Out and About: Liz's Funky Week with Lashings of Christmas Cheer

The Funky Choir singing at Sainsbury's, Nantwich

Volunteer of the Week

I am going to start with my Volunteer of the Week because this week I am dedicating it to a popular group of volunteers who bring lots of joy and cheer wherever they go. The Funky Choir, led by the very witty, Mr Funky himself, Brent Robinson.

The Funky Choir.com ("don’t forget the dot.com!") has been around a similar length of time as RedShift Radio so you could say we have grown up together! We have welcomed them at many of our events from singing on the Community Stage at the Battle of Nantwich in the freezing cold, to flag waving at the Queen’s 90th birthday Gala in St Mary’s Church and the RedShift Community Garden at the Nantwich Show to our Christmas Fair at the Crewe Lyceum.

The Funky Choir is far more than just Funky ... they are a friendly, welcoming and fun bunch who meet weekly at The Georges Community Centre on West Street in Crewe to practise for their constantly growing list of performances.

I have enjoyed seeing the choir grow over the years and now that my mum has joined having moved up here from Surrey last year, I can see just how much of a supportive and friendly community choir Brent has built.

My Mum happily keeps me informed about which care home, hospital or community event they are next playing and I know that not only does the choir put a smile on the faces of the audience, but also the sense of wellbeing and joy that each member of the choir gets from singing together is priceless.

This photo was taken on Saturday at Sainsbury’s in Nantwich where the Funky Choir sang for over four hours to help the local branch of Riding for the Disabled with their bucket collection. Have a Funky Christmas Funky Choir and thank you for everything you add to our Funky Community!

Betty and Ann Parkin

Betty and Ann at St Mary's

Moving on, and I must mention another pair of volunteers that bring joy to lots of people: Betty and Ann Parkin, my father in-law’s lovely donkeys. They were out again on Sunday for their annual visit to St Mary’s Church, Nantwich for the Nativity service.

Don’t worry if you missed them, Betty and Ann will be at St Margaret's Church, Wrenbury for their final outing of the year on Christmas Eve at 3pm for the Crib Service.

Merrily, Merrily ...

Last week I enjoyed two carol services: one at my nephew's school, St Anne’s in Nantwich and one at St Margaret’s in Wrenbury. Seeing my nephew sing was lovely and we realised that, just like his Mummy, Auntie Liz and Grandma Ruth, he's not exactly pitch-perfect, but belts out his tunes with a smile and giggles!

Sadly though, I feel the need to include a little rant here. I was walking home with my mum and nephew after the service at St Anne’s (about 5.45pm) and I was horrified that TWO cars didn’t even slow down at the zebra crossing, let alone stop while we patiently waited there.

What shocked me even more was my sister telling me that this is a regular occurrence - even in daylight! Drivers please slow down at zebras - especially near schools!

Lots of Christmas Cheer

Christmas is of course a time for parties and having had more than my fair share this month, it's safe to say that I have completely fallen off the diet-wagon! Last Thursday I was out with my fellow Tropic girls for a superb meal and dancing at the Crown Hotel, Nantwich, which served up the best Christmas dinner so far! On Saturday we had Christmas with our old neighbours and friends and I ate mountains of the legendary Diane Kilby pâté.

On Sunday I enjoyed another lovely Christmas meal with my girlfriends at The Globe in Nantwich, although this time I went off-piste and opted for the Thai green curry with king prawns - not a stuffing ball or sprout in sight, but very tasty!

Lots of Santas ready to run ...

The Annual Santa Dash

Sunday saw a huge gathering of Santas (and the odd reindeer and snowman!) in Nantwich Town Square. Sponsored by The Ruk Group, the annual Hope House Santa Dash had to be postponed the week before due to the snowy weather but it got in full swing this week, despite the miserably wet weather. Participants were able to choose to run either 2.5k or 5k and considering the weather, there were almost 200 people running to raise money for Hope House.

And Finally ...

On Monday, after writing this article, I will be at the Oddfellows on Welsh Row for our office team Christmas dinner AND to celebrate the fourth RedShift engagement of the year - Helen Gregory our Office Manager who got engaged on her birthday weekend to the love of her life, Mark Thompson. Congratulations Helen and Mark!

This article appeared in Crewe Chronicle on 20th December 2017.  Please look out for my "Out and About" page each week in the Crewe Chronicle. For more information about any of the items in this article, please email us here at RedShift or call us on 01270 440 750.