Wednesday 18 June 2008

"Party in the Park "

Good morning everyone, though it could well be afternoon by the time I post this

Do you remember I told you a couple of months ago ,  another one of my late husbands brothers had died ,so we all went of to Warwick for his funeral ,and as ever when we all get together ,we said , we only ever get together for sad occasions ,  we should have a gathering when as many of us as possible can meet up .Well weather permitting ,it is going to happen ,On Sunday as many as can will meet up in a local parkland ,starting at 11 am ,and going on until whenever !Some are going to camp ,some are coming in caravans ,we will drive over for the day and many others will do the same ,

 

Here you can see a picture of my late husband’s family all together taken in the late 50’s , there were seven boys (yes we were seven brides for seven brothers )and three girls ,but sadly four of the brothers are no longer with us ,and Eileen and her Husband Gerald emigrated to Canada with their daughter Sheila  ,shortly after the picture was taken ,So those of us that are left are coming with our spouses ,children ,grandchildren and in some cases great grandchildren , casts of thousands ! Every one is bringing a picnic, and I must make sure my batteries are charged formy camera,

 

Here is a picture of our Kate and her Aunty Dot (my lovely sis in law )

You will guess lots of preparation has been going on via emails text messages and phone calls, with us all getting more and more excited ,My Daughter Kate and sister in law Dot’s daughter Julie ,have  been the main organisers ,Julie rang Kate one day saying” have you seen the advert for Waitrose “? There are lots of people picnicking, and they have a wonderful blanket for them all to sit on! “And so my Kate always up for a challenge promptly emails Waitrose, and asks if it could be bought or borrowed, and the following is the email, she received back from them! 

Dear Mrs R,

Thank you for your e-mail.

Following the filming of the ad in Durban, South Africa, the blanket was donated to the Waitrose Foundation, a project dedicated to improving the lives of South African Farm Workers who grow and pick fruit for the supermarket. Farm workers at Westfalia Farm, an avocado growing farm in the Limpopo Province, will turn the blanket into over 400 individual quilts with workers being paid for each quilt they make. The quilts will then be donated to crèches across Waitrose Foundation farms and distributed to the workers of the Foundation farms for use in their homes.




Regards,

Chris Zawadski

Waitrose Customer Service.

and if you care to click on the url below you can see the advert

 

 
 As ever lots of love   
 


 

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

How nice to be able to get together on a happy occassion.  Large families make it all the more fun, but it's often difficult to get them together.  I know about that for sure.  I hope the weather cooperates for you all.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

How nice is that.  It is so true about families only seeing each other for deaths and weddings.  Have a wonderful time.           Dawn

Anonymous said...

love the picture and the get together sounds just wonderful.

Anonymous said...

That is going to be some get together Jan and I know you will all have loads of fun.  Well, the rug went to a very good cause and that is nice to know.  I hope you have good weather on your party in the park day because we are not having much of a summer right now.

Anonymous said...

Oh Jan. You have me all excited! lol. That sounds fabulous.It Is always the case of everyone coming together only at sad occassions, so this Is brilliant. I loved that blanket! lol. Imagine trying to wash that!!! lol.  I can't wait to see the pics. Love Pam xx

Anonymous said...

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!
LYN
http://journals.aol.com/ukgal36/Britsblog/

Anonymous said...

Wow! Mother what are you like??  I'd still love that tablecloth! ! ! The picture of me and auntie Dot is lovely. (Well Auntie Dot is lovely!) I am getting really excited now about seeing everyone and all the organising is coming together well. Won't know what to do with myself once it out the way and i am not answering emails or texts LOL. Speak soon. Love you as always. Kate

Anonymous said...

Wow it going to be a great day and for once not a sad occassion buy a joyus on, can't wait to see all the pictures, and hope the weather stays nice for you.

Take care

Yasmin
xx

Anonymous said...

Bring lots of batteries and an extra memory card for your camera, you're gonna need it!  ((giggle, wink))
I can't wait to read your entry about the gathering. It sounds so exciting.
Karen

Anonymous said...

thats good the family is getting together enjoy yourself.

Anonymous said...

The Waitrose blanket would have been ideal for you.  What a good idea, everyone meeting up for a happy occasion for a change.  Hope you have such fun!  Eileen x

Anonymous said...

I always loved when our family would get together for family reunions.  We don't do that anymore:(
Missie

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a wonderful time will be had by all the family. I watched the movie clip. That blanket was something, at least they are putting it to a good cause now. Have a great time Sunday. Hugs, Helen

Anonymous said...

Jan, it sounds like a lovely time for all concerned.  It is true, often we don't see those whom we care about except at weddings or funerals.   Maybe this can become an annual event for all of you.  Have fun & take a lot of pictures.  Linda in WA

Anonymous said...

How true that we only get together on sad ocasions.  Even that is gone now.  All of my family,"siblings and mom and dad " are gone.  My 3 children left have a quite a few uncles and Aunts on their dad's side but I have a feeling the next one may be their dad.  I hope not for their sakesbut he is not doing well at all.  Even though we have been divorced for years, we have the common bond of our kids, no matter how old they are.  Wish you all the best.  Lucy

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan,  After the last 10 horrendous day I am trying to get back to a bit of normality...if I ever can...anyway it was lovelt to be able to see your entry and I do pray that you will all have a very very special weekend together. One never knows what lies in front of one.   Much Love Sybil xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan, that Waitrose blanket would have been a wonderful idea ,that sounds like Kate to email Waitrose.At least they got back to her telling her what they were doing with it .I am looking forward to seeing everyone, just hope its a sunny day .Nice picture of Kate and Dot....love Jeanxxx

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a lovely day on your picnic and the weather stays fine for you. I know the add you mean had to have  a look as a reminder but recalled it right away (good for me) again have a great time. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

I like video
music sounds like
something from Woodstock

Anonymous said...

have a lovely time jan         hope weather  is lovely for  you   lots  love  mort xxx

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good time Jan. We had a party in the park a few years back. Must have been a hundred of us all told. friends. family, kids and grandkids etc. It was a great day. we played rounders, boys against girls (boys won, of course).
I hope your day goes as well as ours did.

