What’s on in Wicken

WICKEN NOTES AND DIARY AUGUST 2021

Government restrictions have now been relaxed but there is still lots of anxiety around and many people are still wanting to take precautions to protect themselves and others – social distancing, face masks, lots of ventilation - and still a preference for outdoor activities where possible, especially if the weather allows. So many elements of our ‘normal’ programme have resumed, or will shortly – details below. Protecting ourselves and others remains a priority, so please continue to take care and stay safe and well.

We want to issue a special word of welcome to all the families who have moved into the village during the last few months when it has been so difficult to offer our customary warm village welcome. It was wonderful to meet some of you at our village tea party in the church garden on 3 July. We hope the information that follows will tell you something about the regular events and activities that have been one of the features of our village, many of them taking place in our church which is also our community centre. If there are any particular activities that you are interested in but don’t feature, please let us know and we can discuss how we might get them into our programme. Please ring Richard on 541522.

CHURCH SERVICES

The benefice June breakfast service couldn’t be held at Wicken church as hoped because of continuing restrictions, so was held and much enjoyed on zoom – with singing. The ‘normal’ pattern of services in our benefice churches has now resumed – please see centre pages for details. Services are normally followed by refreshments and ‘chat’ and all are welcome. Please come along.

If you have any questions or want to use the church for private prayer, please ring Anna (540610) or Richard (541522) so we can make the necessary arrangements to ensure everyone remains safe.

GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES - DATES

Yoga – Jenny Allwork’s classes have been running on zoom during the pandemic but will resume in August. They are held at 9.00 am on Monday mornings in the Wicken Community Centre (church) but please email Jenny on yogawithjenny1@gmail.com if you plan to come along or want more information.

Carpet Bowls – the group plans to resume meeting in the Wicken Community Centre alternate Tuesdays at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 14 September. New members are always very welcome. If you want more information, please ring Joan Morgan on 01799 542558.

Art Group - meets every Wednesday in the Community Centre from 10.00 am – 12 noon. Jill Turner writes ‘We are a friendly self-help group who practise mainly watercolour but also other mediums of art work. We normally offer refreshments but suggest individuals bring their own coffee if desired for the foreseeable future. If anyone wants more information or is interested to join, please give Jill Turner a ring on 01799 543680.

Book Club – current plans are that meetings resume in the Centre at 7.30 pm on the last Thursday of the month after the usual summer break – so, on Thursday 30 September. The group normally meets monthly and has a very wide range of interest. If you would like to find out more, please ring Joan Morgan on 01799 542558. New members are always very welcome.

Garden Club – we have an active garden club which arranges regular visits to local gardens of particular interest, travelling in groups normally in members’ cars or occasionally by coach to places farther afield. Family membership is £10 a year. If you want more information, please email chair Frances Murray on fmurray955@btinternet.com or Viv McLennan on viv.mclennan@gmail.com

‘Wicken Ladies’ is a lively group that arranges a range of exciting events and activities most months. Details of the programme are published here and sent directly to all listed participants. If you want to get yourself on the list and find out what’s planned, please email Jenny Burgess on jennyburgess926@btinternet.com or Tanya Patience on tanyapatience@gmail.com

Jumble Sale – this year’s Jumble Sale is scheduled to take place from 2.00 pm on Saturday 11 September. Refreshments will be available. Please let Anna know on 540610 if you have any jumble or if you’ld like to help.

We’re still working on plans for Quizzes, a Harvest Supper and a Christmas Bazaar, other regular features of our programme, and details will be published as they are finalised. For more information, please ring Anna on 540610 or Richard on 541522.

100 Club – this is an annual fund-raiser for the village and church which offers monthly prizes for a ‘subscription’ of £12 a year. Anna Arend runs the club and places are still available in the current cycle. If you are interested and would like to join, please ring Anna on 540610.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS - In these difficult times, please phone Anna on 540610 or Richard on 541522 if you have any issues or concerns that you would like to discuss - and stay well!

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