Our Community

The Village and its people

 

 

Over 60s Coffee Morning February 2012

The monthly over 60’s coffee morning held on Friday 24th February had a birthday flavour to it as one of the members, Colin Pounds, was celebrating his birthday.  Around 30 people helped him celebrate with a cup of coffee (a few of which had the addition of a tot of  brandy!) and a slice of birthday cake.
Sally Wright and Trevor Butcher explained to everyone about the Food Boxes Scheme which is being organised by the local churches. Quite a lively discussion followed.
The raffle was well supported and Monica Eyre who kindly donated a bag of fresh croissants decided she would quite like them back when her ticket was pulled out of the box!!
The coffee mornings are increasing in popularity and the committee would be pleased to welcome anyone in the village over 60
(or those retired and close to 60).   The next meeting will be on Friday March 30th at 10.30 am in the Friends Meeting House.

 

Text : Dawn Tonge
Photos : Jackie Breadmore : Dawn Tonge

 

 

 

 

 

   Over 60s Inaugural Coffee Morning

 

It was felt that whilst the interests of various groups in the village were catered for there was something of a vacuum with respect to the over 60's. Dawn's occasional Macmillan coffee mornings are so enjoyable because they bring people together that otherwise tend not to meet. Why not have a similar function on a monthly basis (on the strict understanding that we do not impinge on Dawn's activities) ?
The organising committee comprises of Jan Easterling, Barbara Dandridge, Pamela Arbuthnot, Jackie Breadmore, Rene Rookes, Betty Eley and myself (Dave Knight). The venue, the Friends Meeting House, was chosen because it was adjudged to be about the right size.
 

We had about 25-30 people present, many of them arriving at the start time of 10:30 or shortly thereafter and, perhaps a measure of it's success, few of them leaving before the finish time of 12:00. You will need to ask the customers what they thought but they appeared very appreciative and anxious to learn when the next session will be.
The response was encouraging enough for the committee to want to repeat the exercise. we have started from a baseline of zero assets and will therefore need to build up a fund to finance future coffee mornings but any surplus above and beyond that we intend to donate to village related activities or worthy causes such as Macmillans.
  
But these are very much early days and we shall rely on the continued support of our "customers".  In conclusion it was a very enjoyable event from our perspective not least because of the excellent teamwork involved.                       Dave Knight pp the Coffee Morning Committee



Text : David Knight
Photos : Jackie Breadmore

 

 

 

 

 

MacMillan Coffee Morning 2011

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelling the Millennium Field

  

The Parish Council has for several years been trying to make the Millenium Field more of an asset to the village, although it has been used as a site for the fete for the last three years, its main use has been for parishioners to walk their dogs.
The Parish Council applied for a Planning Application to level the field and after much negotiating with West Berks Council this was approved about five years ago. The plans were put out to several local firms and quotes were received which varied from £25,000.00p to £60,000.00p which was way beyond anything that could be raised at that time.

Recently the Parish Council received a sum of £10,000.00p. from developer contributions. This is money that anyone who builds new houses etc. in the village has to pay for the upkeep or improvement to local amenities.
This money was earmarked BY WEST BERKSHIRE COUNCIL for the open spaces in the village. As the time limit on the planning application was soon to run out it was decided to approach some local contractors to see how much levelling could be done with the £10,000.00p. Paul Jannaway from Fawley presented the best quote and has done a great job considering the quotes that were received five years ago
It is hoped East Garston Cricket Club will be able to use it for their home matches which could also bring extra revenue to the Village Hall/Club.  The Millenium Field is for everyone in the village and the Parish Council hopes that the newly formed East Garston Sports/Amenities Group, under the guidance of Freddie Tulloch, will find more uses for it in the coming years..
The junior football posts will be re-erected for use as a newly levelled pitch and the Cricket Club hope to be able to fund an artificial wicket allowing them to play home matches within the village for the first time in many years.  The field will now be left over the winter and Paul will work down the ground in the Spring to get a good seed bed. It will then be reseeded.

 

Photos : Ken Tarbox

 


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