A few holdups as the team toddle through week 3. The doors, sent off to be stripped (if Imight be indelicate) have not yet found their way home. Those in place are sanded and soon to be ‘tarted up’ – Marion’s words. The flooring has to wait for the Asbestos check…
The delivery of the new bespoke kitchen is not yet confirmed. So the team wait – thrilled to bits. ‘Once it is here, work will begin immediately,’ so says Stu the gaffer.
Marion is going to move the existing benches into the computer room,which she showed me when Dick and I arrived to have a look. That woman’s mind works at the speed of light.
Marion tells me, ‘One of the Forever Young ladies has very kindly donated a printer which is great as it saves me carting mine back and forth. This fits in well with the installation of our WIFI on the 11th; now, we need to locate the best place to purchase the ink cartridges, a job for Pauline our treasurer who enjoys shopping.’
John at Cosmic Blinds has produced a fabulously reasonable quote and food hampers are being made by Marion to raffle in aid of Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal. She asks again for food donations. By the way, the winning raffle tickets will be drawn at CCA’s coffee morniong on 26th August and Marion is so pleased because while telling me this, a lovely couple from Age Concern popped in to buy some raffle tickets.
More good news: The Nationwide bank in Washington Galleries have kindly offered to display CCA posters on their notice board ( food donation requests and much needed medical supplies for the appeal. ) The CCA accept medical supplies at any time and pass these onto the Polish Centre in Newcastle.
And… And… Marion has made contact with the Washington Heritage Project Co-ordinator Arwa. Marion is hoping this will lead to the CCA being able to offer CCA resources to a wider audience and promote Columbia’s heritage.
Now onto the classes. Tuesday is dancing day when the centre becomes alive with music and laughter. Last Tuesday was no exception, and has actually put on an extended session. Marion laughed, and told me: ‘I love how the dads cannot wait to make a hasty retreat.
Aimee instructing her class just a shame we cannot hear the music
Fat Quarters, due to unforeseen circumstances, cancelled their session for Week 3 and were missed,’
And here we have news of the “Shake that Boogie” group strutting their stuff to “Long haired lover from Liverpool” among many others. Marion wants evertyone to know: ‘It’s electrifying and so much fun with Claire at the helm.’
Tuesday evening session Wednesday morning session
Dianne, CAA chair, took over the reins for a while and did a bit of weeding on the pots at the front of the centre. ‘Then she did a walk around video with running commentary whcih has been posted Columbia sites for all to see. (But has Marion told her that it IS UP for all to see?)
Liam rang with an update on the doors. It appears it will take a little longer to strip the paint from them as around 80 years of gloss is taking some shifting. (83 to be exact and who knows what they used in those days)
Apparently, the Openreach broadband Engineer was a young man by the name of Declan Garrigan and he was amazing, Over to Marion ‘ He worked three hours solid in heat of 31 degrees, refused to stop for refreshments saying he just wanted to get it sorted for us. What more could anyone ask for. Thank you, Declan it was much appreciated.’ Also said Marion. ‘We did have our first volunteer come forward; Ray Turnbull you are a star, and he bought raffle tickets for the hampers.’
.Marion wanted me to say that she thanked me for the books (Really?! Must I?!
I think the books will be there for you to borrow, or so Marion said. She also asked me to thank Sister Mary on her behalf for her flowers and gifts, and of course, ladies, we are all to knit titfers (hats) for the seamen. Righto. I have my orders, but am s-l-o-w.
Frost Magazine, in the rather rotund shape of Margaret, had a great visit to Brady Square which stirred many memories of my holidays with Uncle Stan, and my return visits since, and I just know that the heart of the community is alive and well. Can’t wait to hear that the doors are in, the Asbestos flooring test is OK, and that the Fat Quarters are back sewing away soon.