The week wasn't as busy as I expected. I ended up working until about 9pm on Thursday which meant I missed the Township Forum. I also didn't make it to the Ramsbottom Festival yesterday. 'Im Indoors was working all day, and I decided I couldn't justify spending £28 to see the Beat for less than an hour. Next year I'll do as last year and get an early bird family full weekend ticket; I got drenched on each of the 3 days, but I went as I'd paid for it!
I was really disappointed during the week. I'd been in meetings all day with my phone on silent. When I finally finished work I noticed a voicemail. It was BBC Radio Manchester seeing if I would go on the breakfast show with Allan Beswick the day after. By the time I got the message their office had closed. I hope they ask me again because I love doing things like that!
As chair of Incredible Edible Tottington I held one of our regular meetings on Tuesday. The main reason was to plan our Pumpkin Fest that will take place on 20 October at Station Yard. Our group is only small, and we were gutted earlier this year when Anna Cocker, the Tottington Ranger, left. Anna had started the group, and she arranged for us to use council land for our vegetable plots. As the ranger service were involved it also meant we were insured during our activities. The ranger service was severely cut this year due to the devastating Government cuts to local councils, and I think Bury had more than its fair share of cuts. With the loss of Anna, we have had to 'go it alone'.
The planning of this years Pumpkin Fest has been complicated to say the least so far, and it is weeks off yet! We now have to book the land from the council, and pay a £25 fee. They explained this was for administration because the rangers weren't here to do it any more. I managed to get that waived but I think it was a one-off. Before the land is officially booked a risk assessment has to be carried out and sent in. None of us had experience in this, but I managed to persuade a 'volunteer' to have a go. It is difficult when there are children, food and a campfire involved! Next, we needed public liabilities insurance. We decided we really should have this as ongoing insurance instead of just for the event. The cheapest I found for a year was £140, which is a fortune for a voluntary community group with no funds. We have some money in the bank that was donated when we started the group but that's it. I'll be paying a visit to BLS in Tottington in the next few days to see what they advise.
We aren't there yet. For our previous Autumn events we have had the use of the gazebos held by the ranger service. When the service was disbanded they donated the gazebos to the Friends of Parks and Open Spaces for use by the borough. Unfortunately another group wanted them on the same day. I have managed to negotiate two of them, but we need to collect them and then deliver them to the people who want them the week after. Last year was really successful, as the weather was fine. If it stays dry and plenty of people turn up, it will all be worth it (feel the positive vibes).
I had more outdoor activities on Friday. I'm a leader of Tottington Wildlife Watch Group (TWIGs). This group, for 8-12 year olds, is part of the junior Wildlife Trust membership. On Friday we held our annual bat walk. It was extra special for us as Anna (Cocker) made a guest appearance to lead the walk. Anna is a member of a bat group so was able to borrow bat detectors. She even brought a bat to show the group. It was still (just) light when we set off, but it wasn't for long. It was drizzling so we didn't expect to see or hear many bats, but we did. The bat detectors were going off, and we saw quite a few bats over the water. We didn't stay out too long; some people were scared of the dark (I admit it, it isn't my idea of fun!) and others took great delight in jumping out scaring people. It was successful though, and the night time meetings are over for another year.
This week should be quieter, although I do have to work a night! It doesn't happen too often luckily. I need to prepare a presentation as I've been invited to be guest speaker at a Home Watch meeting.
No comments:
Post a Comment