Trusty’s Busy Week (From Watford Observer)

Trusty’s Busy Week

4:10pm Wednesday 24th August 2011

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My my, what a busy week I have had.

It all started on Saturday (13th) when I visited a fundraising event at The Badger Pub on the Meriden, which was held to support a local mum who is terminally ill. The organisers were raising money for a trust fund for the woman’s 6-year-old son. Despite the very serious reason for the event they also wanted it to be fun for the whole community.

People of all ages came out to enjoy an afternoon of fun activities including face painting, tombola stalls and a raffle, with prizes including concert tickets for Britney Spears and N-Dubz. I had a great time and was delighted to meet another mascot, Gambado the tiger from the soft play centre at Woodside. It was a hugely successful event which raised around £5,000.

Then on Thursday I visited a fun day organised by the Holywell Action Group to celebrate the work we have carried-out at Croxley View.

Through our Better Communities Fund (BCF) we have invested in landscaping improvements to the green space, which includes new footpaths, tree planting and play facilities for both younger and older children.

The Action Group were really delighted with the results and worked with us to put on a barbecue for all the local residents.

Although the weather was absolutely torrential at times, we didn’t let that dampen our spirits (though of course I had a roof over my head at all times).

It was really great to see residents turn out in their droves. I do so like fun days I didn’t know what to do first - jump up and down on the bouncy castle, watch Punch and Judy, dance to music that our friends at Vibe 107.6 were playing or eat yummy food. Watford Unite also supported the event and brought my best friend Harry the Hornet along.

Many thanks to Peter Hammond and all at the Holywell Action Group, as well as the BCF team, for putting on such a great event.

To say that I was a bit soggy was an understatement, but after a warm bath and my tootsies by the fire that night, I dried out in time to attend the Audentior Awards the following evening.

I was really excited to have been invited and this was my first opportunity to see the newly refurbished Colosseum. The surroundings were spectacular and the company and food very good. The evening celebrated those who volunteer and support the community and the breadth of people’s generosity giving their time to help others is truly amazing. Life today seems to run away with us at such a fast pace that giving something back to the community seems to put things in perspective. I do hope that by my attending events when I can (depending on my busy schedule) puts a smile on people’s faces – after all, I am just so popular these days. Two people who received an acknowledgement for their efforts were Dan Holden, Chair of Courtlands Residents Association and Chris Blackett, for her involvement first with Sherwoods Residents Association then STAG (Stock Transfer Advisory Group) and now as Chair of our Gateway Committee.

Their award was for being good neighbours and the citations they received showed that they were richly deserved. Well done!! I clapped so enthusiastically my hands were hurting.

Of course, after the formalities of the evening one of my favourite bits of any event is the food. I enjoyed yummy sausages, beef stew, a veggie option and oh yes, Thai chicken curry which had a real kick to it! At the end of the evening I was able to let my hair down, (well chimney anyway), as I bopped away to a live band which gave me a chance to try out my new dance routine I have been practicing not to mention the odd bit of Hip Hop.

The last few days have reminded me that by working together and supporting each other, communities really can achieve fantastic things.

What a busy Trusty I have been. If you would like to find out more information about any of the above or anything else happening here at the Trust, please contact me on trusty.house@wcht.org.uk.

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