The Flower Show will be in its 42nd year this year. For most of those years the formidable Sylvia Evans was at the helm...running things with a rod of iron and a blood pressure through the roof. Last year Sylvia's niece rolled up her sleeves and helped out literally days after Sylvia's funeral, but she has now left the village, so the flower show is without a Secretary and as these things tend to happen all together also now without a treasurer.
Last night we had an emergency meeting in Auntie Glad's kitchen.
Emergency scones had been baked for the occasion.
The treasurer position was filled easily enough, but as I suspected no one wanted the much harder and time consuming role of secretary. Sylvia's size 10 sling backs are big shoes to fill.
Anyhow, the upshot of the meeting is that I will now take on the secretary's role, and I have five bags of " Flower Show" paperwork on the lounge floor to prove it.
42 years of tradition in five bags.
The committee agreed that we would purchase a quality silver trophy as one of the new prizes and it will be named The Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup. We also agreed that we would fund two new benches for the village green. The old ones have been rotting away for a while.
In my first job as Secretary, I have emailed the community council with the offer.
The meeting , finished as it always has done, with half the committee washing up the tea cups and the other half returning auntie Glad's old wooden chairs to the front room.
As always I thanked Gladys for her hospitality
And as always she replied with the same phrase
" don't thank me....thank The Lord"
Last night we had an emergency meeting in Auntie Glad's kitchen.
Emergency scones had been baked for the occasion.
The treasurer position was filled easily enough, but as I suspected no one wanted the much harder and time consuming role of secretary. Sylvia's size 10 sling backs are big shoes to fill.
Anyhow, the upshot of the meeting is that I will now take on the secretary's role, and I have five bags of " Flower Show" paperwork on the lounge floor to prove it.
42 years of tradition in five bags.
The committee agreed that we would purchase a quality silver trophy as one of the new prizes and it will be named The Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup. We also agreed that we would fund two new benches for the village green. The old ones have been rotting away for a while.
In my first job as Secretary, I have emailed the community council with the offer.
The meeting , finished as it always has done, with half the committee washing up the tea cups and the other half returning auntie Glad's old wooden chairs to the front room.
As always I thanked Gladys for her hospitality
And as always she replied with the same phrase
" don't thank me....thank The Lord"
Sorry I couldn't make it! I love the idea of the Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup, a great way to remember such a lovely lady who put so much into each flower show.
ReplyDeleteI've emailed you the minutes!
DeleteThe minute I read the first two sentences I thought, "He's going to volunteer to be secretary!" Oh John you are the joiner. Good on you, every village needs people who put their hands up to make it work.
ReplyDeleteTransparent..that's me
DeleteYou are worth your weight in gold to that village. Lots of good credit for heaps of dog poo.
ReplyDeleteWill it interfere with any of your Samaritan responsibilities? Time needed for this take time away from any rostered shifts?
ReplyDeleteBut then you know what they say - give a job to a busy man and it will get done!
Not really... There's a lot of work, but we have a good crew ....everyone mucks in...the hardest thing I will find, is collecting bric a brac for Gladys stall
Deletei am sure you will be the best replacement they could ever find. how do the slingbacks look on you?
ReplyDeleteFabulous
DeleteWell done, John, but I am a bit worried whether you will be able to walk in size 10 sling backs!
ReplyDeleteI could totter around a bit
DeleteJust knew you would volunteer!
ReplyDeleteI'm Secretary of our local Civic Society. it's pretty time consuming. Best tip ...use email. follow up phone calls with email and copy everyone in by email!!! You can always print them out, forward them on, use them as a record and hold people to their promises with them (especially the local authority)
Good Luck John i reckon you are the best man for the job
Good advice
DeleteI have just emailed the minutes to the committee
bless dear auntie glad and her scones! the flower show will be lovely as a tribute to sylvia.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to keep the local traditions alive, good work!
ReplyDeletesylvia is up their saying ( i know i could depend on you) and wear the shoes with pride can not remember the last time i wore slingbacks blast from the past again arrr
ReplyDeleteShe'll be making a few celestial lists for me to follow
DeleteI see Albert likes to snoopervise.
