December/January 26 Update
- barlastoncommunity
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
WOW!! What a jolly build up to Christmas we had - we hit December with the sell-out Coach Trip to Much Wenlock and contrary to expectations it stayed DRY for our Day-Trippers! It was a great day of fun, eating & shopping, rounded off with carols by candlelight in the Square…. and then more singing on the coach!! It was a long day but there was lots to see, & the Quiz took people to the museum & around the village. Vanda did a great job as quizmaster and Jenny was the WINNER. HUGE THANKS to the organising team, led by Chris & Gill, namely Kay, Val & Vanda!
The Strollers & Striders Christmas Walk & Festive Feast was next, which was great fun. The weather stayed dry & if you spotted a large group of Santas & elves festooned with tinsel & flashing lights - that was US!! The Striders went across the Downs & the Strollers did a loop along the canal & up Queen Mary’s Drive, meeting back at the Village Hall. Tony soon got some festive tunes on & started the slide show of walks over the years - we haven’t changed a bit (ahem!) Andrew had prepared lunch & we tucked in to soup & sandwiches with chips followed by mince pies & puds with a warming glass (or two!) of mulled wine…. which lubricated our throats nicely for the Obligatory Strollers & Striders Christmas Carol - ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithfuls’. The walk leaders were thanked & we toasted Sandie for organising another great year of walks.
For those who’ve included ‘Walking’ in their new year resolutions, a reminder that we walk on the FIRST & THIRD Wednesday of the month - contact Sandie (Group Leader) on 07496 088544 if you’d like to know more.
If you want to get a full flavour of the fun we had at the Golden Agers Christmas Party, please take a look at our Facebook Page but as you can see from the couple attached the Village Hall was FILLED WITH JOY, festive cheer, laughter & wonderful company!! Not to mention the overflowing cake-stands & savouries washed down with gallons of tea, coffee, sherry & mulled wine…. The entertainment this year was provided by Choir Leader Bev and around 30 members of the Rock Choir. They gave us a very polished performance and it was impossible not to smile and sing along! Very special thanks must also go to our WONDERFUL team of helpers who worked so hard - from waiting on tables and making sure everyone was looked after, to rolling up their sleeves afterwards for the clearing & washing up & putting tables & chairs away. It was a perfect example of community spirit at its very best! Kay & Tony Ridler received a thank-you for their volunteering in the village from Parish Council Chairman, David Borasinski (Right) Thanks to everyone who came along & helped make it such a memorable & joyful Christmas celebration!!
RUBBISH NEWS: We’d like to give a special thanks to Mandy & all the Wonderful Barlaston Womblers who were out & about clearing the lanes for Santa’s sleigh & the residents of Barlaston over the Christmas & New Year period. Mandy did her usual rounds in her festive hat & Gordon surpassed himself doing his regular litter-pick along Old Road in a fantastic Santa outfit - the photo nearly broke the internet when we shared it on Facebook!! The Barlaston Womblers do a wonderful job week in, week out, so do please look out for those tell-tale green bags & give them a beep & a ‘thumbs-up’ if you drive past.
The SILVER SURFERS team are back in the Village Hall (the Ruth Dickson room at the rear) on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10 until 12. For all your devices (Laptops, Phones, Tablets, Printers ; Microsoft, Apple or Android), No question too silly, no problem too tricky for our great Gurus! Call Steve on 07861 617932 or Tony on 07783 009194 to book a slot - you’ll even get a cuppa & a biscuit if Andrew is on duty!
The Facebook Photo Competition theme was ‘Winter Wonderland’ and the winning photo, taken by Roni was the perfect way to introduce the New Year. We had many beautiful entries but her image truly embodied the spirit of a Winter Wonderland - from the frosted trees to the boundless energy and charm of the little four-legged canine star. CONGRATULATIONS Roni and a huge thank you to everyone who entered and voted throughout 2025. We look forward to sharing more fabulous photos in 2026!!
Website: www.barlastoncommunity.wixsite.com
Comments