Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Report written by Paul Becker (he/him)
The joint was absolutely hopping tonight as 33 wise guys showed up for our third card bed workshop. A very warm welcome to our new runners Nick, Ben, Hannah, Roly and Ed, and special mention to our visitor Kerry from Ealing.
After a quick but rather choreographical warm up which 'somehow' ended up in a New York, New York kick line, we headed off to our destination, the United Reformed Church off West Street, Bedminster who have once again kindly allowed us to use the church hall for the workshop.
On arrival, we got all the discarded bike boxes out of a strategically parked car and met up with Elliot who showed us how best to cut and fold them into the template shapes he has designed. When assembled together, the pieces form a rigid cardboard bed that can be used by a homeless person to sleep away from a cold and hard concrete floor. The beds that we made tonight will be delivered to a local project Help Bristol's Homeless who will distribute them at their soup kitchens. Each bed comes packed in a plastic sheet which keeps the card dry and a printed set of flat-pack style instructions for putting everything together.
At times things were a little hectic as teams of 5 or 6 manned the available tables and tried to co-ordinate drawing and cutting in such a way that no one cut anything that was likely to bleed. However, after ten minutes or so everyone seemed to find their place and a production line of bed templates was in full flow. All the while, our expert clean up team packed up the discarded bits of card - and dressed one of their members in a cardboard suit of armour.
Half an hour later and Elliot was able to demonstrate an assembled bed with Cristian taking on the important role of chief tester. In all we finished another three complete beds.
While one group headed back to base for some fitness games the second helped to pack the completed items back in the car and then ran back too.
Congratulations Dave and Emma!
It just remained for us to congratulate our newest milestone recipients. Emma (aka Comet) who has reached a fantastic 50 and Dave (aka Godfather aka Dasher) who has reached an incredible 300. Well done both of you, GG Bristol absolutely wouldn't be half the place it is without your happy smiling faces, energy and enthusiasm.
Finally, back at the Vivo bar, Emma laid on a full party tea (including pink wafers) and Cristian led us in a perfectly pronounced chorus of Felicidades to Emma who is also celebrating her birthday tomorrow.
Bristol
Our local community farm is tidier for the enjoyment of all