What’s on in Wicken
WICKEN NOTES AND DIARY MARCH 2022
Good news! Spring is well on the way. Snowdrops, aconites and daffodils – and reducing restrictions - are encouraging us to be more cheerful and optimistic in spite of the continuing impact of the wearying pandemic and rising energy and food costs. There is a growing sense that at last things are getting better and the pattern of activities in church and community centre is growing – getting back towards normal.
CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE
The discussions about the future of the church and community centre continue. A number of volunteers are already taking responsibility for organising things like the ‘breakfast club’ sessions and our 100 club. The group established to think through some of the more strategic organisational and funding issues met the Archdeacon on 21 February and a note will be sent to every household to report progress. If you would like to be involved or have any ideas, please let’s have them. We need all the help we can get. If you can help in any way, please talk to Anna on 01799 540610, email 
annamarend@yahoo.co.uk or Richard on 01799 541522, email richardcretneytaylor@btinternet.com .
The ‘normal’ pattern of services in all our benefice churches has now resumed with some slight adjustments – please see centre pages for details. Services are normally followed by refreshments and ‘chat’ and all are welcome. Please come along.
GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
NEW!!! We’re hoping to set up a ‘BRIDGE FOR BEGINNERS’ Club on Tuesday mornings from 9.00 am – 12 noon led by Gordon Scott, sessions to start after Easter on Tuesday 26 April. For more information, please email Gordon direct on glscott82@yahoo.co.uk
BALLOON RACE – this sponsored virtual adventure raised over £300 for church and village funds a couple of years ago and we plan to run another event this summer. More details to follow.
100 Club – congratulations to our February winners Joan Hicks and Clive Parry.
Village Coffee Morning – coffee and chat sessions back to normal - first Saturday of each month in the Community Centre from 10am – 12 noon. Next session – Saturday 5 March. Please drop in, meet old friends and make new ones - enjoy the refreshments and catch up. All welcome.
Tea and Chat – a new opportunity to meet old and new friends every few weeks on Thursday afternoons from 2.00 – 4.00 pm. First session of the year on 10 February had a valentine theme, with bud-rose table decorations, tea and cakes, all much appreciated and enjoyed by the lively participants. Next session 2.00 pm on Thursday 17 March.
Art Group – Jill Turner writes – The group meets every Wednesday from 10.00 am – 12 noon. Our aim for 2022 is to invite outside artists to give tuition once a month. February’s session was led by Ania Shreeve and we are hoping to use SAA recorded workshops for March. (The SAA is a community of artists who share a love for art and provide expert knowledge, resources and inspiration.) The group is looking to welcome new members as well as former ones who have so far been unable to return. If you want more information or to join, please give Jill Turner a ring on 01799 543680. If you are a local practising artist and would be interested in giving a demonstration with tuition then please contact Jill Turner on the same number.
Yoga - ‘in person’ sessions led by Jenny Allwork from 11.15 am – 12.15 pm on Fridays. There’s a NEW proposal to establish a CHAIR YOGA session from 9.45 – 10.45 on Fridays. If you’re interested in either, please email Jenny on yogawithjenny1@gmail.com for more information or to join the sessions.
Pilates – sadly these sessions are suspended at the moment due to illness. We hope to re-establish them later in Spring. If you want more information, please email Vanessa Ravazzotti at vanessarpilates44@gmail.com.
Carpet Bowls – regular sessions in the Community Centre at 7.30 pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month – so Tuesday 8 March and 22 March. It’s a small friendly group with a range of abilities. New members including beginners are always very welcome. If you want more information, please ring Joan Morgan on 01799 542558
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Book Club – a lively group meets at 7.30 pm on the last Thursday of the month, now in members’ houses rather than the Community Centre. Next meeting on Thursday 31 March. If you would like to find out more, please ring Avril Taylor on 01799 541027.
‘Wicken Ladies’ – Jenny Burgess writes ‘Because of continuing concerns about indoor events, Wicken Ladies planned a meeting outdoors in February – a morning walk followed by lunch at Debden Barns. Some ladies are keen walkers whilst others are keen ‘lunchers’ and all are welcome. The event was planned to take place after the copy deadline and will be reported’ in the next issue – but this could be the start of a ‘Wicken Ladies Walkers’ offshoot. As the pandemic situation improves, we have decided that it now seems possible to meet up again, and with this in mind have booked the Community Centre for Tuesday 15 March. This will be a long overdue opportunity for everyone to meet together and discuss plans for the coming months. As before we will meet at 7.30pm, bring your own refreshments and everyone is welcome. In the meantime, we continue to think about ways in which we can support the Jubilee celebrations in Wicken. Several suggestions have already been made and we look forward to contributing to the weekend in the village in June’. If you’re new to the village and would like to get involved or if you need any further information, please contact Jenny Burgess jennyburgess926@btinternet.co or Tanya Patience tanyapatience@gmail.com for full details.
Garden Club – visit planned to Grove Lodge in saffron Walden on 4 March. If you’ld like to join please contact on viv.mclennan@gmail.com. as spaces are limited.