Giving to the Church
Social & Fundraising Team News
Limbo dancing competition at Hawaiian evening reveals several unexpectedly talented dancers among the congregation of St Matthews ...
On 14 June, once again the Social and Fundraising Team magically transported us from Croydon to another place – this time Hawaii! The hall was practically unrecognisable, under all the wonderful decorations of bamboo, flower-strewn tables and inflatable palm trees. The splendour of the hall was matched only by the attire of the guests – the place was awash with Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, floral hair decorations and outrageous sunglasses (and that was only the men …..)
We were greeted on arrival in the foyer with a tropical drink, complete with cocktail umbrella, and presented with a "lei" by our mini-Aloha hostesses. We then proceeded to the hall where the Revd Michelle Edmonds said Grace before we were treated to a delicious buffet of Hawaiian themed food. A lot of effort had obviously gone into its preparation.
For entertainment we had explanations of "Hula" and "Aloha" by Jessica Garner and Charlotte Fitzhugh, and a wonderful display of hula dancing by the St Matthew's Hula Girls (Elizabeth and Charlotte Hillier, Charlotte Fitzhugh, and Jessica and Sarah-Jane Garner). Ophelia Gordon gave a superb guitar recital, Greg and Daniel Jones sang a selection of Elvis songs from "Blue Hawaii" (with Sophia Jones, Sarah-Jane and others joining in as dancers), and Mrs Gordon had everyone dancing to her wonderful saxophone playing.
After the raffle was drawn, the evening was rounded off by a very entertaining limbo dancing competition. This revealed a few unexpectedly talented limbo dancers (you know who you are!) and a few not so talented, but nonetheless enthusiastic, dancers. Prizes were awarded to the winning adult and child, with the children (not surprisingly given their size advantage) managing to squeeze under the lowest levels of the bar.
Once again, the Social and Fundraising Team, and especially Florence and Stephen Fitzhugh who led the event, excelled themselves in providing us with another chance, including those with families, to have a wonderful evening out and share in the fellowship of St. Matthews.
