Reviews

Whacky in Wales by Freddie Isaac

Over the October half term a number of children from the circuit went on a youth residential to Abergavenny in North Wales. All eight of us lined up ‘outside Ballards Lane church early in the morning to await the mini bus to take us to the place where we would be staying.  The leader, Kirsty Middlemast and her two wonderful assistants Ben and Linda pulled up in the minibus and soon we were off.  With nothing to do but read Linda’s poorly chosen Sun newspaper the four hour drive proved to be as tedious as it has been in the past.

We arrived at the place where we would be staying around 4½ hours later and we were all very stiff getting off the bus. The slight lack of facilities was more than made up for by the view which is sensational and Linda’s cooking which includes apple crumble that has to be seen to be believed.  The first afternoon and evening was mostly spent settling in, haggling over top bunks and making the place feel like home.  The customary ground rules were laid down, the rooms sorted out and many items confiscated within those first hours and when the laying the table, eating and washing up routines were finished we all enjoyed some of Linda’s hot chocolate and a game of pool before bed.

Over the next few days we did many enjoyable activities such as rock climbing and pony trekking.  This coupled with the beginnings of a great youth service and nearly driving off without Linda after she had stopped at a garage to pick up her newspaper made the days very enjoyable.  I probably should say something about the youth service.  It was our aim to design a service that would be fresh and new whilst retaining some of the better things about normal services.  After a stop start beginning I believe we really got going and by the end had designed a very good service but you’ll have to form your own opinion when the service takes place on the last Sunday in January.  We passed our time at the hostel playing pool, talking, working on the service and preparing meals.  Pool was very fun and dominated by the girls.  We also took an excursion into the town of Abergavenny and we picked up some good souvenirs..

Once again, however, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed myself .  The biggest thanks of all has to go to Kirsty, Ben and Linda who were light hearted, helpful and fun throughout most of the trip.  Linda provided us with expert cooking and extraordinary apple crumble serving techniques that will be remembered forever.  Then there was Ben whose impressive pool skills, collection of Christian rock and slight resemblance to Elvis made him very popular.  The woman who made this all happen was Kirsty and once again she did a very good job. A really funny woman who rules with an iron hand prompting the nickname ‘the Kirstinator’ and we are all very grateful. Thank you very much. Please keep planning residentials with great groups of adults for years to come.