Halloween and a birthday to celebrate; our adorable little Dudley is 3 years old today.
MBC very kindly brought some ceramic pumpkins for anyone who would like to decorate one. In addition; attached to the Pumpkins was a little Halloween themed bag of compost and a packet of Cress or Mustard seeds. ‘How very thoughtful of them,’ the team agreed.
Marion sent Frost Magazine a message: ‘Would you believe that Colin Rutter responded to our request for a Christmas Tree. Hand delivered by Colin, who just happens to be yet another Brady Square lad and a close relation of good old Ernie Rutter. His hardware shop was next doorto Margaret’s Uncle Stan’s Long Pole.. In addition, he brought lights and decorations for the tree. Colin said I could take his photo when he comes back in his Santa outfit to see the tree all light up.’ I’m sure Margaret isn’t the only one who can’t wait to see Santa screech to a halt in his sleigh, and admire the tree.
‘Last Sunday at the beginning of week 15,’ Marion continued. ‘I dared to post on social media that we needed a sofa for our Centre and low and behold – by the powers that be, the fantastic Margaret Grundy got in touch on Monday morning to say she had just the thing. Margaret had it delivered to our Centre and Hey Ho we have ourselves a sofa. Our community are simply the best, better than all the rest, eee I think I feel a song coming on.’
‘This week Cultural Creatives have been aworking on 3 layered quilt techniques, initially making the top layer, they never cease to amaze me, we are in envy of them.
‘My mate Brian Mason has just dropped off our commemorate sign, he never lets us down. A proper trooper. Bob is tasked with fixing it to the wall for all to see.’
Poppies arrived during the week, according to Marion, who gave thanks to Claire who organised them and Dianne who collected them for CCA. It seems people in the area are actually struggling to locate Poppy sellers so let’s hope Marion’s post on social media brings them along to the CCA centre where they can get their Poppy and wear it with pride.
‘It’s a cause close to my heart,’ Margaret added. ‘Even more so after meeting a 25 year old veteran of Afghanistan a few years ago, who was in a wheelchair, with a portable oxygen bottle lying on his chest,and his young wife of 23 pushing. He had been shot in the neck and was paralysed from the neck down. Dick and I found ourselves wishing we could do something for these lads but it seemed such a huge project until we heard that his family and friends had raised enough money to buy the young couple an assistance dog, so he had company when his lovely young wife was busy elsewhere in their home.
‘It inspired us, and made us realise that ‘small’ was pretty good too. With two of my writing friends we set up a small charity raising funds through writing competitions, Literary Festival days, and many other things like putting ourselves through an army assault course. Just do not ever ever mention the ‘birthing tube’! to any of us. Nightmare!
.
We, including our families, helped those in need, but found they gave us more than we could ever give them; they were such courageous wonderful people. We have closed the charity now, as we live in a different area and things are somehow more difficult to arrange, but still raise funds in various ways: helping hands on with veterans’ writing therapy, walking Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds for a specific need. So yes, really pleased to see Poppies are available at the CCA, as it’s a grand way to give back to all veterans who gave so much . Such a wonderful community association, reaching out to others in every way possible ‘
Lee, a terrific joiner working with Equan arrived in the week. According to the team he can do anything, and is their Hero. Lee was finishing off the Archway in the Brady Square room, along with other bits and bobs. If only they could keep him here full time, they wail; but are very grateful to Equan for their ongoing help.
All the time work is going on, the centre is open for visitors, and during the week, they steadily arrived as usual. Coffee was made, Laptop booted up. Newspaper on the table. Tele on and one day Marion had a good old chinwag with a gentleman who grew up Brady Square, so there was much sharing of memories of days gone by.
‘Whoop Whoop,’ Marion was thrilled to tell us. ‘I have just come off the phone with Darren, Washington Carpet Super Store, who has very kindly pledged a rug for our Brady Square room. All we have to do is to pop in to the store and choose the rug we want. Oh, my giddy aunt, he has only donated four fabulous rugs. Thank you, Sir, you are a gentleman.’
‘Our Friday coffee morning was a great success, and a big thank you Margaret and Dick for accepting our invitation and bringing along an array of books, audio books. Not to mention knitted hats for the Seafarers.’
‘No, no, Marion.’ Margaret protested. ‘Thank you so much. So many memories, and to sit chatting to Jean about my Uncle Stan and Auntie Isobel and David, because her mum worked with Stan, was wonderful.’
Marion was also pleased to see Bob and Margaret were both wearing their red shoes and boy did they look a treat.
‘We certainly did, eh Bob.‘ said Margaret, not given to modesty.
Information: Columbia Community Association Columbia uk Community Forum