1997 Village Day

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Hallmark November 1997. Report by Mike Lane – Village Day Chairman

I had intended to write a short note in this Newsletter to thank all those who helped make Village Day 1997 happen, and particularly the members of the Village Day Committee, who gave so unstintingly their time, effort and sponsorship. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be their chairman. Brenda’s letter in the previous Hallmark suggests that something more is needed

This year, Village Day was nearly an event that didn’t happen. When it was realised in December last year that it might not take place, it was almost too late to organise it. Never before has a start been made on arrangements for this event only six months before the due date. Part of the motivating force was the prospect of losing Village Day; equally seriously, the prospect of losing the Village Hall. Something had to be done about both.

Some hard decisions had to be made in order to achieve such a tight timescale and some short cuts taken. First of all, the organisations were each asked to arrange a fund-raising event. Secondly, the Village Day Committee could act only as co-ordinator of the Day’s events. Thirdly, the Day had to make money; no risks could be taken by arranging expensive attractions which could not be guaranteed to cover their costs. Again, there was a reliance on tried and trusted events by the Committee and the organisations. Hence the concentration on raising as much money as possible through the Programme and the Grand Draw to guarantee that the Day made a profit even if it rained.

Forthly, events had to be concentrated in places where the organisations could best put on fundraising efforts: St John’s School, St John’s Church (and Vicarage lawn), the Chapel, the Village Hall itself , were key locations reasonably close together so that families were within reasonable walking distance of the main attractions, and events in between could be arranged which took advantage of this.

Fifthly, sponsors would be sought for the infrastructure of the Day. In this way the Chinnor Brass Band, the bus service new bunting and many other items were paid for.

The results of six months’ hard work by the Committee, by the organisations and all those who gave their help before and on the Day speak for themselves.: £4,000 given to the Village Hall Millennium Fund and a project that is going to happen; a successful day for the organisations; a happy, enjoyable day for all, old and young, who came, both from the village, Lacey Green and Loosley Row, and of course from far and wide. And last but not least, probably the finest day of the summer for those who prayed for such an unlikely occurrence, given the weather of the previous week.

It is, of course, true to say that nothing is perfect and the 1997 committee will be discussing how improvements can be made. 1997 has shown that there are practical limitations to the number of things one can do on Village Day. There are, for example, just not enough helpers to do everything one would like to do. However, an event is being discussed to be held next year in late August or thereabouts which we hope to centre on the windmill and thus will provide, for the first time, a family attraction at the Loosley Row end of the village. More of that later.

Finally, may I publicly thank Dick Williams for his contribution to making Village Day 1997 such a success. As Brenda said in her letter, dick arranged all the printing of the programmes at no cost to the village, so Dick deserves our gratitude and our thanks, the more so because this is not the first time he has helped the Village Day in this way.

My abiding impression of Village Day was of the great goodwill on the part of residents and families in all parts of Lacey Green and Loosley Row towards an event that they regarded as important to their community life, in the same way as they feel the Village Hall is important and are prepared to do something about its continuation and rebuilding. Whether they are to be viewed as “locals or “newcomers” is not important; they are a community which it is a pleasure to be part of.