Media Day for New Evesham Leisure Centre

Monday 24th 10.00am

Organised by Emma Wild, WDC communications manager, this day is designed to show the media around the new facility. Here are a few pictures. You can see more at http://andydyke.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/first-look-at-eveshams-new-leisure-centre/

The impressive entrance hall.

WOW!

More WOW!

L-R Tom McDonald, Jack Hegarty and Paul Middlebrough being shown the new state of the art equipment.

Sorry?, bit over dressed, OK , next time I will bring my kit.

I one of the treatment rooms. With fully qualified practitioners to ease away all your aches and pains.

 

Wychavon Ladies Fishing Trophy

Sunday 23rd 6.15pm

Part of the Evesham Fishing festival

Organiser Diana Raphael shows me the fishing board with the winning places.

I do love presenting awards and prizes

The crowd go wild

The youngest winner, Anna, beating off many more experienced anglers, just 13 years old.

Last year’s champion Samantha Sim proved her class once more by winning again and picking up the £500 top prize, this time with a much lower weight of 3-6-0 of roach and perch from Peg 11. Second place and £300 went to Kim Merry with 3-2-0 of perch and eels and third, winning £200 was Rita Bell with 2-13-0 of small fish.

We decided to walk home the long way round. It starts with a ride on the ferry.

The Ghost Boat

Sunday 23rd 5pm

The Ghost boat is a new idea to bring the spirit world to life, so to speak. This was then first tour of it’s type and combined fun and information based around Evesham and The River Avon. More tours will follow.

The Ghost boat. Also known as ‘Spirit’ of Freedom on Avon

Inside, being educated.

We pass the ladies fishing weigh in. More of that later at our next function.

The ‘Spirit’ travels through Evesham and turns at the lock and the famous ‘A’ frame house.

Oh No, the ghost has got her!

We pass narrowboat Lord Toulouse on her mooring

After an hour or so, we arrive back at Raphael’s Restaurant moorings ready for the next engagement in the marquee.
Smashing tour, well done

 

E. W. Huxley 80th Birthday Party

Sunday August 23rd 10.30am

In 1929, Ernie and Eileen Huxley moved to Hampton Ferry to operate a small holding market garden and look after the ferry, which was then the only link between Hampton and Evesham.  

As their business grew, more and more people visited to buy Ernie’s bedding plants and asparagus and Eileen began to offer afternoon teas to the weary visitors.  The business developed further and expanded to include a camping site and fishery.  To accommodate early rising anglers, Eileen expanded her cuisine to include sausage and bacon sandwiches, which in turn created the Vale’s most famous culinary attraction!  Not one to waste good food, Eileen used the crusts from the loaves of bread to make Bread Pudding.

Hampton Ferry is now home to a holiday caravan site with seventy privately-owned holiday caravans, boat moorings, angling facilities and the award winning Raphael’s Licensed Restaurant.

The Ferry hasn’t changed much since 1929 and remains Evesham’s Natural Beauty Spot.

Angling, Boat Moorings and Holiday Homes
please contact: Mrs. Diana Raphael (01386) 442458

E. W. Huxley & Son,
Hampton Ferry, Boat Lane, Evesham, Worcestershire. WR11 4BP

The scene is set, Raphael’s car park is coming alive to the party.

The marquee is being used for the party and a multitude of other events planned for the coming week

 

The charity balloon race. Picture Trudy Burge

is set off

and hundreds of balloons are sent into the sky.

Hospital Radio are providing the entertainment. The picture shows Pete Challenger, Trudy Burge, Diana Raphael and, well by now you should now the other two. Picture Trudy Burge ( well her camera to be acurate

Of course, I have to play a game

and I come second and win a goody bag. Picture Trudy Burge

Stands have come from all sorts of clubs and organisations. These chaps are from the Wychavon Oil Engine and Preservation Society

 Fancy a pony ride?

The Arms cadets challenge me to get through the ‘mine field’ without setting any off!

I set off 19, before I got to the end

 

Produce stalls were in the marquee

 

And fair trade too. L-R Rosemary Message, Lynn Jakeman, Reg Jackman, and the other two. Picture Rev Andrew Spurr

A lovelly day and wonderful to celebrate an Evesham success. Long may the dynasty continue.

