Hello everyone, and welcome to the ACE Activities Autumn Newsletter.
We’ve had a busy season filled with fun-packed activities, heart-warming community moments, and some truly fantastic fundraising!
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our wonderful summer. From performances and seaside trips to fundraising and fun, none of this would be possible without the kindness and enthusiasm of our members, volunteers, and supporters.
Follow our Facebook page ACEactivities for fresh ‘hot off the press’ updates.
We’d like to thank
Prontaprint Bishops Stortford
for sponsoring the printing of our Newsletter
In this issue
Hands Up To Music – Storming Performance!
Spotlight on ACE Volunteer – Viv Davis
Fundraising Barbecue with Riverside Timber Recycling Project
Charity Football Match – A Game with No Losers!
Oh, We Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside!
ACE Activities Retro Sports Day
Hands Up to Music – Storming Performance!
On July 18th, ACE’s Hands Up to Music group visited our friends at Woodland Grove Care Home, where they delivered a lively singing and signing performance. With classics from Grease filling the room, residents and guests alike joined in with smiles, claps, and plenty of singing along. A truly enjoyable time was had by all!
Spotlight on ACE Volunteer – Viv Davis
At ACE Activities, we are endlessly grateful for our wonderful volunteers. Their dedication makes everything we do possible.
This summer, we were thrilled to celebrate Viv Davis, who has been volunteering with ACE Gardening for over 13 years. On July 23rd, Viv received the Rotary Club of Epping’s prestigious ‘Service Above Self’ Award at a special dinner.
From helping with the minibus to lending a hand in the garden, Viv’s contributions are nothing short of extraordinary. Affectionately known as “High Viz Viv” for her ever-present jacket on minibus duty, “David Bailey” for capturing so many cherished photographs, and “Social Secretary” for remembering and celebrating birthdays, Viv’s warmth, reliability, and kindness brighten every corner of ACE. We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate her achievement.
Fundraising Barbecue with Riverside Timber Recycling Project
Alongside our amazing volunteers, ACE is lucky to be supported by fantastic partners and friends. Chief among them is the Riverside Timber Recycling Project, whose generosity and dedication never fail to inspire. Not only do they provide us with a workshop and materials, but each summer they go the extra mile by hosting their much-loved fundraising barbecue.
This year’s event, held on August 23rd, was a perfect mix of sunshine, entertainment, delicious food, and community spirit. Thanks to Riverside’s hard work — and the generosity of everyone who joined us — the day raised an outstanding £1,637 for ACE Activities. We are so grateful for their continued support and for making this event such a joyful highlight of our summer.
Thank you to everyone involved. It was a great success—and a wonderful team effort!
Charity Football Match – A Game with No Losers!
On September 14th, ACE hosted our very first Charity Football Match — and what a match it was!
The VAEF team, made up of ACE members, staff, and family, went head-to-head with the mighty Colebrook Legends at Grange Farm. Sponsored by Mooremack Ltd and boosted by raffle prizes and donations, the day raised an incredible £1,347.
The game itself was a lively affair: Colebrook Legends stormed ahead in the first half with a spectacular long-range goal, but VAEF fought back with grit and a healthy disregard for the offside rule. After a dramatic comeback and a penalty shoot-out filled with fun, both teams walked away as winners.
Referee Chris Moody summed it up perfectly — it was football at its most fun, community spirit at its best!
Macmillan Coffee Morning
On September 25th, our ACE Cookery Group joined residents at Woodland Grove Care Home for a special Macmillan Coffee Morning. Together, they baked delicious cakes, shared stories, and raised funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Our members were treated to a wonderful dinner and even a hamper of goodies to take home — a truly sweet day in every sense!
Oh, We Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside!
On September 22nd, our Sports and Gardening Groups headed to Southend for their much-loved annual trip. Sunshine, sea air, amusements, and, of course, a trip to the chip shop made it the perfect seaside day out. A simple reminder of how refreshing time together by the sea can be!
ACE Activities Retro Sports Day
ACE Sports held their 2nd Retro Sports Day this summer, and it was an absolute hit! Instead of the usual sporting fixtures, our members threw themselves (sometimes literally!) into egg-and-spoon races, sack races, tug of war, and even a three-legged race. With laughter and cheers all around, it was a day that celebrated teamwork, fun, and sportsmanship.
Gardening Tips – Pumpkin Planters
Don’t let those pumpkins go to waste after harvest!
Simply scoop out the shells and use them as natural, biodegradable planters for your autumn cuttings or seedlings. Fill with compost, pop in a sprig of rosemary or thyme, and when the shell starts to break down, plant the whole thing straight into the soil.
It’s seasonal, sustainable, and looks beautiful on your plot in the meantime!
Allotment Soup recipe
Our Cookery Group made a delicious and nutritious soup using many of the allotment’s home grown vegetables.
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2–3 carrots, chopped
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 large courgette or marrow, diced
1 leek, sliced
2–3 ripe tomatoes (or 1 tin chopped tomatoes)
A handful of beans or peas
1 litre vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
Fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, rosemary)
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional extras: parsnip, turnip, celery, spinach, kale or chard
Method
- Heat oil/butter in a large pan, then gently cook onion and garlic until soft.
- Add carrots, potatoes, courgette, leek, and any root veg. Sauté for 5 mins.
- Stir in tomatoes, beans/peas, stock, bay leaf, and herbs. Bring to the boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 mins until veg are tender.
- Season well. Remove bay leaf. Blend some or all of the soup for desired texture.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with warm crusty bread.
Stir in chopped leafy greens at the end for extra colour and goodness.
Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how you got on! Leave a comment below or contact us.
Things to look forward to
Here’s to an autumn filled with just as much joy as our summer!
7th November – Climate change and Art Exhibition
7th November – Spooky Bonfire Night
14th November – Award Ceremony
11th December – Sleeping Beauty by Corbett Theatre at E15 Acting School
19th December – Christmas Party – details to be announced
Please come along and support these events, meet our members and have a fabulous time. For details and updates, keep an eye on our Events page.
If you’d like to find out more about our activities and available places why not contact us for more details.
To help us keep these wonderful activities going for our lovely members, you can donate here or contact us to offer sponsorship.
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