I am sorry that there has been a delay getting the news to you this month, but this has been due to personal health problems.
With great regret The Players of Elstead will not be performing a Spring Production this year. For reasons too numerous and boring to explain it has become impossible for us to produce a play in the village this April.
HOWEVER! We will still be meeting on Wednesday evenings in the Youth Centre and would love to see some new faces.
P.E.T.S. will also be represented in the HASLEMERE FESTIVAL competing with a One Act Play, "From Here To The Library" by Jimmie Chinn. We will be presenting our entry at Haslemere Hall on Friday April 2nd and tickets are available on the door or from Karen Considine on 01252 703031.
Our next performance in the Village Hall will be on October 28th, 29th and 30th when we hope to make up to all our faithful Elstead fans with a really special production.
Dear Friends,
As many of you will know, I am slowly recovering from an attack of shingles, but I hope to be fit enough to celebrate Holy Week and Easter with you all.
The week begins with Palm Sunday, with a Parish Communion in the morning and
a special Prayer & Praise in the evening.
On the Monday of Holy Week there will be a choral occasion in Thursley church,
when the Onslow Singers will perform Fauré’s Requiem and other short
pieces of seasonal music - no tickets, just come along !
On Maundy Thursday evening we shall have a special service of Holy Communion to commemorate the Last Supper at 8pm
Good Friday has a United Service on the Village Green. We meet at St. James (or at the URC if you are coming from that end of the village) at 10.15 am and process to the Green for the Open Air Service at 10.30 am - followed by hot cross buns. I had intended to produce a Passion Drama with some of our young people, but sadly my illness put paid to that. Perhaps another year...
In the afternoon of Good Friday there will be a Reflection on the `Last Hour` at 2 pm at Thursley.
On Easter Day itself there will be a service of Holy Communion at 8 am and a Family Communion at 10 am.
You are welcome to any, or all, of these services. Those of us who `follow
the week through` certainly experience something special in the transition from
Passion to Resurrection, and this year I for one am looking forward to a certain
resurrection in my life too!
William Lang.
“Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer
in what oredr the ltteers in a word are, as lnog as the frist and lsat ltteer
is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can still raed it
whituot a problem. This is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by istlef but
the word as a whole.”
No, it’s ok, you haven’t suddenly lost the ability to read. The above is part of an advertisement for a communications, provider based in Plymouth. What the advertisement goes on to say is that whilst it may indeed be true that we read the whole word rather than individual letters, so it doesn’t matter what order the letters are in, conversations with this particular firm will guarantee more effective communication.
Most people today recognize two major events. Christmas, which heralds the birth of Jesus Christ (the first event) and Easter, which marks Christ’s death and resurrection (the last). What happened in between in other words during Jesus three years’ of ministry, can be a jumbled mess about which little is known.
Easter will be much more relevant to us if we understand why Jesus died and the way to find out why Jesus died is to find why and how he lived. In order to fully understand the purpose of Jesus’ life, and therefore our lives, we need for the “bit in the middle” to be in the right order. In order to achieve that we need to employ the services of a “communication firm”. The best communication firm I know is the bible.
And contrary to what many people still think, there are versions of the bible written in easy to understand, user-friendly, modern language which still has all the “bits in the middle” in the right order.
Happy Easter
Rosemary
There is no such thing as a totally hopeless case.
Our God is an expert at dealing with chaos, with brokenness, with all the worst
that we can imagine. God created order out of disorder, cosmos out of chaos,
& God can always do so, can do so now-in our personal lives & in our
lives as nations, globally. The most unlikely person, the most improbable situation-these
are all ''transfigurable''; they can be turned into their glorious opposites.
Indeed, God is transforming the world now- through us-because God loves us.
Dear child of God, it is often difficult for us to recognise the presence of
God in our lives & in our world. In the clamour of the tragedy that fills
the headlines we forget about the majesty that is present all around us. We
feel vulnerable & often helpless. It is true that all of us are vulnerable,
for vulnerability is the essence of creaturehood. But we are not helpless &
with God's love we are ultimately invincible. Our God does not forget those
who are suffering and oppressed.