 

2009 Balloon Festival

August 22nd All Day

This is one of the most popular events we have in Evesham. I am particularly pleased of it’s success over the last 6 years, as I started the whole thing off. It is now run by Lew Hammond (Eveham Market Town Partnership Manager) and his team at WDC.

It’s an early start in the ballooon world. About 7am

It’s a Little windy, but safe enough for 15 of the 18 balloons to take to the skies.

 

What a spectacular sight. Balloons over Bell Tower

During the day, there is lots to see and do, including getting close up to classic

and vintage cars.

The fair is in full swing

Then after, after much discussion about wind and safety and a nervous wait for the crowd

 

Some of the balloonist make ready for lift off.

And get quickly airborne. The wind, is gusting and making life difficult.

This is the one we are due to go up in. Picture George Billingham

Even I give a hand to try and help the balloon up.

But it was not to be. Great shame we were unable to get airborn but safty first at all times.

Later in the evening, as the light went it was time for ‘The Glow’

A spectacle, where the balloons light up to music

Cameras can’t capture the moment

These give a flavour

Next year you will have to come and see for yourself. I can guarrantee a great time. The evening is finished off with a fabulous firework display

 

Funeral of Past District Councillor Barrie Nicholson

August 18th 3.30pm. Worcester Crematorium

There are sad duties to perform during the year, this was one of them.

BBQ at Pershore Riverside Youth Centre

August 15th 12 noon to 4pm

Click here
http://andydyke.wordpress.com/chaimans-charities-200910/bbq-at-pershore-riverside-youth-centre/

Mayor of Droitwich Coffee Morning

August 14th 10am
Salt Rock Cafe, Gurney’s Lane, Droitwich

The event, in support of the Mayor’s charity appeal was well attended

Mayor’s and chair’s from around the county

came for a coffee and a chat, oh, and a go at the raffle. I won a book all about allotments. Oh happy days

 

A Boating Day (or two) Out

August 9th/10th

Our original intention was to have a few days boating immediately after the Monks Supper on August 5th. Unfortunately the River Avon, as is it’s want, decided to rise to unsafe cruising levels, after a lot of rain, so our departure was delayed and range restricted. However…………

In bright sunshine we leave heading north

Abbey Park was full of people, many enjoying the band in the bandstand.

The river trip boat ‘Hansam Too’ was very busy

Evesham Lock and famous ‘A’ frame house.

The view from the lock to Weir Meadow Caravan Park

The Lockeeper makes sure boats are secure

before the next narrowboat comes into the lock and the lock is emptied for the boats to leave on the lower level

 
It’s then our turn to rise up when the lock refills

It’s nice to see boats on the river

We pass the Riverside Hotel. The hotel is often visited by celebrities who  want a few days away from the limelight.

The swans gently glide in the water

‘Moocher’ A well known boat on the river. In the 2007 floods this narrowboat slipped her moorings and ended up on the river bottom off Workman Gardens in Evesham. Now happily, fully restored.

The Bridge Inn, public house. A favourite with boaters and non boaters alike. This spot once had a ferry crossing and was the actual licence boarder between Upper and Lower Avon Navigation. This function has now moved to Evesham lock.

Some lovelly houses nestle in the tree lined banks

Traditional water cans, painted by Wendy, sit proudly on the cabin roof

The water was steady and fast flowing and the wind blew hard.

Eventually, after a bit of tricky tiller work, Drusilla and Lord Toulouse enter the lock together.

Our mooring at Offenham. Unusually quiet.

The following morning., our return journey was colder and cloudier than the previous day

The horses more interested in eating than a passing boat.

Evesham Lock coming out

Not often we see barges on the Avon. This is a wonderful example.

And then, in a short while we back home again. Great short break

 

The Monks Supper

Tuesday August 4th 7.30pm

My first charity fundraiser of the year and what a brilliant success it was. I decided it should have it’s own page, so please click here:-

http://andydyke.wordpress.com/the-monks-supper/

The words and pictures go some way to showing what happened but really you had to be there!
And why August 4th?
Click here:-
http://www.simondemontfort.org/