ReplyDeleteOh, Deb, I think you just added a new word to my vocabulary!
DeleteSet up a computer program/file and keep all backed up on a small drive....use the paper only when necessary. This will save you heaps of time. Unless, like many, you like the papery type of business at your hands. Any donations needed?
ReplyDeleteMore good advice...keep it coming x
DeleteI was just going to suggest that!
DeleteDo Sylvia proud.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Love it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOf course you volunteered. We are all cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I just knew where you were going with that. I doubt there's anyone better at hand to fill those slingbacks! Your meeting sounds so darn charming, between the "emergency scones," and the re-placing of the chairs.
ReplyDeleteIt's usually a bit of a noisy bun fight
DeleteI am sure John that you could and will squeeze into those size 10 slingbacks! Do it for Sylvia for Pete's sake!.....and us of course!
ReplyDeleteMr.Secretary, you will do a great job for the next 42 years.
John to the rescue!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exciting new venture for you! Flower show sounds super fun, I don't think we have those around here.
ReplyDeletexo
Just be careful you're not spreading yourself too thinly. Remember, the animals come first!
ReplyDeleteThere's no more thankless job than that of a secretary, John. I have been there, done that, worn the secretary T shirt. Wish we had a community like yours. Good luck with your new role.
ReplyDeleteI can feel my blood pressure rising already
DeleteI am a new follower from Alabama. Messed up your #'s sorry ;) As for your new job have fun and don't get crazy. Remember flowers are about joy not head aches. Have a lovely day. Your new fan Mary.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Mary
DeleteDid you know I have a disabled rabbit called Mary x
Trust you!
DeleteSounds like you have some large shoes to fill. Good luck, I am sure you will do amazing. What a lovely idea to have the Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup.
ReplyDeleteI am sure they knew you would do it. The committee needs some youthful blood and until all those under 50 get off their phones and look around, it is left to John the Younger (than 80).
ReplyDeleteHannah is our token youngster...
DeleteHurrah, the perfect man for the job. Have you been to see 'Priscilla' yet?
ReplyDeleteTomorrow night jan.....
DeleteI think you will make a grand secretary, you have natural organizing skills, especially when it involves the village affairs.
ReplyDeleteSylvia Evans Memorial Cup, what a beautiful tribute.
~Jo
How will you find the time!!
ReplyDeleteBut they always say it's the busiest folk that can fit the most into their days. Good luck in your new role, I hope arrangements run smoothly for your first show 'in charge'.
Sue
DeleteI want you to enter a few classes!
Eeek!!
DeleteAt some point in the future, you may decide you no longer want to do the job until you die; may I suggest co-secretaries or an under-secretary? The latter is with the understanding that after a set number of years the under-secretary takes over, and a new under-secretary is found. A sort of groom-to-lead program.
ReplyDeleteBut for now, enjoy - yes, enjoy! There is satisfaction to be found in stepping up and doing a good job, and it strengthens community bonds if it's done right, and I think you will do it right.
Heulwen is my under sec.... She knows the job backwards
DeleteHah - all that bloody lecturing for nothing :)
DeleteI am sure you will fit Sylvia's size 10 slingbacks nicely John. Don't work yourself into the ground. x
ReplyDeleteI am not in the slightest bit surprised that you decided to put on Silvia's sling backs. Wear them in style, and do her proud.
ReplyDeleteAunty Glad always makes my day a little bit brighter.
ReplyDeleteShe has that effect on most people
DeleteThat sudden influx of ALL the records ... aargh. And your house is so tiny! At least you've still got a functioning committee. Love the idea of the memorial cup and the new benches.
ReplyDeleteI think we may also make a donation to the village flower beds
DeleteWe knew it would be you. Just pretend all those little papers are patients and they'll be sorted in no time.
ReplyDeleteDoes Bunty live close by? She could shout everyone in to line and get everything organised.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I started reading this post :)
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming 'joining.'
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that the flower show is safe for many more years.
I visit here at least once a day. Is my nose being counted? or is there something special I need to do?
You do have some big shoes to fill. Be sure to take photos of the trophy, the flowers, and the benches--both sets, old and new.
ReplyDelete