Forget this years Oscars, we have our own winners here!  The ‘Free Christmas Draw’ tickets have all been handed in, there was a slight delay due to sickness or holidays, we wanted to make it fair for everyone by getting every ticket into the office before the final draw took place, so we apologise to those of you who have been eagerly waiting, thank you for being so patient.  We have had a tremendous amount of interest this year with thousands taking part, a big thank you to all who participated by supporting some of our worthy causes, we just about managed to get all the tickets in the tub this year.                                                            
                                

 

Kindly helping us out with the draw was Mr Alan Wilson from LARGA – Little Aston Recreation Ground Association.  Alan who has recently stepped down as Chairman but still remains on this committee, who by the way, have from the outset raised a fantastic amount of money, each and every year all of the profits go to the Little Aston Recreation Ground Association. Their promise has always been  ‘it was raised by the community, for the community and so the proceeds should go to the community’. Their main fund raising event, which takes place by hosting a wonderful open air live music festival on the community grounds itself,  each Summer for all the family, it has that kind of Glastonbury vibe feel about it, so much so, it has now adopted the name ‘Little Astonbury’  by the local people. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 15^th July 2017, tickets go very, very quickly and last year there was a waiting list of well over 800 people wanting and pleading for cancellations or spare tickets on Facebook and other social media sites, so you better be fast as they go like hot cakes.

To check out when tickets are released and how to apply visit:   http://littleastonbury.co.uk/

We ourselves will be on hand sponsoring and supporting such a well-deserved event by donating some of our sweets.

Drum roll if you please ……..    and the winners for 2016/2017 FREE CHRISTMAS DRAW are:

To claim your prize please telephone: 0845 120 1531

1st Prize –  Perth Auto Centre

2nd Prize – Sanders Swin Bank

3rd Prize – 100 Luxury Confectionery Hampers go to the following:

In alphabetical order of  the company followed by winning ticket number:-

Amco 23166, Amfin 24295, AMPL Ontrade Ltd 18500, Andrew Plastics 16222, B&M Care 28501, Bobbi Ross Hair 13600, Bond – It 18469, BPS 24005, Bradford Engineering Services Ltd 18029, Brendon Avenue Surgery 24028, Bronte Water LTD 18462, BT Open Reach 01450, Burbank Community 26527, Burroughs 16769, Busy Bees Nursery 21319, CAD Shelters 16223, Campbell Sievewright homes 18599, Car Detailing & Finishing Specialists 16774, Carpetright 26509, Carston Accountants 16775, CAS 07622, Chapel Windows 15001, Charles Howell Estate Agents 09961, Charlestown Motor Repairs 06582, Coalport 23127, Coatham Primary 26741, Community Library 08957, Complete Care Agency 23070, Cotswold Oudoor Centre 08792, DJR Smith Ltd 26599, Easby Electrical 25064, ECARS 16773, ESA Systems 16776, Evesham Fire Station 09675, Flushdyke Kennels 21146, Grange Products 06521, Haddon Training Ltd 17684, Hair By Jason 18481, Holden Aluminium 09982, Hughes Bro’s 27049, Icon 08877, Innovations 09674, Jacs Ltd 17644, Jewson 21315, Jonathan Randall 09000, Juliana’s 18542 , Keltruck 16771, Kentintrol 18013, Land Tax 17508, Laser 24 29643, Lowestoft Car Hire 05757, Lowestoft Tile Centre 05761, M& B Motors 17589, Marske Fabrication 26505, Matrix Wiring LTD 05600, MD Carpentry 09963, Menzies Distribution 05617, Miah Solictitors 23043, Norwich Sunblinds 05561, Ovamill Ltd 05760, Owton Community 26753, Plumbase 21035, Quantum 017641, Randells 05702, RBS 20621, Ruggles & Jeffery 29642, Rye Hills School 26507, Salcomotive Services 09962, Sams K9’s 24139, Schnider Electric 24443, Scruples 25556, Seal Glass 08959, Sealite 05763, Sealite 05762, Sensory 06523, Servatool Co Ltd 08665, Skegness Infant School 01224, Skegness Junior School 01221, Speedy Asset Services 25153, Stockport Grammer School 06501, Swarco Traffic Ltd 25070, Tayport Arms 23212, Tennables 17685, The Barber Shop 26508, The CBS Group 03987, The Hair Studio 01240, The Hairlounge 26541, The Sleep Shop 01421, Thyssenkrupp 06774, Tile With Style 21320, Toby Carvery 21072, Travis Design 01440, Turning 23126, Tyre Shop 05040, Urban Edge 16280, ValleyOaks 08958, Vauxhall Bayliss 09662, Vellacine 16770, WF Senate 16772, Wilcan 03799.

