Although you will not have seen reports from Matlock Trefoil for a little while the group has been very far from dormant, it’s just that the scribe has been negligent in putting pen to paper, or rather fingers to keyboard!
So here we go – the monthly meetings have been full of activity in and out of doors. Learning how to access and use one of the defibrillators that are becoming a common feature in the community was an interesting and thought-provoking evening. Although everyone hopes never to have to be in such a situation, having actually handled and practised the procedure is really valuable knowledge.
As the evenings lengthened pots and containers were planted up with the hope that the petunias, marigolds and geraniums would blossom and brighten members gardens or windowsills.
Then followed an evening of crafts, with something for everyone, encaustic art, card making, a kitchen hanging decoration, and paper folding. Even the least crafty enjoyed a meeting full of laughter and went home with something unusual.
The summer months were spent mostly out of doors. An evening picnic and simple orienteering in Whitworth Park and two visits to the County Guide camp site near Ashbourne.
The first was to the County trefoil activity day, where guilds from across Derbyshire met to take part in a variety of activities including archery, knowledge of the country code and making a model campfire out of edible materials They were also challenged to cook a two-course meal over a wood fire using plant-based ingredients. Matlock’s menu, planned during their Whitworth Park meeting, was a mushroom risotto followed by bananas stuffed with chocolate cooked in the embers. Both were delicious – why is it that food always tastes even better when cooked and eaten in the open air?
The following month they were at the campsite again for a relaxed day making and flying kites, cooking cup cakes in a cardboard box oven and enjoying a meal of Moroccan chicken with cous cous, and enjoying time to sit and chat.
The most recent meeting was a delightful voyage down Cromford canal on the traditional narrowboat ‘Birdswood’ with an on-board picnic. A great afternoon.
So a busy few months of variety, fun and friendship and a programme full of interest is planned for the coming darker evenings.
New members, young or not so young are always welcome. If you were once a guide or brownie it will bring back memories, and if you weren’t then you will be just as welcome and make new friends. Call Ann on 07790 123429 to find out more.
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