Summer BBQ 2013

Rathbone's annual BBQ at Chatsworth Way on Friday evening was a well-attended success as ever. Much hard work goes into getting the event just right and running smoothly.

Aside from the usual fixtures of lots of good food, drink and a raffle,This year's BBQ featured a presentation of thanks to Bobby Lindsey, someone who used to live at Chatsworth Way (many years ago) and helped the charity by keeping the drive and outside areas brushed clean for many years. Bobby chose to retire this year because of some health issues and everyone wishes him all the best in the future.

Thanks Bobby!

(* Unfortunately it was pretty dark when Bobby was being presented with his tankard, wine, chocolates and medal so we don't currently have any good pictures of him on the evening - but many people took pictures, so watch this space...)

With work progressing on the back garden there will be much less usable flat/grassed space to be use for such an event in future. Part of the garden will be used for growing fruit and vegetables so this year's event my be the last one of its size at Chatsworth Way. If that is the case we certainly went out on a good one.

Lambeth Country Show 2013

Rathbone had a stronger presence than normal at the Country Show this year as our Youth Club made their debut at at the event.

While our main stall concentrated on selling plants (as we have done in recent years), the Youth Club ran a 'Beat the Goalie' competition, and made good use of a 'Hook the Duck' game (kindly lent to us by the Battersea branch of 'White Stuff') to attract hordes of children and their parents, with the chance to win a White Stuff beach ball.

This year brought new challenges as the event organisers had, in their wisdom, moved the traders car park as far away from the charity section as possible and then kept changing the4 rules about what time vehicles were and weren't allowed onto the site. Needless to say some of us did a fair amount of marching up hill and down dale with arms full of plants.

Crowds flocked to Brockwell Park in the brilliant weather, seemingly in record numbers, and everywhere seemed busy. We were packed up by around 5pm on Sunday as all plants had been sold, all beach balls and other prizes had been won and it was simply too hot not to go home for a lie down.

Thanks once again to all our volunteers on Saturday and Sunday, nothing would be possible without you.