please bring yoga mat (or similar), small pillow and blanket. Water will be available or bring your own. Jane Saunders will facilitate this relaxing morning. If interested, please contact Ann Jeffrey on [email protected] or 07341 916976 to book your place.

Thank you to Megan Johnson, who brought along a wonderful selection of homemade sweat treats for us at table tennis this week. Table tennis takes place at Salwayash Village Hall, 10-11.30am on Mondays 🏓. Come and have some treats and a few games - everyone welcome! View all our regular activities at https://www.thelivingtree.org.uk/whats-on/

And finally, some pictures from our Amble last week around Jellyfields Nature Reserve in Walditch, finishing with refreshments at the top of Jo and Tom's garden. Lovely! 🥾☕

26/05/2026

There were 14 of us on Bank Holiday Monday at table tennis in Salwayash Village Hall as our lovely friends from Stepping Out joined us again. It’s becoming a bank holiday special session! We sat in the shade for a well earned chat and break - goodness it was hot! ☀🏓

We are planning to Amble this Thursday, 28th May. All welcome, however if the current extremely hot weather continues it will be a short, shady walk, with an earlier start. We will meet at Jellyfields Nature Reserve on Lower Walditch Lane at 9am. Message Jo C on 07908 158168 for further details.
We have a couple more pictures for you to enjoy from our Amble last month at Mapperton Estate.

On a very hot Friday, it was perhaps not surprising that attendance at the Drop-in was a little muted. But those present enjoyed a convivial afternoon facing up to Richard's art challenge, copying or interpreting sketches drawn from a book full of examples of pencil drawings of animals, both small and large. As our attempts progressed, there was much humour from the encouraging comments or raised eyebrows of the participants 🤨
We were also delighted that Roz Copson handed over a cheque for £50 from the Trustees of Bridport Charities, raised as proceeds of an auction of donated paintings. Our very grateful thanks to the Trustees.
Please join us this Friday, 29th May for 1pm MINDFULNESS with Caroline Hoffman - all welcome, no prior booking or experience required, followed by 2.15pm TRIPUDIO and then at 2.30pm PENNY SAUNDERS from Dorset Cancer Care Foundation will explain about how the charity was founded and how they help people who may be struggling financially whilst undergoing cancer treatment. Everyone is welcome to join in or to just come along for tea & chat. Our Friday drop-in activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.

We always have a wonderful selection of healthy snacks on offer at our Allotment, with many of them home made. We meet at St. Cecilia's Gardens opposite St Catherine’s School every Wednesday between 10am and 12 noon - the plots by the river. All welcome! 🌱

19/05/2026

We were delighted to attend the excellent Bridport Community Charter Fair on Saturday with an Outreach Stall to spread the word about our work and support that we offer. Thank you to everyone who helped with the stall.

FRIDAY DROP-IN ☕🍰
Thank you to Amy Ralph from Abbey Farm, Abbotsbury who once again showed us what their cutting garden offers at this time of year and shared some tricks of the trade for our own gardens at last Friday's well attended Drop-in session.
Please join us this Friday, 22nd May for 1pm YOGA with Nadiya Wynn, Restorative Being, Yoga and Mindfulness, 🧘‍♀️* followed by 2.15pm Tripudio and then 2.30-4pm ART WITH RICHARD GHOST 🎨 (all materials supplied), or simply come along for tea and chat. Everyone is welcome to Drop-in and activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.
* contact Nadiya at [email protected]/07800 712998 if you are attending for the first time & bring along a yoga mat and blanket.

AMBLE 🥾
We enjoyed a shower-dodging Amble last Wednesday, meeting at the Leisure Centre and walking to Eype Church to admire the new exhibition. Then down to West Bay for some refreshments (pain au raison being very popular) and, to avoid another shower, we walked back through the fields and by the river.
The next Amble is Thursday, 28th May, all welcome - email Jo C for details at [email protected] or WhatsApp her on 07908 158168.

12/05/2026

At last Friday Drop-in, we had an educational afternoon with Mags Chue who gave a lesson in finger spelling from British Sign Language. This broadened into a more general discussion about hearing loss and those who are hard of hearing and how to communicate with them. Thanks to Mags for a most informative and fun afternoon 👌🏻. Thanks also to Jo Millar who brought along some celebratory cakes for David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, including chocolate animal shaped biscuits! 🐘
Please join us this Friday, 15th May for 1pm MINDFULNESS with Caroline Hoffman - all welcome, no prior booking or experience required, followed by 2.15pm TRIPUDIO then at 2.30pm the ever popular Amy Ralph from Abbey Farm, Flowers will show us what their cutting garden offers in May and share some tricks of the trade for your own garden 💐. No TAI CHI & QI GONG this week. Everyone is welcome to join in or to just come along for tea & chat. Our Friday drop-in activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.

