Christmas in the Community:
As a Property Solicitor the week before Christmas has always been a busy time making sure transactions are completed before the holiday and clients can pick up the keys to their new home or business premises. This year has been all about making connections.
The week started with a visit to the Christmas Tree Festival at St Nicholas Church in Baddesley Ensor. A wonderful display of decorated Christmas trees from families, community groups and businesses around the village with the theme “Keeping in Touch” raising valuable funds for their charities and making time to pause and reflect on how keeping in touch is so important in our busy world. I couldn’t leave the village without a trip to Gaytons for some tasty treats.
Monday meant back to the office but with our annual Secret Santa tradition getting together and sharing gifts with the team in Atherstone. I received a very appropriate book! Onwards to the Bedworth Labour Party AGM at the Saunders Club in Bedworth – what a great venue! The enthusiasm of the members for the forthcoming Council elections and the election of a new Police & Crime Commissioner as well as the General Election was infectious. It was great to meet people again along with Warwickshire’s PCC candidate Sarah Feeney and to plan some campaigning activities in Bedworth for the New Year.
Tuesday another busy day at the office followed by a game of tennis and a bring and share party with the ladies at Coleshill Tennis Club – it was great to celebrate one of our player’s 60th birthday and the success of two of our teams getting promoted this year and to hand over the reigns of ladies captain to Clare for another stint. In true Vicar of Dibley style I also managed to squeeze in a few drinks with my Labour Councillor colleagues back in Atherstone. Their support since I was elected as a councillor has been fantastic and we are lucky to have such an energetic and inspirational group leader, Jodie Gosling who has helped us all to make a difference for our residents this year.
Wednesday was time for my first, but definitely not last, visit to The Pit Stop Community Cafe in Keresley. It’s a wonderful project provided by volunteers from St Thomas’s Church Keresley including the amazing and energetic Dorothy as a place where anyone can come for a coffee and a bite to eat for a small donation depending on what they can afford. It is also a meeting place for a Sewing Group, a Table Tennis Club and the Keresley Village Residents Association who are taking a pride in their community. I learnt about their problems with public transport, abandoned unsafe buildings and anti social behaviour. I will be following these things up and supporting future community events already being planned. In the evening I attended the New Inspirations Choir concert at Sheepy Church with my Mum. The choir, all local ladies from Atherstone and the surrounding villages, led by Bonnie Spencer raised in excess of £3,000 for Auditory Verbal UK a charity helping deaf children to have the same opportunities as hearing children. A great concert and lovely to see so many old friends.
Thursday I found time for a catch up with my campaign agent, some legal work, finger nails painted for Christmas and a trip to the supermarket to get ready for the big day.
Friday was another busy day in the office completing 2 property transactions in time for Christmas then time for a few glasses of wine with my niece, brother and sister in law to wish them Merry Christmas before a catch up with some old clients in the Gate with the New Inspirations as the backdrop again.
Saturday though was the real vicar of Dibley day. 10am breakfast with friends and Christmas present opening with their 3 year old son. Lots of fun with Monster trucks and walkie talkies! 12.45pm meet up with friends in Moseley for lunch, also time to help Labour campaign with Richard Parker for West Midlands Mayor at Moseley Farmers Market and buy some fantastic Banana Ketchup. Onwards to our lovely friends Rachel and Tracey in Grendon for drinks, football and catch up and then to the infamous “Chilli Christmas” back in Atherstone with Lorraine, Rob and a houseful of their friends – made it home before 2am.
Christmas Eve – Up early to deliver food hampers for Edible Links – a great vibe at the warehouse in Abeles Way and some happy customers when they received their Christmas essentials and a few treats. A real lifeline for too many families this year. Great to be able to give back to my community. Then home to get the house tidy and the veg prepped ready for the big day. We were feeding my parents this year who after both having a stroke aren’t able to do the entertaining. Great day had by everyone.
