August weather was with us today as quite a number of hardy people set off around the village footpaths. Five dogs dragged their owners round too. Steve led us around the village past the lamas who came out to see who was passing. The walkers also found a rather overgrown path which needed nettles pushing back to get the intrepid rambles through. We made it safely back to the BBQ successfully manned by Phil and backed up by Pauline who between them cooked and prepared the food thank you. The evening service was led by Rev Ian Howarth.
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Despite the pouring rain which started the day it was a very busy coffee morning with the hall filled perhaps beyond capacity judging by the numbers standing. Today we met to raise £112 for the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. Many topics were discussed including local parking, forthcoming church events and the choir concert in September. The tea, coffee and biscuits were supplemented this month appropriately with an owl cake. With the mid morning rain the event was transferred to the chapel grounds and in the hall as the playing field was rather wet and slippy. This did not stop a wide range of kids joining us for lots of silly games and events and even a few adults made their mark too. The children played games, like " Port andStarboard" and " Stick in the Mud". The weather cheered up and we went into the garden for cheerful races like the Obstacle Race and Egg and Spoon. Finally we had "Throw the Wellie" which was most amusing. The Bible story was about the feeding of the five thousand and then tea and cakes made a good re-enactment of the story! What a way to start the summer holidays. Our next Messy church will be near to Christmas.
A full house this beautiful sunny morning as we gathered to support the Methodist Homes for the Aged. Pat and Bill Cooper delivered some produce from their allotment for us to sell for the charity - a table full of strawberry plants, freshly dug rhubarb roots for planting and bunches of sweet peas which were set out on the tables. We were also treated to cakes which had been left over from our Open Gardens weekend! A cheque for £98 will be sent to the MHA. Booklets about the charity were distributed to raise awareness of the services and support they provide. A total of 12 gardens were open 1pm to 6pm both Saturday and Sunday. There were even some bonus gardens who opened at late notice to swell the numbers making the ticket price even better value. Despite the poorer start to Saturday the weather picked up and a glorious Sunday brought out the crowds to enjoy the beauty of the gardens. It would be remiss not to mention in particular, Jane, whose husband died a week before the event. She bravely remained in the programme and opened her garden in memory of Micky. It was a great favourite with visitors too. Refreshments were available both at the Chrystendale garden and the Methodist Chapel, where there was also a raffle and plant sale. Grateful thanks are due to the gardeners, volunteers, organisers and all who donated to the raffle, without you there would not have been an event. Altogether £2413.20 was raised which means that Birmingham Children’s Hospital gets £1206.60 and the Methodist Church gets the same amount to redecorate the church. Here is a list of those who won raffle prizes at the Open Gardens
1st Railway voucher Margaret Robinson Over Whitacre 2nd Gate voucher Danny McKay Kingsbury 3rd Rajrani voucher Liz Lockhart Shustoke 4th Indian Lounge voucher Sid Smith Whitacre 5th Planters voucher Linda Potts Austrey 6th Melbicks voucher Jean Whitehouse Whitacre 7th Wine Tina Bates Tamworth 8th Wine Mr. Millar Coventry 9th Wine Terry Waters Whitacre 10th Wine Pat Cumberbridge Coleshill 11th Wine Dave Williams Whitacre 12th Wine Tracey Whitacre 13th Bird chimes Mavis Coggins Whitacre 14th Squirrel planters Jacky Adams Whitacre 15th Pruners and gloves Linda Comfort Whitacre 16th Pruners and gloves Susan Slater Coventry 17th Gloves and planters Joy Coventry 18th Scarf and purse Kit Bramley Coleshill 19th Scarf Vivian Croft Coventry 20th Long necklace Dave Hampton Kingsbury 21st Short necklace Maureen Gascoigne Coleshill 22nd Cosmetics Maxine Whitacre  Thirty four collectors went round the villages of Lea, Lea Marston , Nether Whitacre and Over Whitacre for this year's Christian Aid Week. We are very grateful to them and those who gave so generously. Every bit helped to make the grand total of £1233. Thank you.
Today we raised £76 for St Johns Ambulance, which was good because of low numbers. We had 17 raffle prizes so most had a prize. There were several children there and they had a great time playing tag outside. The chocolate finger biscuits went down well with the children. It was a very jolly coffee morning thanks to all those who did come and join us in the sun.
With thanks to one of our roving reporters. At Easter we sent off a jiffy bag full of ring pulls to the Purple Community Fund in Southampton as the container was completely full..... They have now made it to the Philippines and a letter of thanks has been sent back to the chapel. We are continuing to collect ringpulls as they are worth 3p each to the Purple Community Fund who will send them to the women homeworkers in the Philippines.....so bring your ring pulls from drinks cans only please, to the collecting container which is back in the chapel kitchen. After the service today lead by Farai we had our annual bring and share lunch. The table was once again groaning with food and we even had puddings. We can independently confirm the rumour that Mavis was seen to eat at least three meringues. Another lovely day for the coffee morning. Jean and Beryl had been busy baking cakes to raise money for our own Methodist Church. A good turnout and the total was boosted by the sale of home garden produce, particularly the auction of Anne's jars of marmalade. We made £124.
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