All over this magnificent world God calls us to extend his Kingdom of shalom-peace
& wholeness-of justice, of goodness, of caring, of sharing, of laughter,
of joy & of reconciliation. God is transfiguring the world right this very
moment through us because God believes in us & because God loves us. What
can separate us from the love of God?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And as we share God's love with our brothers &
sisters, God's other children, there is no tyrant who can resist us, no oppression
that cannot be ended, no hunger that cannot be fed, no wound that cannot be
healed, no hatred that cannot be turned to love, no dream that cannot be fulfilled.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
From: God has a dream.
Reminder
Mass at 19 Springfield the home of Cecilia Goudry
8 pm Wed 14th April
At the Annual Parish Meeting on 5th April at 8.00 in the URC Hall we wish to
have a discussion on the merits of going ahead with a Parish Plan for Elstead.
To help us, we have invited a speaker, Abby Thomas from Surrey Community Action
who is a specialist adviser on this subject.
A Parish Plan is an extensive consultation project for the village to carry out. The Plan is in fact a statement on how the community sees itself developing over the next few years. Please come along and join in on the question and answer session.
The Parish Council has now fenced and let the Burford Lodge back field to a tenant for grazing so access is no longer permitted to the public.
Complaints have been received about horseriders riding on footways (pavements) in the village and this has been confirmed by the observation of Parish Councillors. This is illegal and accordingly we request that all horseriders must keep to the road.
Denis Holmes Chairman
A big thank you to everyone who supported the 2004 pancake race. We were luckier
with the weather this
year and over 50 runners of all ages took part.
Congratulations to Bill, Brian and Nelson who represented the residents of Guardian
Court. Sadly, Nelson’s steam engine broke down at the starting line leaving
Bill and Brian to carry on.
This year’s winners were:
3-5 years John Stevens 6-10 years Michael Jansen 11-14 years Philippa Gardner Adult race Benji Hucker
All the winners will have their names engraved on the winners’ shield
which is displayed in the Woolpack.
There were some wonderful entrants for the fancy dress competition; a fairy,
a princess, Grumpy, a Thunderbird, an astronaut, a pirate, a “greaser”
and a soldier. The winner was decided by the audience who cheered the loudest
for James Hancock, as Bob the Builder, in the junior fancy dress. Bill Grant
and Brian Alderton were the well deserved winners in the adult competition as
“Ready Steady Cook”.
There were so many entrants for the pancake tossing competition that we had
two heats. In the 6 years and under heat, John Stevens made 42 tosses in one
minute and, in the 7 years and over, Helena Tunbridge made an incredible 121.
They will have their names engraved on the wooden spoon and will each keep the
spoon for six months.
This event cannot take place without the help and support of many people in the village. Particular thanks must go to all those who helped on the day, new Elstead PC Sam Barnett who started the races, Peter Hartley who was MC in the village hall, Lindsay Sellars who took charge of the raffle and Annie Mude and Helen Page in the kitchen.
We were delighted that our Waverley mayor Richard Terry, accompanied by his wife Di, was able to present the prizes. We made about £450 which will be shared equally between the Elstead Youth Centre, Elstead Recreational Trust and the charity nominated by the top sponsor, Sue Briggs. We are indebted to A. J. Tracy who was the main sponsor for this year’s race. Thanks also to Richard Bourne, Elstead Veterinary Surgery,
Having been away for a while it was so lovely on arriving back home to see the return of the Spring flowers, the crocuses and the Snowdrops peeping through the grass on the front lawn. Spring is in the air once again. The flowering currant is in bud and the Hazel catkins toss their lamb like tails in the hedge rows.
