Society Matters
Our Officers:

Chairman: The Revd. David Long
St. Mary’s Vicarage, 240a Warrington Road, Lower Ince,
Wigan WN3 4NH.
Tel: 01942 864383
Email: david@scars.org.uk

Secretary: Peter Keen
18 Standish Drive, Rainford, St. Helens WA11 8JY.
Tel: 01744 88 4000

Treasurer, Membership Secretary & Sales Officer: Cynthia Greenall
16 Bleak Hill Road, Eccleston, St. Helens WA10 4RW.
Tel: 01744 731746

Work Party Organiser & Sales Officer: Colin Greenall
16 Bleak Hill Road, Eccleston, St. Helens WA10 4RW.
Tel: 01744 731746

Membership

Welcome to new members:
Paul Morris - Haydock, St Helens
Chris Palin - Orford, Warrington

Sales Stall

July and August proved to be hectic as usual. We had an enjoyable two days at the Halton Show very ably assisted by new committee member Phil Hurst and his family. The combination of a good site, kind weather and excellent sales technique was a winner and we dealt with a fair number of enquiries about the canal. It always amazes us how many people in Widnes are not aware what 'that canal over there is'.

The St Helens Show and Rainford Rural Craft Fair followed a couple of weeks later and we thank everyone who helped at these events both on the stalls and providing books and bric-a-brac to stock them.

We decided to take the caravan to the Newton Show this year rather than share space in the marquee. The morning started well with brisk sales although black clouds were threatening as we waited for the parade and floats to arrive. At 1pm the storm broke, a gust of wind whipped the awning up and over the top of the caravan and the rain was so heavy everything was soaked in seconds including us. Ron Johnson and myself battled with partially collapsed display boards and tables, rescued what was scattered about the grass then sent for reinforcements. The mobile earned its keep! We gave up then and went home to dry out and luckily didn't have to throw out too much damaged stock.

The National Waterways Festival at Worcester was our next venue at the end of August. This was a four day event over the bank holiday weekend, we left home on Thursday and returned the following Tuesday. The festival site was amazing, slap bang in the middle of Worcester Racecourse and not a horse in sight!

We used the sales caravan on the campsite for accommodation, and hired a marquee on the showground to house the stall. When we arrived we found that it was twice the size we’d ordered, but with the sides opened up it provided a short cut between the rows of stalls. We had plenty to attract people's attention and did very well.

Friday was a fairly quiet day for sales, but it provided us with the opportunity to meet and talk with people and generally exchange information which wasn't so easy to do on the busier days. Evening entertainment was provided in the form of fireworks displays and illuminated boats on two evenings. The celebrated Three Choirs performed at the Cathedral on Friday night and residents and visitors jostled for position along the river bank and on the bridges to watch them come out, and we were treated to a great spectacle as the fireworks were set off and the boats moved up and down the river. Sunday's illuminated boats were equally impressive. WRG's Saturday evening entertainment, a change from their usual pantomime, was a bit disappointing or maybe we are getting old.

After Worcester, we had a couple of weeks to recover and re-stock for Castlefield, the final event of the year. Re-stocking for this popular venue means rooting out all the items deemed too unusual or unsaleable for anywhere else, we usually manage to sell them here. Although this event diminishes each year (no street market this time) it still draws the crowds and we find it an excellent fund raiser. Takings in half a day here far exceeded most of the two day shows we have done recently.

SCARS polo shirts are still available if anyone is looking for ideas for Christmas presents. They come in pale blue with navy embroidery on left breast or navy with pale blue lettering (no logo). Sizes M, L, XL priced at £12.50 (plus 70p p & p if ordering by post) are available from Cynthia Greenall, 16 Bleak Hill Road, Eccleston, St Helens WA10 4RW or at members meetings and other events.

Sets of the recently re-published leaflets (details elsewhere): £1.00 plus 40p p & p are also available from the same sources.