Dear Members
The VPA is looking forward to 2023 after all
Villagers have stepped forward to save the VPA. We feel very fortunate to be able to send a positive news item following the last one which was very bleak. Following a big push via social media and the various LG e-news items we have had several people get in touch offering a variety of helpful and supporting ideas. THANK YOU to everyone and ongoing we very much welcome people coming forward to lend a hand, no matter how short a period of time you can spare.
Firstly, the Committee have been sorry to say goodbye to Lin Underwood and Stuart Buchanan-Barrow. It goes without saying that we owe a great debt of gratitude to these two departing Committee Members, Lin having been Store Manager for the last 3 years and Stuart, Treasurer for 6 years, both have done a sterling job and are in the process of handing over to the new Committee. An enormous thank you as you move onto other projects. The last store opening for the year was 11 December where visitors were able to enjoy a cup of mulled wine or a coffee.
Going forward we are pleased to say Elliott Bachmann will be our new Store Manager and Kate Filippidis is our new Treasurer. In addition Faye Robinson, Rachel Heaphy, Stephanie Royal, Glenda Cooper, Emily Hinde and Tim Crossley-Smith have all joined the Committee. Alastair Greene, Janet Stinton and June Abraham have all remained on the committee and Stasia Parker has kindly agreed to continue supporting us on Social Media. We also have a number of volunteers who have said they are happy to help either with events or in the store on Sunday mornings. A WhatsApp group is being set up to include all store volunteers to assist with instant communications and if you would like to be included please get in touch at hello@lgvpa.org
Now that we have a strong Committee and a new roof on the store (electrics to be done soon) we are in a good position to move forward. At our initial meet up with new people there was a strong desire to hold the Winter Show. This involves a lot of organisation, however the date is now in the calendar – Saturday 4 February 2023, so please put the date in your nice new diary also allowing time the previous week and in the lead up to the 4 February to prepare your entries. If every household were to put just one entry into the show we would have a bumper record of entries which would be great fun for members and visitors alike.
The usual classes will be there, cooking and preserves, wines and spirits, floral art, photography, children’s classes and pet classes. More details will follow. As the future of the VPA was uncertain, we do not know if exhibitors will have fruit and vegetables to enter. It would help us in the final preparation of the programme if you can give an indication of any likely produce suitable for entry by emailing: vpa-show@lgvpa.org
During our closed period if you need any supplies, particularly the popular bird food, please email: store@lgvpa.org and we can organise your order. Payment by card, cheque or cash is welcomed. Currently we plan to re-open in February 2023.
As you will recall in the past we have often awarded local good causes a donation and with the year-end upon us we felt in a position to make the following awards: The Hospice of St Francis, Rennie Grove Hospice, Horatio’s Garden (Stoke Mandeville Hospital), Westcroft House (Tring) and Riding for the Disabled (RDA, Gaddesden Place), each receiving £400 which we hope will help in a variety of ways towards the services they each provide on a shoe-string budget.
Thank you and Happy Christmas to all our members from the VPA Committee.