The garden birds are much in evidence on the feeders. Nuthatch and Tits are frequent visitors. The long tailed Tits go around in groups, a maximum of eight have been seen together. They love the peanuts and the fat balls. The other Tits, Great, Cole, and Blue prefer the seeds and throw out the corn seeds onto the ground below to get at the sunflower seeds. The corn is not wasted as a male Pheasant arrives every morning to take advantage of this feast.
It has been heartening to see the return of the Bulfinches, who happily take the buds of the Quince bushes. Luckily we do not like Quince and so do not mind their activity on the trees. These colourful birds with the black heads and rosy breasts are on the decline but we have always had them in our garden. Also becoming quite rare are the family of Thrushes so I was please to see one in the company of a Blackbird turning over the dead leaves to see what they could find to eat.
The Robin sits on the Apple tree outside the kitchen window every morning at our breakfast time, reminding me to put out some scraps onto the bird table.
A pair of Sparrow hawks were seen circling the field. These are easily distinguished in flight, the size of a Crow they have square tail feathers. A lady in the Countryman magazine asked how she could stop these hawks from taking the small garden birds. Our answer is to have plenty of prickly shrubs for them and to position the bird table near to a thick hedge. Prickly trees/bushes are best such as Quince, Holly or Hawthorne etc.
Happy Days
Diana & Richard Terry
We enjoyed an armchair trip to China at our February meeting. Elizabeth Parry came to take us up the Yangtze, on her trip to view the beautiful gorges of this enormous river, before they are sadly drowned forever by the tremendous dam project. The Yangtze has caused huge flood damage in China since the earliest days, and the gigantic dam is the twenty-first century answer to dealing with the problem. One cannot help wondering however, if the drowning of so much wonderful scenery, together with so many towns and villages, some of great historic interest, is not too big a price to pay.
The journey started in Shanghai, China’s major port of entry, and scene of the main foreign settlements in the days of Empire. The Bund, or main waterfront, was, and still is, the commercial centre of Shanghai, although foreign businesses have now been replaced by Chinese ones, Shanghai is, as it always was, a vibrant, bustling place - crossing the road is a major adventure, when a vast army of bodies seems to be bearing down on you from the other side! The many exciting new buildings contrast a little oddly with the Art Deco and Mock Tudor of earlier years, but that is Shanghai! Suzhou, a little distance away, is a garden city, and much more traditionally Chinese The beautiful pagodas and tea pavilions sit in gardens with wonderful names, such as “The Garden of the Humble Administrator”, and the three elements of a Chinese garden, earth, water and rock, are much in evidence. The rocks are arranged in some wonderful formations, and one can imagine the peaceful contemplation which such gardens would encourage for those fortunate enough to own them, in years gone by. Marco Polo know Suzhou, in the thirteenth century, and compared the many canals with his native Venice.
Then the journey up the Yangtze began. The boat took them through two of the three gorges, then they transferred to a smaller craft, where they had to be poled by hand over the rapids for which sections of the river are renowned. The scenery was quite magnificent with huge cliffs towering above the water, which was not quite so magnificent - being thick, brown and muddy! They were able to land and visit some of the temples and towns which are due to be drowned by the dam. Many of the temples, which are Buddhist, involve climbing large numbers of steps, up which you are likely to be physically dragged by “helpful” Chinese, if you show signs of flagging!
Their next journey was on the Li river, which has limestone cliffs in fantastic formations, and much bluer water. This area is also where the famous cormorant fishermen use their birds to catch fish. The birds have a special collar around their necks while they are being used for fishing, so that they cannot actually eat the catch! This was a fascinating look at a country very different from our own, whose way of life is fast changing, as more and more people are now able to travel around, and see their own country, adding considerably to the tourist traffic.
We have arranged a COFFEE morning in the Youth Centre on June 12th at 10.30 - 12 in aid of the CHASE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE, so do put the date in your diary now, and try and support this very worthwhile cause.
