Retired Royal Engineer and local Councillor raises vital funds for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

27 September 2013

On Saturday 28 September, Castle Street, Farnham, will close for a culinary carnival raising valuable cash for army charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

Brigadier Paddy Blagden CBE, the Mayor of Farnham is a retired Army Officer and was the United Nations' foremost expert on de-mining working for United Nation’s Mine Action Service. Commissioned from RMA Sandhurst as a Royal Engineer, he retired after 35 years in the Army in 1988.

Organised by Farnham Town Council, the festival is a free event. The festivities will commence when the Mayor declares the festival open with an address at 10am.

All proceeds from the Mayor’s tent serving Pimm’s, tea and coffee will come to Blesma, his chosen charity for the year. Staffed with volunteers, the stand will be well stocked with Blesma T-shirts, hoodies, wrist bands and other goodies.

Over 70 food-themed stalls will line the street offering a range of delights - cheese, meat, fish and pies. For the sweet toothed shopper there will be cakes, fudge and jam which can be washed down with a bottle of real ale, wine, cordial or a cup of tea. The visitors are welcome to visit with family and friends and enjoy the annual festival until 4pm that evening.

You can also enjoy freshly cooked snacks at the live cookery demonstration. There will be plenty to choose from including Thai noodles, venison burgers, paella and sushi.

Brig Blagden tells us why he chose Blesma, The Limbless Veterans as his charity of choice for his year long term as the Mayor of Farnham Town Council.

“This historic charity supports injured service personnel, and encourages them to look beyond their traumatic injuries, and to rebuild their lives. Born out of The Great War in 1914, Blesma has been going for many years and continues to make a remarkable contribution to the lives of its Members.

Having been a soldier for 35 years, I am only too aware of the injuries faced by soldiers, and the risks they are exposed to. As a Landmine Clearance Manager for 20 years, I am also aware of the terrible effect that landmines can have on unprotected civilian populations, who lack the tools and experience to clear them. Hopefully, the Governments in their countries can and will learn from the example provided by Blesma.

So come along to my Pimm’s stand at the spectacular Farnham Food Festival and help us to make a real difference!”

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national army charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.

Castle Street will be closed to traffic from 5am until 8pm on 28 September. Local diversions for vehicles will be in place.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below

Castle Street during the Farnham Food Fesival 2012

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About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national army charity for all limbless serving and ex service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.

Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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