Christmas Card Scheme
A big thank you to all who supported our Corporate Christmas Card scheme in 2004. We raised £159. Happy New Year and, again, thank you.
Rossendale Motorcycle Show
One rainy Sunday morning last September, around a dozen members of the Association joined Gill Hitchen as volunteer marshals at the Rossendale Valley Motor Bike Show.
We had been told to expect a lot of bikes but in the event ‘a lot’ was the greatest understatement I have come across in a long time. Thousands of bikes turned up (in spite of the rain) from all parts of the North West and far beyond. Our group was based at Winfields car park at Haslingdon. Our role to make sure the ride-in to Rawtenstall assembled safely before setting off en masse. In the event, the parade into Rawtenstall took nearly 25 minutes to pass – an awful lot of bikes.
Police estimated 50,000 people packed into Rawtenstall itself and had a great time enjoying in the afternoon sunshine all the bands, displays, stalls and events. If you want a much more comprehensive description of aspects of the Show, their website ‘www.rossendale-bikeshow.co.uk’ is well worth a look.
Saddleworth Beer Walk
This year the Beer Walk took place on Saturday, 5th June and once again the Oldham/Tameside Branch took part in it. Members and friends donned fancy dress and prepared themselves for the ten mile walk and the ten halves of beer to be downed en-route. The weather was dull but it was quite a pleasant day for a walk over the hills and there were plenty of people out from the Saddleworth villages to support the walkers.
This year we had 21 walkers and they managed to collect £608.66 in their cans. At this point we ought to mention Dave Schofield as he collected the grand total of £141.57 all by himself. When his cans were opened they were found to contain large amounts of pound coins and silver ones. We don’t know how he manages it but we are very grateful that he does.
After the Walk we all headed for ‘The Clarence’ at Greenfield for a pie supper. A hot meal and a chance for a sit and a chat are always appreciated at the end of the Beer Walk day. It is also a good chance to catch up on all the news and enjoy a social occasion.
It is November now and time for the final tally of the Beer Walk accounts. After expenses we have made a profit of £909 this year.
Thank you to everyone for taking part in the walk, collecting and raising money through sponsorship. Once again you have made the event a very successful fund raising one and we hope that you also managed to enjoy yourselves at the same time!
Carol Shaw, Oldham and Tameside branch.
Gulliver’s World
It was a lovely sunny day and Liverpool branch’s first day out this year to Gulliver’s World in Warrington. It wasn’t a bad turn out about 10 families in all.
The bus picked us up from Alder Hey car park and dropped us off there too. At Gulliver’s World we all went our separate ways, although some families went round together others arranged to meet up for lunch.
The rides at Gulliver’s World are brilliant for the small children, from the flying Dumbo’s to the Log Flume. The children also had their faces painted and hair sprayed.
Goody bags were supplied by Tesco with thanks to Lisa who got in touch with them.
No Saint, No Sinner
Our thanks go to Selina Benson who has kindly donated some of the proceeds from her book. For more information about the book, vist her website at www.selinabenson.co.uk.
Donation – Bishop Rawstorne C.E.
Thank you to everyone at Bishop Rawstorne C.E Language College in Croston, who raised £611 for the Association.