Saturday 3rd December 2011 was the day the younger element of South Warwickshire Area Younger Friends were treated to their Christmas Party. The children, accompanied by their Older Friends, 28 in total, eagerly converged on Warwick Arts Centre to see “The Tiger Who Came to Tea”.
The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike. NFU MUTUAL (Stratford) were the main sponsors for this event. Warwick Arts Centre kindly donated the use of the National Grid Room for an after performance Tea Party and to everyone’s delight the cast, including the Tiger, did come to tea. They spent time chatting with the children and obliging with photographic memories. One little six year old refused to leave the table until all his food had gone (just in case the TIGER was still hungry)!
To finish off a WONDERFUL afternoon SANTA came to visit. Every child was presented with a present; these were kindly donated by Amethyst Group (Stratford).
The Tea Party, resplendent with a large Christmas Cake, was a resounding success, enabling the children to meet each other and giving the Older Friends an opportunity to compare friendships and ideas in a convivial setting. All in all, the whole event was a great experience for the children and they expressed their thanks. These we pass on to everyone concerned who helped to make this afternoon possible.
A special thank you goes to Carrie-Ann, our photographer and Older Friend who gave up her time to photograph and produce free of charge the wonderful photographs of all the fun of the day, enabling each Younger Friend to have a mounted memento as a keepsake. We would also like to mention WAITROSE of Kenilworth for their assistance with the food, and BOOTS of Leamington Spa for the supply of Red Bags they provided for the gifts to be presented in.
Santa of course was the icing on the cake, he looked amazing. You can see from the photograph the children looking out of the window, convinced they could see him in his sleigh arriving. Many thanks go to Terry, a wonderful Older Friend for the time and effort he put into this role.
The following Saturday, December 10th, Leamington Ten Pin played host to the Annual South Warwickshire Friendship Project Christmas Bowling party attended by the over 11 year olds. This event was sponsored by Amethyst Group (Stratford).
A very creditable group of 45 Younger and Older Friends assembled to hone their skills and compete on the bowling lanes. (The Younger Friends of course giving advice and guidance on how to pick up the ball, how to take out the “strike pin†etc. —- to the Older contingent). As it turned out, everyone was a winner. The group were treated to the customary bowling fare of burgers & fries complete with drinks.
The surprise visitor, Santa, had to learn to break-dance for this group of Children and came in with a Yo Yo Yo rather than Ho Ho Ho!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every child received a Christmas present (these were donated by Amethyst Group (Stratford).
Thanks go once more to our Santa who enjoyed the proceedings as much as the Children did. The photographs for this event were taken by Older Friend Etain Heavens. The whole day was captured beautifully and each child received a mounted memento of their day. Ten Pin (Leamington Spa) were really obliging looking after our every need. May we thank them for their patience and goodwill in terms of booking costs and understanding the requirements for the day.
Without the support of Older Friends and Group Supporters at both Christmas Parties who gave up their Saturday, some doubling up with another Younger Friend to ensure that no child missed out on their Christmas Party, these events could not have taken place. Thank you for the dedication and care you take in making a difference to the life of a child.
Lynne Ballantyne
Area Coordinator South Warwickshire
