Again, New Year greetings to all COPSErs – and we look forward to having you crowd through our hall door next Tuesday, 9th January, in order to make it better for other people!

Our start to 2024 will be our annual “Mystery Auction” in support of the charity we collectively support each year.* Hopefully, this is recalled and understood by our more established Members but, lovely newer ones, please read on!

The procedure involves us bringing along to Club Night any duplicated Xmas items that we may have received – or others that we feel might be more welcomed in someone else’s home! Also, unwanted but reasonable donations of other things, e.g. an appliance you might have bought and planned to use but found you never have. Basically, not just rubbish but something you donate that another might happily gain!

Please wrap items “anonymously” without disclosing the packages’ contents and slip them to me, when you arrive. The fun of the evening is that people bid for something but don’t know what they will get! Of course, the success of the auction relies on the generous spirit, pockets, wallets and purses of everyone attending. I.O.U.s can be noted and cheques passed. Treasurer Bob will once more be collecting your funds.

If you have an item of particular value, we can set a “reserve” start price. Likewise, please speak to me before the auction begins, should you be donating something specifically suited for only one gender -although we have had a good laugh when, for example, a lacy camisole top was successfully bid for by one of our strapping gents!

* The recipient of all our early 2024 goodwill is ShelterBox, the charity very suited to COPSE in that we camp and enjoy outdoor living “for leisure and pleasure” and ShelterBox provides emergency supplies for people having to camp merely to survive. In brief:
“YOUR SUPPORT WILL HELP PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISASTER AROUND THE WORLD”

Fuller details via: https://shelterbox.org/

Every year that we have raised our £££s for the charity, we have achieved the purchase of a complete box, currently costing £590. Since our Jan ’23 auction, we have a kitty put aside from people’s kind contributions later in the year from purchasing other COPSErs unwanted kit etc. This stands at £138. With a big push from our good- hearted folk next week, we may again achieve buying one more full box! Advance thanks to all who can come along.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)