Just been working out what I’d missed in 6 days recently: a Christmas shopping trip with the Monday Club; lunch at the Hub on the Thursday; my enjoyable weekly volunteering at the Hub on Friday; having my marmalade stall at the Hub Christmas Fayre; a home football match which they won 3..0; and a farewell to Andy and Karen at the Turnastone service. They are moving down south; with his very strong Scottish accent Andy had taken many services at Turnastone. And finally absent from the Monday Club. Sounds a lot in a few days, shows how much goes on in and around the Valley. So much more too.
My younger son Gavin, who lives in Redbrooke is well aware of my love of bears especially Paddington Bear.(If you’ve seen marmalade jars with PB and a comment, yes made by JP). He took his family Casper (4), Forest(1) Ellie and guess who, to Colbrook to watch the Bear returning to Peru, the country of his birth, to find his aunty and other relations. Both boys stayed awake and thoroughly enjoyed it. At the same time Peterchurch was flooded and just about impassable. Great picture doing the rounds of a youngster floating down to Crossways. Brilliant. Making the best of a bad job.
Our contact with Ukraine continues. The large van was chocker full, my small donation of clothes and food will I know help in a small way. It reminded so much when Vowchurch adopted Girbau, a village in Romania, during their awful life under ceacesceau Melvin took a large van to the village, staying with the village dentist. Peterchurch Primary school pupils were involved in collecting and writing letters to their village children.
So much happens at our Village Hall and the Church, they both give us so much to enjoy, learn and experience. The Hub at the Church offers tasty foods from Tuesday to Friday 11.00 til 2.00, with very tasty hot meals on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They are so busy, word has spread far and wide as to the standard and enjoyment of the visit. You may need to book to make sure of a seat on both of those midweek days. Just a warning… they make a cheesecake of varying flavours. Don’t touch it with a barge pole…. well not til I’ve had my piece! Thanks Sarah, Jayne and Marea for your dedication.
Many were invited to view and enjoy John’s ( Judy’s late husband’s) paintings, accompanied by tasty nibbles and renderings by the Peterchurch choir. A truly enjoyable occasion. Preceeding this were wonderful photos by Gill Perkins. The viewings change monthly, so much talent in our beautiful Valley.
Staying in the Valley, there’s a monthly musical service at Dorstone church on Sundays 4.00,(resting til February I believe). Nearly all are of local talent with voice or instrument. Once again a variety of talent. The Valley has it and the Valley uses it… the Gethin family being an example themselves…. Thankyou. The last of the year was an interesting experience, the playing of a melodian.
Vowchurch holds a Saturday Market. When it originally started it was weekly, remember it well… one that started my marmalade-making and my 13 year old son Elwyn making cakes. Folks said how good were my cakes!.. couldn’t take the praise could I but they were. Must be well over 40 years ago! We had a brilliant committee, prepared to try anything different to make money for the hall improvements… it had rarely been used for years, so the men were brill… putting in a kitchen which was priority. Painting, floor sanding by hand, by some of the youngsters. The dressing up banquets were so memorable, local support was incredible. Good to see the awakening of the attractive hall.. back to life as it was meant to be. Very different entertainment nowadays. Shortmat bowls is held weekly on Wednesdays. A Village Pub night is held not just for drinking but games, chatting, darts. Relaxation classes too. Again within easy reach of Peterchurch.
That scary storm, early December caused a variation of nuisance, but not as bad as parts of Wales. Locally, some lost power, some their television and phone, whilst Darragh also blew down many fences. I guess I was lucky, it was the tele(which made the evenings very long) and my phone which meant no messaging between me and the family for several days. I rely on this this to keep my head above water. Luckily I didn’t lose electricity at all.
Members of the Monday Club were entertained this morning, (9/12/24)by pupils from Fairfield School. What a treat. We listened eagerly to instruments from the girls.. guitar and piano and a tuba by the only young male of the group. The whole group consisted of over 30 and the singing from that , to duet and soloist. Not only that, they served coffee mince pies AND mulled wine. Having been a teacher many moons ago one notices other things, the politeness, their obedience, their thoughtfulness, and the expressions while singing (and the wandering attention away from the conductor to sum up their audience reactions!) Thankyou Mrs. Sage, we hope they enjoyed their side of it as much as we did.
Wishing you all a joyfully Christmas. And Thankyou once again