Page 163 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

I must add that the event went ahead with considerable success and was held in
Carrington Village Hall.
There was a licensed bar but the raffle was not thought to be “necessary”!
As a foot note, I am sure any Methodist readers will agree that some of the more “original”
variations of Methodist ideas such as abstinence and strict control of any form of gambling
are still very much supported in many rural areas of the UK.
The meeting we are looking at took place in 1978 and indeed, now today in 2009
we do not have to look far to see around us all the uncontrolled social problems largely
created by both excessive drinking of alcohol and the wholesale support of all forms of
gambling by the current and previous governments.
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Those two profound ideas originating from serious social problems in the 18 Century
have an equally important message today.

THE BIG DAY
It was April 1980 and we were only three months or so away from our big July event.
We planned a joint flower festival.
The entire joint congregations of our eight communities (churches and chapels) were to
take part. This was not without huge initial trepidation.
“We have never arranged flowers, how can we possibly produce a good enough display?”

Lack of confidence had to be overcome and among our joint community we had a lady
who had indeed arranged flowers for some time and was very good. She formed her own
committee and quickly held events to raise funds and provide encouragement to buy the
hundreds of blooms and plan the event in detail.
Enthusiasm spread rapidly and sufficient outside groups became involved to give us an
entertaining variety of subjects to fill the two designated places of worship.

New Bolingbroke had been chosen for the event as it had a Church, a Chapel and in
between, a perfectly functional village (Town Hall), hall where refreshments could be
provided for the visitors.

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