Our next meeting sees Brian Wilkins talking about how to research your family history on March 23rd, and on April 27th Peter Beale is coming to talk about the wildlife and conservation projects with which he has been involved in a life working for the Forestry Commission. Do try and come, its 2.30 pm in the Common Room at Guardian Court.
Elstead Garden Club enjoyed a fascinating evening in February,
when Mr Geoff Yates came to talk to us about plant hunting in China. He joined
an expedition following in the footsteps of the famous Victorian botanist Ernest
Wilson, to the wilds of Szechuan, on the western boarder of China with Tibet,
Firstly, we were shown some slides of the now very familiar garden plants which
originally came from China, via Wilson and other early plant hunters, and what
a lot there were - Cotoneaster, Clematis Montana. Hydrangea, as well, of course,
as the rhododendron and azalea…, a large number of our favourite garden
plants have Chinese origins.
The reason that he showed slides of these plants growing in English
gardens, our speaker said, was that they often didn’t look as good in the
wild, being battered by the wind and the cold in a very mountainous terrain,
and also grazed by the ever-present yaks, who seem to feed off most flowering
species!
Then, however, we did move out to China and joined the expedition,
driving along what were euphemistically called roads, made out of gigantic boulders,
where the drivers’ one idea was to drive ever faster, to avoid falling
rocks on mountain passes! This caused huge bruising and discomfort to the passengers,
and often the over-heated brakes had to be sprayed with icy water from mountain
streams! Accommodation was no easier than travelling, as the hotels had little
understanding of western ideas of hygiene, and the only way to sleep was tightly
wrapped in your sleeping bag, with as little contact with what was outside as
possible!
Logging was a major problem in the area, with a lot of timber
being removed, to the great detriment of the natural life. It was hard for us
to appreciate just how remote much of the terrain was with glacial valleys leading
up to mountains nearly 25,000 feet high. Clematis, rhododendrons, iris and daphnes
all featured in the slides, but several completely new species were discovered
on this expedition alone, and, one felt, there were many more waiting to be
found, so little visited and known was the area.
Some of the plants grew in boggy areas, but this was where mountain
streams rushed down hillsides - conditions hard to recreate in the average English
garden - so by no means all of them would grow happily here. This was a chance
to see the flowers of a remote and beautiful part of the world. Some of them
were very familiar, thanks to the efforts of Ernest Wilson and others, who took
six weeks to struggle through terrain which can now be crossed in three days,
even with the appalling conditions. Others were much less familiar, and even
with the eight volume Chinese flora the expedition carried with it, identification
was not always possible.
Our March meeting is on Narcissi, and on April 3rd, we have our Spring Show, in the Village Hall, at 2.30 pm. On April 19th, Mr Ron Watts is coming to talk about “Four Seasons at Wisley” in the URC Hall at 7.45 pm. See you there!
Elstead Cricket Club Junior Section is looking for new members. We have a lively, friendly and enthusiastic junior section at the club, catering for all ages from 8 to 15. We currently have some 48 junior members and run two coaching and practice sessions per week with the support of 5 trained coaches, senior team players and volunteer parents.
The junior section is split into 4 age groups: Under 15 (school years 9 & 10), Under 13 (school years 7 & 8), Under 11 (school years 5 & 6) and Under 9 (beginners/school years 3 & 4). The three older groups (U15, U13 and U11) all play “proper” cricket and compete in The Berkley Sports Two Counties Youth Cricket Competition, which involves a series of between 6 and 8 matches for each team. We also have links with Surrey and Hampshire County Cricket.
Coaching and nets practice for U15’s and U13’s is held at our Thursley Road ground on Friday evenings from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm and this season will start on Friday 23rd April.
Coaching and nets practice for U11’s and U9’s (beginners) is also held at our Thursley Road ground on Saturday mornings from 9.45 am to 11.15 am and this season will start on Saturday 24th April. The group is split in two, with Under 9s using a soft ball and as well as coaching in basic cricket skills, they play a version of the game called Kwik Cricket where everybody gets a go at batting, bowling, wicket-keeping and fielding using light weight bats and the softer ball. Last year we entered and won the Haslemere six-a-side U9 Kwik Cricket tournament – we would like to defend our title again this year!
