Down in the Dell 2009

A Bench in Memory of Jack

On Saturday 7th November, almost exactly a year since he died, more than 20 people gathered in the Dell on a clear and crisp autumn morning to honour Jack Watkins with the dedication of a bench in his memory. After toasting him with bubbly drinks we repaired to Margaret's house where we enjoyed an excellent buffet meal.  Many thanks, Margaret.

Stephen Watkins, Pearl Braddock, Margaret Watkins and daughter-in-law Alex

 

Margaret with the plaque.

 

Another GOLD for Leamington

The winners in the Heart of England in Bloom competition have now been announced. Leamington Spa has again taken a GOLD award in the Large Town category. This year the Dell was not entered in the Neighbourhood Award section, but the GALS' efforts in the Dell will certainly have contributed to the town's success, so well done GALS!

 

Barbecue, Sunday 13th September

The weather was still dry after last week's mini-heatwave, if cooler and cloudier, but we had a good turn out to hear the Swaps perform at the north end for two 40 minute sessions. The gabions finally proved useful for anything other than holding up the slope. They are just the right height to support instant barbecues. Click here for some inevitably gloomy pictures.

 

The GALS and the Judges

On Wednesday 15th July, 2009, the Dell featured as one of the stops on the morning's itinerary for the judges of Leamington's entry in the Heart of England in Bloom competition. They seemed to be impressed by the work of the GALS, but we await official comment.

Annabel with judges Mark Wiltshire (left) and Roger Bache.  Photo by courtesy of Cllr Simon Wheeler, Chair of the Leamington in Bloom Committee.

 

The Dell Party, Sunday 28th June, 2009

Having washed us out in May the weather was kind to the Dell Party this time, not unbearably warm and humid, even some sunshine and only one short shower.  There was a good turn out to hear the music of Dell familiars Tanza, the Eco Worriers, the Swaps and Dub Culture. Newcomers on the scene included Acoustic Edge, Twin Kat and two young and very promising groups from Campion School, the Siani and Alfie Duo and No Face.  As usual, the younger children enjoyed the Bouncy Castle and the Punch & Judy show, and there was a steady supply of young clients at the Big on Play tent run by volunteers from  BTCV where they were making "turf heads" to take home as souvenirs. In the absence of a face painter, "Mr Punch" (aka Tim Barlow) ably turned his hand to balloon modelling.

 

We welcomed the Deputy Chair of Warwick District Council, Cllr Bertie MacKay and his guest Miss Valerie Daly, the Town Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr Balvinder Gill  and Mrs Jaswant Gill and two visitors from Bo in Sierra Leone representing One World Link, Catherine Kamara and Maada Fobay.

 

As ever we are indebted to various local organisations, shops and businesses for their support and sponsorship, including Asda, Bouquets, Clarendon Street Post Office, Dell News, Kang's Stores, A. McDonald & Son (Carpenter and Joiner), the Oddfellows, Osbornes, Regency Jewellers, the Sign Works, the Star and Garter, TWPrinting and the Woodlands Tavern with apologies for any omissions. We are grateful to Warwick District Council for the use of the Dell and to Leamington Spa Town Council for a grant which helped to defray the cost of insurance and expenses. But above all we thank everyone who came along to enjoy themselves and without whom the Party could not have been a success.

 

Heart of England in Bloom, 2009

The Dell is on the route to be taken by the judging party on 15th July for Leamington's entry in the Heart of England in Bloom competition this year. You will recall that last year the GALS won an Outstanding Award in the Neighbourhood Awards section. Their efforts contributed to the town's successful achievement of its Gold Award. The details can be found on the GALS' blog at: http://www.downinthedell.blogspot.com/ but here is what the judges said last year:

"Not satisfied with creating a new shrub/perennial border at the north end of the open space the GALS (Gardening Around Leamington Spa) have now started work in conjunction with Warwick District Council to improve the east border. The introduction of bat/bird boxes has seen an increase in the numbers of bird species. The diverse range of plants gives good all year round colour and those needed are shade tolerant. The open space is now used by all sections of the local community and is used by families for picnics and the play equipment is well used and the older teenagers are playing ball games."

It is sad that Jack Watkins, who made the bat and bird boxes and gave the GALS much good advice, will not be with us this year. In his memory the GALS have planted an acer tree and, following the recent fall of a silver birch tree, the Friends have decided to finance three more acers for the Dell.

A Plaque for Jack

Jack Watkins was the driving force behind the creation of the wetland bird reserve in the Leam Valley near Newbold Comyn. Two Friends of the Dell, Margaret Watkins and Jim Dean, went along to the hide on Thursday 30th April 2009 to join about twenty other people who had known Jack through various organisations. The occasion was the unveiling of a plaque above the door of the hide, which is now known as "The Jack Watkins Hide". While we were there, a pair of hobbies performed a fly-past, as if in honour of Jack. For the uninitiated, the hobby is a species of falcon that looks and flies like a large swift.

Margaret and Jim at the hide.

 

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