December 2023 update
Southwell Lions support the REACH Big Give
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We were delighted to support this year's Big Give appeal by Reach. Our £1,000 donation will be more than doubled by matched funding to support this wonderful local charity. |
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Westgate Group celebrates Christmas with the Lions
We held our annual Christmas party for the Westgate Group at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church Hall on 4th December. Around 20 members of the group, accompanied by family and/or carers, enjoyed a delicious tea, a Christmas sing-song with their favourite carols and a visit from Santa Claus himself! It's a joy for all of the Lions to see the Westgate Group members enjoying themselves so much.
Huge thanks, as always, to Rama from the Reindeer for providing all the catering and to Marion Turner for leading the singing on the piano.
Huge thanks, as always, to Rama from the Reindeer for providing all the catering and to Marion Turner for leading the singing on the piano.
November 2023 update
Lowe's Wong Juniors ROAR entries save the planet!
Lions ROAR 2023 is an ideas competition for primary schools created by the Lions in conjunction with 8billionideas that aims to unlock the creative spirit in every child by giving them the time to imagine and develop ideas that could change the world! They could be about absolutely anything as long as it has a positive impact on the world. This was Lowe's Wong's fifth year of entering and proved the most successful school in the competition in their district.
The winners this year were, once again, chosen by a judging panel of Southwell Lions and, this year, a team from Year 5 won with their 'Forest Guardian', a low-energy consuming robotic tree planter to combat deforestation. Runner-up ideas included the Handy household robot, MEMO memory watch, Allicorn automated street cleaner and Tracker bracelet. The regional finalists will be announced on 6th December as part of the national final.
Said judge Lion Peter Brooker: "Every year, the creativity and inventiveness of the children blows us away. They clearly are very concerned about not just the environment but about the plight of people who are less fortunate than they are, whether through disability or financial/social disadvantage. If our world of the future could be governed by these children, we'll be in safe hands!
"Congratulations to the winners and well done to all the students who took part. Also, a massive thank you to their teacher, Mrs Harvey, who puts it a huge amount of work to enrol and enthuse the children and organise their entries ahead of the judging."
The winners this year were, once again, chosen by a judging panel of Southwell Lions and, this year, a team from Year 5 won with their 'Forest Guardian', a low-energy consuming robotic tree planter to combat deforestation. Runner-up ideas included the Handy household robot, MEMO memory watch, Allicorn automated street cleaner and Tracker bracelet. The regional finalists will be announced on 6th December as part of the national final.
Said judge Lion Peter Brooker: "Every year, the creativity and inventiveness of the children blows us away. They clearly are very concerned about not just the environment but about the plight of people who are less fortunate than they are, whether through disability or financial/social disadvantage. If our world of the future could be governed by these children, we'll be in safe hands!
"Congratulations to the winners and well done to all the students who took part. Also, a massive thank you to their teacher, Mrs Harvey, who puts it a huge amount of work to enrol and enthuse the children and organise their entries ahead of the judging."
Christmas is coming to Reach!
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The tenants at Reach's new accommodation in Southwell will be spending their first Christmas at their new home next month and we could think of no better way to help them celebrate than to give them Christmas trees, lights and decorations to add a festive feel to the accommodation. Several residents were on hand yesterday to take delivery and are looking forward to decorating their new home shortly when all the residents are together.
Special thanks also go to Southwell Garden Centre for their very generous contribution towards the trees and decorations. |
Lions Nick Parr, Peter Brooker and Alastair Murray with some of the residents
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Remembrance Sunday 2023
Southwell Lions were represented at the town's war memorial on Remembrance Sunday, when we joined other groups in laying a wreath in memory of those who have given their lives in defence of our country.
New Outdoor furniture for Minster School students
We were delighted to help when the Minster School PTA appealed for funds to buy some new outdoor picnic tables and benches for students to use, at the start of term. They have now been installed so a small group us us went to see them, along with some new MSPTA members. They are already being well used.
October 2023 update
At our October meeting, we agreed donations to:
- Farnsfield St Michaels Junior School DAaRT programme
- Farnsfield Bowls Club for a pair of new 'pushers'
- The Lions appeal for victims of the earthquake in Morocco
- Newark & Sherwood CVS to fund their Butterfly friendship groups
- Kids Cancer Charity to send a family of a child with cancer on holiday
- Minster School PTA towards new outdoor furniture
Welcome to Southwell!
