We’ve had a busy, fun-packed three months filled with everything from circus trips to community fairs. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from our incredible summer.
Photo: The ACE outing to Myddelton House Gardens
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VE Day 80th Anniversary Project
Our ACE Artists marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a special visit to the Royal Gunpowder Mills. There, we were treated to a moving storytelling session from actor Lesley Gaunt, who shared his wartime experiences of the Blitz.
We were captivated by the stories of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, and many of our members shared their own family memories from the era.
Photo: Stories of war time
Inspired by this visit, we created a series of stunning chalk artworks based on the iconic photo of St Paul’s Cathedral standing tall during the Blitz.
Photo: volunteer Alan Brett with David
Visit to Zippos Circus
In May, we had an unforgettable trip to Zippos Circus in Newham, with tickets kindly arranged by the Rotary Club of Barking, supported by our amazing local Rotary groups.
We had a fantastic time, filled with laughter and gasps of disbelief—especially during the breathtaking motorbike performance inside the giant metal dome!
Community Events: Celebrating Local Life
We love community events, and the past couple of months have given us plenty of opportunities to get involved and shine.
Swaines Green May Fayre
On a beautiful, sunny day, we hosted a stall at the Swaines Green May Fayre. Our hardworking ACE Upcyclers showcased their usual fabulous range of upcycled products. We also featured plants grown by the ACE Gardeners and a delicious selection of cakes and preserves made by our ACE Cooks.
It was a great success—and a wonderful team effort!
Chigwell Fair
The Chigwell Fair was a bit chillier than Swaines Green, but no less enjoyable. Our ACE Upcyclers once again impressed with a lovely selection of planters, bird boxes, and toys—all crafted from upcycled timber. It was fantastic to see the group’s growing carpentry and painting skills so warmly appreciated by happy customers!
Chigwell Riding Trust (CRT) Open Day
On Sunday 29th June, our ACE Upcyclers hosted a stall at the CRT Open Day.
Despite the scorching heat, the event was buzzing with activity and well attended. There were exciting events and friendly faces throughout the day. We’re proud to report that we sold most of our stock—thanks in part to our creative touch of attaching horseshoes to some of our handcrafted goods!
Photo: lots of visitors came despite the heat
ACE Activities at the Learning Disability Festival
On Friday 20th June, ACE Activities had the pleasure of attending the Learning Disability Festival hosted by Essex County Council at Harlow Town Park — and what a fantastic day it was!
The festival was a joyful celebration of the many organisations that support people with learning disabilities. There was an incredible atmosphere throughout the park, with each stall offering fun, inclusive activities for all to enjoy. Entertainment on the main stage kept the energy high all day long — from music and dancing to singing and signing!
We were proud to run an ACE Activities stall featuring handmade games created by our talented ACE Upcyclers. Visitors of all ages had a great time playing and chatting with our team.
This year’s theme, “Can You See Me?”, was beautifully brought to life through a collaborative art display of self-portraits from various organisations. We were absolutely thrilled to see our very own ACE Activities collage portraits taking pride of place right at the front of the stall!
A real highlight of the day was when our ‘Hands Up to Music’ group took to the stage for a show-stopping Grease medley. From solo performances to group singing and signing, our performers lit up the stage and had the whole crowd smiling and applauding.
It was a truly inspiring day, filled with connection, creativity, and celebration. We’re already looking forward to next year’s festival!
Thank you to Essex County Council for hosting such a brilliant event.
Visit to Myddelton House Gardens
On Thursday 26th June, our ACE Gardeners enjoyed a wonderful visit to the beautiful Myddelton House Gardens. We were treated to a guided tour by Jacqueline Eykelbosch, who shared fascinating insights into the garden’s history and design.
It was a special moment to see one of our own, Alexander Eykelbosch, hard at work in the grounds. Members took in the stunning views, snapped lots of photos, and enjoyed a delicious lunch from the on-site café. A lovely day all round!
Andrea’s recipe
Beat the heat with Andrea’s delicious homemade ice sorbet recipe. Perfect for summer days.
Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how you got on! Leave a comment below or contact us.
Things to look forward to
14th September – Charity Football Match at Grange Farm, Chigwell IG7 6DP. Kick-off at 1pm.
Sports Day – Monday September 29th – 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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