There have been two very different events at Fen Drayton Lakes in the past week, both with very strong links to Fen Drayton village.
Firstly, there was the 10Km and Fun Run, both starting and ending at the primary school, and using different routes around the lakes. The 10Km run was being staged for the first time since 1989, and the winner that year was the starter this year’s event. Some of the runners heard cuckoos at various points around the course, so it was nice to know they were noticing their surroundings, rather than concentrating on setting a fast pace.
The events were well organised by the PTA. As it was the first event for 22 years, I’m sure there were a few headaches on the way, but the event was a big success, and already people are looking forward to the 2012 event.
The runs raised money for two charities – EACH and RSPB, so I want to say how grateful we are for the generosity of the organising team and to everyone who took part.
I manned a stand in the school hall, but I intend to run in the 10Km event next year. The training has already begun...
The second event, yesterday, was a willow-weaving workshop, held at the Lakes for villagers who will be opening up their gardens to visitors on 11th and 12th June, as part of the Fen Drayton Open Gardens Weekend. The participants made obelisks today, and they’re hoping that over the next month their chosen plants will have grown up, through and around their obelisks.
The willow was harvested at Fen Drayton Lakes last winter by one of our great volunteers. He then put in hours more work to prepare the willow, and he led the workshop today. Thank you, Alan.
One of the participants doesn’t live in the village, but she does work there – and her obelisk was her birthday present for today (happy birthday, Anne). I’m sure she’ll be proud of it. I’d be happy to have any of the obelisks in my garden. The big question for me would be whether to grow runner beans or clematis up it.