News - Page 13 of 17 - Bell Tower Community Association

The Big Spring Clean 2015

25 April 2015 David Neale

The Big Skip’s back in the spring this year, because of the expected building work at the school in the summer. As in previous years our Big Skip is kindly sponsored by Reading Festival organisers Festival Republic.

: We’ve got good weather again this year, and it all gets off to a brisk start…

: …with Richard and Jonathan having plenty of work to do arranging things in the skip…

: …and yes, that includes the kitchen sink!

: Plenty of items for recycling…

: …and some takers (now that’s a new use for an old chair!)

: This year we signed up lots of members too.

: Finally the skip’s nearly full, and it’s time for Chris to close the door…

: …and to pass the last few things over the top into the skip.

: Here’s a picture of the team – and many thanks to everyone who helped make it another successful day.

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Tidy-up Day 2014

16 August 2014 David Neale

The Big Skip’s back again! As usual it didn’t take long to fill our giant skip, provided with sponsorship from Reading Festival organisers Festival Republic – this year we had more bike repairs and free coffee courtesy of the Crowne Plaza.

: A fine day, and it starts really quickly this year…

: …with quite a queue for the skip.

: Bike wizard Steve’s busy getting some of the old bikes back on the road…

: …and giving them a bit of a test drive too!

: Many thanks to the Crowne Plaza, who brought their stall along offering free coffee…

: …and here are some of their satisfied customers!

: We had some takers for the bikes too.

: Jonathan and Rod did a sterling job loading the skip – it’s nearly full now and they’re about to close the door.

: Here are some of the Bell Tower team, with another full skip – David, Rod, Mary, Jonathan and and Steve. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a very successful afternoon.

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Newport Road street party 2014

31 May 2014 David Neale

Saturday 31 May 2014 – we’re back again, with another excellent street party for the Big Lunch weekend! The weather was fine, and about 150 people came again for an afternoon of fun. The famous ‘hook a duck’ game and egg-and-spoon race were back, and another fiendish quiz, this year courtesy of Rod – with prizes provided by the Standard Tandoori. We also had a bike repair workshop, face painting and a cake stall courtesy of Sarah from Addison Road that raised money for Bell Tower. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped and the residents of Newport Road for hosting. And special thanks to Andy from the Moderation for providing another free and very tasty barbecue!

: The bunting’s flying, Newport Road’s officially closed, and we can finish setting things up.

: Here’s Sarah with partner Ruben and their excellent cakes.

: The children’s activities get going…

: …and the face painting courtesy of Joy, the vicar of New Hope and her assistant Sarah.

: Soon the party is in full swing, with plenty of lively conversation and family fun.

: Here’s Steve the bike wizard at work (and Richard sporting the latest in fashionable workwear!)

: Andy and his team from the Moderation provided an excellent barbecue as ever (and the food was free).

: The kids were having a great time…

: …but we’re not sure what a pirate was doing here!

: Last year the lads got together for cricket – this year was mostly football…

: …and of course not to forget the egg-and-spoon race, back after a rest in 2013.

: Finally it’s time to take the bunting down. Here’s to another great party next year!

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The great Bell Tower quiz

16 May 2014 David Neale

In May 2014 we had a great fun quiz at the Crowne Plaza hotel by Caversham Bridge – a fun evening with laughter, competition and view of the river too.

: Eyes down for a full house…

: …and a lively evening with over 40 contestants taking part!

: Plus an unexpected visitor (just here to check our answers perhaps?)

: And the Bell Tower brains this time are…Sandie’s team…

: …with vicar Joy’s team getting the ‘wooden spoon’ prize. Better luck next time – and here’s to another great quiz later in the year!

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Tidy-up Day 2013

12 October 2013 David Neale

The Big Skip’s back again! We had to postpone our event until October this time because of the building work at the school during the summer. As usual it didn’t take long to fill our giant skip, provided with sponsorship from Reading Festival organisers Festival Republic, and we had a great bike repair workshop going too.

: Altough it was mid-October we were lucky with the weather. It’s a big yellow skip this time…

: …and as usual we have plenty of visitors.

: We managed to sign up quite a few members too.

: Bob was a great help on the Bell Tower table, and here he is breaking up an old shed.

: We had an excellent impromptu bike workshop too, courtesy of Neil and Gaby…

: …and some satisfied customers too!

: The skip’s getting a bit full now so we’re all helping to load it…

: …and Jonathan finally declares the skip to be full up!

: Here’s a photo of some of the team – Len, Steve (with vegetation from the alleyway), Gaby, David, Jonathan, Neil and Ben. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a very successful afternoon.

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Newport Road street party 2013

1 June 2013 David Neale

Saturday 1 June 2013 – another excellent street party for the Big Lunch weekend! We had beautiful weather, and around 150 locals came along to our big street party.

Loads of games and things to do – ‘hook a duck’, cake decorating for kids, the ‘me and my pet’ photo competition, another fiendish quiz… Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped set the party up and the residents of Newport Road for hosting. And special thanks to Andy from the Moderation and his family for the free barbecue!