LALESTON & BROADLANDS
carbrya@supanet.com
Laleston Gardening Club:
On Saturday and Sunday September 4 and 5 Laleston Gardening Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Flower & Vegetable Festival held at its picturesque and historic HQ in Laleston, Cliff Cottage.
The event was bathed in sunshine for the whole weekend and when everything had been packed away on Sunday the committee were well satisfied that the event had been a complete success.
Once again the club are extremely grateful to the excellent members of the Bridgend District Explorer Scout Unit who erected the marquee with their usual expertise and dismantled and packed away on Sunday.
In view of the uncertainty surrounding the Covid situation it was felt the Flower Festival would be a safer option than the traditional Annual Horticultural Show where exhibits are entered and judged.
Members loaned handicrafts, art, photography, flowers and vegetables to display in order to show the skills of Gardening Club members.
Visitors were encouraged to file through the building to view the exhibits and then directed into the marquee where refreshments were offered alongside stalls offering homemade cards, jewellery, bags and a stall set up by Margaret Worgan which sold bric a brac for the Macmillan cancer charity.
The Festival concept was first suggested by Sian James our Vice Chairman.
She displayed all the contributed items with help from Pauline Sloan our Show Secretary.
The colourful handicraft display, the array of vegetables and the beautiful floral display was much admired by all our visitors.
Sue Ford, Chairman, commented that the Festival had been a great success and a real team effort!
Members of the community in general had been invited to the Festival but special invitations had been extended to Mrs Sian Jones and her daughter Kathryn to join the club in celebrating its anniversary.
Sian’s late husband, Rev Canon Neville Jones, in his capacity as Chairman of the Blandy Trust, had granted permission for the Gardening Club to occupy Cliff Cottage way back in 1972.
Kathryn had spent her childhood in Laleston and was happy to make the sentimental journey.
Rev Canon Edward Evans, former parish priest of Laleston, was also extended a special invitation and was pleased to attend and catch up with old friends and partake of the delightful selection of home made cakes on offer.
Saturday was also the day when a number of councillors supported the event and were favourably impressed.
Councillor Huw David, Leader of BCBC accompanied by the Mayor, Councillor John Spanswick, enjoyed their visit, a chat and refreshments in the marquee, they enrolled as members of the club.
A number of Laleston Community Councillors paid us a visit too – Briony Davies, Tom and Cheryl Green, Pamela Davies and Tony Berrow.
They all enjoyed their visit and by happy coincidence Tom and Cheryl were that day celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Sue was able to congratulate them and present flowers to Cheryl.
The Grand Finale on Sunday afternoon was the drawing of the raffle with prizes up to their usual standard.
Sue then thanked everyone for attending, for loaning their exhibits and for their loyal support throughout the pandemic which is greatly appreciated.
Bridgend’s Lions Community Bookstall: In Bridgend Indoor
Market, throughout September there will be more bargain books and jigsaws for sale to help the Lions with their fundraising activitites.
The dates are: Saturday, September 11; September 18 and September 25, from 10am-3pm.
It is hoped a large two-day Book Sale will take place at Westward Community Centre at the end of October.
Craft Fayre: A Craft Fayre is planned to take place every three weeks at the Indoor Market leading up to Christmas.
If anyone is interested pop into the market and speak to Eileen on the home brew/cookery stall, opposite sewing alterations/material stall, for further information.
Condolences: Belated condolences to friend and former colleague of BCBC Velma Tottendale whose beloved husband Derek passed away in July.
Derek was a jolly, kind, sociable gentleman to everyone who knew him and is sorely missed.
Friends send their kind thoughts to Velma.
Venue Required: Senior citizens in the area are looking for a venue to meet once a week to enjoy various activities together.
I should be grateful if you would let me know if there is anything available in the vicinity. Please ring Bridgend 657 846.