Tea With a Talk

Once a month on a Monday afternoon we have a Tea With a talk where we have some very interesting guest speakers who come along to tell us about their specialist subject. There is usually a raffle and an interval when we sell tea and home made cake.

At one of these talks, on Monday 18th February 2008, 100 people turned up to the Community Association to listen to Tom Hartdyke (of BBC 2 Lullingstone Castle fame) talk about the project. People started to arrive from 12.30pm to get a good seat and Tom arrived and set up a slide show at 1.30pm for a 2.00pm start. The afternoon was a resounding success and we hope to invite him back again in 2009. So watch this space!!!

                    Quiz Nights

Our Quiz Nights at C.A.N.E. are always well attended by groups of six to eight people or those who come alone and join a table to make up the numbers. Entrance is £4.00 per person and you can bring your own food and drink to make it a fun evening.

                   Senior Citizens Party

This year C.A.N.E. treated the local senior citizens to a free afternoon of lunch and entertainment from Mario. This was a way of the Community Association giving something back to the locals, not only those who use the centre on a regular basis but also to some new to the centre and what goes on. The buffet was organised and presented by our team of regular volunteers led by Ann Read and the music was provided by someone new to us - Mario. His style of singing went down very well with all who attended and they ended up dancing away the afternoon. All in all another succesful event.

             Twice Yearly Craft Fairs

Each year C.A.N.E. hosts two Craft Fairs where local crafters can show and sell their crafts to the general public. There is one in the spring and another towards the end of the year which is geared towards Christmas. They prove to be very popular both with crafters wanting to sell their produce and with the general public who come to look and hopefully buy. We always have our coffee shop open for hot food, snacks and drinks. There is also a raffle with some prizes donated by the crafters themselves. If you are a local crafter and would like to go on our database please contact Sue on 020 8850 7122.

              Annual Summer Fete

Each year in July C.A.N.E. has a Summer Fete. Weather permitting we have tables inside and out which people can hire to sell their craft or bric-a-brac. We also have some small games outside for adults and children alike to play, such as "Water and Wine", "Treasure island" etc. Last year we had a chocolate fountain and we always have a "Homemade Cake" table which is extremely popular and always sells out before the end of the fete. Our coffee shop is open for hot food and snacks and in past years we have had a childrens entertainer to look after them for an hour or so in the afternoon.

             Winter Dinner and Dance

For the last four years we have held a very succesful dinner and dance in the rooms as a build up to the Christmas season. Local people come along in their finery to enjoy a three course meal and then dance to music provided by John Luckhurst. The rooms are beautifully decorated by our volunteers led by Ann Read and other volunteers come along to act as waitresses and hosts for the evening.

         Volunteers Thank You Lunch

Every year in January we hold our Volunteers "Thank You" lunch when we invite all the local people who give their time to help us out in some way. This may be by serving in the coffee shop, delivering our newsletter twice a year or helping teach computer skills at our UKonLINE initiative. If you would like to get involved please call in or give us a ring on 020 8850 7122.

          Volunteers Day Out on the River

On Sunday July 20th a number of our volunteers went on the Woolwich ferry which is hired privately once a year to raise money for "Cancer Research UK". The ferry takes a large number of people and a jazz band up the River Thames, under Tower Bridge and then back again. All of our volunteers who went along had a great time and would definately do it again.

                               Halloween at C.A.N.E.

On Friday 31st October this year, the Friday Social Club had a fancy dress competition to see who could be the best witch, devil etc. Many of the members took part and prizes were awarded to the four best and most convincing.

                      Summer Fete July 11th 2009

This year our fete day weather looked as though we could expect some rain, although the temperature was warm and humid. However, we duly set everything up inside and out and luckily the rain kept away until the afternoon when we had packed up.

Outside we had Ray Harvey and the Phoenix band who played music from the 30's, 40's and 50's. They were here from 10.00am to 12 noon, when Pocket the Clown turned up to entertain the children. C.A.N.E. had some games outside with colourful helium balloons, and there were plenty of bric-a-brac tables with lots to choose from for the avid bargain seeker. Inside we had a selection of craft tables and our own home made cake table which as always sold out. The coffee shop was open selling hot and cold food and snacks.