A select band of Lions were out early in the month renewing the planters that greet you as you enter the town. Our thanks go to Southwell Garden Centre, which donates the new plants. If you wonder why we replant when the existing ones still look good, it's because the new ones need time to bed in and get ready for the cold of winter (assuming it comes this year). |
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September 2023 update
5,500kg of fruit 'gleaned' at Starkeys Fruit Farm
Southwell & District Lions gleaned Sunburst & Bramley apples at Starkeys Fruit Farm over a two day period in mid-September. Joining us were Lions members from Edwinstowe, Peterborough, East Anglia and Poole. Other volunteers travelled from Leicester, Nottingham and Mansfield. Ann Monger of Edwinstowe food bank brought two other volunteers and we were delighted to be joined by a passing strawberry! In total, 30 people turned out for a wonderful two days of fruit picking. Fairshare distributes the produce throughout the country to many people who are in need of good nutritious food that would otherwise have gone to waste. 5,500 kilos were picked and many a crumble will have been enjoyed over the last few weeks. Thanks to all concerned, with particular thanks to Suzannah Starkey for allowing the fruit to be available for those in need.
August 2023 update
Protecting the boundaries at Potwell Dyke
An intrepid group of Lions have answered a call to help repair some of the fencing on the boundaries of the wildflower meadows at Southwell's famous Potwell Dyke Grasslands. A Site of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC), the grasslands comprise mainly hay and wet meadow with smaller areas of marsh, ponds and semi-improved grassland, divided by ancient hedges and bordered in part by the Potwell Dyke.
The group, which included Mal Rose of the Friends of Potwell Dyke, had to skirt round a nest of wild bees to avoid upsetting them, while they cleared a route through the deep undergrowth to reach the boundaries and replace rotten fenceposts. That should keep the orchids safe for another ten years or so!
The group, which included Mal Rose of the Friends of Potwell Dyke, had to skirt round a nest of wild bees to avoid upsetting them, while they cleared a route through the deep undergrowth to reach the boundaries and replace rotten fenceposts. That should keep the orchids safe for another ten years or so!
Framework opens new homes for the homeless with (a little) help from the Lions
Last year, we made a donation to Framework towards the building of its new housing for homeless people in Nottingham. Framework provides housing and support for people who are homeless when other providers can’t or won’t help them; specialist health and clinical services; and employment support to help people create their own financial stability. We were, therefore, delighted to be invited to the opening of the new building by the Sheriff of Nottingham and local councillor, Shuguftah Quddoos.
The charity decided to build the homes after spotting that a car park next to one of their offices wasn't being used because people were working from home. Now the six flats have been completed and the new tenants have begun to move in.
As Lion President Ian Gillings, said: "It's always nice to see how our donations are used and never more so than on this occasion. The new Framework development looks superb and we are delighted that our small contribution helped to achieve such a great outcome."
The charity decided to build the homes after spotting that a car park next to one of their offices wasn't being used because people were working from home. Now the six flats have been completed and the new tenants have begun to move in.
As Lion President Ian Gillings, said: "It's always nice to see how our donations are used and never more so than on this occasion. The new Framework development looks superb and we are delighted that our small contribution helped to achieve such a great outcome."
Inside one of the flats with Dave Newmarch, The new block of flats The Sheriff of Nottingham opens the new homes
Corporate Services Director at Framework
Corporate Services Director at Framework
July 2023 update
Duck Pluck raises £600 for Farnsfield Tennis Club Juniors
Every year, our annual Duck Pluck raises funds for a local charity, sports club or voluntary organisation. This year, it was the turn of the Farnsfield Tennis Club Junior section, which was looking to extend playing opportunities by ensuring appropriate
access to those with learning and physical disabilities within our communities. They have also established a link with Portland Training Centre in Mansfield to encourage and provide playing opportunities for their students. Our support is enabling the club with this venture so that appropriate resources, training and access can be made available to young players and those with learning and physical disabilities.
