Tayside Region Celebrates UK Trefoil's 80th Anniversary
Tayside Region comprises the Trefoil counties of Angus, City of Dundee and Perth & Kinross. On 17th May over 90 members from across the region came together at City of Dundee’s Newbigging Outdoor Centre to celebrate this unique anniversary of UK Trefoil with every Trefoil in the region being represented. Members were very pleased indeed that Susan Hogg, Scottish chair was also able to join us for the afternoon.
The plan put together by the Tayside Team worked well: afternoon tea, an evening cheese and wine, finishing with a campfire and a sleepover for those who wished to stay. Also on offer was a wide a range of activities, available on a self-service basis, for anyone wishing to take part in, as well as simply relaxing and enjoying the fun, the chat and the lovely ambience in lovely weather.
Activities included planting small acorns, woodworking crafts, trails, board games and puzzles, croquet, quoits etc etc. Three large birthday cakes were kindly donated with the plan being that each would be cut by a member from the three counties. Well, that was the plan. However, the cakes were so big that only two cakes were used with the last representative to approach the table discovering that in fact she was only required to cut one half of the second cake – which she did with a great deal of grace and lots of laughter in the room.
Some fund raising went on during the day too, the plan being to use the proceeds to leave a lasting reminder at Newbigging of this special celebration. Initially, the raffle was to have been the only fund raiser. However, and really at the last minute, one member offered to make a quilt top with the patches being sponsored and the winning sponsor to be drawn in the evening. As the patches were being sewn by hand, at one point the quilt making turned into a class for those who had always wanted to try quilting. The numbers of raffle prizes were beyond expectations and that, together with the sponsored quilt, raised the amazing sum of over £380.
14 members stayed over at Newbigging, enjoying leftovers and lots of chat before heading to bed. They also enjoyed a fantastic breakfast next morning.
Everything from activities to the wonderful catering was organised in-house which meant the entire day could be run on what was pretty much a shoestring budget.
How is it possible to thank the many people involved in making this celebration such a success? It is only possible in a very simple way, so to all of you – The Tayside Team, the Trefoil caterers, activities organisers, campfire leaders and tidy-uppers, those who brought raffle prizes, as well as the amazing City of Dundee Commissioners who, very happily and always with a smile, organised the car-parking, seating, tables etc, and to every Trefoil member who came along: a very big public THANK YOU. It was a day to remember.
Teamwork definitely made the dream work.