We met on Saturday 24 July 2021 for the annual Picnic on the Green. The event took place on Oxhey Village Green.
We often start talking about the weather when writing about the Picnic on the Green – and other OVEG events – and this was no different. The OVEG committee conducted a recce to Village Green early in the morning, looking at the leaden skies and the thunderstorm warnings on our phones, wondering whether to cancel. Following informal consultation with visitor to the allotment trading shed, and committee colleagues, we decided to go ahead – and we’re glad we did.
The Village Green was largely empty as the wonderful UkeRhythmics ukulele band began playing around 14:00, with residents seemingly put off by the forecasts. This was the first time the band had physically got together since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and they fittingly began with a rendition of Morecambe and Wise’s classic ‘Bring me Sunshine.’ This seemingly had the desired effect, as the sun peeked through the clouds and we saw a small sliver of blue sky.
As the band ploughed through their repertoire of uplifting tunes, more and more people arrived on the green, some clearly ready for a picnic with blankets and cool-bags, and others who were just passing and decided to take a bench for the music.
Thankfully, the storms avoided us, and we were able have two very enjoyable, and uninterrupted, sets from the 14-strong band.
Following the picnic’s conclusion, we were delighted to put everything away without getting wet!
We were grateful to Sue Parsons and the UkeRhythmics for a wonderful show, to the volunteers who helped set things up and take down, and of course to everyone who came out to enjoy the music, whether planned or not.
At the request of the UkeRhythmics, OVEG made a donation to the charity Ukes for UNICEF.
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