We have recently started to tackle our back garden and get it back under control.  Last bank holiday Sunday we picked up some plants for the patio pots to give us a bit of colour in the summer months.

Whilst planting up the pots I heard the rather distinctive throaty humming of a petrol engine plane in the skies above.  Shortly afterwards a Hawker Hurricane with D day landing markings came into view.  It circled around and then did a few aerobatic maneuvers before flying off into the distance.  We were left wondering why it was flying in our sleepy bit of the world.

It was only later when driving to my mum’s house for dinner, that I realised it must have been part of the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity event that was taking place that day.  It was organised by the landlord and lady of a pub (The Plough Inn) which is near to where my mum lives.  As we drove past the vicinity of the pub there was a crowd of people and there were crowd control barriers to stop anybody spilling out onto the road.  A marquee had been erected outside the pub and there was a handy fish and chip van nearby for those in need of a bite to eat.

Lined up in front of the pub, which was adorned with camouflage netting, were four armored vehicles; a Spartan, Sultan, Ferret and Scimitar. I recalled recently seeing a fire engine outside the pub and after briefly wondering if there was a problem I noticed several firemen on ladders putting up the cam netting.

We could hear the revelry carrying on into the evening whilst we sat in mum’s conservatory after dinner.

Well done the Plough Inn for arranging this community event that generates donations of money for such a worthy cause.

It is that time of year again for the Rotary Clubs annual ‘Tree of Light‘, where people are invited to sponsor a light on the tree in memory of a loved one, or a cause that is dear to them. The monies that are raised are given to various charities, the choices are different each year.  Telford Hospice, Telford and Wrekin Young carers, Headway Shropshire and Alzheimer’s Society are the 2013 choices for my local Rotary clubs.

The name and symbolism of the ‘Tree of Light’ reminds us that there can be light and hope even in bleak circumstances.  The main aim of the ‘Tree of Light’ is to serve the public and the community which is at the heart of the Rotary organisation whose motto is ‘service above self”.

This post is in memory of my father, you can find a more detailed post about the ‘Tree of Light’ and why it means so much to me here.

We are now on the count down to Christmas and I am wondering where the year has gone…

I am also reminded of the Rotary Clubs annual ‘Tree of Light“, where people are invited to sponsor a light on the tree in memory of a loved one, or a cause that is dear to them.  The monies that are raised are given to various charities, the choices are different each year.

The name and symbolism of the ‘Tree of Light’ reminds us that there can be light and hope even in bleak circumstances.  The main aim of the ‘Tree of Light’ is to serve the public and the community which is at the heart of the Rotary organisation whose motto is ‘service above self”.

You can find a more detailed post about the ‘Tree of Light’ and why it means so much to me here.

I invite you to join me at Vision and Verb, where I talk about the ‘Tree of Light‘ giving hope and purpose at Christmas time to those who are feeling the loss of a loved one.