22nd December at 6pmCarolling around the villages, in aid of Crisis at ChristmasBe wonderful if you could share this message far and wide as I am sure many people in Overbury, Conderton and from further afield would enjoy the reintroduction of this pre-covid tradition. It's also a great opportunity to raise ££££££ for Crisis at Christmas. As well as our collecting tins on the day, there is a 'justgiving' page so that everyone can donate quickly and easily and directly - and if you can't be there on the day you can still support the cause - in the immortal words of the great TESCO, "every little helps"!!!https://www.justgiving.com/page/mary-gopsill-1669214423101I think it's more important than ever this year to give generously. I hope you can help. Meeting outside the Main Gates at Overbury Court (Important note: if the weather is absolutely filthy we will meet in the Village Hall at 6pm instead.)The generous Churchills' will get us all going with a hot toddy as we assembleThen sing for the CourtGo and sing for The Red House (and another nip of something warming from the generous Harbours)Go up to the park gates and sing thereHead to the Yew Tree for a final yodel and a drinkBring warm clothes and torches or lanterns, bells, tambourines, (drums, trumpets, etc.etc.etc.)I will be bringing some carol sheets with me to share out, but if you can print your own version, I've attached a copy here.****If you'd like to sponsor a particular carol, please do - just make a donation to Crisis via the link below and email me your favourite carol and I will make sure we sing it****Be fantastic if people come and join us on the singing safari but also lovely if they come to their door or gate as we pass, make a donation and get their festive groove well and truly on. Please share this far and wide, invite people who are new to the villages, encourage people to give to Crisis via this link, and come and join us on the day.
After a lapse of four years, due to the pandemic, it was a delight to welcome visitors back to Beckford for our Open Village weekend and an added bonus that it coincided with the celebrations of her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. The Saturday was busier than normal with visitors in unprecedented numbers, however unfortunately the weather conditions on Sunday were less favourable. The event was opened by garden historian and author Vanessa Bridge , who described the village as "sparkling'. Visitors enjoyed chatting with garden owners on all subjects horticultural, purchasing local propagated plants and homemade preserves. Tea and cakes were provided at 2 outlets including Beckford WI at the Village Hall decorated with Commonwealth flags provided by a local resident, and a champagne bar in garden near the Nature Reserve. Visitors also enjoyed displays of vintage cars and radios, while their children enjoyed a Royal treasure hunt around the 13 open gardens. We would like to thank all our volunteers for their support in preparing for the event and the 1100 visitors who made the weekend such a success. We raised in excess of £11,500 and have already made £700 in grants to local community organisations. Monies raised have been ring fenced to ensure the continued maintenance of our historic church as well as being able to help other local organisations as appropriate.More information about BOV can be found at https://beckfordopenvillage.org.uk/visit-gardens/
For more details about the weekend, the gardens and how to get tickets. Please visit:https://www.ashtonopengardens.co.uk/
