Empty plates

What a privilege to visit the 10 groups and see the "Guess who's coming to dinner" event in action. Driving in the dark from Donisthorpe to Packington Whitwick to Breedon to Ashby was exhausting but so worthwhile.
You could feel the buzz as guests arrived and the shriek of "You're here" and working out who else might be turning up.
Dishes were shared, pavlovas demolished. As the night went on, the chatting turned to laughter and in some cases hilarious party games. Can you pick up a cereal packet with your teeth while standing on one leg?
The things we do! All in the name of fun and fellowship!
Thanks to all the brave people who took part. I was so thrilled to see our young people happily mixing with older people.
Watch this space for next year!

"Guess who's coming to dinner?"

Well the 66 people all know the address they are going to and the part of the meal they need to provide. Other than that the evening will be full of surprises. I just hope and pray the 10 groups all have a great evening. The key to the success of the evening is to relax and have fun. It is not a food show. It is not "Come dine with me". It must not be judgemental! It is purely for the fun of finding out who else is around the table and what is on the menu. Good people of Ashby - enjoy!!

Peace at last!

...or let's not. Not a cloud in the sky! Not a plane trail in the sky! It's beautiful out there. No pollution, no noise. I feel really sorry for stranded passengers but it is such a blessed relief to have a break from the endless air traffic. I know we may not have our constant supply of foreign imports for a while and businesses worldwide will suffer but we will just have to eat locally produced food again. Nothing wrong with that!

Life is full of surprises

Well what are chances of this happening? I only know 2 people connected to the small town of Sedgefield (not counting Tony Blair) and it turns out they lived next door to eachother! My friend Katharine at church lived next door to my cousin Julie! Can't wait to hear how they discovered they both knew me.

Sometimes I think we really are living on a very small island.

Easter by text messages

I heard today about a scheme whereby you can receive texts that tell the Easter story in real time as it happens over the week and beyond. Sounds amazing. Imagine a text: " They have just led Jesus away" " He's carrying the cross now.." and then waiting for the Easter morning text with good news. I will be looking out for this next year. Available from www.jesus.co.uk.

St Giles did not disappoint

Red ribbons, photographers and bucks fizz were all there! Our new charity bookshop (St Giles Hospice Bookshop) is launched. Ashby people will have no shortage of good books to browse for the foreseebale future. O happy day!

The universal language of chocolate

Trip out to Scaddows farm shop yielded some unusual surprises: Wild boar pate, individual Yorkshire puddings (made in Yorkshire) and frozen pain au chocolat(s). Got us talking about the Japanese Choco Pan which is the same thing. So Japanese do import as well as export! And talking of chocolate, Cadburys could be opening high street cafes soon. Well that is an exciting proposition. But first we have a new charity book shop to look forward to in our town; opening tomorrow. Should I expect a fanfare, balloons and free books? I suppose not but it is exciting none the less!

Bank rant #2

Ok so my local bank doesn't look quite this derelict but it feels like it. The wrong date on the wall I ranted about earlier was at least correct today BUT it was held together with a bulldog clip. The shiny marble effect counter bears the circular scars of a previous collection of stick on pens and the once colourful display boards of advertisements now bear a mismatched assortment of home made printed out notices reminiscent of a social club. The row of a potential 7 counters has at most 2 members of staff available to help but usually only one. Behind the counters is a huge impressive room which in a bygone era must have been a hive of activity but now houses empty desks and one rather large old photocopier. I don't know how I am going to vote in the forthcoming election, but can anyone offer a return to customer service, quality, and pride in appearance? I want to walk into a bank and feel that old sense of security that they will look after my pennies and make me feel safe. Right now, I am just glad to get out of the building without it falling down!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

We were presented with a homemade Simnel cake at breakfast this morning. That explains the mysterious grated lemon I found in the fridge yesterday!

I love Simnel cake. The 11 marzipan balls representing the 11 disciples after Judas betrayed Jesus.

So we are celebrating today.

Hallelujah - Jesus is risen!!

Good Friday

It's Friday but Sunday's coming!