The idea of the Duck Pluck is simple. Players buy a ticket with three numbers. On the day of the Duck Pluck, we have three paddling pools, each with ten ducks, numbered from 0 to 9. One duck is 'plucked' using a rod with a hook, from each pool and the resulting number is one of six winning numbers, with prizes totalling £150.
As well as the Tennis Club members selling tickets, Southwell Lions had a stall a Southwell's Saturday Market ahead of the Duck Pluck, where we sold tickets to members of the community doing their shopping at the market.
Our thanks to Lion Steve Scall and Farnsfield Tennis Club Chair, Sue Connor, for organising the event and to the youngsters of the club for so efficiently plucking the ducks.
access to those with learning and physical disabilities within our communities. They have also established a link with Portland Training Centre in Mansfield to encourage and provide playing opportunities for their students. Our support is enabling the club with this venture so that appropriate resources, training and access can be made available to young players and those with learning and physical disabilities.
The idea of the Duck Pluck is simple. Players buy a ticket with three numbers. On the day of the Duck Pluck, we have three paddling pools, each with ten ducks, numbered from 0 to 9. One duck is 'plucked' using a rod with a hook, from each pool and the resulting number is one of six winning numbers, with prizes totalling £150.
As well as the Tennis Club members selling tickets, Southwell Lions had a stall a Southwell's Saturday Market ahead of the Duck Pluck, where we sold tickets to members of the community doing their shopping at the market.
Our thanks to Lion Steve Scall and Farnsfield Tennis Club Chair, Sue Connor, for organising the event and to the youngsters of the club for so efficiently plucking the ducks.
Ukrainian families enjoy Summer BBQ
Despite the rain, several of our local Ukrainian families and friends enjoyed a great barbeque in the garden of immediate past-President Alastair Murray in early July. Luckily, we had plenty of cover to keep us (mostly) dry and the rain didn't diminish everyone's enjoyment. Ukrainian dad Pavel Honcharenko did a marvellous job as chef with occasional help from Ivan and others, serving up mouth-watering chicken wings, pork and chicken kebabs on skewers, other Ukrainian BBQ delicacies and roasted peppers, which went into one of the many wonderful salads prepared by the mums, who also brought the most delicious homemade cakes.
While the parents, including Pavel and Elena's parents on a trip over from Ukraine, enjoyed chat and laughter, the children were kept busy with a range of games when not tucking into huge platefuls of food. Other guests included Nicky Rafferty, who ran the Ukrainian Story Club earlier in the year and Rama from the Reindeer Inn and his wife, Ema.
Special thanks go to Alastair for organising the day and to Mrs Murray for permission to use her garden!
While the parents, including Pavel and Elena's parents on a trip over from Ukraine, enjoyed chat and laughter, the children were kept busy with a range of games when not tucking into huge platefuls of food. Other guests included Nicky Rafferty, who ran the Ukrainian Story Club earlier in the year and Rama from the Reindeer Inn and his wife, Ema.
Special thanks go to Alastair for organising the day and to Mrs Murray for permission to use her garden!
June 2023 update
Community Garden Party is a blast!
The Southwell Community Garden Party on 25th June took place on a beautiful, sunny day at the Memorial Park. Organised by Southwell Town Council, the Garden party was supported by around 40 organisations - ranging from local charities and children's play groups to the ATC, community cultural and volunteering groups (that's us!), local businesses, NSDC and several caterers. There was also live music, maypole dancing and a wandering stiltwalker, who entertained children with balloon figures and giant soap bubbles. And hundreds of local residents, including many young families, who really enjoyed the day.
Getting into the spirit of the day, we offered young and old alike the fun of trying their hand at traditional pub games - mini-golf, Shove Ha'penny, Table Skittles, Roll a Ball and Quoits. For just £1 to play all five games, players were competing to win £20 for the highest score of the day. The competition reached an exciting climax just minutes before the deadline, when Ian Baird-Smith scored 65 points, just one ahead of a player who had led for most of the day.
The Garden Party also gave us an opportunity to make contact with several groups and charities whom we haven't supported in the past or not for a long time, to discuss how we can work together in the future.
Thanks go to Bob Callow, Steve Scall and Alastair Murray for organising our stall and to Edwinstow Lions for lending us their games.
