We were able to hold our July meeting face to face – the first time since February 2020.  It was lovely! We met at Colburn Village Hall on a beautiful sunny evening for a meal and get-together, with a low key business session. Angie Dale and Colburn Community Action We began with a short talk from Angie Dale, mastermind and leader of Colburn’s response to the Covid crisis.  This comprised a PPE sewing bee, which produced 250 PPE garments a week for local health services. She also established a food-share bank (to which we contributed), which enabled many local families in hardship to collect essential supplies to keep them going during lockdown. She added a clothing and household goods exchange to the list, all based in the Village Hall.  As if this was not enough, the community group she leads provided lunches for local schoolchildren

We have an update on Chikupo School in Zimbabwe which we have been assisting through SI Harare.   We received these photos from the Head of Chikupo School, showing their new veg plot where they grow vegetables for the local community. It’s good to see the hosepipe with water pouring out. We sent money towards their new water supply, as they’ve suffered badly in recent droughts.  The Headmaster said “you played a big role in the project and we will always be grateful”.

  A special donation:  the club decided to bring a little treat to the families using the foodbank housed at the Village Hall in Colburn.  Angie who runs the project told club members that Fray Bentos steak and kidney pies are regarded as a luxury by it’s customers. They are not bought by the foodbank because the pies cost more than the foodbank limit per item.  The club therefore contributed 8 meat pies, plus another 3 vegan and vegetarian ones for those with particular needs.  They were quickly snapped up!

SI Richmond and Dales met for their formal Annual General Meeting by Zoom this month.  After such a difficult year, it was good to be able to reflect on the things we have managed to achieve despite lockdowns, remote meetings and social distancing.  Our outgoing Presidents Faye and Jane highlighted: Generous foodbank contributions for the Storehouse foodbank, Richmond, including baby bundles Donations for SI Harare, forwarded by Western Union Curtilage Awareness Raising in August and Just the Job fundraising Successful fundraising refreshment stall at the Open Garden at Mr. Yorke’s Walled garden in aid of Just the Job Guest speakers on Zoom, Steve Biggs from Just the Job, Andy Wilson from Yorkshire Cancer Research, and our own Babs Hunt Participation in 16 days of Activism, Orange the World – Action against Gender Based Violence on line and at our November Meeting where the screen had a

Past President Sue Young asked members if they could make donations to Colburn Food Bank.  Sue had heard they were looking for extra food, household and clothing donations, during her activities as  Trustee for Colburn Library, as part of CRACCL (Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Community Library).  Members rallied round, and Sue has now delivered our donations.  She sent the following: ‘Thank you to all members who took the time to donate a wide variety of food and other items for the Colburn foodbank.  Angie, who runs the project, was very grateful for our fast response at a time when demand for their goods has risen as COVID impacts on household finances.”

March Club Meeting ‘Visitors’ SI Richmond & Dales met for it’s March meeting via Zoom on Thursday 16th. Presidents Faye and Jane started the meeting by sending welcoming our ‘visitors’ – Linda Davis, Yorkshire Regional President and Janette Black & Stella Reynolds from our Friendship Link Club Easter Ross.  It was lovely to see them, even if it was virtual.   Linda Davis spoke about her experience of  her Presidency during lockdown.  She is keeping in touch with Zoom, which – though not ideal – is better than no contact. She hopes that we will be able to have come kind of face-to-face activity during the summer. A ‘proper’ Regional Council Meeting in July is a possibility, and Linda told us to wait and see for details of an event, as soon as confirmation is available.  September RCM has been booked at the Holiday Inn.  Sadly,