In 2023, The BBVA ran 9 events, including Quiz and Race Nights at The Vines, Apple Pressing, Village Drinks and our Annual Summer Fete in the Play Park. These events attracted over 1,000 people from Black Bourton and the surrounding area and raised over £6,000 for the benefit of the local community. Half of all money raised in 2023 went directly to St Mary’s Church for the development of Community Hub, including a toilet and kitchen.
None of these events could have happened without the support of the people of Black Bourton, so on behalf of the BBVA – thank you all for helping to make 2023 a record year.
On that note, we are looking to recruit new members to our committee to help run our programme for 2024. If you would like to become involved, please speak to a member of the committee or email us on: bbvacommittee@gmail.com
Orchard
Our Orchard will take shape in January 2024, so look out for our team of volunteers who will be planting trees and installing wildlife habitats to enhance our community space, enabling it to thrive for generations to come.
December news
9th December saw a group of 40 people, 11 children, heading out from The Vines by coach to the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon to see Black Bourton’s own David Ashley in his wonderful pantomime of Snow White. It was a brilliant evening and David, as the dame, was a real star. Our very own Terry Pope was identified in the crowd and was rightly soaked as part of the evenings routine! The children’s tickets were provided free of charge by the BBVA, as was the transport, and ice creams and other treats were supplied. It was a memorable evening all round!
Choir concert
On the 15th, around 80 people took their seats in St. Mary’s Church for a festive evening of Christmas music and entertainment, provided by the Witney VoiceBox Choir and served with mulled wine and mince pies. All of this, combined with the success of the new heating system, made for a warm glow and a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Our thanks go to the choir and the organisers and, as usual, half of our profits go to the Church.
Santa’s Grotto and Christmas carols
23rd December saw the annual appearance of Santa Claus in his grotto at St Mary’s Church. Children came to visit him and people of all ages came to join in with the Carol Service and readings which followed, all brilliantly led by Gary Long. As usual the Christmas tree in the church was beautifully decorated by the Lanham family and the trees outside the church by Richard Betteridge. It all made for a lovely start to Christmas in the village.
Coming up in January
The BBVA AGM will be held on Monday, 22nd January 2024, at St Mary’s Church. We would love to see you there and to share our calendar of events for the new year. There will also be an opportunity to see the opening of the new Community Hub facilities and to look at ways in which it can best be used to serve our community.