{"id":4733,"date":"2019-08-31T08:16:58","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T08:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/?p=4733"},"modified":"2019-09-30T21:48:46","modified_gmt":"2019-09-30T21:48:46","slug":"holiday-at-home-2019-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/?p=4733","title":{"rendered":"Holiday at Home 2019 Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

As compiler of the Hatfield Road weekly notice sheet, I was well aware of the Holiday at Home<\/em><\/strong> being run at Marlborough Road for the last three years.\u00a0 Idy Osibodu started the initiative there and, since 2016, had kindly extended an invitation to folk from HRMC (and also St\u00a0Peter\u2019s, other churches and beyond), to be helpers or visitors\/ guests.\u00a0 This year, Denise Willingham teamed up with Idy to plan H@H<\/em><\/strong> for two days at HRMC, as well as the two days at MRMC.<\/p>\n

I offered support in various forms, but had no preconceived ideas about the numbers of people involved, or the shape of the day.\u00a0 As well as regular churchgoers, several visitors came from nearby retirement\/sheltered housing such as Cotsmoor and Beaumonds.\u00a0 Some attended just for one day, others came for more.<\/p>\n

Day 1 began with half an hour for guest registration, with tea\/coffee and cake\/biscuits available, and an opportunity to chat with others \u2013 everyone had a name-badge, whether helpers or guests.\u00a0 Chris Hancock opened with a short devotional consisting of a passage from Proverbs, and provoked thought with a few words of wisdom of his own, followed by all singing a hymn.\u00a0 From then on it was \u201copen house\u201d with options of art or creative crafts, such as making greeting cards; flower arranging; table-top games (such as Scrabble, Rummikub, dominoes); jigsaws (two superb 100 large-piece pictures); and quizzes (picture clues on the wall to be solved, and 20 questions answered in teams).<\/p>\n

Extras included boxes of historic artefacts from the 1940\/50s\/60s, borrowed from the museum, which triggered many comments such as \u201cwe had one of those\u201d and \u201cwhat on earth is that?\u201d; carpet bowls in the Foyer (surprisingly difficult to judge the bias in the balls, but great fun); and armchair exercises in the Aldersgate Lounge.<\/p>\n

A cooked lunch was provided, as well as refreshments and cake at other times.<\/p>\n

Day 2 was similar to Day 1 but closed with a sing-along which included Daisy Bell<\/em>, Love Me Tender <\/em>and The Hippopotamus Song.<\/em><\/p>\n

Days 3 and 4 were at MRMC, and followed much the same format but featured play-reading, and a ukelele band playing in the church.<\/p>\n

Finally, on Day 5, Ely was the inspired choice for a coach trip for over 50 people who explored that lovely, compact city with its magnificent cathedral, various museums, Oliver Cromwell\u2019s House, gardens, riverside walks and boat-rides, interesting shops, and numerous places to eat and drink.<\/p>\n

Feedback from all attending was overwhelmingly positive and the helpers from the mix of churches worked beautifully and seamlessly together.\u00a0 On a personal note, I enjoyed every second.\u00a0 It was wonderful to chat with new people \u2013 everyone has their story and we inevitably find things in common.\u00a0 Watching games such as Rummikub, bringing out competitive instincts and different interpretations of the rules, provides great entertainment!\u00a0 Many were able to take home items they had made.<\/p>\n

Well done to Idy and Denise, and thanks to all who helped make this a very enjoyable and worthwhile enterprise.<\/p>\n

Eric<\/p>\n

Photographs of the days at Hatfield Road<\/p>\n