8th January 2026 • The HERALD • Page 19 v F @heraldpublishing v Smarties Volunteer Retires – New Helpers Needed community ties. Smarties will resume activities on Monday 12th January, at St. John’s Hall in Hythe. Volunteers assist with activities, greet families, prepare refreshments, and help sessions run smoothly. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Hythe 2000 Charitable Trust https://hythe2000.org for details. e group welcomes those eager to support young families in the community. Smarties volunteer Thelma Eddolls has retired a er eight wonderful years of dedicated service to Smarties, the weekly carer and toddler playgroup. roughout her time with the group, elma became especially well known for her creativity, kindness, and remarkable cake-making skills, which brought joy to both children and adults each Monday morning. Her beautifully decorated bakes o en marked seasonal celebrations, birthdays, and special milestones for families who attended, and her warm presence helped create the welcoming atmosphere Smarties is cherished for. Smarties leader Christine Stares expressed her deep appreciation for elma’s commitment and enthusiasm over the years, noting how much her reliability, energy, and genuine care for families have meant to the group. Christine shared that while elma will be greatly missed, the entire team remains grateful for the time, talent, and friendship she contributed. With elma stepping down from her position, Smarties is seeking new volunteers who are interested in supporting local families within a welcoming and relaxed setting. e group convenes on Mondays during term time from 9.30am to 11am, o ering a secure and stimulating environment for carers and toddlers to engage, interact, and strengthen Thelma Eddolls retirement from Smarties Thank You for the Donations to Local Age Concern Charity Shops Age Concern New Forest would like to say ank You to all their customers and supporters for all the lovely donations of preloved items given into their Charity shops during 2025. Special thanks must go to greengrocer Sam Long for donating boxes and boxes of brand new designer clothes throughout this year, from her family. Also to Toby SimpsonSilo from NuiBu Outdoors in Dibden Purlieu for donating all his new le over stock when he closed down his shop in early October. ese very kind and generous donations sold very well and raised a good amount of funds to support the Charity’s local services. Age Concern New Forest would like to wish all their customers, supporters and Volunteers a very a Happy New Year.
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