ANOTHER EXTREMELY BUSY DAY AT...

...the Swindon Community Fridge at Gorse Hill Baptist Church.  

We knew it was going to be a busy day because not only were we three short on volunteers, but we also had Will Stone, the Labour MP for Swindon North and his team for his first Drop-In Surgery, which took place in the café space.  Everyone thought it had been very successful because lots of people came to ask questions and to “grill” their MP and his team, all of whom were happy and smiley!  

You might notice that I am missing from the top left photograph - that was because the team needed someone to take photographs, and someone said, “Ask Maureen, she’s good at taking photographs!” So I got lumbered with taking the photographs - so consequently was on the “wrong side” of the camera or perhaps it was the right side!

You can see we had lots of goodies on offer today and you will be pleased to know that the “potato mountain” is going down!  The “cheeky” lady in the middle shot is Heather, our “Head Honcho”, as I always call her, and she is definitely cheeky - we are probably on a par in the “cheeky stakes”!  In fact, if you remember Gary, one of our Deacons, and the man holding all the potatoes in my shot on Sunday, they are married, so a great pair - in more ways than one!  They both work tirelessly for the Church and particularly for the Stepping Stones Project and are always organising what food needs to be collected and then collecting it - we are very grateful to both of them for all they do, so I couldn’t resist taking this shot. 

I had some lovely conversation with several people who are going through really difficult times, and I have to say that there is always a good atmosphere at the Community Fridge.  It is certainly good to meet with those who are experiencing the difficult side of life - and it really makes me very grateful for what I have and makes me realise I must never take anything for granted.  

All went well until the last 10 minutes, when I noticed that the dishwasher, which had been busy all morning, was doing its last rinse, but was pumping water all over the floor - the bucket underneath the leaking pipes being full to overflowing.  Fortunately, Lesley and Vicki were very good with mops and buckets and soon had it all under control, but looking on the bright side, at least the floor got a good wash and clean although we wouldn’t have chosen that precise moment for it to be done!  I'm just sorry I didn't think to take a photograph of them mopping the floor, but they are probably grateful I didn't!

Mr. HCB had come to collect me and several Bags of Hope for us to deliver in the next couple of days, and as I was rather tired, I bid them all a fond farewell and left.  I’m not sure how much commenting I will be doing later, because I am really tired, so please be gentle with me if I don’t get to your journals.  M xx