The tree in the Pot Market designated for Tidza Ramblers to decorate in December would never feature on the cover of Arboretum Monthly ! It was a bitter morning and I was suffering from guilt as well as cold because I’d come empty handed. My one foray into creativity years ago had been an attempt to make a tissue box holder from a Weetabix packet, as demonstrated on Blue Peter, which went straight into the bin. Friendly banter with workmen at the Co-op was a welcome distraction. They ceased chatting altogether during their tea break and stood in a row with mugs in hand watching as knitted walking boots, angels with felt rucksacks, sheep with pipe cleaner legs, together with pictures of where we’d walked, were hung on branches. Handiwork completed we crossed the road for a better view.
Silence descended, one of those where there’s awareness of what each person is thinking but no-one wishes to be the first to speak . The adornments looked tiny and hung only from branches on one side as it hadn’t been possible to reach the others from the ladder. Moreover everything was dwarfed by the large safety barrier around the Co-op . There were mutterings about asking for a different tree next time but hot drinks in the cafe helped dispel feelings of disappointment. It was good too to see the note of acknowledgement from the Parish Council put on each tree decorated by a village group. So, there was genuine amazement to read in these pages last month that our group had been awarded first prize. One member thought it was a misprint. The tree wasn’t spectacular but great effort, ingenuity and enthusiasm had gone into decorating it.
I must look for an art and crafts course before too long.
Helen Royle.