Early in August, Friends of the ODA (Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe and Acresford) Memorial Gardens, held a Pirate and Princess 'Picnic in the Park' for its younger residents.

 The Friends of the ODA are supported by the Co-op and its members through the Co-op Local Community Fund. The event also caught the attention of the 'knitting ninjas of Donisthorpe' who created a fabulous post box topper to help advertise the event. 

The organisers said: "Thank you, whoever you are!"

Over 30 Pirates and Princesses turned up with their parents and carers to enjoy a fun-filled sunny afternoon that included treasure maps, tiaras, parrots, sharks and story time with Pirate Debbie.

The free event was organised by the volunteers from Friends of the ODA Memorial Gardens, who have tasked themselves with rejuvenating the gardens at the centre of the Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe and Acresford Parish on Church Street in Donisthorpe. 

The post box 'topper' helped to advertise the event

Kay Eley, one of the volunteers said: "It was such a great afternoon and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. 

"We were particularly lucky with the weather, after all the recent rain."

"Children came from all over the Parish, as well as further afield such as Moira and Overseal, to enjoy the afternoon.

"The group's picnics have fast become a popular annual event and next year's has already been put in the diary."

The group are also looking to raise funds to help them achieve their goal, but have a long way to go yet. They have been lucky to be selected for the Co-op Local Community Fund for the current year and are hoping to boost efforts through the scheme to begin the hard landscaping on site later in the year.

If you have a Co-op membership card, you can help by selecting their cause through the Co-op online HERE.

If you would like to be involved, can help the group in any way, or would like to know more about the project, please email: [email protected] for more information.