Day One - waving, rain and so much cake!

I could not have asked for a better send off with staff and colleagues from other voluntary sector organisations waving me off and making some noise! 

And there was more to come at Meole Brace Primary School where half the school seemed to be waiting for me, whooping, cheering and chanting “J-U-L-I-A! .. J-U-L-I-A!” 

It was a taste of celebrity and just the boost we needed as it started to drizzle with rain.

On then to Bayston Hill village hall for coffee, cake and a reunion with a former employee. This is a hall I have visited a number of times over the years and a true exemplar of what can be achieved when the community pull together. They don’t rest on their laurels, they have even more plans for the future which I heard about during a brief tour before venturing back out into the rain.

More coffee and cake awaited us at Condover Village Hall where we saw the amazing improvements they have made with a grant from our national organisation, ACRE. They even had radiators where we could dry our raincoats.

The weather improved and we made it to Dorrington for one more coffee and cake before our driver took us back to Shrewsbury. 

Just enough time for a shower before an evening of cocktails with an old friend which was quite the perfect end to the day.