St. Barts News
St. Barts Newsletter for September until around December
DANCING LIKE IT USED TO BE - The Golden Oldies dance group have been tripping the light fantastic at St Bart’s for over 20 years. They meet on Wednesday and Friday afternoons in the Francis Room, and show that age is no barrier to smart footwork. For the 20 or so members the group is ‘like a family’: there’s time for tea and chat, and newcomers comment on how friendly the group is. But dancing is the real purpose – why? ‘There’s a gaiety about it’. What more could you ask?
GOOD NEWS from Patiko Bakers Fort Project, based in the Cecilia Room. They have been awarded over £160,000 for their Roots Discovered scheme, working with young people, refugees, asylum seekers, and trafficked, who have no immediate family in the UK.
FRIDAY GAMES a dedicated group of Scrabblers gather at St Bart’s on a Friday afternoon, looking for that highest score with a ‘z’ and a ‘q’. Also on offer are chess and draughts – and they are open to new recruits wanting to play anything from Ludo to Cribbage.
COMING UP AT THE KITCHEN TABLE CAFE: Community night - Back to school – what was it like in your day – and what’s it like now? Saturday 26 Sept, 7 p.m. Or why not come along to a ‘conversation event’? ‘It’s not fair! Have older people gained an advantage?’, will be led by community theologian Ann Morisy on 22 October, 7 pm.
Also coming up – The Ven. Elwin Cockett: A Chat with the West Ham Chaplain, 26 Nov, 7pm. You can still test your general knowledge at the monthly quiz night. And, of course, every Kitchen Table event comes with great food and great conversation. For more information or to book, contact anne@thekitchentable.eu or ring 07720841826.
Nu-life Day Centre , who use the Luke Room Monday – Friday each week, held a garden party in August, welcoming families and carers for a barbecue . Three beautiful wildlife photographs were unveiled in memory of Donald Saunders – and we also let off balloons to celebrate him.
Who’s who around the Centre Roxana is a volunteer in the Kitchen Table cafe. You’ll find her working in the kitchen or serving at tables most weekdays – she also makes a fine loaf of bread!. Alec has been helping with the cafe, formerly the St Bart’s Coffee Bar, and making tea for the dancers for more years than he cares to mention.
NEED SOMEWHERE FOR A DAY-TIME MEETING?The Upper Room at St Bart’s is a light, airy room with a board table, overlooking the church, and is available for bookings via the Parish Office. For enquiries about that room or other spaces in the Centre, contact Brenda or Chrissie on 020 8470 0011, or email easthamparish@tiscali.co.uk.
CONGRATULATIONS to St Bart’s Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides, who helped celebrate the hundredth birthday of the Guiding Movement with birthday cake and games in Central Park on 5 September. Some of the adults present took the chance to revisit their childhood – the Revd Neil Walsh took off on a spacehopper!