 

 

 

Some of our new products coming your way.

On offer we have a feather light chocolate coated sponge cake with a choice of delicious fillings to choose from Strawberry, Cherry and Orange.

Every cup of coffee should have one of these next to them, a crispy luxury chocolate topped biscuit to keep you going through the morning.

and finally a lightly wiped banana flavoured marshmallow chocolate bar to help with that sweet tooth.

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider something different and stand out from the crowd!

As well as being privilege to this eye-popping event, trying out some of the most wonderful confectionery and snacks from all over the world. It was pure delight in savouring what new marketing ideas and products were coming up for 2017, from varieties of all sorts of fun loaded flavoured sweets, an abundance of dreamy creamy delectable cakes of every shape and size imaginable, so watch this space in the next up and coming months, hopefully to bring some of them your way very soon. However, there was one item on the agenda that we did not expect to see, a new range of women’s clothing specially designed for the event and of course it was all so very simple! all you have to do is to get sufficient amounts of colourful sweet wrappers, some wire and design your own Haute Couture gown for the evening, however there were a few obvious down falls and disadvantages, like not being able to sit down in it or trying to iron out the creases?

 

 

Over 10,000 votes were cast at last year’s 2016 Lichfield Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival a phenomenally successful year and plans are already taking place with the intention of doing something equally exciting for next year’s festival, so keep your eyes peeled?

The winners, unfortunately not us, were as follows:

Whittington Primary School

The Magic of Milly Charity

Pool House Veterinary Group

Runners up, unfortunately not us, were as follows:

St Chad’s C of E VC School

St Giles Hospice

BHB Architects

Many congratulations to all of you, bringing awareness to a good cause and in supporting your company, church, or school, well one.

However, we are not dishearten or cannot grumble, as we too had a very thoughtful ‘thank you’ tag left on our tree when we went to retrieve all of our decorations just after Christmas!  Whoever you are? a very BIG thank you from all of us at Sweet Causes Ltd for your very appreciative message, we’re so glad you liked it! If you get in touch, we may have a little sweetie surprise for you?

A very Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year to all our loyal and compassionate customers, suppliers, partners, be it near or far, without your support we would not be able to contribute to the charities we care about in the way we do. 

Thank you for providing that encouragement and emotional strength that helped when it was needed, for you caring in the way that you do, being sympathetic with your concerns of a sensitive nature..

We thank you all.

‘Every time a bell rings an Angel gets his wings’ 

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

A special preview viewing had been arranged for invited guests and members on Sunday evening 18^th December 2016.  A stunning outdoor festive laser light show, lit up projecting the spirit of Christmas, all over Lichfield Cathedral with some amazing special effects and sounds.

Illuminated candy canes, Christmas trees, angels, snowflakes, trumpets, all sprayed the entire magnificent south transept of this stunning building showing off its striking fine architecture of years gone by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the laser event guests were invited to take a stroll into the cathedral to view the festival Christmas trees that had been donated by schools, charities and local businesses which paved the two sides of the Cathedral, starting to the left hand side of the building as you enter the doors, then heading towards the nativity.  All trees have now been decorated, with the theme being ‘Peace’ this year, are open to the public to view where tokens can be purchased for £1. Once you have decided which tree or trees you like the best, just pop your token into the box that sits alongside that tree, you can even vote for more than one tree. It will be very difficult to decide as some of the designs are just lovely with amazing detail, some humorous or some just sending a very simple message across.

