Of course, this was preceded by Friday 13th, not that I am superstitious of course but it was chucking it down with rain on Friday night, with visions of around twelve of us in the park, music blaring out at us, the thought of £7000.00 being wasted of sixty good raffle prizes being won by just twelve or so people (At least I might have won one this year, I didn’t)
My wife and I arrived in Hazelwell park just after 7.30 am the gate was open, Karen Stevens, ward officer was already there and Bob hard at work, Ron, Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum was as always already there and this year the tent Man was erecting the colourful Forum tent, this is a vast improvement on previous years when this was erected just after 12 noon.
By 9am there were a small army of helpers, shifting tables and chairs the Arena is going up but it is still very overcast, the ground isn’t as wet as you may think after Friday’s rain, great, the caterer is one of the first to arrive, so, tea and bacon butties to keep us going, slowly the charities begin to arrive followed by the circus acts, inflatables, Chester’s ShowTime etc. is that the sun I can see?
A bit of a slow start but by the time of the first Duck race the park was filling up with residents with happy smiling faces, I looked over toward the where the inflatables were and all I could see was hundreds of kids enjoying themselves, I estimate that around 2000 people were in the park at the peak and it looked like they were all having a good time and that is all the prize I need.
Were you there? I thought that the Arena acts were brilliant! Most performed for free, if you were there, please leave some feedback on the forum boards it makes us feel as it was all worthwhile.
I may not have one of the fantastic raffle prizes, but in a way, I won the best prize of all, seeing so many happy smiling people enjoying everything that was going on, it makes it seem worth all the hard work done by everyone.
Time for the Oscars now
I would like to say a big thank you to the following, to Karen Stevens and her partner Bob, Ron, Damien, Brian, Joan, Dave & Jean, Rowena, Roxie, Syria (I bet that I have spelt that wrong) my long suffering wife Margaret who has had to put up with my mood swings for over 3 months (bet she is looking forward to doing it again)
Sincere apologies to anyone I have not mentioned
But most of all, I would like to thank you, the residents of Stirchley, for turning out in your thousands, let’s hope we can do it all again next year.
The Stirchley Fun Day & Duck Races would not have been possible without funding; this came from The National Lottery Awards for All and Birmingham City Council (Selly oak office)
Thank you both.
Prize List
I know this has been posted before, but for those of you who missed it, here it is again, this time I want to say a big thank you, to all of those who donated prizes again this year and also to the newcomers, this has to be the best local raffle going, doesn’t it?
ST ANDREWS HEALTH CARE: 7INCH ANDROID TABLET
TESCO: £100 GIFT CARD + £50 GIFT CARD + FUJI DIGITAL CAMERA
TRAVIS PERKINS: CORDLESS DRILL & CORDLESS SCREW DRIVE SET
MUSIC EXCHANGE: ACOUSTIC GUITAR
DUTCH EMBASSY: £50 M&S GIFT CARD
LOAF COOKERY SCHOOL: £30 COOKERY SCHOOL VOUCHER
ADI: DAB RADIO +TOASTED SANDWICH MAKER + ELECTRIC KETTLE
JOSHUASHAUN: CUT & BLOW DRY
EMPIRE GARAGE: FREE MOT & 10% OFF ANY SERVICE
PRINTIGO: 1 HOODIE PRINTED WITH WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE + 4 INDIVIDUAL T SHIRTS AS ABOVE
SPECIALIST BUILDING PLASTICS: £20 ARGOS VOUCHER
VENTURE BIKES: BIKE CLEANING KIT
CO-OP FLORISTS: BOUQUET OF FLOWERS
JADES HAIRDRESSERS: CUT &BLOW DRY
MIDLAND VAC: COFFEE MACHINES X 2
LOCAL RESIDENT: PERFUME
WARDS FRUIT & VEG: BASKET OF FRUIT
FARMFOODS: £10 STORE VOUCHER
AKASH TANDOORI: £20 OFF A MEAL FOR TWO
MIRROR IMAGE: CUT & BLOW DRY
OAKTON ESTATES: £10 ARGOS GIFT CARD + £15 ARGOS GIFT CARD (DUCK RACE PRIZE)
POWDER COATINGS: 2 X £10 PRIZES
MIDLAND CO-OP: £15 STORE VOUCHERS
STIRCHLEY NEWSAGENT: 6 INCH ELECTRIC FAN
SELCO: MINI SHOVEL
SACHA HAIR DESIGN: CUT & BLOW DRY
EMPIRE CINEMA: 2 X TWO ADULT ENTRANCE TICKETS
TUMBLE JUNGLE: 3 X ONE ADULT/CHILD TICKETS + 2 X ONE ADULT/CHILD TICKETS
HEADMASTERS: 2 X BEDHEAD DUMB BLONDE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
STIRCHLEY BOWL: 2 FAMILY BOWLING GAMES + 2 FAMILY BOWLS
ASH TREE PHARMACY: MICKY & MINNIE MOUSE MUGS
WOLSEY SAUSAGE: £10 TO SPEND IN SHOP
STIRCHLEY RESIDENT: SLIPPERS & FOOT LOTION
GENTS OF STIRCHLEY: REGULAR HAIRCUT
STIRCHLEY WINES & SPIRITS: TWO BOTTLES OF WINE
RELAX IN STYLE (KINGS HEATH): WALL PICTURE
FALLONS: TIN OF SWEETS
MAGNETS: BUCKET OF ASSORTED BUILDERS ITEMS
STIRCHLEY RESIDENT: 20 PC DINNER SERVICE
If you should have won a prize, please take the time to say thank you to the person/company who donated it, I am sure that would go a long way.
Don’t forget, leave a comment on the website, I really would like to know your thoughts, good or bad.
Kind regards
Pete Walker
Chairman
Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum
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