Our last Core Group meeting was on Tuesday October 7th at Maureen’s. Our next one is planned for January 13th at Anna’s
All members are most welcome to join us to find out what we do and raise any questions, or to discuss in advance with one of the Core Group members or send an email via Contact Us.
We usually plan social events at this meeting as well as hearing about trades, with some thought about our recent holiday. We also deal with any issues arising and raised by members.
We found an excellent house to rent at Ilfracombe this year in September. Near the sea, cliff top walks, beaches, and 8 en suite bedrooms.
Everyone is independent but take turns to cook in the evening, which has been a fun bonding exercise. Otherwise no-one is obllged to do anything in particular, but people often do things together.
We spent the first day on a boat trip along the coast, to see hidden bays, birds and seals, and the skipper told us some tall stories and best walks and pubs. We followed these up immediately.
Unfortunately thiough I had 2 swims at an ideal beach nearby, the weather turned rainy. We battled along the beach at Woolacombe and lunched at a welcoming surf shack and the best loo in Britain
This Spring Chris hosted our regular bluebell walk around Nuffield where she lives, starting at her lovely garden with wisteria in bloom. Several new members, and friends, joined us for this walk, and most stayed for lunch at the Maker Space cafe, which had Art Weeks exhibits as well as its usual displays and activities.
We hope those of you who have not yet dipped your toe in the trading water, will soon give it a go. After all, that is why you joined, isn’t it?
To help people start and keep trading, we hold social events from time to time as we have found everyone is more likely to trade with someone they have met. Anyone can organize one. It can be as simple as “come to my house for a cheese and wine evening”, or a bit more adventurous, like a games afternoon. If you have an idea for a social event, but are not sure about it, do please get in touch with a core group member for a chat.
Two of our longstanding members and friends, Jane and Chris, assisted by their pooches, have organised excellent afternoons of fun and brains at Warborough. What a great idea, recycled some no longer wanted possessions for castles too.
We played games – nothing too strenuous- until approx tea time, then we enjoyed a Bring and Share tea. More games from 5-7, allowing everyone to play games, eat and chat, even if unable to be there for the whole time.
“Really enjoyed the games afternoon yesterday!” Laura
We thought people would enjoy meeting up for a Saturday coffee morning in the winter weather, and have organised several either at members’ houses and village facities. Newer members quicly meet everyone else, and we have moved round and spread out as chats suggested. A big success!
If anyone would like to organise another where they live, this helps develop local clumps of members outside Wallingford centre,
We had a terrific LETs holiday in June 2023, returning to the house in Pembrokeshire which we enjoyed so much the previous year
We stayed at a roomy house at Nolton Haven, only a small totter to the beach, and decided to go to the same place. We went in June though, to give others a chance to go who couldn’t make it last time. After a few cancellations and replacements it all worked out with a full house. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs from our beach in both directions, north and south, and there are terrific views across the sea to St. Brides Bay and St. Davids with Ramsay Island in one direction and towards Milford Haven and the islands of Skomer and Skokholm in the other. Several of us went swimming every day we were there, and sometimes had the beach to ourselves. We also tried the water at the fantastic beach at Marloes.
This time we were able to visit St David’s Cathedral, a highlight followed by a fishy lunch at Porthgain. Another high spot was visiting the puffins on Skomer one evening, in perfect weather. It wasn’t all activities, we had relaxing times in the house just being together watching TV, playing games, cooking and of course eating, and relaxing with reading and chatting.
2 different people prepared our evening meal each evening (not the person they came with!) apart from the group dinner on the last evening in a fantastic boho hotel in the next bay. Shopping and cooking for 11 is quite a challenge, but everyone rose to the occasion and we had some great food. And you really get to know somebody when sharing a kitchen!
Bluebells galore