We provide all the kit necessary (bats, balls, stumps, pads, gloves and helmets) for all age groups and refreshments on match days. Membership fees for U9s is just £10 per season and for all other age groups is £20 per season (with no further match fees), however we also offer a FREE 3 practise sessions introductory trial for all newcomers who would like to “try before they buy”!
Please feel free to simply turn up at a practise session (Fridays or Saturdays as appropriate for age group) either for a chat, to watch or to join in, or call one of our junior team managers below if you would like any further information:
Under 15s - Bernard Kiddier – 01252 702588.
Under 13s – Gary Simmons – 01252 705902
Under 11s and Under 9s – Graeme Page – 01252 702899
Just as surely as February sees crocuses herald the arrival of Spring and March brings daffodils to emphasise the point so April marks the start of a new cricket season. The hope with which we cricketers entered the dark winter months is about to be tested in the furnace of reality. It always gets in the way for dreamers, you know!
We’ve been working on it though. The indoor nets at Amesbury School in Hindhead have been abuzz with the sound of leather on willow, of creaking knee joints and the harsh slap of ball on hip-bone. After six months it takes time for the body, especially the eyes, to adapt. We’re launched into the deep end, too, when the action starts in the middle, with a Village Knock-out Cup game against Tongham on 18 April.
We’ve a new first team captain in 2004, in Morgan Pearse. He’s full of enthusiasm and if you fancy having a game why not give him a call (07879 614230) or ring secretary and 2nd X1 skipper Ian Gould (01252 7031313), or just turn up to Thursday evening nets after Easter.
The juniors have been working out too, ably coached by Dave Cooper. We’ve a new team in charge of the youngsters this season. Gary Simmons has taken on overall responsibility for the junior section and will look after the Under 13s. Graeme Page will run the Under 11s and Bernie Kiddier will add another hat to his extensive portfolio by handling the Under 15s.
The older lads (under 12 upwards) will practice on Friday evenings and the younger players will meet every Saturday morning. So if you fancy taking up the game call Gary Simmons (01252 705902).
The team working towards a new pavilion have not been idle over the last few months. Planning permission has now been obtained on a new building and tenders are being sought as I write. Could it just be that turf will be cut and bricks laid sometime in 2004?
We have been extremely busy this year and I can hardly believe that Easter is
almost upon us. This term has focused on ‘growing’ and we have had
many visitors to the pre-school. All the children enjoyed Martyn the Postman
coming in. He even sent us all a card, which he wrote whilst visiting, and then
posted so that we could record just how speedy the postal service is. I can
reassure you that it was very efficient. Poor Martyn was a little upset however,
when he noticed that some of the parents had turned up when the firemen were
visiting, and not when he did!
Other visitors included a doctor, a midwife, a veterinary nurse, a physiotherapist,
an aromatherapist, and even one of our past mums with her snakes. One of our
current parents has also very kindly paid for a mobile farm to visit us and
we are all now looking forward to that.
This will be my last article for the Village News as Helen Szczepanski is taking over as Chairman. I’m sure she will be a great success as she has plenty of experience and enthusiasm. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as Chairman for the last two years and have learnt many new skills- especially on the computer, on which I could just about manage Patience before.
I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. It really showed me what a strong community this village can be. The local businesses have come up trumps every time with prizes and sponsorship, and so many residents support and attend our fundraisers. It seems that once involved with Peter Pan people continue their affiliation, and the annual Summer BBQ is always evidence of that.
Thanks must also go to Andrea the manager and her team for continuing to offer
such a great start to our children’s education. I know that when my daughter
Annie starts school in September I will very much miss my daily trips down to
the Pavilion.
Thank you all once again.
