Marske Community Christmas 2022 rises out of Covid

By John McVeigh

Aftera Covid-forced absence of two years, the Marske Community Christmas Day made a welcome return for local residents who would otherwise be spending Christmas Day alone.

The event, held at the Marske Leisure Centre, was widely acclaimed as the best one yet.

The day started with local brass band A Touch of Brass, led by Chris Robertson, playing a number of Christmas carols for the guests to sing along to.

Another local band, the popular Fat Medicine (acoustic version), followed. They played a number of their favourite numbers mixed in with some traditional Christmas songs to get the guests and helpers up dancing.

A traditional Christmas meal with all the trimmings was lovingly prepared by Debi, expertly supervised by Amanda, and served up to the guests by Marske Community Christmas volunteers who had again kindly given up their Christmas Day to help out.

Experienced pub owner Annie Walker looked after the bar.

During the meal, Tom Unthank, an up-andcoming young local musician, played some great tunes on the piano.

After lunch, a Hinge and Bracket tribute act, otherwise known as local couple Terry and Sue

Wilkinson took to the “stage”. They played some great music from the “Barrel” and really got the audience going with their catchy tunes and comedy routines.

The day would not have been complete without the traditional Marske Community Christmas bingo with its £20 full house prize. Young Derek Whiley, who has years of experience to call on from his work in the nation’s bingo halls, made a perfect job of the calling.

To conclude the marvellous day Santa Claus dropped by to present everyone with a goody bag to take home.

The Marske Community Christmas Group would like to thank the following local businesses and Individuals for their fantastic support and help with this year’s event.

PD Ports, Sainsbury’s store Marske, Karen at The Wynd Fruitiers, Marske, Yorkshire Raw Feeds, Leeds, Amanda at Rose and Potter –Marske, Pauline and Ron Richmond and The Mermaid Thursday night quizzers, Janet Gardner, Cllr Margaret Wilson, Mr and Mrs Cawthorne, St Mark’s Church, Marske, Marske Leisure Centre Committee, and Caretaker Stephen. Sophie’s Café, York, The Barnard Family, Balloonz and Ribbons, Marske., Patrick McGowan, A Touch of Brass, Fat Medicine, Terry and Sue Wilkinson and Tom Unthank.

And a big thank you to all the wonderful hard working volunteers.