AMBLE 🥾
Our next Amble is tomorrow, Wednesday 13th May at 10am from Bridport Leisure Centre. Plenty of parking, and we’ll walk to West Bay. We hope to avoid the rain, but come prepared with sunblock/raincoat! Please email Jo C for more details at [email protected] or WhatsApp her on 07908 158168.

WHIST DRIVE ♦
Our Friday evening Whist Drive was very well supported, with special thanks to Angela Addis (wife of Chris Addis - Trustee) who provided tasty cakes for half time. Thanks also to those who donated a fine selection of raffle prizes. All surplus monies from the event are donated to the LT. For further information, contact Tan on 07528 189815 or Denise on 07774 660645.

And once again, we had a wonderful gathering at our Allotment on Wednesday. Always a joyful event 🌱

05/05/2026

At last Friday Drop-in, an enthusiastic group was treated to singing with Jane Silver-Coren. Everyone particularly remembered Sandy Shaw singing Puppet on a String and wholeheartedly joined in.
Please join us this Friday, 8th May for 1pm YOGA with Nadiya Wynn, 🧘‍♀️* followed by 2.15pm Tripudio and then 2.30-4pm MAGS CHUE - FINGER SPELLING, a simplified form of British Sign Language using the BSL manual alphabet. This has proved to be a very popular session in the past. Everyone is welcome to Drop-in and activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.
* contact Nadiya at [email protected]/07800 712998 if you are attending for the first time & bring along a yoga mat and blanket.

AMBLE 🥾
Last week, we enjoyed a morning amble at Mapperton. We started with some drizzle and an uphill climb before descending to the lush trails around the estate, by which time the sun was shining on the prolific wildflowers and birdsong. We walked about three miles, amiably chatting and taking in the lovely surroundings including a beaver enclosure. This was followed by a refreshment stop at the cafe at Mapperton. Thank you to all who came - the next Amble is Wednesday, 13th May, all welcome. Contact Jo C on 07908 158168 for details.

WHIST DRIVE ♦ - 2nd Friday of each month
Next Event – THIS FRIDAY, 8th May
At St Swithun’s Church Hall, North Allington, Bridport.
You do not need a partner! Prizes for high-card points and great raffle prizes too. Proceeds go towards the running of the Whist Drive with any surplus monies donated to The Living Tree. All details on the attached poster.
CONTACT: Tan on 07528 189815 or Denise on 07774 660645.

OUTREACH EVENTS 📢
Trustee Marion Roberts is looking for more volunteers to join the Outreach WhatsApp group to cover our stall at various events throughout the year. If you can offer your service, please let us know on 07341 916976 or [email protected], or speak a Trustee at Friday Drop-in or other sessions.

WHAT'S ON 🏓🏊🏻‍♀️🌱
Social table tennis at Bridport Leisure Centre in the Rugby Pavilion runs from 10:30am-12pm every Friday. All abilities are welcome, bats and balls are supplied, just bring your enthusiasm. See all our regular group activities at www.thelivingtree.org.uk/whats-on/. Everyone is welcome - just turn up.

And finally, despite a broken hip, LT stalwart Roz insists on helping at our Allotment on Wednesdays with a smile on her face. What a trooper! 😇

28/04/2026

WORLD TAI CHI DAY ☯
On Saturday at 10am, four of our LT Tai Chi group joined Marie's Lyme Regis classes, making 18 of us in all, to celebrate World Tai Chi Day in the sunshine. We met at Lambert's Castle near Marshwood and did our best to follow the form, in a bigger group, along with Marie. We made new friends and it was a great experience to share with everyone. Afterwards, many of us went on to a cafe for coffee and cakes and shared conversation.

Thank you to Chris who ran an art workshop at Drop-in last Friday, helping us to create some delicate monochrome leaves-within-interlaced-ribbons patterns using black fine-point pens. We all loved the results! 🖊
Please join us this Friday, 1st May for 1pm MINDFULNESS with Caroline Hoffman - all welcome, no prior booking or experience required, followed by 2.15pm TRIPUDIO then 2.30pm SINGING FOR HEALTH 🎵 with Jane Silver-Corren and 3.30pm TAI CHI & QI GONG with Marie Carty. Everyone is welcome to join in or to just come along for tea & chat. Our Friday drop-in activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.

