In the last issue of Village Connect the great variety of opportunities for volunteering was highlighted. An example of what volunteers can achieve is the recently formed Ringstead Community Group.

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Ringstead Parish Council brought together individuals and members of organisations in the village to provide activities and tea and cakes at the Village Social Club.

Encouraged by the response, those involved decided to continue on a formal basis as Ringstead Community Group, focusing on promoting community events, with the aim of improving the village environment and bringing people together to benefit residents and local charities.

They began in September with a tidy-up of the village and a BBQ. The group members were tentative about arranging the tidy-up, but over forty people of all ages turned out to clear parts of the village of unsightly vegetation. The District and County Councils made the necessary equipment available and the Village Social Club was the centre of operations. It was hard work, but enjoyed by everyone.

This was followed in December by a successful family event linked to the annual Carol Singing and switching-on of the Christmas lights. Group members then worked off the excesses of Christmas with some gardening at the Village Social Club.

The group has now planned a series of activities for 2013 to include tree planting, a further village tidy and a fund-raising Mid-Summer Fête. Apart from stalls it is planned to have a tug-of-war competition as part of the fête, reviving one of the village’s traditions. The group will also be helping with the Village Horticultural and Produce Show in September and the From War to Peace exhibition in support of the November Poppy Appeal.

The group members are grateful to local organisations who have donated money to help with the starting of the group and to the Village Social Club for providing a venue for their meetings and events. The group members have worked well together and it has been rewarding to see so many adults and children from the village enjoying the events.

Ringstead Community Group

Ringstead Community Group