After a pretty dreary Winter and Spring, Summer seems to have arrived, well at least for the next couple of days. We all know the story. It’s been the wettest, dullest and possibly the chilliest period, when the combination of damp and cold ‘seem to go through you’ for quite a few years. That followed a wet Summer and very wet Autumn after a ‘flaming and very dry June’, when we tried our best to provide ‘events as normal’ with the help of marquees – with mixed success which you can read about in our events feature.
The CA volunteers have continued to be busy over the past 6 months; making improvements, doing essential work, staging events and, of course, providing the Community Centre, Village Playground and Recreation area, Car Park and Recycling Drop Off facilities.
We entered the Winter ‘holding our breath’ as we waited to see if the new Air Source Heat pump we had installed to replace the gas heating system would be up to the job. After a few normal ‘teething problems’ we are pleased to say it did! Even more encouraging, during the month of May, when the sun finally came out, the Centre was more than carbon neutral – that means we more than met out energy demand to operate the Centre from electricity we generated ourselves. Read more about the Air Source Heat Pump, some of the learning points and other Sustainability projects in another article elsewhere in the News.
Alongside the energy work, we have carried out some further work.
During the Christmas Period, we redecorated the inside of the whole of the Centre and carried out essential work on our guttering which was just as well given all the rain we had.
As we are always short of space, we built a new run of cupboards above the existing east end cupboards. These high- level cupboards are intended to store light weight, infrequently used items such as Christmas decorations, and Glasses which have to be stored somewhere!
Whilst this was happening the cupboard doors at the west end of main hall were repaired and new handles attached.
New blackout blinds in the Main Hall provides a further enhancement. This means that the Hall can be used for presentations and films on the brightest of days or when the Kitchen, toilets or Newton Room is being used without spoiling the viewing.
The Playground Team, with the help of Trustee Seph O’Connell and Renny England, again undertook the task of ‘lighting up’ the Geoff Hall memorial oak tree in the Playground area; this year it was twice the task as an additional string of lights were added.
As winter passed and spring arrived, our new storage containers were painted and the Centre was made to look more attractive with the addition of hanging baskets.
As we all know watering hanging baskets is a continuous and onerous challenge. This year, Chair Robin Parkin, with help from Nigel Spofforth hope they have solved the problem by installing an automatic watering system.
And so, as we move into Summer and start planning for the autumn. We still have to install an additional defibrillator at the Community Centre, continue the planning work which is underway to enhance the recreation and play facilities, and there is more sustainability work to complete before the Lottery Funded project ends in December plus, of course, the events which should help fund more things, like the above, goes on.
If you think you could or would like to help with the work of the Community Association please get in touch with Robin (Chair), Caroline (Secretary) or via email [email protected]. It would be much appreciated.
Monk Fryston and Hillam Community Association - Booking (mfhcc.com)
