It is Friday night, you have spent all week in work, ahh that Friday night feeling - what do you do when you get home? Kick-off your shoes and settle for a night in front of the box or go out with friends for a nice meal? Or maybe go down to youth club for a sleepover - bit old for that? Yes I think I am, too, but considering I am half John Brock's age, that is no excuse (writes Joe Hicks)!
Yes it was Carew Youth Club's annual sleepover night, members' favourite night of the whole year.
Around 30 children turned up at club with their sleeping bags and pillows under their arms (mind some forgot their pillows (Katie and Tom to name a couple!). I have never known children so keen to get the PJs on and set up their beds!
They started the evening playing a game with Gwen, then the leaders provided toast, biscuits and ice-cream thick-shakes. Everyone settled down to watch a film, with bowls of popcorn and sweets (yes, I know, it is a miracle that no-one was sick).
At 11 pm, the boys went into the newly-refurbished Sunday School room - and it was lights out at 12 midnight. It was lights out for the girls not too long after this - but sleep - not so much! They finally quietened down at about 2.30 am!
At 7 am, it was time to get up and they were all blurry eyed and yawning - that is the leaders - the girls chattering away and giggling.
The boys joined the girls for a superb cooked breakfast. They were all talking about the thunder in the night. We were perplexed as we had not heard it. Rumour has it that it was John Brock snoring!
Thanks to all the leaders who stayed the night. If volunteers were not willing to give up their cosy beds for a night on a cold floor, there would be no sleepovers. Also a big thanks to head chef Helen, who rustled up cooked breakfast for 36 people, ably assisted by the leaders.
Carew is so grateful to have such strong support from leaders who all give up their time to help out at the club.