We had a lovely Garden Party at Jan and John Knights
On August 25th Rebecca entertained us with her beautiful singing.
BEFRIENDERS NEWS MAY/JUNE 2025
In early May the whole country was celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE day and the Befrienders were no exception. Our Silver Diners was held at The Cock Inn in Woodseaves and, never wishing to miss a chance to dress up, we went suitably attired in a combination of red, white, and blue. We looked very patriotic as everyone was welcomed warmly by the staff and enjoyed a variety of different dishes, as well as good company.
The week after we were honoured when Susannah (who has lived in Loggerheads all her life), arrived at our coffee morning, to share some of her father’s wartime letters written to his mother. These were very poignant and thought provoking especially when deaths of fellow soldiers and friends were mentioned. Two of her Father’s beautifully kept uniforms were on display for us to view. Susannah had appeared on TV during the national celebrations with a particular letter written on 5th May 1945. A recording of her reading together with the actual letter is on display at The National Arboretum in Alrewas. Befrienders were able to talk about some of the wartime experiences of their parents, plus what they remembered about VE day celebrations.
A very interesting talk from Andy Wilson, a volunteer with Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes, kept us all enthralled. We heard how there are 52 bikes groups in the UK. This group started in 2014 and was awarded the Queen’s award for voluntary services in 2018. The bikes transport blood, samples, bone marrow, breast milk for premature babies and medical equipment between hospitals. Blood cannot be frozen, and breast milk can’t be allowed to defrost so needs to be moved quickly. These unsung heroes operate 24 hours a day, and the volunteers take various roles i.e. riders, fund raisers, speaker team. The bikes are named after the organisation who donate them. In 2024 the bikes travelled 378,000 miles and carried out just short of 7,000 jobs with 80% carrying blood samples. They need £120,000 a year to keep this group running and donations are used for new bikes, £24,000 for insurance, £15,000 for tyres and £20,000 for maintenance. The motto is highly appropriate – “We may have the ride of your life.”
On a glorious sunny day towards the end of June we gathered at The Peel Arms in Ashley to enjoy an afternoon tea. Everyone was keen to finish their food and go outside to meet 2 special and well-behaved visitor’s who had arrived, Teddy and Carlos the Alpaca’s from Knjghtley Alpaca Trekking. We were able to get up close and stroke them and if you were lucky you got a kiss. There was also a small stall of hand-made goods, made over the last few months by our lovely Monique, and Befrienders were quickly buying gifts for birthdays, themselves and even early Christmas presents. All in all, a good time was had by everyone.
As well as the usual coffee mornings, on the first, third and fourth Fridays every month, held at Ashley Methodist Church between 10am and 12 noon, we hold a games afternoon every second Wednesday at the Fire station in Loggerheads, between 2pm and 4pm. Once a month we go out for lunch. We also run a walking group on a Thursday afternoon, starting out at 130pm with 3 levels of walks to suit most abilities.
There is always plenty going on when you join the Befrienders and something for everyone so come along and see what we can offer. If you want to know more please call 07523 512934 or email:loggerheadsbefrienders@gmail.com
Top of the mornin’ to ya on St. Patrick’s day
The Walking Group
Some of our walking group walked near Silverdale on 3rd October.
(Were they looking for a new pond for Karen and Co. to go Wild Water swimming?)
Trip to National Memorium Arboretum
On Friday 6th of June we boarded the coach which was to transport us to the National Memorium Arboretum near Alrewas. The weather was perfect as was the day, which was organised by Sheilah and Steve
July 5th saw us take to the “High Seas”
Entertainment in late June was provided by Lizzie a wonderful belly dancer.
On Saturday there was a remembrance of the 80th Anniversary of D Day. Monique who lived under Nazi occupation presented a talk on what it was like living in France in those dark days.
The last Friday in May, Pat Henhsaw gave a talk on how you can discover who you are through the way you dress 
Two very dodgy holders stall holders
Bon Appetite 
As well as Olive’s birthday, we held a French Luncheon
“I will say this to you only once”….Aplogies to ‘Allo ‘Allo
Monique explaining the history of the French National Anthem
Four very dodgy looking Parisians !
