Editorial

29 July 2007

Greetings!

The focus this last four weeks has been very much on preparations for our two current groups to fly the SSBCs nest and become affiliated but self managing Sunday Scene Social Clubs (SSSCs) as from 1 August. All is moving smoothly whilst at the same time there is much to do in preparation for welcoming two completely new groups at the beginning of September.  Last evening many founder and present members got together at a local pub for our first inter-group skittles championship followed by supper.  It was a great evening, Angmering SSBC taking the championship cup by 20 points after much friendly rivalry and banter. It was so good to feel the sense of ‘belonging and togetherness’ between the members.   That’s what we’re all about and we’ll be planning more inter-group events for this coming autumn and winter!

In the past few months quite a number of our members have made the decision to sell their homes, down size, share with family members or simply move to make a fresh start in a home free of poignant memories.  In all cases it’s been a question of doing it when the time felt right rather than being dictated by market trends or other financial, emotional or external pressures.  At the best of times, moving home can be a challenging process and is best undertaken when we feel strong enough to cope with it.

Those of you who’ve read my book ‘Dancing Through the Void’ will know that I’ve long struggled with the decision to sell or not to sell my lovely thatched cottage.  It was on the market for a year without a sale and, regardless of my own financial pressures, each time a viewer was booked I willed them not to buy and danced with joy when they didn’t. The agents had a hard time of it! Since then the roof has been re-thatched making a sale more likely and after just over three years of widowhood, I’ve come realise that a choice needs be made - cottage or a more enjoyable lifestyle.  Also, to stay in the cottage necessitates relying on family and friends to help maintain the fabric of it and that simply is too much to ask when they all have their own responsibilities and calls upon their time. 

So – after much painting, garden and shed clearance, the fun of filling a skip and countless minor repairs, the cottage went on the market one day and I accepted an offer two days later!  Stunned by the speed that it all happened, other things have began to fall into place and now I can’t wait to move into rented accommodation.  People constantly ask me, “Where will you move to?” and are bemused when I say I truly don’t know.  This is such a major event that I want to take time looking around for my next home and meanwhile, do as young people often do – have a gap year, be free of the responsibility of looking after a property, free to come and go as I please with more time for family and friends and to consolidate all we’ve achieved so far with SSBCs. 

It’s all a bit of an adventure and who knows where or in what I’ll end up! I’ll keep you posted.

Jacquie