Getting into the spirit of the day, we offered young and old alike the fun of trying their hand at traditional pub games - mini-golf, Shove Ha'penny, Table Skittles, Roll a Ball and Quoits. For just £1 to play all five games, players were competing to win £20 for the highest score of the day. The competition reached an exciting climax just minutes before the deadline, when Ian Baird-Smith scored 65 points, just one ahead of a player who had led for most of the day.
The Garden Party also gave us an opportunity to make contact with several groups and charities whom we haven't supported in the past or not for a long time, to discuss how we can work together in the future.
Thanks go to Bob Callow, Steve Scall and Alastair Murray for organising our stall and to Edwinstow Lions for lending us their games.
Do we have a future Olympic champion in our midst?
In May, we gave £500 to a highly promising young athlete to help her with the costs of competing at the highest level - with the Olympic games her ultimate goal. Zoe Smith, a student at Southwell's Minster School, is already a champion hurdler in her age group at 80m and 300m hurdles. At the time, Zoe was ranked number 2 in the UK and in Europe at 300m hurdles and 26th in the world at the same event. She is also top 10 in the UK for the 80m hurdles and top 20 in the 400 flat. In the Nottinghamshire County Athletics Championships in May, Zoe won gold in the 80m hurdles and in the 300m hurdles, when she also broke the championship record - which she described as "a nice surprise"!
Several Lions had the pleasure of meeting Zoe and her father, who is also one of her coaches, at the Newark YMCA sports facility, and learning about her training regime, her ambitions for the 2028 Olympics and how she fits all this around her academic studies. A truly remarkable young woman of whom our community can be very proud as she continues to achieve great success on the national and international stage.
Several Lions had the pleasure of meeting Zoe and her father, who is also one of her coaches, at the Newark YMCA sports facility, and learning about her training regime, her ambitions for the 2028 Olympics and how she fits all this around her academic studies. A truly remarkable young woman of whom our community can be very proud as she continues to achieve great success on the national and international stage.
May 2023 update
Welcome to Southwell!
Southwell Lions were out early on a sunny Sunday morning to replace the plants in the planters on the main entry roads to the town - from Upton, on Fiskerton Road, Halam Road, Lower Kirklington Road and Oxton Road. We look forward to seeing them later in the year when they're in full bloom!
Our special thanks to Dan at the Southwell Garden Centre, who donated the plants and gave us advice on nurturing them.
Our special thanks to Dan at the Southwell Garden Centre, who donated the plants and gave us advice on nurturing them.
This month, we made donations of:
- £250 to Magic Breakfast, charity that delivers free breakfasts to school children facing hunger every day to ensure they start their day the right way;
- £1,000 (as a pledge) to Friends of Southwell Parks towards the new skatepark
- £500 to an elite athlete at the Minster School, to help with essential equipment as she aims high.
April 2023 update
An adventure for Robin Hood Disabled Riders
Last month, we made a donation to the Robin Hood Disabled Riders, based in Bathley, so the riders can go on a weekend adventure break to Calvert Lakes in Keswick, where they will experience the great outdoors, from canoeing and sailing to zip wiring and archery - as well as horse riding, of course. On a warm, pleasant evening in April, we were privileged to meet the riders and the wonderful people who support them at the stables in Bathley, where the riders showed us their horse riding skills.
Riding is wonderful physiotherapy for those with physical disabilities. One of the riders with cerebral palsy starts the lesson with her knees drawn right up, so tight are the muscles in her thighs and groin. She rides bareback because her legs simply can’t manage the extra width and bulk of a saddle. By the end of the hour, thanks to the warmth of the pony's back and the gentle rocking movement of riding, this young lady's legs are stretched down, relaxed and without spasm and best of all, she’s pain-free. That's the wonder of horseback riding!
This month, we made donations of:
- £100 to Happy Days Childrens Charity
- £500 to Southwell Swimming Club towards new diving blocks
- £500 to Tü Vida, a young carers' support charity, towards a special day out to give them an exciting break from their caring responsibilities.
- £250 to Primary Wellbeing, a new mental and emotional wellbeing service for primary school aged children
- £380 to Southwell First Responders for new entonox kits
Dragons at the Minster!
