With months of behind the scenes organising it really all began on the Friday evening with DBHS members and Church members all arriving around 5.30pm and after a brief discussion the Sanctuary area was arranged according to a pre-planned diagram. All the existing chairs had to be removed and then tables and chairs were placed ready for craft demonstrators in the centre, TV & Projector screens were positioned on either side and adjusted ready for their rolling DVD presentations and several willing hands moved a large display screen from the adjacent community room to the front of church to be used for photographs and handwriting competition exhibits.
There were a chaotic couple of hours between 6.00 and 8.00 pm as people began to arrive in the foyer area to register their entries as advised in the schedule. At the same time as the church was being arranged this was also the first week back after summer holidays for Dawley Girls Brigade who regularly meet here on Fridays at 5.30pm during term time and use the community room.
However, their Captain Mandy Grogan had planned ahead, resulting in DBHS schedule Children’s Section being well supported. This was particularly evident in the fruit & vegetable animal or person, pom-pom creations and handwriting entries. Some of the older girls also helped to move tables and chairs into the church, which was a great help.
By 8pm, after the younger GB girls had left, tables (purchased with DBHS ‘Awards For All’ lottery funding) were all in place in the community room, the church area was organised, all administration and stationery equipment required for show was safely installed in office area.
Now it was time for eager helpers to move and gather on the field at the rear of Queens Arms to help erect the frames of two very large marquees (also recently purchased with aid of lottery funding).
There was some concern about the risk of erecting and leaving the structures overnight but the time saving element was crucial as there was still a lot to be done on Saturday morning.
Saturday morning and Melanie (DBHS Secretary) insisted on ringing everyone at 6am, which with hindsight was a very good idea. The church was open at 7.00 am and the final construction of the two giant marquees was being completed over at the Queens. Once that was done the team came back to the church and also erected a smaller marquee at front of the community room to house vegetable exhibits. Gazebos erected to cover tombola and the crockery smash were also in place.
With no pump available Bill steadily inflated a paddling pool by mouth, which Albert then helped fill by carrying buckets of water from the kitchen taps. Noah could hardly contain his excitement on seeing a paddling pool full of water he launched himself into it with a great splash completely dressed before anyone could stop him, well, he is only 4yrs old and a very keen sportsman.
It was explained to Noah by mum that the pool was for some very large ducks to float in.
Time was now just 8.30am. (Not bad going)
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