Welcome to Chard Online
Updates
31 July 2026
Support the Supporters – A New Autumn Talk Series
This autumn I will be launching a new series of practical talks aimed primarily at the people who keep our local organisations and community groups running. The theme is “Support the Supporters”—recognising the vital contribution made by volunteers, committee members and group leaders, and exploring ways to strengthen and sustain their work.
The first talk in the series, given by myself, is:
How to Attract and Retain Volunteers
Wednesday 9th September 2026
7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
St Mary’s Church Meeting Rooms, Chard
Whether your organisation is looking for new volunteers or finding it difficult to keep existing ones engaged, this practical and thought-provoking evening will offer ideas, discussion and encouragement for everyone involved in community life.
20th July 2026
Where Do We Go From Here?
Thank you to everyone who supported the launch of Chard – A Town in Conversation. Around 50 people came along, and approximately 30 books were sold. More important than the sales was the opportunity to meet people who care deeply about the future of our town and who were willing to share their ideas and experiences.
The future direction of Chard-Online.net will become clearer once the town’s new events website, chard.info, is available. If it succeeds in becoming the place where local organisations publicise meetings and events, that will be good news for everyone.
My original vision for Chard-Online.net has always been wider than simply providing an events diary. I would like it to become a place where people can discover not only what is happening, but also why it matters.
Over the coming months I hope the website will develop into a meeting place for local stories, thoughtful discussion, new ideas, community history, and practical ways of helping people become more involved in the life of the town. It should be somewhere that celebrates local organisations, encourages volunteers, welcomes newcomers, and gives a voice to people whose experiences might otherwise go unheard.
One idea I am exploring is to keep a regular journal, similar to the diary I have written on briansnellgrove.net since 2016. It would record interesting conversations, observations about life in and around Chard, and examples of people making a positive difference. Over time, I hope it will become a living record of a town that is constantly changing but always full of potential.
The summer is traditionally a quieter time, so there may not be frequent updates over the next few weeks. Nevertheless, I shall continue to add news whenever there is something worthwhile to share, and I encourage you to keep an eye on the newsletters.
This website is still evolving. Like any community project, its future will be shaped not by one person, but by the people who choose to take part. If you have an idea, a story, a photograph, a poem, or simply a thought about how we can strengthen community life in Chard, I would be delighted to hear from you.
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Thank you for visiting Chard Online.
The launch of Chard – A Town in Conversation was just the beginning. I would now love to hear from everyone who has read the book. What did you enjoy? What have I overlooked? What subjects would you like to see explored in future editions? Your comments and suggestions will help shape both future books and this website.
As the council’s Chard.info develops as the town’s events diary, Chard Online hopes to complement it by telling the stories behind local groups, celebrating the people who make things happen, and encouraging thoughtful discussion about the future of our community.
Whether you have a story, a photograph, a memory, news from your organisation, or simply an idea that could make Chard an even better place to live, I would be delighted to hear from you.
Together, chard.info and chard-online.net can create an environment that reflects the life, character and aspirations of our town.
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Everyone can read the website but if you wish to contribute, then subscriptions are required (a bit like social media)
Brian Snellgrove
Editor, Chard: A Town in Conversation
078O9 245311