For the fifth instalment of the Ukraine Families Story Club, organised by our Club, we took the Ukrainian families to Southwell Minster. After lunch, including mini-pizzas made by the children, at the Methodist Church Hall, we moved to the Minster for a dragon hunt followed by games and interactive story telling in the Chapter House. The children were captivated by the many dragons they found in windows and carvings throughout the Minster. The stories also involved dragons, along with kings, princesses and lots of rain! Many thanks again to Nicky Rafferty and the volunteers for making it a great day for the Ukrainian families, young and not so young. You can also see some of the Lions clearly enjoying themselves as they joined in the fun.
Helping Framework create homes for the homeless
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In February, we promised Framework a donation towards the building work for six new flats for rough sleepers in Nottingham. So we were delighted to present a cheque for £1,000 to Andrew Redfern, Chief Executive of Framework, at Framework's Service of Celebration and Reflection at Southwell Minster on 1st April. Lions Ian Gillings and Peter Brooker were also on hand to help with the collection and serving refreshments. |
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March 2023 update
Help for Lowdham School to put pupils through DAaRT
Southwell Lions were very pleased to be able to part fund this year's DAaRT programme (Drug and Alcohol Resilience Training) at Lowdham CofE Primary School and a few of us attended the DAaRT graduation at the end of the 10 week course. The pupils put on an entertaining, enlightening and enthusiastic presentation for their parents - well done all involved!
Playtime at Lowe's Wong Junior School
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Last year, we made a donation to Lowe's Wong Junior School towards new outdoor play equipment. Now that the equipment has been installed, we went to see it and to meet some of the pupils who use it. The equipment is very popular with the children and is used extensively every playtime.
Pictured with the children on the equipment are Lions Bob Callow and Nick Cocks. 
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Collection for Marie Curie
We were dressed up in silly hats again for two days in March when we spent two days rattling collecting buckets at Morrisons store in Newark. We raised nearly £500 for this great cause and appreciated the generosity of many of Morrisons' customers.
Planting trees to save the planet
Southwell Lions were in Caunton in March planting trees as part of the Trees for Climate scheme, a multi-million pound programme to help landowners to plan, deliver and manage woodland creation schemes across the country. These trees were planted on land belonging to Floral Media, where we will be holding our annual Charter dinner later in the year.
This month, we made donations of:
- £1,000 to Robin Hood Disabled Riders towards a weekend trip to Calvert Lakes in Keswick
- £100 to a local Guide, part of her fundraising for a Guiding and service trip to Denmark
- Half the cost of the DAaRT programme (Drug and Alcohol Resilience Training) at Lowe's Wong Junior School, Lowdham Primary School and Kirkington Primary School
- £250 to Prostate Cancer UK
Supporting the most vulnerable in our community
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In February, we made a donation to a long-established local charity, the Southwell Charity for the Poor and Sick Poor. Its rather archaic name betrays its origins in the 17th century, when a number of bequests and gifts were received from local benefactors to help the less fortunate, some of whom would have been their neighbours, which, over the many years since, have had often had a huge impact on their lives. That tradition continues to this day, with the charity still making small gifts to people in our community who have fallen on hard times but, for whom, it makes all the difference.
Pictured here are Lions Nick Parr and Peter Brooker, both of the Lions' Community Service group, Dean Nicola Sullivan of Southwell Minster, Lion President Alastair Murray and Robert Beckett, Secretary of the Charity. They are standing beneath one of the two recently restored commemorative panels, which give a record of benefactors and the history of the Charity, which is now known more sensitively as SCPSP or the Southwell Charities. |
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February 2023 update
The Ukrainian Families' Story Club
Just before Christmas, we asked some of the Ukrainian mums what could we do to help make their new lives in the UK more enjoyable and the result was the inaugural meeting of the Ukrainian Families Story Club on Saturday, 18th February.
Despite it being half-term, the Club was attended by 10 Ukrainian families living in our district. We all enjoyed home-made soup and rolls with pizza and chips for the children, and lots of home-made cakes. While the adults were eating and chatting, the children enjoyed some drawing, colouring and games. Then, the highlight of the day for both young and old, was the animated reading of the fairy tale, The Gingerbread Man. This was led by Oksana Tyminska and Anna Fedenko reading the tale in Ukrainian, and then Nicky Rafferty, a professional storyteller, telling the tale in English with lots of props and cuddly animals. Sadly the wily old fox got the gingerbread in both languages!
