Cheer up Thursday in Warm Welcome Week

January is traditionally a challenging month, and it certainly started off that way in our Cheshire town of Frodsham. We had ten days of snow and ice, and many of our elderly residents were housebound, concerned about falls on the slippery roads and paths. But the thaw started, and our Cheer Up Thursday approached. Cheer Up Thursday was suggested as a special day in Warm Welcome Week. Frodsham Bee Friends meet every Thursday to share tea, coffee biscuits, and friendship. But on Cheer Up Thursday, we went much further than that!

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We devised a picture and a general knowledge quiz for each table, and these were very popular, with good-natured competition between the tables, each wanting the honour of winning as well as the boxes of chocolates for the winners! Tabletop games were very popular, and a league table quickly emerged.

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Our wonderful Bee Creatives team had been busy knitting cowls in red, orange, purple, and pink, and colourful hats were donned. They were as ever busy crafting and had the amazing ability to craft, chat, drink tea, and eat cake all at the same time.

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They are also very approachable and inclusive, actively welcoming new people to join their endeavours. In fact, a newish member introduced them to the art of making things out of unwanted paperbacks, as the photo of the fabulous paperback hedgehog shows. But these are unwanted books; they have initiated a Bee Friends Book Swap on the first Thursday of every month for wanted books!

The highlight of the morning was the arrival of the two bees. They circulated around the room and even popped out to our nearby library, where they were celebrating Well Being Week, much to the amazement and amusement of passers-by!

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We also welcomed Scott from SP Energy Networks, who was so approachable and chatted to people about keeping warm at home. Scott gave us some leaflets and also some useful gifts, including wind-up torches and handy tote bags. He helped people who wanted to sign up for the Priority Services Register, which offers priority  support during power cuts, and Scott ensured that everyone knew what to do during a power cut.

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Cupcakes were shared, and our brilliant volunteers were applauded, and each of them presented with a chocolate orange complete with a knitted hat, courtesy of the Bee Creatives. Some of us sang along with the Beatles playing in the background, and we all agreed it was a very special day—and one where we were all thoroughly cheered.

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