Ellie Greenan - Chairman
The children in Key Stage 2, aged 7 to 11, are studying the Ancient
Greeks in history this year. Kingfisher Class started their project by finding
out where Greece is and making passports. One day at the beginning of this term
they changed into holiday clothes and brought luggage for their “flight”
to modern Greece. They “took off” after lunch with class teachers
Mrs Pitkethly and Mrs Fortescue. Unknown to the children, Mrs Pitkethly had
spent her lunch hour decorating their classroom so it looked like a Greek taverna,
so you will imagine their surprise and excitement when they entered the room
after they had “landed”. They sampled typical Greek food and wine
(grape juice) and found out key facts about Greece. This role play taught them
much about Greece today and gave a context to their work in following weeks
on ancient Greece.
They made masks of characters in the Greek myths. They made their own Pandora’s Box and used colour and shape to represent the feelings in their boxes. After finding out about Arachne, they wove spiders’ webs and made pom-pom spiders. In maths, they fought the battle of Marathon using grids, (like the game Battleships). Mrs Pitkethly was the Persian army and the children were the Athenians. They placed their soldiers strategically and the Athenians won the battle despite being outnumbered 5-1. They wrote an extra challenge for Heracles based on his original 12 tasks. They had their own Olympic Games. The class were divided into four teams, each one representing a different region in Ancient Greece – Sparta, Argos, Megara and Athens. Each region were known for different things, for example the Spartans were known for their physical prowess and the Athenians for their public speaking. Each group designed a flag for their team, showing their strengths and they competed in their teams in sports such as javelin, sprinting, art recognition (artistic ability), tongue twisters (public speaking). The winning team, collecting the Laurels, was the Athenians.
The children wrote letters to friends in Ancient Greece.
“Dear Julius,
I hope you are well. Since I last wrote to you, I have moved to Sparta. Visitors are always thrown out. When babies are only a few months old, they are put on a hill and if they survive they will be in the army. Boys are trained to be warriors when they are seven. Writing is banned because no one is interested in it. Women are also trained to be fierce, brave and strong. Reading is not allowed either, because no one is interested in it. The Spartans are the best fighters in Greece. They are very smelly as well.
I hope to see you very soon. From your friend, Daniel.”
“Dear Tamexingo,
Things are not going well. The Spartans are attacking Athens. I expect you are laughing right now but life here is quite good really. We are allowed to go to school to learn. We trade foods and every citizen is allowed to discuss new laws. Finally, the sea is very important because Athens is right on the coast.
From Oliver.”
Although this was primarily a history project, the children used other subjects
such as art, design and technology, maths, geography, English and to make their
learning come alive. They had much fun and I am sure they will remember many
aspects of their project on ancient Greece for many years to come.
At the March meeting, the President, May Deaville, welcomed members and visitors from Tilford WI. She also thanked everyone for their good wishes while she had been ill and said she was rapidly feeling well again. Diane Terry was also reported to be doing well after her operation.
The speaker for the evening was Mr. Goddard, who gave a cheerful and very informative talk on his career in the jewellery trade. As a child he had suffered from polio, which affected his schooling, but on the strength of an offer of apprenticeship with a Bond Street jeweller and completing his National Service, he got a job in a jewellery workshop. In the 1960s the trade rapidly developed and after spending many years with Orlando's in Guildford, in the late 1970s he took a chance and ventured out on his own. This proved to be very successful and led to his being made a Freeman of the Goldsmith Company and then of the City of London. One of the recurring points that Mr. Goddard stressed, was that it is often who you know as much as what you know that can affect the course of your life. He told many interesting facts about the gold jewellery trade, and presented a glittering display of his work, which members were able to purchase.