The Lions, together with Nicky, Anna, Oksana and other volunteers, will be hosting a further five meetings of the Ukrainian Families Story Club on the Saturdays, 11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st and 8th April at the Southwell Methodist Church Hall. Other Ukrainian families in our area are welcome to join us, but please let us know beforehand so we can make sure we have enough cake!
The Ukrainian Families Story Club is being funded by The National Heritage Lottery Foundation and donations from Southwell Town Council, Rotary, Southwell Lions and other private donations.
Despite it being half-term, the Club was attended by 10 Ukrainian families living in our district. We all enjoyed home-made soup and rolls with pizza and chips for the children, and lots of home-made cakes. While the adults were eating and chatting, the children enjoyed some drawing, colouring and games. Then, the highlight of the day for both young and old, was the animated reading of the fairy tale, The Gingerbread Man. This was led by Oksana Tyminska and Anna Fedenko reading the tale in Ukrainian, and then Nicky Rafferty, a professional storyteller, telling the tale in English with lots of props and cuddly animals. Sadly the wily old fox got the gingerbread in both languages!
The Lions, together with Nicky, Anna, Oksana and other volunteers, will be hosting a further five meetings of the Ukrainian Families Story Club on the Saturdays, 11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st and 8th April at the Southwell Methodist Church Hall. Other Ukrainian families in our area are welcome to join us, but please let us know beforehand so we can make sure we have enough cake!
The Ukrainian Families Story Club is being funded by The National Heritage Lottery Foundation and donations from Southwell Town Council, Rotary, Southwell Lions and other private donations.
We donated
- £750 to Bleasby Primary School for storage space and a canopy for their new outdoor learning area
- £1,000 to Framework, towards the building work for six new flats for rough sleepers in Nottingham
- £1,000 to Rainbows Childrens Hospice to buy new arts and crafts equipment and supplies, part of the therapy available to the young patients and their siblings
- £500 to Lifespring Food Club in Ollerton, to help them buy in supplies
- £500 to The Southwell Charity for the Poor & Sick Poor, to help fund their charitable work among the vulnerable in Southwell
- £500 to the LCIF appeal for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which is distributed by local Lions Clubs in the affected areas. Lions International matches these donations by individual Clubs so our donation rises to £1,000.
January 2023 update
Christmas party for our Ukrainian guests
On Saturday, 7th January - the date that the Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe celebrates Christmas - we put on a Christmas Party for the Ukrainian refugees living in Southwell and surrounding villages.
The party was held at Southwell Methodist Church between midday and 3 pm and was attended by about 15 Ukrainian families, along with around five host families. They enjoyed a fantastic buffet of typical Ukrainian dishes such as Borsch, Vinagrette, Pierogi, Pieroski and Kutia, which had been prepared both by our guests and Rama and Mila from the Reindeer Inn on Westgate.
After their festive lunch, we introduced the 20 Ukrainian children, aged from 6 months to 16 years, to traditional English games such as Musical Chairs, Duck Duck Goose, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Splat the Rat and Pass the Parcel.
Having grown up with these games, we thought that they would translate easily but the most fun by far was had when we ‘flew’ the large parachute and the children just ran under it!
An enormous amount of thanks are owed to
The party was held at Southwell Methodist Church between midday and 3 pm and was attended by about 15 Ukrainian families, along with around five host families. They enjoyed a fantastic buffet of typical Ukrainian dishes such as Borsch, Vinagrette, Pierogi, Pieroski and Kutia, which had been prepared both by our guests and Rama and Mila from the Reindeer Inn on Westgate.
After their festive lunch, we introduced the 20 Ukrainian children, aged from 6 months to 16 years, to traditional English games such as Musical Chairs, Duck Duck Goose, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Splat the Rat and Pass the Parcel.
Having grown up with these games, we thought that they would translate easily but the most fun by far was had when we ‘flew’ the large parachute and the children just ran under it!
An enormous amount of thanks are owed to
- our guests for joining in the fun and preparing the food
- the host families
- Southwell Methodist Church
- Sam Scott
- Rama and Mila from the Reindeer
- Kimberley Davies-Phippen and Nicky Straw for the games and
- Southwell Town Council.