As you continue round to the right hand side of the building you are able to view all the other remaining festival Christmas trees until you have to stop and look up to the most amazing sight of 10,000 white paper angels, yes! TEN THOUSAND ANGELS! All have been made by local school children with some having their own special messages of peace written inside them. All hanging from this splendid ceiling, just gently swaying in the air, absolutely beautiful.

As you continue to walk round to the back of the alter a larger Christmas tree stands where you can purchase a label, write a special prayer or message to someone that are in your thoughts this Christmas, then carefully tie it to one of the branches.

All proceeds will go to the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral, whom support the Cathedral’s ongoing conservation and restoration work, and mission. http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/

                                             

Writing a prayer for her new baby brother arriving next year.                                       Special thanks goes to Peter Walker and David Harper

This is how beautiful Lichfield was that frosty night as we headed back home walking alongside the calm river bank, very Christmassy.

 

Even on a very chilly December evening you would have thought that everyone would be tucked up in front of the TV, but no, not on this particular occasion. What an evening it was at this year’s candle lit Carol Service at St Giles-without-Cripplegate in London on Thursday 15th December, the church was filled with pure pleasurable joy and fun, from the moment you walked into this church you received a warmhearted welcome and by the look of these lovely happy faces, it just speaks for itself, everyone had a great time.

The evening was to mark the beginning of Mencaps 70th birthday and to thank those guests or parties involved who have help support Mencap during 2016.

https://www.mencap.org.uk/

Janine Tragelles (Above – LHS – red coat) – Chief Executive, Royal Mencap Society with stars of the show of ‘The Music Man Project’ and their enthusiastic, bubbly personalities

Founder of ‘The Music Man Project’ – (Above – LHS – white jacket) David Stanley teaches full-time music education services to people with disabilities.

Music was provided by  ‘The Music Man Project’ http://themusicmanproject.com/ and  ‘The English Baroque Choir’  http://www.ebc.org.uk/

Favourite carols of the evening were ‘Jingle Bells’, where everyone had to add precisely six ‘Ha’s’ in the chorus line ‘Laughing all the way!’ not 5 or 7 but 6! and ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’, this is where  David Stanley decides when we all get to the chorus line ’10 Lords -a -Leaping’, he briskly sprints down the church isle like some gazelle in ballet shoes to sprint back again in time to play the piano for the next chorus line ‘9 ladies dancing’, then all female guests have to stand up and start dancing in the church pews!  David taught us sign language and by ‘breaking the ice’, he even made us hold hands with the person sitting next to us, never met them before! Hilarious!, best ever carol service we have ever been to.  

‘THE MUSIC MAN PROJECT’ – LONDON PALLADIUM SUNDAY 15th OCTOBER 2017

After their highly successful first time at the London Palladium and by popular demand ‘The Music Man Project’ have been asked to return and perform again for the second time in 2017 on Sunday 15^th October 2017 at 6.30pm.  After filling over 1300 seats last year they are hoping to fill the 2000 mark in 2017.  Tickets are just £5 subject to booking fee for online, telephone and credit card bookings from http://rutlive.co.uk/ Tel: 0844 412 4655.  There will be surprise celebrity guests and also featuring a World Record attempt: Concerto of 1000 triangles!   We will certainly be there.

 

The Rector Katharine Rumens hosted and gave blessing at the service with a brief back ground history to the church.  

