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Carols, hot mince pies, mulled wine...and SNOW! Loose residents and friends gathered in the garden of Tylers, Kirkdale in bitterly cold weather for the annual carol concert, and right on cue huge snowflakes started spinning through the air. Within hours the village looked like a scene from a Christmas card.
The new vicar of All Saints' Church, Rev Steve Price and Rev Derek Scott of Loose Congregational Church were invited to speak about the true meaning of Christmas, the brass band played and strains of 'O Come all ye Faithful' and 'Silent Night' drifted across the Brooks path. Then hot mulled wine and mince pies warmed everyone up before the journey home through the snow. What a wonderful way to start off the Christmas season.
Over 60 Loose Amenities Association members, family, friends and well-wishers gathered at the King George V Pavilion on Thursday 12th November for a presentation to Roy and Rita Hood, founder members of LAA. Over the last 50 years, Roy and Rita have worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the village and its valleys and the evening was an opportunity to say a very public 'thank you' to them both. Long-standing LAA trustee Ray Harris presented the couple with a voucher for dinner for eight people on the Bluebell Line Pullman service. He thanked Roy for his vision and tenacity in setting up and running the Association and said that without his efforts there would be no valley for us all to enjoy today. Terry Davis presented Rita with a bouquet of flowers with grateful thanks for the immense support she has given Roy and the Association. LAA is proud to announce that Rita has accepted the role as its new President. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see more pictures of the evening.
November 2009
Roy and Rita Hood have devoted their lives to the care and protection of Loose and its valleys. They were founder members of Loose Amenities Association and for the past fifty years they have worked tirelessly to achieve its aims. Roy's indomitable spirit, vast knowledge, strength and dedication has ensured that Loose has been preserved as a unique and beautiful place. Roy recently stood down as Chairman, but we are happy to announce that Rita has agreed to carry on their connection with LAA by becoming our President. To mark the respect and affection in which they are held, there will be a presentation on Thursday 12 November at 7.30 at the Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Walnut Tree Lane, Loose. You are cordially invited to join us as we pay tribute to this remarkable couple.
October 2009 Loose Valley project halted After much consultation, research and deliberation, Loose Amenities Association will not now be building a new all weather footpath through a section of the Loose Valley, it has been announced. The project, which last year was awarded a grant of £57,500 from National Lottery Funded 'The People's Millions'*, was to improve the footpath through the section of the valley owned by Loose Amenities Association, making it firmer underfoot in winter and more accessible to people with disabilities, pushchairs etc. The amount awarded will not now be accepted. "It is a beautiful area and we want as many people as possible to enjoy it" said project manager and newly appointed chairman Terry Davis. "However, disabled access regulations required that the path should be two metres wide, constructed of a firm, permanent surface and for safety reasons have handrails, ramps and decking constructed along some sections. In addition, if we were to follow the existing footpath, a large number of mature trees would need to be felled. The committee thought long and hard about the impact such extensive work would have, which was not apparent at the time of the original decision to proceed, and after much debate made the decision not to go ahead." This decision was endorsed by the Association's AGM on 13 October 2009. To improve conditions underfoot LAA will instead consider installing land-drains and erecting footbridges or boardwalks over the numerous springs and streams which are characteristic of the area. Plans are already in hand to introduce native wildflowers back into the meadows. "We want to involve the wider community in conserving and caring for the area and we're looking forward to working with other groups along the length of the valley to make sure our children and our children's children can enjoy this beautiful area for many years to come'" Terry concluded. |
Carols
around the tree 2009
A
fond and touching tribute to Ted Dawes was given by Roy Hood. Ted, who
died earlier thisyear, and his wife Chris, have lived at Tylers for
35 years and in the last few years generously hosted the carols in their
beautiful garden adjoining the Loose stream. 
Roy
and Rita's presentation