The weather was lovely and the Greenspace Conservation Group took full advantage to get on with some ditch clearing. The group take care of many of Shefford’s spaces – at the moment they are also involved in haymaking on Bellcote Meadow and the Easton Field adjacent to the outdoor gym where a Green Flag for excellence is displayed.

Elsewhere St Michael’s Church were opening their Community Cafe where all are welcome for a chat with tea/coffee and cake.

 

After lunch Tuesday offered a session of the Art Society at the Community Hall where members were preparing for their exhibition on Saturday and Sunday.

For the younger generation, the evening provided Tumbling and Cheerleading at Shefford Lower School to improve fitness, strength, co-ordination and balance – while similarly at the STMA Shefford Majorettes were working with local youngsters from the town and surrounding villages. 

 

Later in the evening Shefford WI had one of their monthly meetings with humorous poetry readings and a variety of stalls including fruit and veg, flower arrangements, environmental issues, and cakes. There was also discussion of the other activities run by the WI through the month.

On Saturday 14th September, Barnwell Music ran a taster session day at the Shefford Baptist Church. They started with choir in the morning followed by piano and guitar taster sessions that were enjoyed by those who attended. The Barnwell team will be providing further taster sessions in guitar at their studio on Bedford Road on Saturday 21st September. If you would like to join, please contact admin@barnwellmusic to book your place.

Today was a quiet day – I visited the community Space at the Baptist Church – a number of people were there to share games and chat – I went for a quiet few minutes in the meditation area!

 

 

Then later I met with students to take my Tai Chi class in the Community Hall for gentle exercise and a cup of coffee with biscuits.

Saturday came with the Community Market wonderfully attended and developing a community spirit and character of its own – this is one regular event that just keeps getting better and better with so many stalls around Pamoli Square and along the High Street. In the thick of it were the team from Acorn pre-school and Mighty Oaks doing interesting activities for kids.

This was complimented by a range of activities with Barnwell Music including group singing, plus guitar and keyboards.

On Sunday morning  there was a fun wellbeing event at Millennium Green run by Emily from The Campton Clinic. This free event started with a walk and or run around Millennium Green and finished with a taster relaxation and mindfulness practice. This event happens every week with gathering attendance.

Over at the Baptist Church there was a Messy Harvest led by Erica Bowler in celebration of the Harvest this year and the renewal of the environment for coming years. There were activities, stories, songs, prayers, a community lunch and scarecrow making.

 

The opening ceremony was brilliant – not only did we have two local luminaries cutting the ribbon i.e. our Mayor Ken Pollard with MP Alistair Strathern, others participating included the Shefford Prince and Princess, plus an adult Elsa in fabulous costume and character from her adjacent Be Our Guest Palace. There were sponsors there from Country Properties and BEST Academies, Nicola Burr represented Plastic Free Shefford and Erica Bowler showed up from the Baptist Church. Lesley Whiteman was active taking photos and representing the Garage Sale Trail, as well as the Shefford Mind Body Spirit and Craft Fair at the STMA next Friday.

All in all it was a cool  gathering of Shefford people active in the community.  Later that evening  activity focused on the Community Hall AGM where a small but effective group gathered to see the newly refurbished hall with improved Heating and Air Conditioning as well as a new suspended ceiling for acoustics and insulation making this very central hall a very desirable venue for anything from a kids party to a town meeting, line dancing or Tai Chi.

There is so much on this week and I obviously can’t get to everything – so I would love to receive contributions with photos  (with subject approvals) from event organisers to [email protected].

We are delighted to include this event which takes place at the Library on Wed 18  Thurs 19 ,  Friday 20  from 9.00 to 6.00 and on Saturday 21 from 9.00 to 4.00 The ALL ABLE  Art Exhibition features works by artists with learning disabilities and/or autism who attend the HFT Herald Resource Centre in Shefford. Free to all. Contact Katherine Roopchand [email protected]

 

This year we are delighted that we have managed to obtain the personal support of our Mayor Ken Pollard our MP Alistair Strathern , Elsa from Frozen at Be Our Guest events, plus Pepper Pig and the Prince and Princess of Shefford to assist us in ribbon cutting and generally declaring the festival open.

As last year we will gather on the north pavement outside Rose’s – all are welcome to join us and help the event go the way any good launch should do. From there it is just a few steps to the Community Hall AGM at 7.30 where the committee will welcome anyone with an interest in use of the hall.

If you are free to help we will also appreciate the services of a banner holder for the background.

Thursday 19th Sept 8.00- 10.00 pm People, Planet, Pint at The Brewery Tap. A relaxed and informal chat about environmental issues, from fast fashion to food, energy saving ideas and more. Free to attend – first drink free (for first 33 people). Contact Nicola Burr [email protected]

Tuesday 17th through to Saturday 21st Sept Shefford community café, all are welcome at St Michaels Church for tea/coffee and biscuits/cake – times vary – see our program for details.