Monday 15th January – Gardening Club

Luci Skinner, Woottens of Wenhaston – Seasonal Planting

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to our first meeting of 2018. 

We all watch gardening programmes and marvel at how the experts have something interesting in their gardens throughout the year, then feel depressed at our own sad plot.  Help is at hand.  Luci is the owner of Woottens and is RHS trained. Her passion for plants is contagious and she regularly speaks to local gardening clubs.  Everyone welcome. Visitors pay on the door.

19:30 in the village hall.

Lyn and the committee

A Christmas Carol – Saturday 16th December at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall

It was a full house for A Christmas Carol performed by the Spinning Wheel Theatre Company. The event was run by The Hut Theatre in conjunction with Creative Arts East. Can there really have been only three actors? The set was ingenious, the acting was amazing and the whole evening was a resounding success. Watch out for future productions by the Hut Theatre and remember to buy your tickets early – there was a waiting list for tickets by the time the day came and a number of people were disappointed!

 

 

 

2107 Village Fete and Dog Show 9th September

We experienced another day of sunshine and showers – par for the course over the last few years and one of the perils of holding a Fete during September! It could have been worse: despite very heavy downpours on the previous day, we managed to prepare the field before it started. Fete day itself was bright and dry, except for a short deluge mid-afternoon, which caused only a short delay and brought visitors inside the Hall to spend some money on the stalls and refreshments there!

The Fete had a ‘doggy theme’ this year (see below Lyn Hannant’s account of the Dog Show and the visit of the Lowestoft Dog Agility Team). Rougham brewer Marc Bartram’s ‘Hair of the Dog’ real ale went down very well (all 72 pints of it!), as did the delicious refreshments, cakes, produce and honey. There was plenty to see and do: children – and adults too – enjoyed the games and activities, bargains were had at the white elephant and book stalls and visitors were impressed with the selection of classic cars, brought along by proud owners from the village and environs. And those visitors came from as far afield as Norwich, Maldon, Clare, Broadstairs and even Israel!

As we go to press, we think the total raised will be in excess of £1,700, to go towards the ongoing costs of upkeep and activities at the Hall. Very many thanks to Ray and Vera Bland for kindly allowing us to use their field yet again and to all those who donated home-made cakes, produce, plants, books, bric-a-brac, tombola and draw prizes and other items. Also, to the 40+ people who gave their time and worked extremely hard on the day and before to ensure its success. An impressive community effort indeed!

Sample the atmosphere in photographs!  Fete photos

Robin Sharp, Chairman Fete Committee

Dog Show Report

We had a wonderful extra attraction this year. The Lowestoft Dog Agility Team came along and gave two amazing demonstrations of their skills. The dogs belong to their volunteer handlers who must have spent a very long time training them. They were a joy to watch and something to aim for.

The fun dog show was well attended. The waggy tail class was won by Nero, who managed an astonishing 66 wags in 20 seconds. The musical dogs class was hotly contested, with little Lucy sneaking on to the final mat to come first. Temptation Alley was won by Kenny in an amazing 2.97 seconds.  He ignored all the treats and streaked to his handler. Other dogs preferred to snack on the way so lost points and their chance of a rosette. The agility class was won by little Lucy in 27.32 seconds, beating Noodles into second place by only 1.47 seconds.  Mr and Ms Drinkstone are classes which are very hard to judge. Roger had a very difficult job, but managed to settle on Bruno for Mr Drinkstone and Pickles for Ms Drinkstone. We searched his car afterwards to make sure he hadn’t stolen one or two.

As usual, Team Dog rose to the challenge, led by Kai. He was a credit to the team. Many thanks also to Valerie, Elaine and Joan. This year, Roger was helped by Trish who kept scrupulous timings records. We ignored the weather, retreating to shelter for only a few minutes during the monsoon. We are also grateful for the Stowe Vet Group, who kindly sponsored this year’s event.

To sum up, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

 

 

Purple Coffee Morning – Tuesday 15th August

The Drinkstone WI and the Village Hall Committee are jointly holding a Purple Coffee Morning on Tuesday 15th August from 10 am t0 11.30 am to raise money for the Bury Women’s Refuge. There will be tea and coffee plus cakes (some may even be purple) made by members of the WI in exchange for a donation and a raffle. Everyone is welcome – please come and support this very worthy cause.

Pub Night Report

A record number of people (over 60) came to the summer pub night on Saturday 24th June and enjoyed a very sociable evening. The warm temperature meant people were sitting  inside and outside and a good night was had by all.

There were people chatting, drinking, sitting outside, playing darts, pool and tables tennis – just like the pub. And new friends were made. Don’t miss the next one on 16th September.

Pub Night June 2017

Sale Trail 2017

Saturday May 6th from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

A record 34 Garage sales in the village meant  a larger than ever attendance. The kitchen had no ‘quiet periods’ and raised a record amount. The overall total raised for Village Hall funds will be in the region of £1,300. Many of the stall holders also reported that they had a successful day too.

Thank you to all who took part in whatever way and thanks also to everyone in the village on what was a very busy day for traffic!

 

2017 Senior Citizens’ Lunch

On Friday, 6th January, 89 Senior Citizens, the largest number by far to date, sat down to enjoy a three course Christmas meal  prepared once again by Home Farm Catering. This year, the event was enhanced by the gentle swing band who call themselves ‘The Wednesday Men’. Their music was greatly appreciated, as was the time given by the group who play to raise money for local hospices. A huge thank you to all the team who helped with the planning, setting up and clearing the hall, and serving teas and coffees. A total of £225 was raised for St. Nicholas Hospice. Click here for the photos.