On the afternoon of Tuesday 20th July 2021, FOPP volunteers were able to meet up in person for the first time since before the Coronavirus pandemic appeared. On a hot, rather humid day, the group met for the usual drinks and cakes (actually, puddings on this occasion!) sitting on the terrace of the Boathouse pub/restaurant. Fortunately, we were all able to find tables with sunshades, which served as umbrellas when a threatened thunderstorm briefly sprinkled us with a few drops of cooling rain. After a good long chat and face-to-face catch-up with friends, those with the energy rounded off the afternoon by taking a gentle stroll through the woods alongside the rowing lake.
We hope to arrange our next group gathering in October. This is usually a formal FOPP meeting where we discuss FOPP finances, introduce new volunteers and have a briefing on prison matters from the Prison Director. This year, as FOPP volunteers have still not been able to go into the prison, we may opt for a rather more informal format. Further details to follow nearer the time.