DCH ONLINE CANCER WORKSHOPS
These workshops are offered via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to join please email [email protected]
The next online therapeutic workshop offered by the cancer services team at Dorset County Hospital is:
Anxiety Workshop – Wednesday 6th May, 9.30-11am
We will explore what anxiety is and the impact it has on our body. We will then learn some ways to cope with anxiety.
Find out more at https://dchft.nhs.uk/leaflets/online-therapeutic-support-workshops-for-people-affected-by-cancer/

KATRINA'S MACMILLAN FUNDRAISER ⛰
Jo Millar's daughter Katrina continues to crowdfund for Macmillan Cancer Support with her trek to Machu Picchu in September. You can show your support for her biggest challenge yet at https://www.justgiving.com/page/katrina-millar-1

AMBLE 🥾
A few more pictures from our recent bluebells Amble at Lambert’s Castle & Coney’s Castle, both Iron Age hill forts dating back 2500 years. Our next Amble (after today's) is on Monday 13th May. All are welcome (including well behaved dogs 🐾). Please email Jo C for more details at [email protected] or WhatsApp her on 07908 158168.

WHIST DRIVE - coming up on Friday 8th May (not 15th, as mentioned in the newsletter). See poster attached and full details in next week's posting.

21/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM last week and to our guest speaker Dr Peter Hewett from The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust who gave an update on their fabulous work and led discussions on how we can support them.
Please join us this Friday, 24th April for 1pm YOGA with Nadiya Wynn, Restorative Being, Yoga and Mindfulness 🧘‍♀️* followed by 2.15pm Tripudio and then 2.30-4pm ART WITH CHRIS 🎨 who is kindly stepping in for Libby once again. Please bring along any black fine liner pens or markers that you may have. Everyone is welcome to Drop-in and activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.
* contact Nadiya at [email protected]/07800 712998 if you are attending for the first time & bring along a yoga mat and blanket.

BRIDPORT CHORAL SOCIETY SPRING CONCERT 🎶
Bridport Choral Society is holding a Spring Concert on Saturday 9th May, 7.30pm at Bridport United Church and has very kindly nominated The Living Tree as the beneficiary of the retiring collection. 'Spring Chorus' will include the usual mix of classic pop tunes from the 60's through to the 2000's plus some Mozart and a medley from Phantom. Refreshments available at the interval. Everyone is welcome! Tickets £15 (under 16's go free), available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre, online at https://bridportandwestbay.co.uk/product/bridport-choral-society-spring-chorus-saturday-09-may/ or on the door.

AMBLES 🥾
We enjoyed a wonderful spring walk through the Coney Castle bluebells last week. Our next Amble is next Tuesday, 28th April. All are welcome. Please email Jo C for more details at [email protected] or WhatsApp her on 07908 158168.

Our Allotment is in full spring bloom 🌺 We meet at St. Cecilia's Gardens opposite St Catherine’s School every Wednesday between 10am and 12 noon - the plots by the river. All welcome! 🌱

14/04/2026

AGM
We will be holding The Living Tree AGM this Friday, 17th April at 2pm in the Friends' Meeting House, Bridport. Everyone is welcome (although only Members can vote). Accompanied by tea, cake and refreshments with guest speakers Claire Fender and Sarah Eaby talking about their “FOREST BATHING” during the afternoon.
Please note: No Drop-in activities are scheduled for AGM day. Help with serving and clearing the refreshments during the afternoon would be gratefully welcomed.

At last Friday Drop-in, Living Tree Trustee Tandy Watson ran a highly enjoyable and fun creative writing/recital workshop, demonstrating some pre-recital physical exercises to warm us up, after which we produced some Acrostics for reciting to the the rest of the attendees.

AMBLES 🥾
Dates for your diary for the next couple of months, subject to weather -
THIS Thursday 16th April
Tuesday 28th April
Monday 13th May
Tuesday 28th May
All are welcome to join us on our Ambles. Please email Jo for more details on how to join at [email protected] or WhatsApp on 07908 158168.
Jo & Tom Corban

Down at our Allotment, the hard work put into planting and cultivating is always accompanied by delicious, often homemade, treats as well as birthdays being celebrated. Even the little robin was impressed!