B. x

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you're all going to have a great day with lots to talk about! I'll look forward to seeing the photos, have a wonderful time! Keeping fingers crossed for good weather! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan, what a fantastic idea - hope the weather holds for the weekend, its not so good for Cornwall.    I love these get togethers, and have jus started to think about one my family next year, so will be interested t o hear how yours goes.
Luv Jaynee X

Anonymous said...

sounds fabulous... can't wait for the pictures
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan,

At an aunt's funeral last year and again at her son's funeral in January we all said the same about only getting together at weddings and funerals, so.... we have our 'family reunion' on the 26th July this year!  My brother and I have been organising it and playing safe by booking a hall! As I've been doing the family tree I intend making a huge one for the wall and also smaller condensed copies for anyone who wants to take them away.  Should be fun...I hope yours is too and pray for good weather for you all!  Love, Pat  http:journals.aol.co.uk/pm71blackfen/ramblings-from-pat/

Anonymous said...

This post brought back many memories of times we all got together Jan in our family over the years.We used to do it once a year but sadly many have left us now and it seems to have phased out.I hope you have a fantastic day and I will pray the sun shines down on you all.Looking forward to the next episode of " Party In The Park." he-he.Take Care God Bless Kath astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

Oh, I do hope that you have lovely weather for your gathering Jan!!!  I hope the sun shines and that it is a wonderful time for you all!  I had not seen that Waitrose advert before but am quite impressed with what they have written back about the blanket!
Marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

hello jan, what a lovely idea, i hope that the weather stays fine for you. I am sure it will be a wonderful day. I remember new years eve parties at my grandparents when i was a child they were great. the oldies in the posh room, us kids in the everyday back room with music! great memories. the family has scattered so much now that i don't see them much, shame if my nan had still been alive she would have kept us together. take care and have a wonderful time. mrs t xxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mleppard06/eternity/

Anonymous said...

Brilliant idea!  It'll be wonderful - with or without blanket.  Full marks to Waitrose too for such an initiative
love, Angie, xx

Anonymous said...

enjoy your weekend:) the picnic sounds like so much furn


Deb

Anonymous said...

I'm 100% behind you regarding,keeping in touch with family.Do things today,as tomorrow could be to late.Waitrose.I take my hat off to them..take care Kate

Anonymous said...

i SO hope you all have a blessed and happy day at your reunion and yes, please take lots of pics and share with us. XOOX

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day for all of you!  I hope the weather is perfect and you all have a fun time!  Can't wait to see the pictures.
Hugs, Kathy

Anonymous said...

Hi Beautiful!!! Came by to see ya because I am not getting alerts!! GRRRRR... Wow @ picture of that big family! Thanx 4 sharing.
XOXO,
Win =.)

Anonymous said...

Wow I bet that will be a sight to see with so many of you going there.  I hope you have had a fab day (I'm writing this on Sunday lol) Bless you all xxx


Jenny

http://journals.aol.co.uk/Jmoqueen/MyLife

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Jan ~ yet again I didn't get an alert for this one ~ I agree with you about family's getting together more not just for sad occasions ~ Looking forward to seeing any pictures you take on Sunday ~ and hope the weather is good for you all ~ I loved the old picture and the one of Kate and her Aunty Dot ~ Couldn't believe the size of that blanket what a lovely thing they are eventually going to do with it ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

Well hello... Super late on the commenting, but I hope your non-sad-occasion get together went well, can't wait to hear about it.

I haven't been around in forever, but I'm makin an effort to be now. Have a great day, hope all is well. Take care,

Morgan
xxxx
http://journals.aol.com/Sneezy7125/RandomThoughts

Anonymous said...

We had a party like that once and for exactly the same reason.  I was told that they reached 350 before they had to stop.  I am the 4th youngest of 21 first cousins.  The oldest are in their 80's.  We are a big family.
Jenny <><

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan. . Im going round the journals at a snails pace. . .please forgive me.What a party in the park that would be! And isnt you Kate lovely. . thats a really nice photo of her listening to Aunty Dot.

Anonymous said...

I miss seeing you come up on my Journal.  Thought you might be on holiday.
Lucy

Anonymous said...

That sounds really exciting a real family get together. I love them which is why we are all going to meet up at Longleat centerparcs in August. Love Conniex

Anonymous said...

Oh, Jan, I'm sorry I'm so late getting to this.  It appears my alerts are only working part time.  I thought it had seemed a while since you updated.  What a nice get together!  Isn't it the truth that most families only see one another at a sad occasion, such as a funeral.  How exciting for all of you.  love xx Chris

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan!  Sorry so late with a comment!

Your family gathering sounds great!  You will have to update us on it!

I love family reunions and get-togethers.  The food is great and the company can't be beat.

Love the graphics!

Hugs,
Sheila