Week 24 of the Columbia Community Association’s refurbishment which is really getting into gear even though Christmas festivites are only a blink of an eye behind us

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Hopefully you all had a wonderful festive season and your batteries are recharged and ready for a 2023 adventure. That said, sadly the Christmas Tree and other decorations are now down at the Columbia Community Centre and somehow everywhere looks half undressed  as it always done. But never fear, deep down in the cellar they will rest until next Christmas calls them on parade again.

Graham and Dom

The grand news is that the New Year’s CCA refurbishment has started with a  surge of activity as the JLA electrical contractors arrived at eight on the dot once the centre was open again for business, Marion tells us.

The list grows ever longer: new Fire alarm, Intruder alarm, emergency lighting, new LED lights, extra sockets you name it and the CCA will have it. ‘First item to be addressed was a new all singing and dancing Firm Alarm system, fitted by Graham and Dom who, are scheduled to return to our beloved centre on Monday 9th. A bit of eye candy one would say, Margaret?

Margaret couldn’t possibly comment, but is so  pleased Marion told Graham and Dom that there is no rush to complete the work.

All of the CCA’s  inspirational ladies are in action this week, Claire from “Shake that Boogie” said, how lovely it was to be back, saying she felt uplifted, as did all visitors to  the centre it seems. Marion told Frost Magazine that it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves, adding ‘There were no winter blues in the class, only sunshine, smiles and happiness.’

Aimee and her dancers returned, and this dance class is doing so well Aimee has booked more hours every Saturday, taking her sessions to three days a week. In the future the team believes they  will be seeing many more Darcey Bussell’s.

The  gorgeous Forever Young ladies are so pleased to be back, Bingo, Chit chat and of course, melt in the mouth delicious cake, made by the lovely Linda, Marjorie soon got stuck in, verdict, scrumptious.

There were more donations of chocolate biscuits, Christmas trees and ginger bread men, which will go down a treat, as will the jigsaws. Great to see the lads from Equans back to work albeit, not much going on this week.

Frost Magazine’s pin up, Red Shoes Bob,  was a fury of activity, cleaning everything that didn’t move, including the floors, ready for the fabulous diddidancers’ return.  The diary, Marion tells us,  is in the process  of being updated to accommodate all new and existing users, so let’s hope Marion doen’t get writer’s cramp with all the entries (or so Marion said tongue in cheek).

Roll on next week,when the refurbishment will be in full swing (everyone hopes) It is all so exciting, iand it has been a long wait, but as the old cliche goes “patience is a virtue”. Marion raises her eyebrows, and says, ‘Believe me patience has been tested over and over these past months. Onwards and upwards folks, happy days are ahead. All this and it is business as usual at our beloved CCA.’

There is nothing left to say, except a very happy 2023 to you all.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square