WHAT'S NEW

Congratulations Rita!

One of our founder members of the Cornwater Club, Rita Grace, is engaged to be married. Rita, met her future husband, Clive, an ex-farmer, at Annesley Woodhouse Library, where they were both researching historical subjects. Rita is no stranger to historical biographies, being an author of three published books, Belles of Byron (1995), Diadem of Desire also on Byron (2008) and Never to be Queen on Princess Diana (2009).

Rita and Clive, both widowed and in their seventies, plan to get married next year and live in Clive's farm overlooking Sherwood Lodge Park. Rita said her impending marriage would give her a new lease of life and was looking forward to this next exciting chapter in her life.

summer fair

Our marketing manager, Melissa Blythe, takes every opportunity to keep us in the public eye, and at this time of year that usually means summer fairs. At the end of June just a week after our super Garden Party (see below) we ran a very successful stall at the St Peter's Church event. As well as inviting kids to make sand sculptures, we sold giftware mostly produced by Jessie Plaskett, a Cornwater Club member and volunteer helper.

garden party

Mark Spencer, the new Member of Parliament for Sherwood, launched the Cornwater Clubs garden party in Ravenshead on Saturday 20th June. He then gamely agreed to be put in the stocks while Joe Lonergan, chairman of Ravenshead Parish Council, threw wet sponges at him. Fortunately he missed.

Opening the event, Mr Spencer said: "This is a shining example of what a community can achieve. The Cornwater Club is typical of Ravenshead, where so many people are willing to give up their time to the benefit of others."

On the same occasion Cllr Chris Barnfather, a member of Nottinghamshire County Council, presented a cheque from his discretionary fund to Cornwater Club chairman Ron Walker. Pupils from Ravenshead C of E Primary School performed songs, directed by head teacher Helen Thomas, and later another group from the school, with Pamela Foreman in charge, danced.

The garden party featured a wide range of children's games, several tombolas and raffles, stalls offering handmade crafts, cakes and preserves, a juggling school, burgers and drinks from Julie's Kitchen, a very tame owl and a police car where kids could sit at the wheel. The event raised GBP1000 (this site format doesn't like the pound sign) to help support the clubs.

Cornwater Club marketing manager Melissa Blythe, who organised the event, commented: The support we received from so many quarters was really encouraging and helped to make the day a great success. This was our second garden party and we were not certain whether we would repeat it again next year, but on this basis we certainly will.

More photos on the Garden Party page.

Farewell to Director

RDC Ltd directors and Cornwater Club members, staff and volunteers recently said goodbye to Alan Evans, who has moved to Cambridgeshire. Though Alan had been involved with our organisation for only about 18 months, he made a very significant contribution during that short time.

As well as fulfilling frequent escort duties on the minibuses, he carried out at the board's request a comprehensive survey of how various parts of our establishment operate and interface, resulting in an improvement in the support that the board is able to give the staff and volunteers, which in turn benefits the members. He later became a director.

Alan received a gift token with the best wishes of all at the Cornwater and Thursday Clubs. Pictured with him are directors Peter Rose, Rev Chris Rattenberry, Rosalie Lloyd-Jones and Ron Walker.

Welcome Visitors

The last few months have seen a welcome stream of influential visitors. Robin Riley, Principal Development Officer and Richard Jackson, Cabinet Member NCC Transport & Highways, visited the club at the beginning of March. (They are pictured left and standing centre.) It had been proposed to cut the budget for the community bus and the aim of the visit was to demonstrate to the councillors how important the bus is to our members. The proposal was subsequently shelved.

Both parliamentary candidates for Sherwood visited the club. Cllr Mark Spencer (Conservative - now the new MP) and Emilie Oldknow (Labour) talked to members about their hopes and aspirations for the future.

From Gedling Borough Council Cllr Colin Powell and Jane Ansell of Community Services came to discuss social and healthcare perceptions with Cornwater members.

Most recently no fewer than four high-powered guests from Nottinghamshire County Council visited us for discussions on finance, to see the Cornwater Club in operation and to meet the members: Cllr Kevin Rostance, deputy cabinet member on Adult Health & Social Care, Cllr Mark Spencer again, this time as member for Community Safety, Cllr Chris Barnfather, and Ms Elspeth Mallowan, of Rural Council for Action Notts. The visit was arranged by Paul Baskcomb, a director of RDC Ltd. NCC have made annual grants for the support of RDC Ltd which runs the two clubs, and of course we are looking for this continuing, even increased, funding. Our visitors were pleased with what they saw and clearly enjoyed talking to the members.

talking shop

We urgently need new volunteers to help in the shop, which is in Queen Street. Mansfield. It's an enjoyable way of passing a morning or afternoon once a week or fortnight - and it plays a vital part in helping to keep the Cornwater and Thursday Clubs open. For more details go to the shop page.

Spreading our wings

The Cornwater Club continues to grow in numbers. We now have members from Ravenshead, Blidworth, Rainworth, Oxton and Arnold. Club volunteer numbers are increasing and we have recently recruited eight more helpers, including a driver for the bus. We really are spreading our wings!

In fact there are occasionally days - especially Wednesdays - when we're full and have to make a waiting list. However, there are usually a few cancellations and we can ring the waiting member with a place or offer an alternative day.

The Thursday Club is aimed at those older people who are perhaps a bit more frail, possibly a little forgetful and need a bit more attention than at the Cornwater Club. The basic programme is the same for both clubs, but is adapted to suit Thursday Club members. The weekly sessions also offer a few hours' respite for carers.

A recent Thursday Club project that has had everyone involved is making an entry for the St Peters Happy Scarecrow competition. Chris Breach (on the left in the picture), one of the club staff, has master-minded the various art and craft contributions that make up the whole, much to the enjoyment of all.

We continue to look for new activities to augment our members' traditional favourites. Among recent sessions with that little something extra have been a series resulting in a beautiful quilt made by the ladies in Linda Kennat's craft group, which was raffled at the Garden Party. Members are also enjoying making some intriguing vessels in the pottery group led by Pauline Key. And we've started computer lessons.

A free "Taster Day" is available for anyone wishing to experience either club, including a two-course lunch and door-to-door transport in Ravenshead and Blidworth, without commitment on either side. Please ring 491159 to enquire or book a place.

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