Jackdaw Chatter - The Quarterly Magazine about Stow-cum-Quy
Ladies’ Lunch – Tuesday 22nd May
Although this event took place a while ago, it doesn’t seem that long
ago as it is still very much at the forefront of many people’s minds.
On Tuesday 22nd May a Ladies’ Lunch took place in Quy Village Hall and
the guest speaker was Fiona Castle O>B>E> It was organised by the
Churches in our Benefice – The Anglesey Group – and ladies from
all 5 Churches joined together and organise the event. Fiona had been booked
to speak for quite a few months and we had planned this Lunch for many weeks.
We were not disappointed. When the day arrived, the sun shone brilliantly,
90 ladies came into Quy Village Hall and enjoyed a meal of cold meat salad
followed by delicious puddings provided generously by many willing ladies!
It was wonderful to have ladies from Bottisham, Lode, Quy, Swaffham Bulbeck,
Swaffham Prior, the Free Church in Swaffham Bulbeck and Lode Chapel sitting
down and enjoying a meal together. We even had "friends of friends"
from further afield with us which was marvellous.
After eating a delicious lunch together, Fiona Castle then spoke, and her
subject was "Living Simply". As many of you know, Fiona is the widow
of the late Roy Castle – musician and entertainer. She is a committed
Christian and often goes to occasions such as this and speaks about her books
and/or her life. On this occasion her talk was based on her latest book entitled
"Living Simply". The attention of every lady in the hall was held
as Fiona spoke most movingly on that theme. She first told us about her daughter
Julia who works among the women of Peru in the shanty towns there. We learned
about the simplicity of their lives, how little they possess materially and
yet how much they possess spiritually. She told us of the overwhelming welcome
she received when she visited their Church with Julia. She then very cleverly
took us through her book, going from room to room of a house and likening
the furniture of each room to the "clutter" that can accumulate
in our minds and hearts. We learned how she had "de-cluttered" her
life and how we could do the same. We sat spellbound and I feel sure that
nobody went out of the hall unmoved and I know that we all had much to think
about.
We are so deeply grateful to Fiona for coming to talk to us that afternoon.
She travelled from Buckinghamshire to be with us and claimed no travelling
expenses and did not want a fee for speaking. We never planned this as a fundraising
event and charged £5 per ticket. However, the Lord blessed us, because
we not only covered the cost of the food, but, along with donations given
on the day, we were able to send £374 to charity, including "Activate",
which is Fiona’s own charity.
It was a day of hard work, a lot of fun, good food, and friendship. I would
like to say a very big heartfelt "thank you" to all the ladies who
worked so hard to help with this event – I can honestly say that it was
very much appreciated by all. Everyone is now looking forward to the next
"LL"!
Pauline Lewis
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