The November meeting of East Williamston Community and Hall Association took place on Monday, with most committee members present. They were delighted to learn that another Friends of Jubilee Park work party had attracted 15 keen helpers, including seven-year-old twin boys who thoroughly enjoyed the morning. Unfortunately, an evening of rain and high winds made the proposed bonfire a non-starter, but it will be held at a future date, with details posted on the community notice boards and the East Williamston Facebook page.

The finances of the association, presented by the treasurer, indicated that fundraising for the hall is a priority, and a number of future projects were enthusiastically discussed. Meanwhile, there are several forthcoming events on the calendar. Pilates classes on Wednesdays are due to start on November 5 (all details from Maureen Murray on 07774233990). An intensive exercise class on Tuesday mornings has also been arranged. The square dance club meets on Monday evenings and short mat bowls on Tuesdays and Thursday. The association itself continues to organise quizzes and other functions.

The October quiz evening attracted five tables of contestants, ready to tackle the wide range of interesting questions set by Brenda and Sue. Rounds on general knowledge, science and nature, films and TV, sport, capital cities, history, geography and local knowledge contained enough to keep everyone pondering, while the table sheets on famous faces, real names of famous people and collective nouns provided an extra challenge.

At the end of the contest, there were two teams tying for third place and two for first. The latter were The Classics and Green Fingers. In order to provide an outright winner, a tiebreak question, on which of four given capital cities was the furthest south, was asked. Both teams got this wrong! There was then a choice of three creatures that a grampus might be. Both teams were wrong again. The third question, the language was spoken in Palestine at the time of the Romans, was then answered correctly by both teams, who requested that an honourable draw be declared, so that the raffle could take place before too late!

Jennie McIntosh thanked Brenda and Sue for the excellent quiz and Sian for running the bar. She announced a number of forthcoming events in the East Williamston Hall, including a baby fair and cake stall today (Friday, November 7) from 10 am - 12 noon, the next quiz tomorrow (Saturday), 7.30 for 8 pm, and a coffee morning and craft hobby session from 10 - 12.30 on Friday, November 14, to coincide with the visit of the mobile library van. All are most welcome on all these occasions.

The next big event in the hall will be the Taste of the Orient Evening on Saturday, November 15, with a three course Thai meal, kung fu demonstration and Chinese lion dance. The tickets are virtually sold out, but it would be worth calling Jennie on (01834) 812125 to see if there are any left.