Christmas Grotto 2019

After all the hard work put in during the year by the two Johns, we decided to make full use of the shed to celebrate the festive season with the Arno community.  This was the first time we have been able to organise an event like a christmas grotto, so we were keen to make it a wonderful celebration to end 2019.

Posters were made and social media used to let everyone in the local area know that Santa would be visiting our Arno.  All preparations were made to tidy up around the shed and our membership secretary Linda Atkinson, assisted by her sister Pauline created a wonderful secret grotto in one side of the shed, as well as elf outfits. Linda, also helped by our Chairperson Annette Capper, organised the event and allocated duties to other Committee members so that everything was ready. We were also selling home made jams which Brenda had kindly brought, ideal last minute gifts!









Saturday 14th December started very cold with quite a breeze. We gathered at 8.30am to set up the gazebo, decorate outside the shed and set up the tables and chairs. We had brought our home-made or shop bought cakes, gingerbread men, mince pies  and bottles of mulled wine.  Tea urns were used to warm the mulled wine and boil water for teas and coffees. Christmas music began to play and Santa arrived to take his seat.  We even had a basket full of bagged up dog treats for the many dog walkers who regularly exercise their pooches in the Arno and on the Oxton Fields.

We were delighted that so many people came along to support us.  Lots of dog walkers came to partake of the mulled wine and their dogs were looking smart in their Christmas coats. The star of the show was even giving a piggy back to his own mini santa toy.  Our elves were walking around handing out the dog treats and letting people know what was going on.





















Lots of children were brought along to meet Santa, and were given a chocolate treat and a satsuma.  After visiting Santa in his grotto they joined us under the gazebo for soft drinks and gingerbread men.
It was lovely to be able to gather so many people in our community together at this festive time of the year. 

















 






































At midday we started to clear away and dismantle the gazebo.  We felt that it had been a success. The sale of the jams had raised £68 and altogether, including donations in our snowman basket, £200 had been taken in just two hours. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone who came along to support us and have been spurred on to plan more community events in 2020.  Watch this space!

December Litter Pick 2019

On Saturday 7th December we met at the bottom of Duck Pond Lane to start our last litter pick of the year.  Litter pickers, gloves and plastic bags were trundled down in a wheelbarrow ready to be collected by volunteers at 10am.

Our Chairperson  Annette Capper

Everyone spread out across the Oxton Fields, up the paths through to the Rose Garden and around the Quarry area.  There were particular spots which were littered with lots of empty drink cans and glass bottles.  Around the edges of the Quarry and where the remains of the Sundial are situated seem to be especially prone to litter being thrown into the undergrowth.

Some strange items always seem to turn up, no matter what time of year we do the litter pick.  This time, we unearthed an old fire extinguisher, section of air ducting as well as a children's sledge.

After just over an hour, all the volunteers met for a photgraph or two and hot drinks and mince pies.
These regular litter picks are a vital part of the work the Friends group carries out.  Without these events, there would be so much more rubbish, spoiling the beautiful green spaces that we should treasure and enjoy as a community, as well as posing a danger to wildlife. 

If you feel you would like to take part in our next litter pick, follow us on Facebook or read our Notice Boards whenever you are passing.