On Monday 19th December, the Council hosted over 50 young people from the parish and their parents/carers attend the youth Christmas Party with Razzamatazz.
The entertainment was fantastic, engaging, and magical. The children waved their hands, said the magic words and from out of nowhere appeared a beautiful little dog called peaches.
Parents and carers enjoyed a mince pie and got to watch and join in with their child/children. The feedback from parents and carers has been incredible and gratefully received.
Lots of games and competitions took place which everyone thoroughly enjoyed before special guest, Rudolf appeared, and gave each child a lovely gift. The evening was drawn to a close with a huge snowball fight and some unexpected snow.
This proved to be a hugely successful and Haydon Wick Parish Council is looking forward to working alongside Razzamatazz again in the future.
Haydon Wick Community Christmas Mealshttps://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Picture4.jpg728970Georgina Morgan-DennGeorgina Morgan-Dennhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/86720b6552d1081447e5765e596ef00f25d359d874727de93ee6c522b559facc?s=96&d=mm&r=g
“The community Christmas meals are a way of saying thank you and supporting those in our parish who may need some help this Christmas”.
Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Memory Café attendees, along with a group of residents over 60 who frequently use the Council’s community bus, had an early Christmas celebration this week. The events were organised by the Council as part of the Reducing Loneliness & Isolation programme designed to help those living alone or vulnerable in the parish.
The attendees pulled crackers and donned party hats as they enjoyed a festive meal together. Stories were swapped of Christmases past, and gifts were shared around the table. Comments from around the table included:
“The opportunity to share a meal with other people is so nice, I usually eat on my own at home.”
“This has been so wonderful, I’m just trying to take it all in, so I can remember when I get home. Thank you to all at Haydon Wick Parish Council who organised this for us.”
Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development Committee said: ‘’ It’s a pleasure to be able to provide these Christmas functions for our residents and our award-winning community Memory Café attendees. The meals are a way of saying thank you and supporting those in our community who may need some help this Christmas.”
The Parish Council’s Warm Spaces sessions will recommence from the 6th January 2023 from 11.00am – 1.00pm and the next Memory Café will be held on the 11th January 2022 from 10.30am – 12.30pm, both at the at Haydon Wick Parish Council offices on Thames Avenue, Swindon. For further details contact Chief Officer for further details clerk@haydonwick.gov.uk.
Christmas comes to Haydon Wick Memory Caféhttps://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/5-1.jpg800800Georgina Morgan-DennGeorgina Morgan-Dennhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/86720b6552d1081447e5765e596ef00f25d359d874727de93ee6c522b559facc?s=96&d=mm&r=g
‘It’s lovely to see so many of our regulars with smiles on their faces, especially at this time of year”
Christmas came early to Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Memory Café on 14th December 2022. Café attendees were greeted by staff and volunteers dressed in festive outfits, and cheerful Christmas music playing in the background. The room was warm and welcoming, courtesy of a sparkling Christmas tree and a backdrop image of a coal fire, surrounded with toys and wrapped presents.
To kick off the festivities, the café welcomed a choir from Haydonleigh Primary School, who entertained those present with their carol singing. Toddlers from the neighbouring Meadow Pre-School then popped in, bearing Christmas cards and chocolates.
The next activity was Christmas wreath making with seasonal foliage. The Parish Council’s talented Administrator demonstrated her creative skills by leading the session, and helped those present to create a festive garland, which they were then able to take home with them.
This was followed by our regular fitness instructor, who quickly warmed each one of the attendees up with some gentle exercises to Christmas music. Lin’s enthusiasm and festive play list brought smiles to all present.
Finally, we were delighted to have Father Christmas join the café – our thanks to Councillor Richard Hailstone for helping us again this year. The very talented Father Christmas provided musical accompaniment on his keyboard, while everyone sang traditional Christmas carols. Afterwards he handed out gifts and a raffle was drawn. This year’s raffle prizes were once again kindly donated by Parish Councillors and Council staff.
Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development committee said: ‘’ Haydon Wick is rightly proud of its award-winning Memory Café, and it’s lovely to see so many of our regulars with smiles on their faces, especially at this time of year. The Parish Council is always grateful for the support of its volunteers, who turn up at each café to support this valuable project.”
This annual project is more than just delivering a Christmas parcel, it’s a way of checking in on some of our most vulnerable residents and gives us the opportunity to have a chat.
Haydon Wick Parish Council successfully delivered the traditional Christmas Parcel Scheme again this year, spreading festive cheer and goodwill to those residents in need across the Parish.
Councillors, Staff and Volunteers worked hard to pack and deliver the parcels on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December 2022, to make sure the community project continued to help those over 70 years old, who live alone within the Parish.
Chairman of the Council, Councillor Vinay Manro said:
“This winter has continued to bring challenges for many. The Council is proud to be able to continue with this long-standing tradition in bringing some festive cheer and goodwill to some of those who are most in need within our parish. This annual project is more than just delivering a Christmas parcel, it’s a way of checking in on some of our most vulnerable residents and gives us the opportunity to have a chat. Most of all it’s reassuring for our residents to know there is a friendly face available should they need support”.
The community Christmas project delivered over 130 parcels to residents across the parish. The packages included festive food and other treats. The Council has been humbled by the generosity of its volunteers and local groups who come together every year to help with this project and would like to pass on their thanks to: Morrisons and the Redeemed Christian Church of God for their very generous donations.
