Barbecue bonanza

Beautiful sunshine and a stunning setting guaranteed a wonderful afternoon for our Happy House barbecue.
The event, so kindly hosted by Steve and Cherith Cushing who had mustered family and friends to help, was made all the more special because our Mama and Papa were there.
Mama Sue has been through so much since her hip replacement done in 2010 became infected in March, and whilst still waiting to have surgery for a full hip replacement on August 1, she was absolutely determined to be at the barbecue.
And so many friends came to to join us and to catch up on the news with Mama and Papa, including
Agnes and Brian Crighton  who travelled from Scotland specially, and the Groves family drove up from Oxfordshire .
Steve and Cherith's garden, surrounded by fields, was the perfect venue and there was plenty to do! Guests took part in gameshows, more familiar on television, including Bullseye and Play Your Cards Right.
There was a  tombola, raffle and auction, plus Happy House bags etc to buy and other lovely items handmade by Joanne Rossall and Sheila Dickinson.
Michael Dickinson, ably assisted by Sheila, conducted the auction.
Delicious barbecued food was followed by homemade cakes and icecream
But the highlight of the day, as of any Happy House event, was when Mama got up to speak.
With so much warmth and love she spoke of her children, leaving no one in any doubt of just how hard it has been for her and Papa to be exiled from them for so many months.
;She thanked all those who support us, talked about plans for the future and highlighted the importance of our sponsorship scheme which is the financial cornerstone of Happy House.
There were special thanks to Steve and Cherith for putting on such an excellent day and to all who helped..
Elizabeth Gomm presented Mama and Papa with engraved "Mama in a Million" and "Papa in a Million" glasses, plus  a botttle of bubbly to help them celebrate when they book their flights and have a date for, at last, going home.
Not only was it a wonderful afternoon of friendship and laughter, it was also a huge financial success with  £1838.40 raised,  plus online donations and two new sponsorships which take it to over £2,000.
What a result!
Pictures: Left, from top down: Mama and Papa with Steve Cherith; ; Brian Crighton takes a prize from Lynn's Lucky Loot with Lynn Baya Thoya; Pauline Royle meets Susan Sadler (both are in Jane's sponsor family); Sheila Dickinson auction assistant.
Right, from top: The Groves/Stock/Lochrie family; Andrea Manders, Ellena Manders and Doe Edge; Grace Dunbar, her uncle offered a £1 donation if she put on the hat and pulled a face for the picture; burger kings Dave Cushing and Mike Dickinson.