CHRISTMAS ‘BAGS OF LOVE’
Many families have had an even tougher time this year due to the coronavirus. In November, the Hub committed to providing 100 Christmas ‘Bags of Love’ to give to local schoolchildren. As we were in the middle of lockdown and shops were closed, a ‘Wish List’ of small toys was set up on Amazon. A local bookshop in Exmouth agreed to source reading and puzzle books for us in bulk and we asked for cash donations to support this. THANK YOU LYMPSTONE! As a result of your generous support, over 87 gifts (bulk purchases of 4 – 25 items) were donated via Amazon which has enabled us to provide at least 6 small toys, games and trinkets for every Bag. A small number of people also donated gifts directly. By 2 December in Lympstone, we raised an incredible £885 in cash donations with £718 also being raised from Exmouth donations. This ensures that every child will also get a reading book and a puzzle or sticker book. In all, we will be able to provide over 130 ‘Bags of Love’ to local children, helping to make their Christmas a bit brighter.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY LUNCH
Local volunteers cooked and delivered the Christmas Community Lunch on Sunday 20 December: Turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, mince pies, and a ‘goody bag’ from Santa. The Christmas cake and mince pies were made and donated by a very generous Lympstone W.I. who also made arrangements with Santa so that every recipient received a gift from him. We are intending to continue providing a monthly, hot 2-course Sunday lunch in the New Year until social distancing restrictions are eased – please contact Linda Lyon at malcandlinda@aol.com or on 07786 332529.
SAVE THE DATE!!
After nearly a year of lockdowns and social distancing, we are hoping that after Easter we may be able to socialise again. If we are able, the Hub is intending to organise the following events:
7-9 May 2021 : VE DAY 75th Anniversary (postponed from May 2020)
12-13 June 2021 : Prince Philip’s 100th birthday (on 10 June 2021)
2-5 June 2022 : Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Hopefully a number of group gatherings and events will be able to take place. Planning will start in the New Year for the 2021 events, once we know when restrictions will be lifted. Full details will be advertised in future Heralds and on the Lympstone website.
