But amongst all the fun there is of course the serious side and the Committee has certainly been looking at the serious needs of the Region. Bristol & Bath had one of the single largest regional project donations approved by the Spoon Council - £135,000 to rebuild a new Paediatric Communication Aids Service (PCAS) at Claremont School in Bristol. Generally amounts exceeding £100,000 become national projects and receive funding from other sources outside the region. But Bristol & Bath were happy to fundraise individually for this project. PCAS is an assessment service for children who cannot talk. It offers advice and support for children and their families as well as provides voice-output communication aids. These devices provide a voice for the children so helping them communicate with others, the range of communication aids is increasing, from simple single message communication aids to complex computer aids such as that used by Professor Steven Hawking.

The present PCAS building is a run-down 40 year-old second-hand terrapin building. It is too hot in summer, too cold in the winter, the roof is leaking and damp is rampant. The Wooden Spoon Assessment Building will be built on the same site and it is envisaged that the new building will not only be home to the assessment service but also include facilities for children with cerebral palsy to operate equipment independently - opening/shutting doors and blinds, operating televisions, telephones, and CD players - despite their lack of physical control. Demolition of the old building starts shortly. This exciting two year project is nearing completion and is due to open in the late spring of 2008.

In April 2007 Honorary President Andy Robinson officially unveiled the Wooden Spoon plaque on the doors of the sensory room at the Children’s Hospice at Charlton Farm at Wraxhall just outside Bristol. This was another major project donation of £78,000 which paid for all the equipment in the sensory room. For those who enjoyed the guided tour it was an emotional experience and one which made you realise how worthwhile all the fundraising efforts are. Andy Robinson also opened the Computer Room at Bath Rugby Club as part of the Playing for Success initiative during 2007 - a £6,000 project. 

For the third year running the Severn Challenge Golf match took place in September 2007. The Welsh team travelled over the bridge to the Bristol to play the English team led by those Bristol and Bath region who were delighted to reign victorious again for the second time in three years. If you would like to help the Region in any way please get in touch with the Chairman, Andrew Sheridan or attend one of the events listed here.