Thursday 15th September

Redlake Valley Artists are holding their first ever Art Show this weekend.  Last night, Sept 15th, was preview night and the hall was packed with people coming to marvel at the wonderful art on display.  The diversity of the exhibits is what makes this art show so special and if you haven't already seen it - do make an effort over this weekend - dates and times in the What's On page. 

SEPTEMBER 2011

Our Village Hall has now had its insulation and paint job, sports a beautiful set of PV panels to boost our finances and reduce our electric bills, has a whole new set of tables and is looking wonderful.  We celebrated this new state of affairs with a barrel of beer and some music on September 2nd, finishing the beer that night (almost finished me!).  Then Sunday 11th, the WI and church organised our annual Ramble and Lunch, which always proves popular with folk from neighbouring villages - both those that want to walk and those that don't!

MAY 2011

'Voices of our Valley' Church Concert  held on 8th May at 3.00pm.  This is a fundraising event, which has become a regular item in the church calendar.  It is amazing that Chapel Lawn holds so much talent, young and old.  Nathan and Wayne Davies and Bethany Davies were our young representatives and Di Cosgrove, Eileen Lloyd and 'yours truly' - our oldies!  Everyone sang beautifully and the St Mary's scratch choir, led by Di, sang a great round effortlessly.  Thanks must go to the audience/congregation - the church was nearly full and not just with people from Chapel Lawn, but from all the surrounding villages as well.  Hosting the afternoon was Andrew Gibbs with his funny stories filling in the spaces between the music and hymns.  The tea and cakes afterwards is the special treat we were all waiting for and my thanks to Christine Oakley and her band or organisers for providing a very entertaining afternoon.

The St Mary's Church Choir and performers

APRIL 2011

Most recent Redlake Issue No 14

The Royal Wedding Tea Party  Hosted by the Chapel Lawn WI, we celebrated the marriage of Katherine Middleton to Prince William.  It was a very quiet celebration, mostly tea, sandwiches, cakes and gossip.  However, the bucks fizz was brought round and Di Cosgrove toasted the royal couple and we all drank to their health (quite enthusiastically!)  Royalist or not, one cannot deny that it was a beautiful occasion and I for one admire Kate for her confidence and fortitude in taking on such a daunting and at times un-gratifying role.

April sees the start of Spring, which really has arrived, with the blooming of daffodils along the verges, the trees and hedges starting to green up and reports of blackbirds and wrens nesting in dodgy places - tractors and big bales!  And of course the lambs - dear sweet, cute, cuddly things, which have suddenly taken over all the fields in less than a month!

This month we also launch the new Mark II Village Produce Stall, lovingly crafted by Christine; clad in wooden boards and felted to keep out the rain and weather (except wind, which still got in!).  We have had a very smart lockable till donated, which is going to be strapped, bolted, weighted and alarmed to deter any/all possible theft.  This stall is for the use of anyone in the locality to sell their surplus produce, be it plants, flowers, vegetables, honey (please Steve), chutney, jams, fleeces and eggs.  Anything too valuable or large to leave on the stall can be advertised on the notice board at the back.  Last year, in spite of thefts, the stall was a great success and we are hoping that it will prove to be equally attractive this year, helping to redistribute vegetables and plants between the residents of Chapel Lawn.  That is not to say visitors cannot use it as well - in fact we hope they do.  See the What's On Page to find out how it works.