Shedbuilding

Sweat, splinters & frustration. Cheap materials, warped wood & ingenuity in adversity. A fair bit of swearing if we're honest.

It didn't go up as quick as they'd have liked but Jamie and Shaun wrestled a stubborn and awkward pile of wood into what everyone agrees is a very fine specimen of a garden shed.

Dedicating a few afternoon hours over a few days their pride and joy took shape. A small opening ceremony on Thursday brought cheers (Hoorah!) and the other kind of cheers with a bottle of Cava.

Andrew was responsible for the very effective painting, and we are sure that a solid, reliable (and attractive) shed - which should last us many years - is a fine reward for hard work.

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.

Small Charity Week

Rathbone was represented at the Small Charity Week Celebration Day in Russell Square on Saturday. We were hoping to find some new Trustees for the charity.

It didn't rain (hooray!) but was very windy and the Lime trees in the square played havoc with our CEO's hay fever.

The event was not awash in members of the public but it was nice to get the chance to meet lots of other charities.

Monday morning floods

No, not tears, an actual flood!

Monday morning at Chatsworth Way dawned to a flood of almost biblical proportions (well, about 10 inches anyway) in our basement. Heavy rain and problems with drainage in the past have caused floods before, but never so deep.

This flood, however, was not weather related or, indeed, an act of God. A hosepipe had been left out over the weekend and someone, who shall remain fully nameless, turned it on and left it.

We have lost a fair amount of equipment, supplies and some paper archives although we will need to wait a few days for the water to fully drain before the full extent of damage can be properly assessed.

Some wet things

Ah, Mondays.

Rathbone's second Annual Fun Run around Brockwell Park took place on Saturday May 25th. Pictured are the team of volunteer marshals after their 'breakfast briefing' at the cafe in the old Brockwell hall at the top of the Hill.

However much money we eventually raise from the event it was still a great success. The Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Mark Bennett, started the event and presented medals to the runners, Many more people are now aware of Rathbone and everyone who attended had some fun.

Aside from the generous weather on the day this was mainly down to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers and the people who organised the event. Last year's event was good, but this year was much better in terms of organisation. Rathbone is good at learning and improving so we are very sure that next year's fun run will be bigger and better again.

Thanks to everyone who raised money, everyone who ran (or walked) and everyone who helped make it such a good day in the park.

More pictures can be viewed on Rathbone's Flickr page.

Trustees

Here are most of Rathbone's Board of Trustees meeting last night at Chatsworth Way. The Board meet monthly to check upon and take important decisions concerning the correct running of the charity, which includes financial matters, personnel matters, various operational issues and new opportunities for the organisation.