Houghton Regis Memorial Hall, LU5 5DX: June 1st 2022.
Yesterday we were most pleased to attend a lovely celebration of Her Majesty’s Seventy Year (and still counting) reign. This was all organised by the Staff team at Headway Luton, mainly Vanessa, but I’m sure all contributed a fantastic amount; more than contracted!!. Everyone was present and productive. I guess Anneka raised the funds and everyone used their wits, personalities and muscles to put on this do. Maria has a real talent as M.C. Angy was hostess with the mostest – but everyone was fabulously adding to the love: to make this go with a swing..
What a swing – fabulous music from a great steel-panner, excellent beat and harmony from Rod and Jen’s band and then – WOW – the Headway Luton musical ensemble. They had a collective name – but it has escaped me. They were a fabulous development on something I had been pleased, myself, to have initiated a few (pre-Covid19) years back. They outshone my earlier humble attempts.
Volunteers, (young and not-so-young) and staff (I’d better not refer to any personal characteristics here) were ably on hand to ensure everyone was well seated and supplied with food and drinks. A special mention to young Jason who played the role of Somelier (well teas and coffees!) with aplomb. At lunchtime some super fish and chips (Codswallop mobile chippy I think) there ware a couple of alternatives – and it all went nourishingly smoothly. All that was missing was my usual post-prandial nap (after lunch kip!).
The superbly appointed hall had been fantastically decorated with bunting: much made by Headway Luton clients. It was tremendously atmospheric of a proper Street Party. Kym had been engaged to direct an art and craft project relevant to the festivities. They had excelled themselves making beautifully regal crowns and tiaras.
What of the fun on the day? It was amazing how the Team had organised and were running games and activities. It was such a pleasure to join with these. I won a couple of prizes on the Tombola and came Tenth in the raffle – a nice Coffee Mug together with some rather exclusive Instant Coffee. What a great effort by one and all – and Rina made some fabulous cake – a joy to munch – and I’m not a cake person!!!
What of the emotions? Well it was a thrill to back amongst friends: Headway Luton clients, staff, volunteers (old and new) and trustees – even the Mayor of Houghton regis! I was able to do some catching up with some of my “old geezers’; Claude, Bill, Michael, Roy amongst many – and of course Rod – who has been a guitar mentor (even though he didn’t know it) for many years! And of course recently retired Debs.
Do I miss the folks? Yes! Would I go back? I don’t think so!. I’ve climbed that mountain as staff and volunteer; God willing not as a client!
It leaves me just to thank the Trustees, Staff, Volunteers for all their hard work – and last but certainly not least – Headway Luton the Clients. When I was ill – it was them that gave me purpose to fight my (undiagnosed) disease to keep on going during 2014.
