An update on the Village Hall from the Chairman, Neal Courtney.
So, you all asked for it (well to be exact 75% of the questionnaire respondents did), and we are now delivering Chieveley’s first Community Coffee Stop – the trial begins on Friday 22nd May with a special guest on our opening day, and will run for 10 weeks through the remainder of May, June and July.
We have been very fortunate with the number of volunteers who have committed to helping serve customers coffees, teas and cakes – thank you to everyone involved because this has enabled us to open three mornings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please come and support us and help make this a success, we can then hopefully make this a permanent feature of our village.
However, to date, we haven’t had any entries for our Photo Competition from all you local budding photographers. We want to display some interesting pictures that capture scenes all around the villages in this beautiful North Wessex Downs area. There will be prizes, but perhaps best of all your photo will be seen and judged by the Coffee Stop visitors. Please send your entries to: chieveleyvillagehall@gmail.com
It has been fantastic to see the sun finally becoming a daily visitor and the recreation ground is looking very green and healthy - probably due to the amount of rain over the previous months! Our recognition also goes to the group of volunteers who in April did a fantastic job of freshening up the tennis club hut ready for the summer tennis players and spectators – well done.
Our Chieveley Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Market at the beginning of April was a great success with most of the food stalls selling out on the day and has given rise to a new activity at the hall – see later in this month’s update. However, we do need to apologise to any children and parents who came towards the end of the morning because our Easter Egg Hunt was so successful that it sold out much quicker than the previous year. We will certainly ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
On the activities front this month, I would like to talk about the Women’s Institute which is the longest running women’s organisation in the UK and in fact the Chieveley WI was founded 106 years ago! They meet every second Wednesday of the month at the hall from 1.30pm and a warm, sociable get together with refreshments is guaranteed for everyone who comes along. In addition, day trips are organised and there are lots of events from quizzes, listening to many interesting and varied talks, and even watching magicians do their magic! However, those of you who may have an image of the WI as just a nattering forum couldn’t be further from the truth as the ladies also get involved in local issues that need a voice and various campaigns, and regularly discuss current affairs.
So, as you can see it really isn’t just about making cakes and jam! In fact, new younger members are not only very welcome but also are now positively encouraged in order to extend the range of activities that everyone can experience and enjoy. To join or find out more please contact Jean on 07796 546325 or 01635 248213.
Then starting soon will be the opportunity to learn authentic Asian/Chinese cookery. Mei, who is originally from Hong Kong, has been a regular at our Easter and Christmas events, selling her own Chinese condiments and sauces. Those of you who have sampled her condiments will probably know that all the recipes are Gluten-free, plant-based and made from 100% natural, fresh ingredients that are locally sourced wherever possible. She has a highly successful online business, is a popular trader at all the markets she attends, and is now setting up classes in the Village Hall kitchen for anyone wanting to learn. First session is on Saturday 18th July but places are booking fast so, if you want to learn a new style of cooking or, are just fascinated by cuisine from the Far East, please give this a try and lookout for details on our website.
As always keep an eye out for details of all the new and regular activities and events at your village hall on: our notice board outside the shop; on the banners and flyers around the village; and of course as always at the hall itself and on our website: www.chieveleyvillagehall.org and, if you have any questions, then please get in touch with Rosalind - our Bookings Manager
Yours sincerely,
Neal Courtney
Chairman Chieveley Recreation Centre