Oxford Light Night and Games

Oxford celebrates turning on its Christmas lights with an evening of activities at various venues, one of those being Wesley Memorial Church,

We started the evening in the Sanctuary – the main part of the church, where we chatted amongst ourselves and with church people and members of the public. We also ate Pizza, Stollen and Mince Pies. Amongst other activities one of church member was drawing caricatures of people, including some of our members.

We then moved through to the hall, and worked off some of the pizza with some hockey and boccia.

Boccia

As the Christian Aid Market was setting up in the John Wesley Room, we set up the Hall, both for those who wanted to sit and chat, and an area to play Boccia. This gave the Boccia players an appreciative audience.

It was great to have Hank and Joy join us for a game of Boccia. We all love to try new things and Boccia was new to them.

Tom refereed, and the games were often exciting, sometimes the jack would be hit and moved at the last minute, completely changing the state of play.

Boccia – It's my favourite !

We all enjoy Boccia, and some really enjoy it. The “It’s my favourite” exclamation was the response by one of our Oxford Phab members to finding that we were playing Boccia that night. As usual we play in the Hall at Wesley Memorial Church, which makes a great space for it.
This week we were especially fortunate that Tom, who actually knows the proper rules, was directing operations, and giving generous doses of encouragement.

Lord Mayor's challenge

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Rae Humberestone, visited Oxford Phab to meet the members (several of whom he knew already) and take part in a quiz, with a baked potato supper and a game of Boccia.
We were joined by visitors from Wesley Memorial Church, in particular from the Open Doors project and the John Wesley Society, which made it a particularly enjoyable evening.

The arrival

DSCF1475Mary and Helen welcoming the Lord Mayor.
DSCF1468The Mayor greeting members.

The quiz

Helen had prepared a quiz, so we divided up into four teams,


The Mayor’s team – called The Chain Gang – working on the quiz

Some of the other teams, hard at work.
DSCN6576Helen reading out the questions.

The supper

After the quiz we ate a meal of jacket potatoes with savoury mince, tuna, cheese or baked beans, followed by tea or coffee.

Boccia in the Church

We moved through into the church, where there was more space for a game of Boccia.
DSCF1504Trisha enjoying Boccia in the church
The Mayor bowled well, but his team did not quite catch up with the lead the General Ignorance team had built up in the quiz.

Presenting the prizes

 
 
DSCF1509
At the end of the evening the Lord Mayor presented The Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup to some members of the winning team. There were also chocolates which were shared with anyone who wanted one.
We hope Rae will be able to return next year, as Deputy Mayor for another Lord Mayor’s Challenge