came back suggesting they did a Bond
of Friendship. “So that’s what we did.”
Dee told me. “I said ‘I think I’ve got a
young man in the town who would do
us a drawing for it.’ We gave them a
Bond of Friendship and it’s been sitting
in their entrance hall ever since.” In
recent times the ruling has changed
and thus the Freedom of Carterton is
now taking place in April 2016.
Carterton can thank Dee for other
events too. The Christmas Lights
Switch-On was originally her idea, and
for years she organised it, stalls and
all, on her own. “It’s very much more
evolved now.” She said. “Hundreds of
people help in one way or another.”
It was also her who suggested the
Teddy Bear’s Picnic to Lynn Little,
who she is mentor to, and it was Dee
who decided to acquire Ted Little as
well. “I said to Lynn: ‘you want a big
teddy bear to start with.’ We went
down to Giles and I said ‘I’m on the
scrounge…I’m sure you’d be delighted
to let us have a nice teddy bear.’ ”
Since then Ted Little’s activities as
mascot fundraiser for SSAFA have
raised £10,000.
Moreover, Councillor Bulley has raised
over £30,000 for various charities
during her time leading the Carterton
Songsters and initially helped get
the ball rolling regarding the building
of Shilton Park. On top of this, she
takes care of the Poppy Appeal in
Carterton, dedicating her time to the
cause during September, October and
November. I was really in the presence
of someone who will be remembered
for trying to get things done in a town
she describes as her and Mike’s bit of
England. “It’s better than sitting here
twiddling your thumbs and saying
‘I can’t do anything’ ” She stated.
“I’m not made that way.”
Dee Bulley
As well as acquiring Ted Little
in the first place, Dee, a talented
seamstress and embroiderer, makes
his clothing
The Christmas
Lights Switch-On
2015; this event
was originally
Dee’s idea
(© Emma Gray,
Magical Memories)
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