The John Betjeman Centre, home to Concern Wadebridge, is an important hub in the community, where people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. It has proven a vital support line for many people in the town, who come to socialise and make friends, enjoy a quality lunch for a reasonable price, and seek a listening ear when needed. 

Ian has been volunteering for the centre since moving back to Wadebridge in 2019, after 14 years of living in Spain with his wife Kathy. 

“We came to a time in our life where we felt we needed a bit more Englishness again,” he said. “We visited my stepmother in Wadebridge and stayed in an apartment overlooking the river. We loved it so much that we got in touch with the owner and said, ‘If you’re ever interested in selling, give us a call back’. Sure enough, she got in contact with us and said she did want to sell! It’s just what we needed, a bit of a push in the right direction.” 

The couple settled into the town, with Kathy spending most of her time with her horse in the Cornish countryside, and Ian wanting to get stuck into something. He already knew about the John Betjeman Centre, as his father Alan Baillie was linked to the charity some time ago. 

“I came along and asked if I could volunteer,” he continued. “From the minute I got here, I loved it. It’s my happy place. It’s modern and beautifully equipped - there’s a real buzz.”

Ian was one of the volunteers who wanted to come up with a new way of fundraising, which is how the quizzes were introduced. Ian makes them up from scratch each month and sells them for £1. In the first month, he sold 420! Now, 18 months on, the centre has sold 8,500 quizzes to the public. 

“I make a really big point of the prizes being exceptionally awful,” he said. “But it’s a bit of fun for everyone, and it brings people together, which is the most important thing.”

On the first Wednesday afternoon of the month, Ian runs a quiz event at the centre, with even more prizes up for grabs.

He added: “My job is to make people feel welcome when they come through the door. It’s a really special place.” 

For more information about the John Betjeman Centre, visit https://www.concernwadebridge.org.uk/ or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

‍