Lovely Marion, not long back from Texas where she and Red Shoes Bob trotted to see her glorious little great grand-baby has sent a Christmas update, which Frost Magazine was thrilled to receive.
‘I can’t believe how busy we are, people wanting to use our facilities and of course we accommodate wherever possible but sadly, there are not enough days in the week. Our community centre is now on the tip of everyone’s tongue, what with our U-tube pod cast, Gento video which has promoted interest from SPARK a local radio station. We do believe that the wonderful Margaret Graham and Frost Magazine has had an immense impact on our popularity, we will be eternally grateful for the support and encouragement we received and still receiving from you all.
Our September MacMillan Cancer Support coffee morning went fantastically well with £400 raised and banked, cakes were donated and auctioned off, all had an amazing day. Early October we had a visit from Patrick Mella, CEO of Sunderland City Council who was very complimentary about our centre and added that it had a lovely feel about it. He was extremely interested in the service we provide and the courses that are taking place and was tickled pink when we told him about our fun prize bingo. Out of courtesy we invited him along to join in. On October 17th, the CCA received a response to our letter from Buckingham Palace for which we are cock a hoop. The King was particularly interested in the restoration of the 1939 GR brass door handles. His Majesty was most grateful that we took the time to write to him and share our community project.
Halloween Quiz Night, hot beef dips, hot dogs and onion was the chosen menu for the evening. I devised a 50 question Halloween quiz; Google helped me a lot. Fancy dress is optional, what a fun night. The tickets sold like hot cakes. Never a dull moment, massive tree at the side of the building that no one wishes to take responsibility for though it was encroaching on our wires. We rang the National Grid to explain the circumstances, low and behold their response was amazing, they were with us in no time at all and a Cherry Picker arrived to sort out the problem. Still some bits and bobs to tackle in relation to the refurbishment but this is all in hand.
November: saw Bob and me jetting off to meet Duke, our great grandson in Texas who may I hasten to add is just the most adorable little human being on this planet. On our return we put the Christmas trees up, what a massive difference a year makes. Celebrations galore, the wonderful Edith Bradley donated a Christmas Hamper to the value of £100 and this was won by Jean Moody one of our bingo ladies and ticket sales reached £300.
We thought it only fitting to take a group of our loyal supporters out to Christmas lunch, a little gift of a scratch card was very productive with about ten tickets winning a prize. Of course, Bob – yes that him with the red shoes was chosen to receive the certificate of being on Santas “Nice List”
Friday 22nd December is our Christmas Quiz Day, Turkey and stuffing sandwiches or ham and Pease pudding if you prefer plus, an array of cakes, sweets, nuts, you name it, we have it.
All in all, this has been an amazing year, a wonderful donation came in from the local ladies darts team for which we are extremely grateful. Nothing can ever compare to the joy of seeing our community flourish, and know that people just love coming here and to be able to tell them that we love to have them. From all here at Columbia Community Association, we hope that this Christmas brings you much joy and happiness, and may your New Year be merry and bright.
Thank you all for being such good friends and taking the CCA to your hearts.’
Information: Columbia Community Association Columbia uk Community Forum