BIBLE MARATHON, over-night on Saturday/Sunday, 2nd – 3rd August. Thanks to Victoria and the young people of St Mary’s for taking the lead in planning and running this huge event – at the end of the Holiday Club week too! There’s a page about the Marathon elsewhere on the site

 

FLOWER  FESTIVAL on Saturday and Sunday, 27 and 28th September : Plans are coming together and we have been encouraged by the positive response from the shops and businesses we have called upon so far. This promises to be a really big event, and should draw people from a wide area. Liz and John have been spotted in the High Street in their best clothes, John with his posh brief case, cold-calling at shops and businesses to fill the Church with Flowers and the Fund with Fivers!

 

Traders and Businesses sponsor a flower arrangement and make a Donation of an equivalent sum to the Organ Appeal. In return we offer a good display space, a good crowd of visitors, and the opportunity to promote their activities to all who come. Some really creative thinking is going on, and whilst there will be no traditional “Theme” to the event, the actual theme will be to demonstrate what’s going on commercially  in and around the village, providing both the services we need and employment opportunities for local people. There may be room for displays from non-business organisations – already the local Police have asked for a spot, and they have been really helpful with solutions to Coach parking: yes, we are expecting coaches to visit with interested flower-lovers!

 

The Festival Restaurant will be operating in St Mary’s Room after Saturday Coffee, offering Lunches and Teas. We’re still need a green-fingered person to take lead role on the Plant Stall which we hope to have in the Craft Market which will run at the same time. There will be much more about all this in later editions.

 

The Faculty has been applied for (Board Meets 3rd June) and the Brainy Backroom Boys are applying for support to Trusts and Grant Making Bodies relevant to our Project. This is highly detailed work – every application is different and requires specific statistics and information. Pete Etherington, Peter Wood and Bob Dibben are working late into the evenings processing the complex forms and formats – we will post the results for you to see.

 

The sum in the bank is close to £59,000 which is terrific : it represents much hard work and generosity by many people.

 

If we can give confidential advice on the best way for you to make a donation to the Appeal or sponsor a Pipe or as to how you can help the Appeal generally – do please let us know. With any luck and a following wind, this time next year our dear old organ will be wending its way to the Organ Hospital in York! With ongoing t. l. c. from Geoffrey Coffin and John, it may even keep working till then!

 

Liz and John