Jim Laker Fund

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

After a week of record-breaking temperatures 🥵, we're starting to cool down a bit. Tonight's JLF Bonus Ball winner Kathy P can afford to buy as much ice as she needs 🥶 with her winnings from choosing BB square no.33 - well done KMP 🎈🎉🎊

23/05/2026

On May 23rd 1785, in a letter to his friend, London merchant George Whatley, Benjamin Franklin revealed his design for what would later be called bifocal glasses*. This week's JLF Bonus Ball winners had the foresight to choose BB square no.35 and can spend their £35 prize wisely. Well done Russ and James 🤓😎🥸.
*Franklin never patented any of his inventions, intent on sharing them freely, so he wanted his bifocal breakthrough to help other people struggling with vision deterioration.

16/05/2026

On 16th May 1956 England cricketer Jim Laker* took all 10 Australian wickets for 88 in 46 overs at the Oval. *Not to be confused with Wivey's Exmoor Ales CEO Jim Laker** (see pics below for comparison). Seventy years later, the Jim Laker** Fund Bonus Ball has been won by Cathy with BB square no.20 - congratulations 🎊

10/05/2026

On 9th May 1671 Irishman Colonel Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Despite being caught red-handed, he was pardoned by King Charles II. This week's JLF Bonus Ball winner, Donna, doesn't need to go to the Tower as she has won untold riches (£35) with BB square no.5 👑💎💰

04/05/2026

Jim Laker Fund are all set up and ready to see you at Milverton Fair - we're selling our iconic merchandise, raffle tickets, and some lovely table top items

03/05/2026

Jim Laker Fund will be at the Milverton Fair on May 4th, selling our lovely iconic JLF merchandise (some at special Fair prices!) and tickets for our Annual Raffle - we will also have some table-top items available. All of these will help JLF to raise funds which will then support local groups across the 10 Parishes. See you tomorrow 🙂🙃🎪!

03/05/2026

On 2nd May 1946 actor David Suchet was born. During his career he has played many roles, particularly Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot - for the latter he was named an Honorary Famous Belgian in 2010 by the Belgian Tourist Office. It doesn't need Hercule's little grey cells to work out who has won this week's JLF Bonus Ball - it's Ken with BB square no.19! 🎈🎉

26/04/2026

This week's JLF Bonus Ball winner PQ chose no.23 as it is her favourite prime number. Amongst various Fun Facts about no.23 are that humans possess 46 chromosomes which are inherited as 23 pairs from each parent, and that Julius Caesar was reported to be stabbed 23 times when he was assassinated.

18/04/2026

In 1949, between April 18th-23rd, the first 'Bob-a-Job week' began, with 440,000 British Scouts taking part in a nationwide fundraising campaign, doing work in return for a shilling ('bob'). Previous Scouts include 2 famous (Sir) Davids - Attenborough and Beckham - and this week's JLF Bonus Ball winner is also a David. It's not known if he was a Scout 🤔 but he won't need to work for his shilling as he has won £35 with BB square no.48. Well done Dav-ide 🧀🌊!