What a wonderful start to the week as RCCG distributed Mother’s Day gifts to the community on Sunday, this followed on from the array of gifts left by Sister Mary Scholastica. ‘Amazing people with hearts of gold,’ murmured Marion, and Frost Magazine heartily agrees. That wasn’t the end of it, though. Andrew from MBC delivered a host of ceramics for collection, these were the produce of their last session here. We even got a further supply of fabulous free shopping bags for distribution.
But groan, the refurb then hit a stumbling block, though Marion takes it all in her stride and knows that teamwork will get it sorted and on a positive note, the decorating is coming along superbly well. The Centre now has a beautiful emeral green feature wall, but Arthur is being VERY strict and allowed no-one into the room until it was completed. So very there. However, here we have the feature wall of the Brady Square room in all its glory. How did Frost get this before the big reveal at the end of last week? Let Frost Magazine just whisper that a certain lady had been given special dispensation to enter before it was finished and reported back, with this photo, ‘OMG, it is amazing, superb job, vibrant and just simply fantastic.’ I believe there was also a little skip as the news was conveyed. Well, she was right. But more about the finished room at the end of this catch up.
Brady Square’s very own lad, Brian Race, is cock – a – hoop and overflowing with pride as his son Tony has just written and illustrated a book “The adventures of BOB the pigeon and Mr Todd”.
This is an incredible true story of BOB the racing pigeons’ fantastic adventures. Sounds fascinating. Perhaps Tony would send a copy to Frost Magazine’s editor, Margaret, so that one of the team can review it for inclusion in the magazine?
Total money raised for the Ukrainian appeal from the food hamper raffle was £361 and it was handed over to Kam and his wife Regina from the Polish Centre and will be put to good use. Thanks go to everyone who donated food and bought tickets. And thanks also go to all those donated baby wool, which was collected and soon knitted items will be on their way to the premature baby unit.
Frost Magazine mentioned it was a busy week: memorabilia donated by Alyson Chapman owner off Bells is in the midst of being sorted, which wall will receive it?
Nick the window Cleaner called in, John Kelly from Cosmic blinds, too. Darren is scheduled to deliver a surprise package. Hardly time to breathe. ‘All this and business as usual,’ Marion says. ‘Our community have been amazing throughout the refurb, we have all worked together, team work is the name of the game.’
Angie Spindlow from Washington Wombles Recycling (Tyne & Wear) popped in for a chat and a coffee and Marion told her all about the plans she,Margaret and the team have for the reminiscence sessions in which help will be given to create a Brady Square history book. Angie thought this was a marvellous idea.
CCA’s dear friend Brian Mason popped in to talk about new signage for outside of the building, so once the scaffolding is down it will be full steam ahead and ‘wor Brian’ can work his magic.
The CCA team found themselves looking forward to their Friday coffee morning in their newly decorated Brady Square room, at which the surprise was revealed: a mural created by the pupils at the BS school some years ago. Frost Magazine will be saying more about the teacher, Mr Millington, and pupils who put it all together, who probably had no idea it would become a stupendous feature in the Brady Street Room at the heart of their community.
Such a fantastic end to a very progressive seven days, and who knows what the coming week will bring at Columbia Community Association. No matter what is in store, Marion knows ‘We will enjoy the ride.’
Information: Columbia Community Association Columbia uk Community Forum