Carols in the Square - Sunday 19th at 5PM

[PLEASE NOTE: This event is for MEOTRA residents only]

Tomorrow sees Meotra's Carols in the Square event. Which as usual is the last Sunday before Christmas.

The song sheets have been bagged up, the mulled wine is standing by the stove, mince pies stacked by the oven, children's presents wrapped and the Square walked today, like Wembley's hallowed turf before Cup Final.

I do hope you can join us for a 5PM start. Please have a read of our COVID precautions below. The carols are OUTDOORS, which really helps reduce the risk, but in addition:

1. Please do not attend if you have flu or cold-like symptoms
2. Please take a lateral flow test an hour or two before attending
3. Groups are asked to remain in their family/friend bubbles
4. The carol sheets are laminated and untouched for two years!
5. Rather than man-handling the song sheets you may prefer to download them to your phone as a PDF (light and carols in one small package!)
6. Hand sanitiser will be at both entrances
7. Children’s pressies will be wrapped and bagged the week before
8. We will have football splats on the ground at 2 metre intervals to aid distancing
9. Please bring a clean mask to wear as we gather and depart
10. Mulled wine and mince pies will be laid out on tables ready for to pick-up as you come into the Square. Just like a school-dinner queue, but with booze!

Click on Santa to download the Carols

MEOTRA Carols in the Square Returns - Sunday 19th December, 5PM

 

We are pleased to announce the return of the Meotra Carols in the Square on Sunday 19th December at 5PM in Tredegar Square.

Last year a singular "doorstep carol" replaced the traditional arrangement due to the essential pandemic restrictions, but this Christmas we are close to getting the all clear from Tower Hamlets Council.

A big thank you to Margaret Winniak for undertaking the Herculean task of completing the council's risk assessment procedures. Although it looks like we won't have to sip mulled wine through (individual) straws and double glove to munch on a minced pie, there will be some safety precautions*.

So please put the time and date in your diary, and let's all look forward to a cracking carols with friends old and new, young and old.

*We may have to sing in family bubbles all in a large circle facing a central cross painted on the floor! More of that in another post/newsletter.

DENNIS ERDWIN 17th July 1928 - 28th February 2019 R.I.P.

Dennis Erdwin who played Father Christmas at our annual MEOTRA Carols in the Square for many years recently passed away.

As an enthusiastic amateur actor, especially in the local Players of St Peter’s mediaeval mystery plays, he was invited by Margaret Winniak to come by public transport from Gidea Park and would don the red robes at her home. She recalls that we were able to boast that our MEOTRA Santa’s long white beard was a real one and how magical it was for her, as his trusty Elf, to watch him engage in conversation with each and every child who had patiently lined up to receive their gifts. As a widower without children of his own, he was an active lifelong supporter of the National Children’s Home, now Action for Children, where he had himself been fostered with his brothers and sister after the death of his mother. He spent several holidays helping at a linked Children’s Home in Armenia.

He was a passionate enthusiast of Country dancing…what an opportunity we missed for a Dancing Father Christmas!

Below are some photos of Dennis performing with the Players of St Peters

Meotra Carols - Tomorrow at 5PM in Tredegar Square

Tomorrow is Meotra's Annual Carol Service at 5pm in Tredegar Square. This is always a great event. Come and join us and get your Christmas off to a, hopefully, tuneful start.

We have printed and laminated around 150 carol sheets, mince pies are being cooked, mulled wine is on its way and Father Christmas is busy wrapping presents for the little ones. 

The weather is looking sort of alright (you try typing with crossed fingers), but we will be there whatever the weather!

Please enter via the North Gate where we will be handing out carol sheets, bring a torch if you can and an umbrella would probably be a good idea too!

After the carols, we will be collecting [cash] for Bow Foodbank and then we are migrating to The Lord Tredegar at the invite of the new managers, who have also offered to make a donation to Bow Foodbank.