Tuesday 16 January 2018

Lucky

We are lucky in our little market town in that there is really quite a lot to do.   In addition we are also only five miles from a multi screen cinema and a very large Tesco, although our local shops are so good that really there is no need go any further.

We have quite a thriving University of the Third Age with plenty of courses to choose from (I began ukulele with a U3A course run by friend W).   We also have a good, thriving arts centre TOSH - stands for 'The Old School House'.   The building was, when I came to live up here, a Roman Catholic Primary School but when that closed the building remained and is now used for all kinds of activities.   There are exercise classes, yoga classes, Probus meets there, there is a Tuesday club where the over 65's meet for chats, activities etc. and then dominoes on Wednesday afternoons.   Fridays evenings there is always a film showing (Dunkirk this week) and often on a Saturday evening there will be a musical group, a folk group or a speaker on some subject.

Today, after our Strugglers' meeting (a once a month meeting where we have interesting discussions), we all walked along to Tosh because it is the day they cook a lunch for people who wish to drop in.   We had a lovely, chatty lunch of shepherd's pie, followed by steamed ginger pudding and custard, a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit - all for £5.   I haven't eaten at home this week yet! 

There are also Probus clubs, Luncheon Clubs,  plenty of activites going on at various other venues - we are quite spoilt for choice.   Don't let anyone ever tell you that life in the country is dull.

25 comments:

Bovey Belle said...

I will be glad when we are nearer to amenities. It is lovely where we live but the only thing close by is my patchwork class, which is 3 miles away in the next village. Most other things such as courses are about 25 - 40 miles away. If I want to join a skill type group, those are a 20 mile round trip.

So, lots to look forward to when we finally move.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Our village has a village hall and the only thing that happens there is a Yoga class. More going on in nearest small town 3 miles away but your town sounds wonderful.....we will all be moving there!

Joanne Noragon said...

Patronizing local trade folks is over the top. My top, anyway. In a country of big box stores, I live in a little bit of stubbornness. When the big city intended to eminate domain the street parking of our locally owned grocery, the patrons moved enmasse. They even hired billboards to advertise how to protest. Not only is Kreiger's locally owned (some on my street!), they know where the chicken and fish on display comes from. They don't sell paper towels or Kleenex; so what. We get that from the Dollar Store. Every franchise is independently owned and the kids who manage/run them are awesome. We shop local bakeries. We search out and frequent independent restaurants. They're small; so are we. Neighbor supporting neighbor. It may catch on some day.

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

There is U3A locally but very limited on courses. I'm going to call in the library to see if any additional classes have started up. Other than that we have to travel to bigger towns 9-19 miles away.

Mac n' Janet said...

You do live in a good area, such a variety of activities, places to socialize a d get involved.

angryparsnip said...

Your Village sounds like somewhere I would love to be.
Lots of things to do and close to you. You could fill up you week or month nicely !
We have many things to do here but they are all over the area and not that close to me.
This post made me smile.

cheers, parsnip and mandibles

Heather said...

It sounds as if there is something for everyone there. In the little town where I live there are plenty of activities including music groups, amateur dramatics, various exercise groups, a writers' group to name but a few. Shame on us who ever say we are bored.

busybusybeejay said...

I live in a small market town in North East Wales(10,000 Popn).We have a hugely successful U3A with over 70 interest groups and 600 members.Both OH and myself belong to lots of different groups.We have a theatre with a Smaller and a larger theatre and a film theatre.The pantomime has been running since the end of November and finishes this Saturday and it is still full nearly every night.We are so lucky to live here.OK it rains a lot!!

Anonymous said...

Our local Institute built by a Mill owner has now become a Community Hub for many different classes (fitness and yoga) and also the Library and Post Office have moved in but sadly the town hall is being sold off.
You certainly eat well up your way!

Granny Sue said...

You truly inspire. What a luxury of choices! I am so much more limited where I live. Nothing closer than 50 miles away like what you are describing. Except the grocery store and post office, it's 12 miles to those. And there a big Walmart there too, which I detest shopping at and only go if I have to.

Rachel Phillips said...

I thought it was a post about a cat called Lucky.

Jill said...

You are a great advertisement for your town. It sounds like a wonderful place and call home.

Chris said...

We have three Probus clubs in our part of town and I belong to one of them. We have (mostly) interesting speakers once a month, a book club and exchange, and lunches out. The lady lunchers are called the RODEO group (Retired Old Dames Eating Out) and the men are ROMEO - you can probably figure out what that stands for.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

You are very fortunate to have so much around you to enjoy.

Cro Magnon said...

We have nothing here. If, or when, we return to over-winter in Brighton, I shall really enjoy all the activities etc.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

You do have a busy schedule. Sounds like a great deal to choose from. I'm catching up. Do you have a poetry group in your new area? Or are you close enough to still be in the regular one?

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Lots happening around here too. We are very lucky to live in such a peaceful and prosperous land, whatever the doomsayers on the news say about it.

Librarian said...

I know from experience that life in the country is never dull! O.K. lives in a village, and there is always so much going on, you really have to decide what to do by excluding a number of possible activites, because you can not be everywhere at the same time.
What is Probus?

The Weaver of Grass said...

Cat called Lucky Rachel? My road is quite busy so it would be lucky to survive!
Librarian - don't know what Probus stands for but both mens and womens are very well attended.
Midlife roadtripper - the poetry group I attend is just a group of a dozen friends (all women, we don;t want men) - it is one of my favourite afternoons.
Yes everyone - I think I am very lucky living in such an area and surrounded by friends now that I am alone.

Rachel Phillips said...

Pro and bus,,professional and business. These clubs are for retired members of that community although membership is pretty wide open. Every market town around here has a Probus Club.

Derek Faulkner said...

Rachel beat me to it - welcome back

Tom Stephenson said...

I like the idea of an arts centre called TOSH!

Gwil W said...

The meal for a fiver appeals to me. At those prices I'd be there every day ;-)

liparifam said...

It sounds really charming, and I'm a bit envious! Enjoy it :)

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for that information Rachel. I second Derek's comment - welcome back indeed. Blogging is just not the same without you.