On the great day I was actually on a short break from boarding school in Northumberland, with my brother and parents in Patterdale, Ullswater.
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The preparations for the event were a buzz. The older boys and the men, not in the army, built an enormous bonfire and cut the grass of the field behind the houses with hand mowers. Every one of them had blistered hands. A piano was carried out there too – all set up beside an enormous bomb crater. Flags were hung out, or hand painted ones were placed in windows.
I was seven on VE Day and had what I am sure was an experience shared by many, perhaps including some of our members…
It’s difficult to distinguish what I really remember as a then 4 year old, and what I had subsequently been told. But I do have one certain memory…
To all members of Ashdown Probus Club
Hello to all Members, Families & friends,
Here we are at the beginning of May, over a month under “Lockdown” conditions and experiencing a completely different way of life. I hope you have all come to terms with it and managed to adapt without too many complications.
We have been blessed with a month of unusually fine weather. I am not a gardener but lent a hand and Barbara has created a garden that has resulted in a riot of colour all month long.
To be woken in the morning by the dawn chorus, to sit in the garden in the late afternoon and without the noise from commuting traffic and aircraft arriving and departing Gatwick Airport, the peace and quiet is deafening!
All those outside jobs that should have been done months ago are now complete, the garage, the shed and the greenhouse have all been cleared and tidied, the areas that required a coat of paint have been attended to.
Now the weather has changed it is time to see to the inside details.
During this month the Committee has been in phone contact with a selected number of you, just to say that the Club has not forgotten our members and to remind you that there is always a point of social contact and practical assistance should it be required.
If there is anyone who would like some help, please just lift the phone and start a conversation or send an email and ask a question, there are many idle hands willing to help out.
I believe we still have a way to go under the current situation. Although some parts of society are calling for an easing of the restrictions and the authorities may possibly relax some of the rules, perhaps it would be prudent, before attending a more crowded situation, to wait and see if the relaxing of rules is the right way to go.
Many thanks to Phil Parker for the additional page on the Club Website entitled “Play Page”. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet it is a puzzle and challenge page plus a weekly competition with prizes to be won!
I ask you to pause and remember our friends, Marshall Scott and Stan Loosley who passed away earlier this month.
Stay safe and well, keep in contact and I look forward to meeting you all again at the Monthly Lunch or the next Function.
David Scaife
President
Firstly, congratulations to our President, David Scaife the winner of last week’s competition.
And now a quick update on what’s on offer on the website Play Page…
If you would like to enjoy a bottle of scotch, a couple of bottles of wine or one of the other prizes on offer why not enter this week’s competition.
We’re trying to provide a variety of brain-teasers for a bit of entertainment for you during lockdown.
This week there’s a Triangle conundrum and a Sudoku puzzle plus Competition No. 3: a simple number puzzle and a set of anagrams to solve.
As you’re reading this you’ve already signed in to the website so just go to the Play Page on the Members area drop down menu and test your skill with this competition. You must return your entry to Phil Parker by 5.00 p.m. on Friday 8th May for a chance to be the winner!
Good luck
