Appeal Update - August 2001

In our June update, we said the 670 balloons launched on 28 May would, by now be in far-off lands. Little did we know! After 3 days we received four race cards - 2 from Holland and 2 from deep into Germany, not far from the Czech border. Over the course of the next month, 24 cards would be returned - 13 from Holland, 6 from Germany, and 4 from Belgium. However the winning race card flew some 750 miles, across the North Sea, Holland, Germany and over the Alps! In fact from just outside Graz in Austria. A prize is therefore on its way to the owner and the sender of the winning ticket.

At the time of writing (5 July), our appeal fund stands at £47,000. This sum comprises many donations and specific pledges to sponsor seven of the twelve bells. We are greatly encouraged by the continued support of the people of Writtle.

Sponsoring a bell is an excellent way of providing a long lasting memorial to a loved one or commemorating a particular event. The five bells that have not yet been sponsored are the bigger, and consequently more expensive, ones. Joint Sponsorship, as a way of reducing the cost to the individual, is a possibility that people may wish to consider. Another possibility is sponsoring the component parts of a bell mechanism (approximate costings are available should you wish to consider this option). If you are thinking of contributing to this project in any way then please don't hesitate.

DON'T MISS OUR NEXT TWO EVENTS:

HANDBELL RINGERS COFFEE MORNING - Saturday 1st September at 9 Chancery Place. 10.00am - 12 noon. Writtle handbells, plants, cakes and stalls. Entrance £1.50 for adults and 50p for children, includes a drink and a cake.

QUIZ NIGHT - Saturday 29th September in the Christian Centre. 8.00pm - 11.00pm. Supper provided. Bring your own liquid refreshment. Tables of 6 to 8 persons. Tickets at £7 are available from Marion Brewster 420648 or Christina Fleckney 421166.

We look forward to seeing many of you at these events. Many thanks for all the support we have had so far. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the appeal or if you would like to help in some way.