April saw several events taking place. Most importantly Olive Beech reached the wonderful age of 105
In March Alan Tordoff kept us entertained with tales of his working life and the wonderful places he had to visit as part of his job.
In February 2024 saw us being entrained musically with the opportunity for us to join in . We also enjoyed a talk by Cerena.
In January we visited the Brampton Museum for a “bit of Culture ” and a nice tea.
Christmas 2023 provided a superb luncheon for our members created by our Befrienders. Each table was entertained by a magician. 
Following on from the success of Silver Sunday in 2022 , with Whitmore Active Living Group , we did it again on Sunday 1st October 2023. Allyson gave us a sit down exercise demo with some willing volunteers joining in, fabulous buffet lunch made by our volunteers and then we were serenaded by Neil Mason.
We had our very own musical show from Carol, one of our volunteers in September 2023. Lili Marlene and Burlington Bertie and some poetry.
In July we dressed a well at the Croxton well dressing and went along to see it and hear the concert in Croxton church.
In June 2023 we went to visit the Alpacas at Knighton. What a fabulous day out .
In April, our oldest Friend , Olive Beech was 104 .
We had another successful Christmas party in 2022. Chloe came long to entertain us.
The Befrienders had a right royal time on Coronation weekend with a party for 62 of us at the Oddfellows Hall. King Charles III, a very busy man on his own Coronation weekend, put in a special appearance and everyone had their photo taken with His Majesty.
We were entertained with a Charles themed quiz and the question that got everyone talking was “What is the U.S Secret Service code for Charles?” (The answer is Unicorn).
The King made an appearance!
In April we celebrated our oldest Friend, an amazing 104 years young. Congratulations Olive Beech.
Christmas is coming for 2022. Christmas party time at Ashley Memorial Hall for 60 of us with Chloe Acoustic playing some great christmas music for us.
Look what we got up to today, Friday 21 October. We decorated pumpkins to take part in the Ashley & Loggerheads Annual Pumpkin Competition organised by Fiona Rolfe.
We joined together with Whitmore Active Living Group to celebrate National Silver Sunday on 2nd October 2022. ~Great time was had by all of our guests.
Then in July we went on a day trip to the Falconry at Battlefields, Shrewsbury , with lunch out to complete a fab day out.
Well the Platinum Jubilee Party held at the Oddfellows Hall for 70 of us was a blast. Delicious home-made food and the hall looked fab dressed in red, white and blue. We even had Her Majesty join us!
We had some fun and creativity when we held a flower arranging session in anticipation of decorating our tables at our Platinum Jubilee Lunch .
In case you don’t know what sit down exercise looks like….
In April we also had a talk from Hannah Justice, Fundraising Executive for West Midlands Air Ambulance…and we are going to have a fundraiser for them as we were all shocked to learn that they have to raise every penny they need to keep the ambulance in the air.
We had a special coffee morning on 1 April when we celebrated a 103rd birthday for someone very special. When I consulted my friend “Google” I learned that it is estimated that there are over fifteen thousand, yes, 15 thousand centenarians, living in the U.K. !As part of the Befrienders Family we are delighted, proud and very privileged to count Olive Beech who lives in Ashley as one of our Friends. It is a few years now, well three actually, since Olive received her 100th Birthday card from her Majesty the Queen. Yet here was Olive on Friday April 1st as bright as a button her usual smiling self, all ready to greet everyone, aged, well she would be on Sunday April 3rd, 103 years young! It was a lovely occasion for a very special lady to whom we say “A very happy Birthday and keep batting on Olive,103 not out!!! “
Our Christmas party for 2021 was a roaring success with over 50 of our Friends and their families enjoying a festive buffet and a singalong at Ashley Memorial Hall
Local resident Mike Haynes cam to our coffee morning in November to play to our Friends, and he was wonderful. Much enjoyed by everyone.
First “silver diners” since we restarted , so buffet lunch at the Methodist Church . We hope to be out and about again soon supporting local businesses.
Loggerheads Scarecrow Festival September 2021 with Befrienders Glamorous Gloria
Walking Group enjoying a rest
Stand at Dorothy Clive well being event September 2021
Receiving the Queens Award 2016
