Weekly Community Roundup – 20th December 2019

Pyjama collection

Ashdown Funeral Services Sidcup and Belvedere funeral homes have donated to the 2019 Children’s Hospital Pyjama’s Charity appeal.

The pyjamas are given to hospital patients throughout the year, boys and girls from birth to 18 years and this year the charity has been inundated with donations from kind well-wishers.

Donations are counted and checked before being distributed to local hospitals. Both funeral homes managed to amass a staggering 142 pairs of PJ’s as well as two pairs of bed socks.

The team would like to thank everyone who donated, shared the posters, asked family and friends and collected.

Walker & Morrell Supports Local Christmas tree Festival

For what’s sure to be the first of many years Walker & Morrell Funeral Directors sponsored the Christmas Tree Festival at Holy Trinity Church.

The festival runs from 7th-8th December and is a showcase of 20 stunningly lit Christmas trees dressed by local schools and businesses.

The theme of the Walker & Morrell tree was remembrance, with angels adorning the branches. There was one angel to represent each funeral conducted within the past 12 months.

Each angel represented a dearly missed loved-one and members of the community were also invited to write the name of their loved-one and date they died to become an angel on the tree.

Hartwood House get ready for Christmas

Funeral Arranger Helen Osment and party planner extraordinaire worked hard to organise a festive feast for both the eyes and the senses which was enjoyed by all, so much so that there was nothing left at the end!

Helen, on behalf of J&L Sturney Funeral Directors contributed considerably to the evening which was attended by a local Minister and an organist. Christmas carols were sung by the 50 residents and their families along with traditional Christmas readings.

Helen said: ‘This is the first year I have organised a Christmas event at Hartwood House. The food was wonderful

I provided all glasses and tableware for the buffet, made the novelty Christmas cake, flower arrangements, served the wine ,dressed the buffet table, served the food, cut the cake, and served food and drinks.’

Helen’s handiwork extended to the table decorations, making handmade silk orchid arrangements with silver and gold additions, tiny sparkling Christmas trees, mini gold Christmas puddings, crackers, holly and ivy. Afterwards Helen helped clear away after what had been a busy day and night before icing the cake.

Four family members of residents who live at the care home visited the funeral home the next day to convey their many thanks, reiterating what a lovely evening it had been and their enjoyment.

Christmas Carol Concert

Festive foursome Chris Whitehouse, Brett Benton, Tony Daley & Jayne Caulton helped to organise and supported the Christmas Carol Concert on 6th December at St Mary’s Church in South Elmsall.

The event has been held annually for the last four years and is organised by A N Abraham’s Funeral Directors in partnership with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band and St Mary’s Church. A N Abraham have provided sponsorship to the band for a number of years and the team are always on hand to provide additional help at events. The night was very well attended with almost every pew filled.

A total of £762 was raised, the highest amount to date, and will be used for church building repairs. The team also served mince pies and mulled wine during the interval to the delight of many attendees!

Toy donation delights children

Beverley and Ash from Doves Funeral Directors, Ashford visited a local charity with a collection of beautifully wrapped and personally labelled presents for the children.

The Caldecott Foundation is one of the country’s leading providers of therapeutic care, with services based in Kent and Nottinghamshire caring for young people from across the UK providing specialist residential care, fostering families and education for disadvantaged, vulnerable and traumatised young people in the UK.

Funeral Arranger Beverley O’Donnell said: ‘It was amazing and they were so happy. Each present was purposely brought for each child taking in their interests and needs. We are going to give Easter eggs next for them and have already been invited to their bonfire celebrations next year.’

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2019 donations.

Memorial evening

The team at M L Williams Funeral Directors hosted their fourth annual memorial night on Thursday 12th December and it was a huge success.

Despite torrential rain 150 people braved the conditions to attend. The team welcomed everyone and handed out robin memory pins as a keepsake.

Area Development Manager Paula Mitchell said: ‘the comments I heard on the night from attendees included “beautiful service” “footprints was sang so emotionally” “lighting the candles was so lovely” I could continue.’

The team at M L Williams Funeral Directors who all consider it an honour and a privilege to help families at what can be a difficult time of year did a fantastic job of organising the evening and look forward to welcoming families to many more.

An array of poinsettia plants have also been gifted to local Nursing Homes for Christmas.