Where did December go???

Well, that's it  - all over now for another year.  Can't believe it's been so busy I haven't written on here for a month.

Much of December was mostly about panto - what fantastic fun - I had a great time painting scenery and helping with the lighting for the shows - my son was half the horse.  Valley Academy put on a fabulous show - complete sell-out performances for Rossendale's only Christmas panto. To me panto is all part of the exciting time leading up to Christmas and this certainly ticked all the boxes. Follow the link for a preview of Nigel Taylor's great DVD.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151094338030204

So after all the panto excitement and Christmas parties it was a mad rush to get ready for the 'big day' but we made it.  Santa brought me some lovely sheepskin boots, we had a great Xmas Day with family and Boxing Day with friends - not made it out of my pyjamas or the house again until today as I've been full of cold, but hey ho.  Getting the house sorted out again now ready for New Year's Eve - this is going to be the year when I de-clutter!  Coming from a family of inveterate hoarders that is probably unlikely but you never know - watch this space!!!

Christmas starts tomorrow!!!

I know I'm not alone in my love of all things Christmas and for many of you the planning, shopping and cooking can start months beforehand but for me it can't really begin until December, so roll on tomorrow.  I have now started my Christmas cake (I know really it should be baked in November but I still think there is plenty of time to get it sufficiently fed with brandy if you start at the beginning of December - especially if you start the fruit soaking in brandy before you bake, which it is now doing.

I finally managed to get to choir last night which was great - been practising lots of Christmas songs for our carolling outings.  Our alto section have decided we want to defect to the soprano side as they get the best tunes - I cannot get my head round singing Merry Christmas Everybody on a harmony and not the main tune that we all know and love! Having said that, it sounds great I just would prefer to be singing the melody :-)
I've also had a busy weekend painting -  no not my house (which is in dire need of it, especially the hall/stairs/landing!) but the scenery for panto - it is going to be a fantastic show and is nearly sold out - Rossendale's only Christmas panto - Cinderella http://www.facebook.com/events/274324999268485/

Woo - I'm in the latest Lancashire Business View magazine

Making Rossendale a Leafier Place

Article on AboutMyArea today:

Making Rossendale a Leafier Place

Published: 17th November 2011 15:11

Rossendale will be a leafier place next summer thanks to the efforts of Civic Pride. On Sunday 13 November, over 500 trees were planted as screening near the derelict retail park along the A682 dual carriageway on the way into Rawtenstall.

Chris Blomerley, Chair of Civic Pride, said, "There was a fantastic turn out of Civic Pride volunteers, and we also welcomed BRGS Duke of Edinburgh students and staff, and members of Incredible Edible Rossendale.

Jake Berry presents Civic Pride with the 'Big Society' Award at last
Sunday's tree planting session

Officially, by Woodland Trust rules it is a Queen's Jubilee Woods but for those of us who turned out for the planting, we will always remember that it was Remembrance Sunday. With every tree we planted we couldn't help but think of all those young men and women who have died or been injured in wars.  I would also like to thank those people who responded to our appeal in Rossendale Free Press and donated trees."
The group planted 100 each of rowan, silver birch, dogwood and hawthorn as well as 50 Scots pine, 40 cherry trees and 15 large laurels.
Rossendale Civic Pride successfully bid for a pack of 421 trees from the Woodland Trust - 1 of 1000 packs that were distributed nationally. This pack is part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee planting initiative to increase the amount of woodland throughout the UK.
One very special tree - a ‘Jubilee oak' sapling from the Royal Estates - will be planted in a special ceremony somewhere in a prominent location early next year.
Chris commented, "The trees will provide ‘all year round colour' with flowers in the spring and berries in the autumn, and will form a wonderful gateway into Rossendale from the motorway. It just goes to show what a difference a group of like minded people can make."
At last Sunday's tree planting session, Jake Berry presented Civic Pride with a 'Big Society' Award, which puts them in the running to win £200 at the end of the year if they are chosen as the overall winner.  Speaking about the award, Jake said: "I am very pleased that Civic Pride have been nominated for the award. I was given a tour of the Valley in August to see all the great work that Civic Pride volunteers have been doing and it was wonderful to be greeted by clean public areas and the beautiful flowers that they have planted. There have been noticeable improvements to Rossendale due to their efforts and I am pleased that they have been recognised by the local community."

Choir

Watched The Choir: Military Wives last night - what a difference it can make to peoples lives. I love singing with my choir - had to miss tonight but this was us at a concert last week - looking forward to many more!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150929453925204

Sense of Pride

Lovely morning when I set off today - great sense of pride as I drove past the lay-by where we planted all the trees yesterday - what a feeling of  'job well done' - really looking forward to seeing them flourish as time goes on.  

Today was a great day for business, one quote done, another one booked and two new enquiries, as well as some leads followed up from last week's networking.

Don't need to go out again to night, so pj's on and snuggle up infront of Masterchef - happy days :-)

Trees for Posterity - We did it!!!

First Post

Well hey, I now have a blog!  There'll be no stopping me now.  Open forum to share my minutiae!  When my husband/sons/dog  take no notice of me (which to be frank is most of the time!) I can come on here and share with the virtual world - enjoy!