Report on the Beacon Group Away Day
After days of torrential rain the morning of the Away Day could have been equally wet. However it was fair and there were even some lovely bright periods and the resulting photographs were really striking. They captured the trees just starting to turn, the bright sparkle of the waterfall tumbling down the side of the House, the fantastic formal gardens being so carefully renovated. The peace and the quiet which can’t be captured even in digital images but was there to be enjoyed. The doing was taking part in the eighteen workshops on offer. It was impossible to fit in everything. However the gentle buzz of activity testified to real engagement with all that was available. The “being” was those who just enjoyed the company, chatting with all sorts of people that they didn’t usually see or at least not for long enough to really get to know. “I didn’t know you’d done that!” and “Well we do this for our Christmas Fairs” to “Why don’t we meet like we used to at our house to make stuff? How about we start again next week….” There was a lovely sense of fellowship, just being together. We were away from all the usual distractions at the end of a church service and were able to relax and have a chat. We are very grateful to those who gave up their time and talents to run the workshops for us. Few of us were real experts in what we were doing but by sharing what worked for us it opened the floodgates and others gave generously of their experience which made it a really interesting time. We would like to thank Hillary Binks for her very interesting session on tracing your family history. Her nursing background and interest in genetics was a new prospective for a number of people. It was good to hear people’s experiences and get some tips. The enthusiasm of the flower arrangers that gathered round Ann Kendal’s table caused a real buzz. Lots of ideas flowed and there is real hunger for more ideas and skills in the future. Our thanks goes to Ann for all she brought to the session. Meanwhile Eric Binks and Clifford Kendal kept a wary eye on the gaming tables. Board games of course! Ben Grenville-Evans had one game of Monopoly which I think other folk came and joined and went and Ben kept playing. I think I can guess who won! Thanks to Eric and Cliff. Rob Grenville-Evans did a really interesting session. As a gifted graphic artist the drawings he did, of amongst others Alan Gent, captured the person’s essence strikingly. I have been privileged to see a variety of Rob’s work in different mediums and I am struck each time by his skill. Thanks to Rob for sharing his gift with us. Marion Mashiter headed up Burneside’s craft table and it was constantly busy with interested groups of folk. The parade of wooden spoon puppets at the end was the tip of the iceberg of the many things created. Our thanks to Marion and also to Peter Mashiter who drove the minibus. It meant a lot of folk without cars could come. Quite a group of people went up to the Caves. Our thanks to June Hill for leading that group. We were very lucky to have two gifted lace makers and crochet workers in Mary Smith and Mary Jarvis. The young people especially enjoyed having a go at making pillow lace. Thank you to both ladies for showing your fascinating craft. Thanks to Nigel for leading our worship and for bringing a car full of computers. This was fun for all and the instant conversions might give the deanery Missioners something to think of. (if you don’t understand ask one of the children!!) Pandy Grenville-Evans showed us her cross-stitch and lots of sewing tales were told as well as seeing the latest colours. Thanks Pandy. Angela Brockbank brought some patchwork to try and this went down a storm. Lots of people took projects home to finish. Angela also spent the morning selling her recycled cards to help fund Beacon activities like our Advent Service Drama and Saturday’s Away day. Thank you Angela! Our thanks to Jean Radley for offering Drama and to all who came and had a go at something new. The photography, both traditional and digital, was greatly enjoyed as were the results that could be viewed on Ken’s lap top by the end of the day. Thanks to Ken Tulley and Arnold Brockbank. Finally thanks to Shirley Paynes and Chris Taylor for the musical activities in the afternoon and to the musicians for their singing and playing at the end of the day. It was great- thanks to everyone being prepared to make it work. One of those things we do better together than apart! Thank you.