Notices included details of the Annual Council Meeting in Dorking on 29 March, with Norman Willis as the speaker, described as 'a patchwork fanatic', and the Downfold Meeting on 30 March at which Elstead will give the vote of thanks. Other events of interest were a Craft and Design Show to be held at Milford in April and a Craft Market at East Clandon in June. But the main topic for discussion was the Elstead Evening WI's Table Top Sale in the Village Hall on Saturday 27 March. There will be a Cake and Savouries stall, a Raffle with 4 large prizes, and tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. A number of other organisations and individuals will man tables with a variety of goods for sale. Come with a full purse!
Ladies, you will be welcome at the next meeting, on Tuesday 6 April at 7.45
pm in the URC Hall, when Dr. Samways will speak on Historic Medicine or The
Pill Fairy - Health without the Drug Firms.
At our March meeting our speaker was Keith Pearce with his gardening tips he brought along several vegetables he had grown so that we could see just what could be achieved if only we put our minds to it. He explained how we had to plan well ahead and advised us how to get things started early in the season. We all went away with lots of tips for our own gardens. The monthly competition was something knitted 1st Sandra Cheeseman 2nd Betty Burton and 3rd Peggy Dorey.
A reminder to you all, our Skittles Evening in aid of the Poppy Appeal will be on Thursday 1st April 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start the cost will be £2.50 to include supper. So do come along it will be a fun evening.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 15th April which will be Barge Painting with Mrs Marshall the competition will be A Simnel Cake.
P.S. A Note to all of you who have sent their good wishes to my husband Roy during his recent spell of illness, a BIG THANK YOU to you all, your kindness has really touched our hearts. He has along way to go yet but we are looking to the future with a lot more hope that he will soon be fit and strong again.
We meet in the Legion Barn on the THIRD Thursday of each month new members are always very welcome.
Sue Taylor
Secretary
We meet in the Legion Barn on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month new
Members are always very welcome.
A welcome was given to all including our guests by Chair, but there was a sad note that 2 members had passed away. Edna Wakelin, a really kind and helpful lady to all, and ex member Alice Bray who had not been able to attend meetings for some long while, a great character, and both would be missed.
Dates were announced of several happenings in the future which may appeal to members.
Volunteers were asked for a sub-committee to make arrangements for a members
meeting in April. They had been warned in January that this would be in the
’pipeline’ as Chair and Committee would like an afternoon off as it
were, so….. No offers NO meeting!! There was a reluctance in the showing
of hands, but in a few minutes several members rose to the challenge, and whispers
were heard before the end of the meeting, seemingly everything was under control.
After an unfortunate cancellation last year, we were able to rearrange February for a visit from The Bell Ringers. Bringing their own tables and bell cushions they had arrived in good time for the setting up of same. As they came into the hall, they were immediately enthused by seeing our table of interest whereon there were a variety of bells on display. They said they had never seen this done before and remarked what a good idea it was. Having been told they had a job to do - to choose the one which ’appealed’ to them the most (pardon the pun). They were a bit overwhelmed but being assured that it was not a competition, and no one would be upset if theirs was not chosen, At the appropriate time, the bell was chosen, the owner being Sylvia Nash.
Now for what we had all been waiting for. The 10 ladies, their conductor being Mrs. Ashton (she stood in and rang for 1 member until such time as she was able to get back from a funeral) gave us such a wonderful time of melody, covering all sorts, Songs from the Musical Shows, Hymns, Ballads, Patriotic Songs, Lullabies and music from different parts of the world. A couple of members had asked me beforehand, whether it would be very loud, but the bells as you may know are very beautiful and soft in sound. We also had the recorder accompany them for a couple of items. Spontaneous humming could be heard during several of the numbers, which showed it was being enjoyed to the full. Maud gave a vote of thanks on behalf of us all, and then an interest was shown by several members with an invite to ‘have a go’. All 10 ladies were able to stay and join us for tea which they much appreciated and they were all given a raffle ticket, several were pleased to see and took home a prize.
So we are now all set for the Members Meeting, especially the Committee having an afternoon to sit back and enjoy. This will be on the 5th not 4th Thursday the 29th April. Maybe you would like to consider becoming a member