Spondon is rightly proud of its community spirit around the village. We're also lucky to have a number of brilliant local events which are supported fantastically by local residents.
These events are organised each year by groups and individuals who put there own time and effort into making sure that these things happen for everyone to enjoy. In this article, chairman of the Spondon Traders Association, Mark Davis, pays tribute to the many people who work hard behind the scenes of Spondon's big local events...
"After the amazing event that we had on Spondon Alight back in November last year, I started thinking about the very special place that Spondon is and how so much is done quietly, often without recognition, to make any event happen.
Last month I mentioned the Spondon Traders' Association Committee, but many more people were involved in the preparation for and on the day, and I would like to publicly recognise and thank as many of them as I can remember.
One area that always is involved in the preparation of any large event in the Village and is one of the busiest on the day is the Village Hall. You are sure of a warm welcome, some food and drink and there are always fascinating information stands and stalls to browse. This is given without any charge to the Traders' Association, and it doesn't happen on its own. A great deal of planning and preparation happens before to make this central part of the village so welcoming. So many people are involved in this that it is impossible to mention them, but they know who they are.
As I’m sure that you have noticed, Spondon Alight was bigger than ever, and the Village Hall just wasn’t big enough to hold all the stalls that wanted to come. We were delighted and grateful to accept the offer from the Liberal Club to have some stalls in their lounge, and that helped enormously. Santa was also really grateful that he was able to put his grotto there, with the generous help of Bluebells Dairy.
And didn't the Christmas trees look great this year? There were well over 40 throughout the village and they were put up by three people on a wet and windy Saturday. Well done and thanks to Ruth, Dave and Tim. Also, we are grateful for the generosity of Tim and Julie at Spondon Hardware, Ivana at Coco Gifts, the Village Club and the Liberal Club for providing the electricity for the festoon lights and large panels throughout the village. We were also very grateful to Andrew at the Post Office and AW Lymn Funeral Service for the use of electricity on the night, and Kaff at CherryTree Framers for the great posters and collecting tin wraps.
I was really pleased to see our local Police officers and PCSOs enjoying the day, again they are so much a part of our community and put an enormous effort into everything on our behalf.
One final part of the jigsaw that is key to the success of the event is the publicity, and here Steve Allen of SpondonOnline and Kathryn of the C&C magazine were invaluable. Without these great people we wouldn't be able to let you know where and when everything was happening.
So what of the future? With all this great help we can only go forward. Spondon Day is set for June 25th 2016, but is going to be much more of a challenge this year. The Neighbourhood Board have previously generously paid the Council charge for closing the road (over £750 per event), but, with the cuts that are being discussed, that will probably not be possible in the future. This is where your help is so valued and appreciated. Your support of the raffle and the collecting tins that are in the Traders' shops and businesses are our lifeline, and so our biggest thanks to the Unsung Heroes is to you, the Spondon Community."
Mark Davis, Chairman, Spondon Traders Association
