A group from Cherry Lodge Cancer Care were treated to a most enjoyable day out on Tuesday 11th June 2019, thanks to the generosity of Milly Days. The Milly Days charity invites people ‘living with difficulties’ of various kinds to spend a relaxing day at its beautiful riverside property in the Thames Valley.
Despite a very bad advance forecast, the weather on the day was thankfully better than predicted. It was cool and sunless but there was no rain. The Cherry Lodge group comprised 37 people – mainly members, some volunteers, plus Margaret and Lorraine on hand to keep order! After a sluggish coach journey via the M25, our party arrived at the venue to be welcomed by Emma and the little white dog, Lola, and given hot drinks and biscuits.
As well as the lovely surroundings, Milly Days offer a range of activities. This year, it was judged too cool a day for anyone to venture into the heated outdoor pool. However, a new marquee provided shelter for games of croquet and table tennis. As always, the highlight for many was a trip on the Milly Belle motorboat. Blankets were provided to deal with the onboard ‘air conditioning’. Chris’s driving was excellent but when others had a go, they found it was far from easy. A pair of swans with seven cygnets had a good look at us all. There was a delicious vegetarian lunch and even some dairy free items, which particularly pleased one of our members.
This Milly Day was generously sponsored by Joan Edwards, who was very excited that the incoming mayor of Barnet, Caroline Stock, is choosing Cherry Lodge Cancer Care as one of her charities. The organisers were supported on the day by a group of very helpful and caring Milly Day volunteers, who looked after everyone very well.
The afternoon concluded with strawberries and cream and the Cherry Lodge group were then given a goody bag to take home and remind them of a lovely outing. There were thankfully no hitches on the day and although heavy traffic meant that the coach did not get back to Howard House until 17.45, we were welcomed home by a smiling Kirsty.
Thank you very much indeed to Milly Days for inviting Cherry Lodge Cancer Care to spend this wonderful day with them. Milly Days welcomes groups from 10 charities every year, including organisations helping veterans, people affected by illness and bereavement, and victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