07/04/2026

We hope that all our friends and followers have enjoyed a lovely Easter break. We also took a break from Friday Drop-in, however Monday Table Tennis at Salwayash Village Hall was in full flow with our numbers bolstered by four guests from Stepping Out. Thank you to John Johnson for the pictures and his wife Megan for the regular cakes and goodies 🙏

Please join us this Friday, 10th April for 1pm YOGA with Nadiya Wynn, Restorative Being, Yoga and Mindfulness 🧘‍♀️* followed by 2.15pm Tripudio and then 2.30-4pm DRAMA AND POETRY WORKSHOP 📖 with Tandy Watson, taking a lighthearted look at the spoken and printed word by others and hopefully by us, as well. Getting creative in tried and tested and some more unusual ways! Or simply come along for tea and chat. Everyone is welcome to Drop-in and activities take place at The Friends' Meeting House, 97 South Street, Bridport.
* contact Nadiya at [email protected]/07800 712998 if you are attending for the first time & bring along a yoga mat and blanket.

We had a good turn out at Splash Club 💦 last week and we were able to use the new Steam Room and Sauna which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Living Tree Splash Club is held at Highlands End Leisure Club, Eype each Thursday evening from 7-8pm. See all our regular group activities at https://www.thelivingtree.org.uk/whats-on/

Our Allotment has sprung into life throughout March, especially as the weather has dried out and warmed up the land. Thank you to Jan for the Dahlia seeds, which we look forward to seeing in full bloom 🌺. We meet at St. Cecilia's Gardens opposite St Catherine’s School every Wednesday between 10am and 12 noon - the plots by the river. All welcome! 🌱

WHIST DRIVE ♦ - 2nd Friday of each month!
Next Event – THIS FRIDAY, 10th April
At St Swithun’s Church Hall, North Allington, Bridport.
You do not need a partner! Prizes for high-card points and great raffle prizes too! Proceeds go towards the running of the Whist Drive with any surplus monies donated to The Living Tree.
All details on the attached poster.
CONTACT: Tan on 07528 189815 or Denise on 07774 660645.

And finally, a reminder that we will be holding The Living Tree AGM on Friday, 17th April at 2pm in the Friends' Meeting House, Bridport. Everyone is welcome!

31/03/2026

We had a lovely art session at last Friday Drop-in arranged by Richard, with tremendous results and tea, delicious flapjack and chat enjoyed by all.
No Drop-in this Friday due to the bank holiday. Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter! 🐰🐣
Libby Jukes will not be joining us for her regular Art session in April (Christine Edwards is kindly stepping in), but instead she will be busy exhibiting her own art along with five other Bridport Artists. Libby would love LT members to come along and see her work, which will be on display until 19th April, 10.30 to 4.30 daily, at Eype Centre for the Arts (free entry).

OUTREACH EVENTS
The Living Tree held the first of this year's outreach stalls last Friday. Marion, Cheryl and Ann met with customers at Morrisons Bridport to chat, sell our lovely cards and raise local awareness of the charity.
The Trustees would like to thank Ann Jeffrey for her hard work over the past several years. Ann has done a fantastic job leading our outreach events and teams, and she will be stepping down from this role at the AGM on 17th April. We are therefore looking for an Outreach Stand Coordinator; could this be you? If so, please contact the Trustees: [email protected]
More volunteers are always needed to help with the stall and talk to the general public about the Living Tree. If you would like to get involved, please contact [email protected]

AMBLES 🥾
Dates for your diary for the next couple of months, subject to weather!
Thursday 16th April
Tuesday 28th April
Monday 13th May
Tuesday 28th May
All are welcome to join us on our Ambles! We keep them to mornings, as this seems to suit most people, and the regular support of local cafes is a must - a good chance to have a seated chat! There is a WhatsApp group for the Amblers, to make messaging more responsive; if you would prefer not to be in this group, please let me know.
Please email Jo for more details on how to join at [email protected] or WhatsApp Jo on 07908 158168.
Jo & Tom Corban

SUPPORT FOR STEPPING OUT
Please continue to support Stepping Out, our local cancer rehabilitation scheme, which is one of the charities chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund this year. The Co-op is also offering the chance to raise an additional £50 when their members download the Co-op App and sign up to become a Co-op Member. Stepping Out will receive £5 for every new Co-op Member who signs up, up to a maximum of 10 members. All you need to do is download the app to your phone using the link https://www.coop.co.uk/coop-app or create an account here: https://www.coop.co.uk/local-causes and then choose Stepping Out as your cause. Thank you! 🙏

The Living Tree Cancer Support Group

02/06/2026

26/05/2026

19/05/2026

12/05/2026

05/05/2026

28/04/2026

21/04/2026

14/04/2026

07/04/2026

31/03/2026

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