Frost Magazine can’t believe it is so long since Margaret Graham became over excited when asked to cut the ribbon at the opening of the wonderful Columbia Community Association Centre. Fortunately she managed to behave which was as well as her mum, Annie – Stan Newsome’s sister, sitting up on her cloud would have caused a roll of thunder.
Frost Magazine have so missed sharing the exploits of the indomitable Marion and Red Shoes Bob as they guided the renovations over the last 18 months of blood sweat and tears, laughter and chat, so Margaret has nudged Marion into bringing us all up to date. As we have come to expect, the CCA has been busy busy busy. New events have been organised, new external programmes have been welcomed, and of course there has been an autumn influx of the fabulous creative sessions.
Gentle Yoga has been a great success, and has spiralled beyond belief, three sessions are now in progress. Guess what, the CCA now also has a HATHA energetic session. When asked, Marion confessed she had not yet had time to attend, but Margaret wonders if the word ‘energetic’ might have caused her to pause. Who can blame the woman. Heavens, she rushes around such a lot as it is, probably, dare one say, yelling, ‘Keep up,Bob.’
The fabulous dancers continue to win competition after competition but ‘Boy do they practice, no school holidays for them, they practiced every Wednesday for 9am till 3pm, dancing their little hearts out,’ said Marion.
Cultural creatives are back for ten weeks, the cakes still keep coming and Phil from Di’s Diner thinks our new treasurer Trish works better after one of his freshly made fruit scones, strangely enough, she tends to agree with him. This sets her up for the digital training she delivers to the community users on a Friday morning before our coffee morning gets underway.
Maralyn Edith Denise and Trish
Bob has had a bit of respite due to the rain or should that read monsoon weather in respect to the plants in the garden? A garden which is in full bloom, by the way, and looking gorgeous.
Louise, ceo of Gentoo (on the right above) visited on September 19th with a photographer to take photos with Julie of Equans (on the left, Marion who so loves a camera, and Dianne, the chair of CCA in the middle, and of course a few of the lovely users.
Wednesday 20th 6.30pm the CCA had a new evening event, Pie and Pea supper, with mushy peas of course, along with a quiz Marion devised and kept under lock and key until the day. There were 3 hand made Belgium chocolates for the winning team. Tickets went like wildfire and all 30 were sold. Marion is looking at a Halloween evening next, car park will be adapted to house all broom sticks.
Marion said, ‘Utility services never fail to amaze, in September 2022 we had a gas meter in the kitchen removed by SSC, all great, yesterday, we had a visit from the gas board to check if the gas had been turned off on the outside pipe. It appears that the Council own the pipe inside, but British Gas are in control of the external pipe. We are so delighted that we did not have a leak as I don’t think after 12 months, I would be writing this as we would possibly have been a misty memory
Food hampers are being made to raffle on Coffee Mornings with proceeds going to the Macmillan Cancer Support and Phil is the first winner. As always, Graham and Christine Thirlaway are donating so much food for this and the CCA is enormously grateful.
The next Coffee morning is scheduled for Friday 29th. You can scan the bar code to donate, every penny makes a difference and is much appreciated.
Marion has the last word (as she so often does, and we love it)’There is always so much to say, we love sharing our stories with all the readers of Frost Magazine and I do hope we can continue to do so from time to time. We intend to start our Reminiscence sessions very soon and hope to share our stories of growing up in our wonderful Brady Square.’
Margaret will be there for some of the sessions, by hook or by crook. She can’t wait.
Information: Columbia Community Association Columbia uk Community Forum