Friday 14 March: Auction of Promises. Two charities came together to raise money by selling promises. They were the Phakamisa project for South African Aids orphans and Melbourne Parish Church. Both need money and both are close to many hearts, especially the congregations of the Methodist and Parish churches. The evening was a triumph. Over £6,000 was raised for the two charities. This sum was split 50:50 and will, on the one hand keep a teacher employed for a year in South Africa, and on the other protect mediaeval stained glass for another 50 years. This fantastic sum was raised from 139 lots, ranging from cakes of all descriptions, through “a day out with a lady trucker”, an evening meal served by René and Edith from 'Allo 'Allo, a trip on Melbourne Pool in a rowing boat, to a guided tour of Berlin.
Friday 11 April: Musical Evening at Melbourne Hall. Melbourne is blessed with many fine musicians and a good number agreed to play at the Hall. The evening was great fun and of a very high standard. Champagne, canapés, good music and good company.
Tuesday 13 May: Professor David Thomas organised a forum of experts to debate the topic of Human Fertilisation and Embryology. About 40 people came to the Senior Citizens Centre to take part in a discussion on the issues surrounding the Parliamentary Bill on this incredibly complex subject. The debate was principally about the science and how the original Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, that was passed in 1991, whilst providing a good legal framework for 17 years, cannot adequately deal with the advances now being made, particularly in the latest area of animal-human hybrids. Naturally, the moral and ethical issues tumble over one another, as do religious concerns within and without Christianity. However, these were not the centre of the debate; the panel were scientists, with Christian beliefs for sure, but those beliefs did not dominate the discussion. The moral and ethical issues were touched, but not explored; that is the subject of another forum. A very worthwhile evening; a terrific panel and material for a series of similar debates.Saturday 17 May: Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Also in support of the Heritage Appeal, this was a sale of hats with tea and cakes at the Dower House. Good hats and great fun.
Saturday 5 July: A visit to Sudbury Hall for children.
A visit to Darwin House at Lichfield.
Wednesday 6 August: Jewellery Demonstration by "Bangles & Tat". This was a chance to make your jewellery under the eye of professionals.
Thursday 11 September: Fiori Musicali. As a part of the Melbourne Festival, Fiori Musicali visited once again with a programme of Vivaldi and bach, including the Brandenburg Concerto. As in previous years, over 150 people enjoyed an evening of lovely music.
Friday 12 September: Lord Roy Hattersley. Following on the heels of classical music was another Friends speciality, a high-profile guest speaker. The subject was his latest book, Borrowed Time - Britain Between the Wars. Roy Hattersley is a brilliant speaker and ranged over the politics and personalities of this momentous period in the country's history.
Saturday 4 October: 25 young children had a visit to the Sudbury Museum of Childhood. They enjoyed it as much as the adults.
Monday 24 November: Euthanasia Debate. In May, the Friends held a highly successful debate on embryology. The reaction was very positive with a request to debate other difficult ethical issues. Once again, the session was chaired by David Thomas; the panel consisted of Howard Jenkins and Nick Gravestock, who contributed to the May debate, and Joanna Hocknell, a consultant in palliative care at the Macmillan unit in Derby and Martin von Fragstein, a medical academic in Nottingham, who was the resident GP at Staunton Harold, the Sue Ryder home. The discussion essentially clarified the issues surrounding end of life care, but not the ethics; the views of the doctors were, unsurprisingly, similar. There is material for, therefore, for another debate with differing views. Verdict: First Class.
The carving is one of the Norman capitals. The grinning cat warns worshippers of the penalty of vice. The question is, does the grin speak of hell and damnation, or the reverse?
