Dear all
It’s been a while since we last communicated, for which apologies; but with the conflict in Ukraine continuing, it won’t surprise you to know that there is still a lot going on in our community.
As you know, our fantastic and vibrant Ukrainian community has set up its own Hub on Stratford Road. With the support of Chafyn Grove School, it offers Saturday Ukrainian school so that the Ukrainian children are not losing their own language and culture. There is a Teenage Club which meets regularly and which was the energy and driving force behind the last two market stalls (that raised thousands of pounds to send back to Ukraine for medical and other emergencies). There are piano lessons, yoga sessions and other activities planned…and the space is also available to the wider community so please do consider booking it – it’s beautiful.
In other news, there have been weekly sorting and packing sessions, to fill a monthly container that leaves a farm near Fordingbridge and reaches Ukraine a week later. Huge thanks to everyone who has donated medical supplies and equipment as well as specialist nutritional supplies. The regular packing team now comprises members of our Ukrainian community and it’s wonderful to see this expanding. The lorry visits the beleaguered cities of Zaporizhiya, Dnipro, Kherson and Kharkiv. This initiative by Ukraine Freedom Company will continue for as long as it is needed.
On a separate note, we have received a request from Odesa for good quality infant and children’s clothing so if any of you have these items please do get in touch.
One more date for your diaries is the Chalke History Festival (23 – 29 June 2025). Last year, the Ukrainian Community and Friends, had a stall in the Living History section of the Festival and provided arts, crafts and music workshops as well as borscht soup-and-vareniki-make-and-eat sessions which were such a success that Salisbury sold out of beetroots by the Wednesday! We plan to be there again this year and look forward to welcoming you.
Finally, this month marks the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It feels as if this year will be decisive one way or the other, given the political trends; and I know that many of us are extremely worried about the future. Please do come to the events planned on 21st February (a celebration at the Hub) and 24th February (a day of reflection and remembrance and continuing to stand with Ukraine in the Market Place).
An RSVP to the 21st would be helpful for numbers! Thank you.
With warmest wishes and thanks
