Annual Assembly
Andy and I were outnumbered by South Lambeth Trustees at this year’s Annual Assembly, so we enjoyed it four times as much to make up for it!
Unfortunately I was smitten with my ‘Out of the M25 Allergy’ and began sneezing as we passed St Albans and stopped when we reached Leicester on the return, but I put most of the shivering down to nerves at being co-presenter of a workshop on Saturday on the subject of Allotments. I need not have worried - my fellow presenter Mike from the Burnley Group did a marvellous job, thank you again.
Terry Waite’s ‘Welcome’ speech was inspirational as ever and the keynote speaker this year was John Bird, co-founder of Big Issue, who was strident, witty and moving in turns.
Our relatively new General Manager James had previous engagements, so decided to go up just for the Friday evening to meet people and present our Community Update. Alas he gave Rabbie Burns a chuckle as that plan almost went a-wry when his motorbike (yes, dear Reader, 200+ miles by motorbike…) got a puncture on the way up and he ended up taking seven and a half hours to get there, bolt some food down, make the presentation, meet a handful, then climb on the bike again! We ran out of brownie points to award his dedication!
It was splendid to meet up with new folk and an ever-growing group of friends and catch up on news of others not attending.
We had a magician to entertain us on Saturday night; he produced 3 sponge ladybirds, put two in my hand, told me to close my hand and when I opened it again, 3 popped out - then he put those three in my neighbour’s hand, and a dozen spilled out when he opened : I wish I knew how to do that with the ladybirds on the allotment!
Back home, the warehouse progresses rapidly and we’re just a month away from moving in, so thoughts turn to the transition. It’s going to be quite a tight timetable, since the builders will be leaving just a shell which we have to decorate ourselves - so if you’ve ten minutes to spare, please give us a ring and we’ll make sure we have a spare paintbrush to plonk in your hands.
I look forward to chatting with you over the paint pot soon!
Best wishes,
Elizabeth
