Events

The PERA 12th Night Drinks Party takes place every January at a resident's home. After all that turkey, stuffing and mince pies it's time to say goodbye to another festive season with a convivial gathering of friends and neighbours. 

A veritable feast of mouthwatering nibbles welcomed guests to the 2012 party. PERA secretary Michael Nidd and his wife Pat went to great lengths to lay on a warm and genereous welcome at their home, the Old Bakery, affording residents the chance to admire the interior of one of Piccotts End's most interesting buildings. It was one of the best attended 12th night parties of recent years, with several new residents joining in the festive chatter. Special thanks also to PERA social secretary Annette Harrison for organising another successful event.  

The PERA fireworks party takes place every November at Marchmont Cottage. Fireworks are provided free of charge by Fantastic Fireworks and the event is supported by an army of volunteers to raise funds for village projects.

This year's fireworks party drew a large crowd of residents, families and friends, several of them new to the village. Among them were Tim & Julia Blinko who are moving into No 138 and Dominique North who recently arrived at No 42. Once again the event was blessed with fine weather as more than 75 party-goers tucked into the seasonal fare of soup, hot dogs and pork and apple rolls. The children enjoyed a treasure hunt for sweets hidden by Vicki Linsey & Ruth Gilbert before the main attraction lit up the sky, drawing lots of oohs and aahs. Many thanks to our social secretary Annette Harrison and her husband Paul for doing most of the catering and organising, to Clive Dunne for the pork, Keith Barber for the soup and to Michael Nidd, Andrew Wright and everyone else who lent a hand. More photos in the Gallery.  

The Piccotts End Book Club meets every other month to discuss a book chosen by the host member. It's very informal and as much a social occasion as a fairly light-hearted discussion group. In other words you don't have to be a literary genius to take part! It currently has 10 members, led by Emma Sweeney, who is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of New York in London. If you would like to join, please email editor@piccottsend.org.

The next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday February 7th at the Old Mill, home of Ena and Stanley Hartland. Ena's choice is The Other Queen, a historical novel about Mary Queen of Scots by Philippa Gregory. 
 
The Book Club celebrated its 3rd birthday with a gathering at Carole Cohen's home to discuss Perfume by Patrick Suskind. As it coincided with another member's birthday there were cakes galore provided by Penny Gore and a welcome selection of nibbles and wine to help stimulate literary analysis!
 

The Piccotts End summer garden party has been a village fixture for many years now. It always attracts a large number of families and friends but each year depends on the generosity of a resident to make their garden available.

A beautiful summer's day made this year's garden party a great occasion for adults and children alike. Andrew & Harriet Twigger kindly hosted the event and opened their swimming pool to the delight of junior visitors! Around 50 residents brought their barbecues and bottles to enjoy the sunshine and chat with friends and neighbours. Please visit the Gallery to see more photos.