There are always irritations in life, and here in Haddenham things are no different. We get frustrated and angry about such matters as selfish and dangerous roadside parking, opportunistic, commercially-driven house building and even dog fouling on our footpaths. But such factors can assume much lower significance when we come into direct contact with those facing serious health issues or coping alone with significant disabilities and the challenges of old age.
So it is very heartening to hear about and celebrate the wonderful work that Haddenham residents undertake in response to these more important human needs.
Haddenham Hopefuls
Helen Lewis writes:
As a team, united against cancer, we walked form midday Saturday 2nd to midday Sunday 3rd July in what can only be described as "unpredictable weather"!
We were one of 25 teams all there for the same reason – to celebrate our survivors, to remember those we've lost and most importantly fight back!
Our personal fundraising for this year's relay is currently an amazing £6,820 going towards an Aylesbury total of £82,000 with money still outstanding from teams sponsorship I'm sure we will get to £100,000.
Our thanks must go to each and everyone who participated in any way with our fundraising, from carboot sales to cream teas – it has been quite a year.
Thank you people of Haddenham, your contribution really will make a difference and hopefully in our lifetimes will will beat cancer!
One last thing: Haddenham's Hopefuls are extremely proud to have been awarded this year's The Spirit of Relay trophy. This is not about raising the most money – it's more about the team. It's about going that extra mile to help in the whole ethos of the relay and uniting together on a common cause.
We were gobsmacked and a whole lot of tears of pride have been shed by a very exhausted bunch – it's a huge honour and we are very proud of ourselves. We will be displaying the shield on various places around the village that have supported us over our relay years.
HADAC
Graham Oliver writes:
Haddenham & District Age Concern's recent Open Gardens event was another resounding success, with nearly 170 visitors taking the tour of our seven beautiful gardens and our extensive allotment gardens. Thrilled comments were fed back about the variety of type, size and appeal of the gardens, which clearly showed a different level of growth and flowering this year compared to earlier years, mainly on account of there having been such a surplus of irrigation this year! Having won their 'rain forest' challenges, our gardeners' efforts were amply rewarded.
Once more the allotment gardens drew their enthusiastic audience, with 70 visitors taking the guided tours, exactly the same number as last year! Growing for produce and pleasure is still very much on many people's interest lists, as are plants, for which HADAC had a hugely successful event, supported by its on-the-day sales and its Pop-Up stall of popular and perennial plants and shrubs.
Haddenham Age Concern would like to thank all of its gardeners and volunteers who gave so much of their time before, during and after the event and also those who donated lovely cakes for the refreshments or who bought plants. All proceeds are in aid of HADAC's local charity and used in support of our elderly residents. See you next year . . .
Scarecrows for the Hospice
Francesca Flaxton writes:
Haddenham's first Scarecrow Festival has been a great success. More than 50 Scarecrows of all shapes and sizes were displayed throughout the village during the Bucks Open Studios fortnight.
On behalf of the Haddenham Scout and Guide Association, I would like to thank everyone who took part.
All the donations made by entrants have been added to the takings from sales of more than 150 Trail maps and a fantastic total of £452.35 has been raised for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.
So many people have said how much they enjoyed following the Trail and looking at all the Scarecrows and I'm sure this will be the first of many Festivals. Hopefully next year, we will have even more Scarecrows to amuse and delight passers by!
Thank you for your support.
The Dorrell's Fundraiser
Freda Dorrell writes:
We were delighted to be able to host another of our Open Garden events at 61 Willis Road last Sunday, 3rd July, and would like to offer thanks to all those folk who came along to enjoy some peace and tranquility of our garden and to indulge in some of our own as well as donated cakes and refreshments.
The afternoon raised £150, and these funds will be distributed to Bloodwise and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
