Did you know it was “get to know your neighbours” weekend recently. Well some Chearsley neighbours got to know each other on Saturday 23rd May. About 60 people camped out together in Chearsley and many more joined us for a BBQ and campfire.
It was a great occasion for catching up with old friends and making new ones. The kids had a wonderful time spraying water at each other, riding in wheelbarrows, bouncing on blow up mattresses, collecting firewood and toasting marshmallows. The mums got to sunbathe and chat while the dads got to do what dads love best and play with fire. Some campers had DIY disposable barbeques while others “did it in style” with massive gas grills. Whether posh or basic we all had a wonderful time.
I myself particularly enjoyed the campfire singing as it brought back happy memories of girl guides as a child and more recently beavers with my son. Thank you to everyone for joining in with me and I apologise if you are still singing “A Pizza Hut, a Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut”. I know I can’t get it out of my head.
We had a lovely surprise when our new vicar John Wynburne popped in on Saturday evening to meet his new flock. On Sunday morning it was great to see so many campers at the Family Service in St Nick where we officially welcomed John with a welcome hamper and slap up bring and share lunch. We all had a little snigger when we sang the tune to “In an English country garden” as we had sung a lot sillier version the night before.
Thanks must go to Paul and Ann Persson for the loan of their very own English Country Garden, to Claire Lazaruk for her posh toilet, to the pyromaniacs for keeping the campfire burning and clearing up so well the next day, to Yvonne Mullins for bringing her guitar, to Bob Collins for cooking us all breakfast, and to all those who turned up to make it such a memorable occasion. I think everyone enjoyed themselves and this may well be the start of a new Chearsley tradition.
