Just in some photos of the Sloop Groggy Dogs Sea Shanty group performance which I believe was a great success at the STMA  and of the organisers – recognise anyone?

The last day of our Community Festival included a visit to the Bowls club where they had their annual finals of both mens and ladies competitions – open to spectators.

Nearby at the STMA there was a football match in progress and I moved on for a look in to the Baptist Messy Harvest service and Community lunch.

Saturday started for me at the Art Exhibition in the Community Hall where lots of excellent works were on display – I have bought there before but this year I was totally spoilt for choice. Cakes and coffee were good also!

Across the road at the Methodist meeting room I met the Neville Funerals team who were Talking (about) Elephants in their bereavement support group, often numbering around 15 people – what a lovely thing to do for our community.

Elsewhere The Baptist church was hosting their exploration of Nature, while Shefford Lower School saw Black Ice Academy Cheer doing tumbling, stunting and dance – sadly I was unable to visit – but I did get along to the STMA in the evening while they were preparing for Sloop Groggy Dogs Sea Shanty group.

Today started for me with a visit to BEST House to see the guided practice session with Mindfulness coach Will George who discussed the benefits to wellbeing, resilience and performance to individuals and its impact across our local schools.

Elsewhere at the STMA an enthusiastic group of Self Help artists were happily working away on their drawing and painting with Carole Wilkinson when I called in to see them.

And with it being Friday that meant a call in to the town centre Friday Market offering fruit and veg, fresh fish, mobile phone repairs, home goods and cleaning products.

Please note that there has been a change to the BEST Mindfulness Sessions taking place today. There will now be only ONE session at 10-10.45am. Please see updated information below:

Apologies to the Thursday activities that I could not get to – Jo Jingles at the STMA, Mini Hatters at the Methodist Hall, Sanctuary prayer/meditation at the Baptist Church, Brownies and Guides at the Methodist Hall, Shefford Runners at the STMA, Wing Chun at the Methodist Hall and Crib League at the STMA.

But I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the  Wellbeing walkers at the library as they gathered at the start of their one hour walk in and around Shefford. Then in the evening my visit to the Community Hall where I met the Shefford and District Amateur Radio Club (SADAR) reaching out around the planet and demonstrating their equipment to interested visitors.

What a busy week it has been so far – so many people have been telling me that the festival has been a real success – it is great that even outsiders are hearing what a lovely place Shefford is to live. We have seen two groups of walkers so far with people coming from Royston and St Albans and another group due on Thursday.  Classes are popular with new people joining at the Majorettes and the Shefford in the Past film show a great success.

So on Wednesday I visited the NEED Project at the Methodist Church Hall with free food on offer from a “best before ” supply chain – centrally purchased and donated – alongside was a warm space group enjoying company with soup and a roll, and tea and biscuits. There were various classes through the day including Pilates, Children’s Yoga and Line Dancing.

Later I was able to get along to the Shefford Community Choir also at the Methodist Church Hall which was brilliantly attended with people moving and singing – really enjoying themselves.

The Ramble today started outside Lemon Plaice fish and chip shop with the group walking up Ampthill Road to Chicksands then right through the woods and back into town via the farm with a well earned cup of tea back in town. One couple told me they walked in from Clifton.

The Greenspace Conservation Group were hard at work in Bellcote Meadow with a volunteer work party who were keeping a footpath clear by hand trimming a long hedge before contractors come in with machinery.

I then returned to town and visited the Community Cafe at St Michaels church

Further up town at the Community Hall the Art Society were enjoying a creative session ahead of their annual exhibition at the weekend. I certainly look forward to my regular visit.

In the evening the athletes of Black Ice Academy Cheer were working on their tumbling and balancing in the Lower School hall and looking forward to their session on Saturday.

Down at the STMA the Shefford Majorettes were getting organised  and described the evening :

“Shefford Majorettes held a taster session as part of Shefford Community Festival this Tuesday and welcomed 5 new girls to try out baton and ribbon twirling and Pom Pom skills. The session began with a showcase of this year’s summer routines followed by some ice breaker games including our girls’ favourite ‘Pom’ game! We ended the session with our existing girls teaching our taster girls some skills in small groups. Shefford Majorettes will be welcoming new starters throughout September so if you missed this taster session then get in touch and get booked in for another opportunity to try out Majorettes!

We’re excited to start a new term and welcome some new faces to the Majorette Family, so if you’re interested in joining our troupe, drop us an email at [email protected]”

From there I visited the Community Hall where the WI were being entertained by a talk on Bess of Hardwick – in her day the richest woman in the country. Followed by a presentation of Plastic Free Shefford by Nicola Burr.

Honestly, Mondays are a full day for me – the morning teaching Tai Chi in Marston Moretaine and again here in Shefford Community Hall for the afternoon – in between I was pleased to check in at the Shared Space at the Baptist Church Hall. Apologies to those I could not get to, including Campton Dance at the Methodist Church Hall – also the Karate in the Methodist Hall and the Kick Boxing at the Community Hall – plus the Players at STMA, Karaoke, Shefford Runners and Pilates at the Methodist Hall.

It certainly shows how important our local venues are to the regular activities of the town. Tomorrow looks like it will be another very active day.