St Giles is a Church of England grand 1 listed building, as far as history knows there has been a church standing on the same spot for over a thousand years. Over the many years in 1545, 1897 and during the Blitz of the Second World War in 1940, the church has been severely damaged by fire on three occasions, however it did escape and survived the Great Fire of London in 1666.  This church is dedicated to St Giles who was the patron saint of beggars, blacksmiths and people with disabilities.  It is one of the few medieval churches left in the City of London. http://www.stgilescripplegate.com/

Lloyd Page – home made yellow hat with tinsel, read a very humorous poem by Ian McMillan called ‘ I keep my snowman in the freezer’

Special readings from comedian and actor Hugh Dennis, authoress Emma Claire Sweeney and Lloyd Page, Mencaps Learning Disability Champion, a volunteer for 22 years.

Two recommended books were on offer for sale by Caroline White and Emma Claire Sweeney both have written books of their own personal experiences of loved ones in their own lives who have learning disabilities, the hurdles they have had to face and the people in their lives they have to thank.

Some proceeds from all the sales of these books are donated to Mencap.

Supporting this year’s 2016 Christmas Tree Festival at the fabulous Lichfield Cathedral. This local event invites 55 local businesses, charities and schools to decorate a real 5ft Norwegian Christmas tree anyway that you like! Well within appropriate reason.

Each tree already potted with its own set of lights ready for this year’s theme of ‘Peace’ we aimed to give it our first time shot with some of our sweets that gave a ‘good enough to eat’ approach.

Small wooden baubles representing each one of our three main charities Mencap, Teenage Cancer Trust and Children’s Air Ambulance tied with a red ribbon, garlands of sweet smelling popcorn scalloped the edges all tied with cone bundles of White Chocolate Mice and multi coloured Jelly Dew Drops. The final pièce de résistance were two turtle doves perched with the olive branch crowning the top of the tree. 

Specified instructions were given out for the sweets and popcorn  reserved for ‘Church Mice Consumption Only‘

It certainly was fun to do with such a lovely pleasant atmosphere that drifted through the cathedral, meeting and talking to interesting people who had taken time out of their busy lives to support this friendly event, many had come from far afield to visit Lichfield Cathedral

Members of the public will be able to purchase tokens to vote for their favourite tree, with all proceeds going to the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral.

The trees can be seen from Saturday 3rd December to Wednesday 4th January 2016. http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/what-s-on/christmas-tree-festival

Everyone gathered for this year’s 2016 Black Tie Winter Ball supporting Birmingham Children’s Hospital at the beautiful Town Hall Birmingham. The night was hosted by quick witted England Rugby’s Martin Bayfield. An auctions and raffles were in place to encourage the fund raising, all money raised on the night was to support the Star Appeal.

The Birmingham Children’s Hospital Appeal are hoping to raise a staggering £3.65 million to create the UK’s first centre for children with rare diseases. Children with rare or undiagnosed medical conditions can face huge challenges and obstacles as they grow up.

Any child who has had to endure endless hospital visits, face lack of information, and a sense of isolation can be all too much and overwhelming for them. The new building will provide co-ordinated care, treatment and support to help to brighten the lives of these inspiring stars.

Check out their photos  https://www.facebook.com/pg/BirminghamChildrensHospital/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154634814227464

All turned up at this local event at the Aldridge Conservative Club in July for a lovely afternoon of scrumptious Summer strawberry teas to support this year’s 2016 Breast Cancer Care. A great turn out by all, where sandwiches, homemade cakes and raffles tickets helped raise a staggering £2,531.00.

Many local companies, restaurants and shops had donated and gave generously. One way of getting some interest and enticing customers to buy a raffle ticket was Guess how many sweets were in the jar? as well as trying to guess the weight of a sweetie jar? Prizes and gifts included hoovers, carpet cleaners, flowers, meal vouchers and even a lovely heart inspired painting by Doug Hyde.

To support and help those who are facing breast cancer check out some delicious recipes on their website to get some friends together and motivate yourself for next year’s Strawberry Tea Event.

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/strawberry-tea