Massive thanks to everyone who donated goods for the Food Bank appeal. Everything in the photo here will be delivered to Tranent Food Bank.
Next Sunday there will be a Remembrance Service in Morham Church at 9.30 am.
Thanks to everyone who has been so generous already with their donations for the Food Bank. There is still time to donate before Sunday, by leaving your donation in the plastic box which has been placed in the bus shelter next to the village green.
And just to reassure anyone who is worried about the wisdom of a gathering inside the Church – everyone wears masks and keeps a healthy distance from everyone else; We could double the numbers and still have loads of space. There is no singing, chanting or hugging! It will just be a calm, quiet and reflective Harvest Thanksgiving Service at 9.30 am in on Sunday 1st November.
Thanks in advance
There will be a Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Garvald Church on Sunday 1st November at 9.30 am. Everyone is welcome.
In order to mark the occasion we are planning to collect donations for the East Lothian Food Bank. You can bring your donation to the church next Sunday morning or you can leave it in the plastic box which has been placed in the bus shelter next to the village green. The box will be emptied every day.
Thanks in advance
Garvald Church will re-open for Sunday worship this Sunday 4th October at 9.30 am. It will be a shorter service than usual and everyone will have to socially distance and wear a face mask.
Services will then continue on alternate Sundays in Garvald and Morham.
We would love to welcome everyone to the Church, especially anybody who has recently moved to Garvald.
A few of us have been going out for a Sunday morning run for several years now. Sometimes there have been as many as 5 people, occasionally only 1, but usually at least 2. Please join us.
We run a 5 km circle with a couple of hills and enough flat stretches to chat. Meet 9 am at the Park. It hardly ever rains!
See you this Sunday
Village Hall Fundraising
Unfortunately, we have had to postpone our planned fundraising quiz in the park on 13th September as we felt that it wouldn’t be appropriate to organise a community event given the continuing concerns around Covid-19.
However, we are considering other fundraising ideas which we hope to share shortly. Do please look out for opportunities to support our efforts.
Stay safe
Gary, Chair of Garvald Village Hall Committee
Update from Gary, Chair of Garvald Village Hall Trust
With lockdown gradually easing I thought I’d provide an update on Garvald village hall as it remains an integral part of our community.
As with so many other aspects of our lives, Covid – 19 has had a significant impact. The usual hall activities and bookings ceased for 5 months and even now are only recommencing in a limited way.
I’m pleased to advise that the Post Office has re-started its Thursday morning service with appropriate Covid precautions in place. The drama classes for children will begin again soon with the teacher ensuring the necessary safeguards are observed.
Notwithstanding the ongoing constraints that Covid imposes, the hall is available for use where the necessary Covid guidelines can be adhered to. We will ensure that thorough cleaning is undertaken as required.
Unfortunately, the budget that the committee set for 2020 has understandably been badly impacted. The major downside is that the income we had planned to generate from wedding bookings has not materialised as the bookings we had have all cancelled. However, it is hoped that they will re-book for 2021. Meanwhile some necessary expenditure has continued. The end result is that compared to 2019, upon which we based our 2020 budget, we are £4,000 down. In short, we have run at a loss and are now using the contingency funds that we have built up over the past few years. We can do so for some time but it is not sustainable long term.
Whilst we await the resumption of income generating activities the committee are exploring other sources of finance and fundraising. A date for your diary is 3pm Sunday 13th September when we plan to hold a socially distanced FUNdraising Quiz in the park. Watch out for the posters that will go up soon.
These are challenging times for all. But one positive aspect of Covid is that it has highlighted how lucky we are to live in such a caring and close-knit community. Let’s ensure that the village hall remains at the heart of who we are and what we do together.
Hope to see you 13th September.
This poster has appeared in our red telephone box beside the park. If you would like us to keep a payphone in Garvald (since there is no reliable mobile phone signal) and to continue to have the telephone box maintained by BT, please contact Shamin Akhtar
sakhtar@eastlothian.gov.uk
Time is short – please make contact ASAP
Love never fails. Coronavirus impacts all of us. But love unites us all.
Please consider donating this week to help the most vulnerable people in the world’s poorest countries. The link takes you to a special message from Garvald and Morham Churches
https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/eyJlbnZlbG9wZSI6NDU4OCwgImNoYW5uZWwiOiJjb3B5In0=