December Report

Congratulations to Mara, Janet and Lorna for a wonderfully entertaining revue – The Roaring Noughties was a sell out both nights and the perfect antidote to a wet and dismal November (see below and back page). Many thanks on behalf of the S&VA to the directors, to Lambros whose piano skills we are so lucky to enjoy, and to all the performers, backstage and front of house team and all those who provided delicious puddings, donated raffle prizes and contributed in other ways to making this such a success.

 Look out for tickets for the S&VA Christmas Draw – please see the main feature for more detail.  Many thanks to those who kindly donated prizes – do see what our advertisers can offer by way of Christmas presents and seasonal items. The draw will take place on Sunday December 13th at 4.15pm at The Black Horse. Please bring your families for a Christmas drink and hear the results!

 2010 Events - January 30th’s Clothes Swap is a fun new event to kick the year off and the Bag2School collection dates are Thursdays 29 April and October 14th. Feast Week will be the week of Monday, June 28th – Saturday July 3rd.

 The next meeting date is the AGM on February 25th 8pm at the School.  All are welcome – especially newcomers – to hear reports on the S&VA’s year, the Headteacher’s report and to appoint the Committee (volunteers please!) – followed by drinks.

Advance Notice: access to the photocopier and other school facilities by village groups during school hours will change – this is due to regulations on safeguarding children with which the school must comply. Rob Howard will have more information when details are finalised.

Finally, as another S&VA year draws to a close, may I thank my committee and everyone who has supported the S&VA this year. The support from village residents and groups, school parents, staff and pupils and beyond is what keeps Dry Drayton’s community spirit so alive and makes the wide variety of events so successful. Particular thanks to our newsletter team – our editor, Sylvia, who has done a valiant job in compiling village items and interesting new features, Ian and Lorraine for co-ordinating the newsletter rounds and our team of newsletter deliverers who have kept us all up-to-date in 2009 and kindly taken on the distribution of some additional items of village interest this year, not least the Village Plan.

 Fleur Clegg

Note on Distribution – Just a reminder that if you do have an item of village interest to distribute, please keep an eye on the submission deadline so that it can be printed in the newsletter itself. If this is not possible and your group is not able to distribute it itself via its members, it may be that the newsletter deliverers will be willing to help as part of their usual round. This is entirely up to them, however, as additional items weigh and add on time, so any request should be made to them direct (Ian/Lorraine Lorimer have the list).

We are also trying to create a team of “Additional Deliverers” to help out with some deliveries, so if you are willing to help out with an occasional “additional delivery” (particularly around longer routes such as the High St or Pettitts Lane) or on a more regular basis, please do contact me (789780; fleur.clegg@allenovery.com) or Ian/Lorraine (782546).

 Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from the S&VA committee!

November Report

The termly meeting was held on Monday October 12th at School and we were very pleased to introduce Kate Dorrell, the new headteacher, who spoke about plans and new ventures for the school and pupils. Business included reporting on previous and proposed activities for 2009 and Roger talked through the accounts which showed that the S&VA has so far enjoyed a healthy fundraising year ahead of budget (thanks in no small part to the wonderful Feast Week). Nick Irish gave an update on action following the finalised village plan which should be dropping through our doors soon and Rob read out a lovely letter from Margaret Prosser thanking the S&VA for her retirement gifts and for its support during her time at the School. Along with friends and former colleagues, this month we also welcomed Margaret back to the village for a very enjoyable retirement celebration at The Black Horse, at which we also welcomed the School’s two Zambian Partnership school visitors.

The next meeting date is the AGM on February 25th, 8pm at the School. All are welcome – especially newcomers – to hear reports on the S&VA’s year, the Headteacher’s report and to appoint the Committee (volunteers please!) followed by drinks.

The Bag2School collection on October 15th at the school and village hall brought out a 780 kg pile of unwanted second-hand clothes and other items, raising a wonderful £312. Many thanks to all those who contributed – hopefully you are enjoying the new-found space in your wardrobes! Dates for 2010 collections are Thursdays 29 April and October 14th.

The Roaring Noughties revue on 20 and 21 November promises great entertainment – get your tickets early! Look out for tickets for the S&VA Christmas Raffle – to go on sale late November/early December with the draw in December (date TBC).

Save the date also for the S&VA Christmas Shopping Night on 3rd December at the School – enjoy mulled wine and a chance to stock up locally on Christmas presents from lots of great stalls. Any local residents who would like to have a stall (or need transport) please contact Georgina Mason on 07786 272406 or Fleur Clegg (789780).