Down in the Dell 2017

Down in the Dell 2017

Farewell to Ai 

Ai came to Leamington four years ago from Japan with her husband who was studying for a PhD at Warwick University.  She arrived with a great interest in gardens and gardening and, looking for volunteer opportunities locally, found GALS in the Dell and also Hill Close Gardens in Warwick.

As well as her gardening knowledge and skills we were so impressed with her enterprise, managing to get to so many seemingly out of the way places by public transport, and her keenness to learn English and absorb our culture.

Ai's contribution to the Dell was enormous. We greatly appreciated her work and her company.  Already we are missing her drive and energy.

The GALS held a little farewell gathering in the Dell, attended by representatives from the Friends, to say thank you and goodbye.  Ai called it her Great British Send Off.

We are grateful to Bill Gifford for the photographs. 

 The Dell Party 

Sunday 21st May 2017

After a week of almost continuous rain we thought the chances of a successful Dell Party were slim, but as on so many occasions in the past we were lucky. The weather gods decided that the ground had been soaked enough, the temperature rose as the sun broke through and surely a record number of people turned up to enjoy the bouncy castle, the Punch and Judy show, the face painting and a good range of excellent live music. There was even a graffiti board and chalks for youngsters to try out their artistic skills. Our VIP visitor for the afternoon was the newly elected Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr. Caroline Evetts, who very kindly drew the winning raffle tickets. 

Thanks to Stewart  for ably marshalling the bands and to Rob for his impeccable management of the PA. The music came courtesy of the Dell Blues, One Trick Pony, Blue Radio, Funksters, the Sam Powell Blues Band, Chris Gibbons, and John Black’s Soundscape & Song.

  

Many thanks to the volunteers who delivered flyers, organised the music, helped set up in the morning, sold cakes, raffle tickets and lemonade and generally made it all possible. Local sponsorship is always much appreciated and this time included Dell News, the Fat Pug, the Grove Practice, Haddie and Trilby, Habano, Kang's Costcutters, News Plus of Regent Street, theOddfellows, Rymans, the Star and Garter, Stonemonkey, Think Design and Print, Wigwam and the Woodland Tavern.  We are also supported by the Performing Rights Society (PRS for Music).

Above all our thanks are due to everyone who turned up in such amazing numbers, and whose generous donations will help us put on another party next year. 

For pictures of VIPs and bands click here and for more party-goers here.