Successes
Coach Trip to Buckingham Palace
This trip took place on 31 August attended by 28
members. Everyone was awestruck at the splendour of the
staterooms on show, the highlight was the ballroom set for a State
Banquet for 160 invited guests. We thoroughly recommend
taking the opportunity to visit the Palace.
Sunfield Carnival
Sunfield
Carnival took place on 12 July at Sunfield School in Clent,
Worcestershire. The event, now in it’s 11th year,
continues to attract large crowds and is well supported by the
local community.
There were a variety of stalls and
entertainment including a classic car display and a carnival
procession by Sunfield School pupils who obviously enjoyed the day
despite a heavy shower. Arden Forest members ran three stalls
- Money Hoops, Target Golf Game and Bric-a-Brac. The total
amount raised by the event was over £5000 – all proceeds raised on
Arden Forest stalls were added to the new school appeal fund.
“Summer showers failed to
dampen Carnival
spirits - while
the Olympic theme of this year's summer Carnival at Sunfield was
transformed into something more akin to 'Singing in the Rain',
spirits were certainly not dampened by the British weather and more
than £5000 was raised for our new school appeal.” http://www.sunfield.org.uk
Scholarship Completion – Amy Ryder
Having
been awarded a Foresters Scholarship in 2005, Amy completed her 3
year degree course this summer. Amy was awarded a 2.1 BA
Honours Degree in Graphic Design.
Amy’s proud parents attended the Degree
Ceremony and she was supported on the day by the rest of her
family. Amy said, “The Foresters Scholarship enabled me
to purchase my own AppleMac computer and graphics programmes which
were essential for my studies. Thank you Foresters!”
Rambling Weekend Away at Bircher, Herefordshire
On
16-18 May our rambling section enjoyed their annual weekend away in
rural Herefordshire. 16 members camped or caravanned
(the views from the campsite were outstanding) and a further 9
members stayed in local B&B. On Saturday evening we
enjoyed a BBQ and shared supper with brain-numbing quiz. On
Sunday we rambled over Bircher Common stopping for refreshments at
Croft Castle.
Our Raffle over the weekend raised £23 for our
2008 Branch Charity – Air Ambulance
Go Karting Mini Prix with Wyre Forest Branch
This took place on Sunday 11 May at March Hare Leisure at
Broughton Hackett. 13 members from Arden and
Wyre Forest Branches competed in a Mini Prix involving 13 heats and
a grand final. Keith Lea spectacularly crossed the centre of
the track causing the final to be re-started. The overall
winner was Graham Stead, followed closely by Graham Ryder, Lee
Bacon and Keith Lea.
Several wives and children supported the
participants on a very sunny day. Each Branch fielded one
lady driver, who both kept pace with the boys.
Ian Davenport, President of Wyre Forest,
thanked Arden Forest for organising the event and suggested a
repeat challenge next year.
Parliamentary Classic Car Run 2008
In March,
Arden Forest Members, Graham & Jenny Ryder, participated in the
annual Parliamentary Classic Car Run – a sponsored charity classic
car run from Horse Guards Parade to the Tower of London to
commemorate Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and HRH Duke
of Edinburgh.
Approximately 50 cars took part in the Road
Run and the vehicles were inspected by HRH the Duke of Kent on
behalf of the Queen at the Tower of London. As well as
providing much excitement in the capital city, the event raised in
excess of £10,000 which will be divided equally between Leukaemia
Research and The Stroke Association – charities nominated by the
Duke of Kent
Bill Hazlehurst, Branch President said, ‘ We
were pleased for Arden Forest Branch to actively support both
charities by sponsoring Graham and Jenny to drive their 1946
Wolseley Eight to London for the event. They completed a
round trip of 282 miles over two days.’
Fundraising for Edwards Trust
Arden Forest has worked closely with Edwards Trust
since 2005 and is one of the Branch’s nominated charities.
Members were able to visit the Birmingham-based organisation to see
how the money was being used to bring comfort to critically ill
children and their families.
In recognition of our support, members were
invited to a Tea Party with Birmingham Lord Mayor, Councillor
Randal Brew OBE and we were delighted to present a cheque to Lynne
Thomas, Appeals Co-ordinator, bringing the total raised over the
three years to a whopping £3,620!
Graham Ryder, Branch President 2004 – 2008,
said, “Arden Forest has enormous pleasure in being able to support
this local and very worthwhile charity through a variety of
events.”