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Celebrating making a difference in community
THIS was a unique celebration of civic pride in the true sense as many local organisations and groups came together as a mark of their love for Wetherby.
Initiator was the Civic Society which invited many community volunteers to a drinks and nibbles evening in the Jubilee Garden and historic Bath House.
This was partly to celebrate the work of civic societies across the region in Civic Societies’ Week. But also to provide an opportunity for people from different organisations to mix and get to know each other. And to discover more about the Bath House in its glorious riverside setting.
More than 50 people representing 25 active voluntary and community groups came together in what our Civic Society chairman Nic Sheppard described as a “perfect setting”.
Mr Sheppard said: “I think we created the ideal atmosphere in which to gently celebrate the diverse wealth of those in the community seeking to make a difference for the good of all.”
Robert Gray from Wetherby Runners said to me later that it was a “smashing idea”. The Runners felt involved in the town and needed to get to know the names and roles of people in other groups. (More about Robert and his views on Wetherby next week).
Meanwhile since Nic showcased the work of the Civic Society in the library window, staff have been inundated with inquiries.
There were so many organisations represented at that memorable night of celebration, mixing easily together after Nic’s welcome to them all. Nibbles were tempting, including a spectacular platter of fresh fruit.
Nic looked back to the society’s annual meeting when there were “exercises” to take aboard the strengths and weaknesses of our town. Outstripping all others was the quality of the voluntary groups and their work.
This night was the outcome of all that: to celebrate with pride our community and culture. Nic knew some people were “wearing several hats”, representing different groups and so many people.
He urged folk to enjoy the evening and “have a go at speaking to someone you don’t know”.
Our secretary Derek Gulland also spoke to us as we relaxed with our glasses of wine in the lovely old garden. It was restored and is maintained by groups of volunteers.
He traced the history of the Bath House and its restoration, stressing that it was “a great pity it was so little used”. And he urged people to join the volunteers in the Jubilee Garden on Tuesday mornings: “They will share their shears!” And to ensure the Bath House did not deteriorate again through disuse.
Derek suggested that anyone wanting to know about making more use of the Bath House should “have a chat” with Barbara (our town clerk).
Bear with me as I list at least some of the organisations who had members at this unique event: the ATC, Scouts, local radio, local churches, Rotary Clubs and the Town Council, Wetherby Crime Prevention Panel, the Drop-in Club, Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE), the Legion, Wetherby Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, the Choral Society, Wetherby Arts Festival, the Twinning Association, Ackrills, the Thursday Club, the Historical Trust, Wetherby Musical Theatre Group and of course, Wetherby Runners.
Forgive me if I have left any group out. It was just so good to see you all and for such a great use to be made of a beauty spot. For many for too long it has been a secret garden they knew little about. Perhaps now word will get around.
I heard from Nic the following day that: “Folk seemed to be very happy to stand and gossip, both with people they knew and others they had only heard mentioned.”
And a common phrase was: “We knew about the Bathhouse but have never been down here.”
I would certainly agree with him that it was a “great result”. He set up the window display at the library highlighting the society’s involvement in the History Trail, Blue Plaques, tree planting and in so many other areas. And illustrating our “pride in the past and present, planning and planting for the future.”
Membership of Wetherby Civic Society, which has nearly 200 members, is open to anyone interested in the wellbeing of our town. Leaflets are on the library counter, or visit our website www.wetherbycivicsociety.org.uk
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Weather for Wetherby
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
