Originally I could only think of David Niven's memoir 'The Moon's a Balloon' – which on the cover of the French version appears as rising blue and white moon rays …
However 'My Blue Moon' tethered the other day on Eastbourne College's playing fields was a fundraising campaign to provide more school bursaries for children from all backgrounds – they are aiming for 40 fully funded pupil bursaries.
Having friends who used to work at the College, or friends and family who either went there themselves, or sent their children to the school – I hadn't realised that Nigel Lawson's son, once our Chancellor of the Exchequer … and Nigella Lawson's father, is the headmaster: Tom Lawson. Also I'd no idea he lived down here …
Eastbourne College - with 'its balloon'
Tom Lawson appeared with his wife in the 'Blue Moon', which did not rise – as a promotion for this new appeal.
The College was founded 157 years by the town's philanthropic doctor, with support from the local residents.
Bandstand in 2005
The Balloon tethered at the College, and the Bandstand concert in the evening, were the 'headlines' announcing their Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal … including regular giving, one-off gifts, or a financial legacy … however small or large …
The Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal has been based on the Caffè Sospeso film … whereby when a coffee is bought, another is included in the price – so deserving customers can have a free coffee …
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| Container in Naples where the 'Surprise' receipts can be dropped |
Paying it Forward style with an added beneficial twist … and with that long-term commitment added in … I hope they succeed for the kids who could benefit from the Appeal.
I have to say I couldn't quite get to grips with the Caffè Sospeso (coffee suspended) film … but obviously the concept is working around the world.
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| Volume One bookshop in Duncan, Canada |
Thanks for visiting … and I will be around soon – the fingers promise!
You might remember my WATWB post in 2018, about the chap who paid for my groceries – when I quietly nearly died of embarrassment … that post resonated with many of you … after I confirmed I'd paid it forward with a book voucher to a local Early Learning Day Care Centre.
Our logo for five years of
encouraging posts that we blogged about
Wikipedia's entry for Caffè Sospeso
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
25 comments:
I wish my family were as talented and as famous as the Lawsons - in education, politics, broadcasting etc.
Nice to raise money for scholarships - be they are quite pricey.
Ah, the mystery of the blue moon balloon that did not rise, good to know the backstory on it. I'm glad you linked to your pay it forward post so I could go back and read about the day your shop was paid by the man behind you> and how embarrassing that was for you. Paying it forward is such a great thing.
Whoever came up with the paying it forward at the drive-thrus was brilliant and so kind. Over in the US it is usually at the drive thru, but it can be in any line people are waiting to pay. :)
All the best to raise money for scholarships!
Education opens horizons!!
Thanks for the post Hillary.
It seems a missed opportunity to have a balloon that didn't fly, but I guess it did the job of piquing your interest and probably many others in town too - and all of ours!
Mystery solved! Paying it forward is always a good concept. I remember your book solution.
Not just once in a blue moon, but oft repeated, hopefully.
@ Hels – I wasn't in the country when Nigel Lawson was in the government … but I certainly didn't know about one of his son's being a headmaster down here.
@ Alex – yes … the school seems to be on the right road, getting help from others too … and yes any private school is pricey.
@ Karen – yes now you have it … so I'm pleased you appreciate the back story and were able to go back to my earlier post – thanks.
@ Rita – I know the paying-it-forward concept was very clever … I like this Caffe Sospeso idea too for businesses …
@ Katerina – as you confirm a great way to raise funds for scholarships … education sure does open up horizons.
@ Annalisa – I think it was a good thing – we're too near the centre of town etc – but as you say it certainly piqued my interest and those in the town, as well as any commenters …
@ Anabel – yes … mystery solved … and thanks for remembering my book solution to my Canadian 'challenge' …
@ Janice – I certainly hope so – that others will be gifted with their kind of education via scholarships …
Thanks everyone for remembering and commenting – cheers to you all - Hilary
Ah yes, it is always a nice feeling to pay it forward. I hope the scholarships are met. What a wonderful thing to help make it easier for the young people to start their futures on a strong enough footing. :) Hope you're enjoying your new hair cut. It can be liberating to make that kind of change. I haven't been brave enough to do it in years but then again I have my grandfather's big face (God love him) so long hair better suits me. ;) Wishing you a wonderful day!
Of course you had me at balloons. And love the idea of paying it forward. A long held regret of mine relates to being in a queue at the supermarket shortly before Christmas. The woman ahead of me didn't have quite enough money for her purchase and was choosing which item she would put back. How I wish I had made up the shortfall.
Hari Om
Noble concept. Something we could do with a lot more of. YAM xx
Ah, mystery solved. That sounds like a worthwhile endeavor.
I am happy for the slower summer blogging and comments. I get to read posts more thoroughly. As always, I enjoyed your meandering thoughts.
Anything that furthers education is a plus! I admire any folks with a ton of money who sponsor scholarships. Wish I was that rich! very nice post. You are awesome!
@ Rosey – I know playing it forward is a generous way to give back a little. My hair – was a necessity … not much anyway – so short cut has worked thankfully … now I don't think about it much. If I'd had lots of hair – I think I'd be like you anxious about the change … I'm the opposite to you – small face, so pixie haircuts have over the years been the best.
@ EC – I know balloons … you love!! I too have missed out on giving when I should have reacted more quickly … often because I was not directly behind.
@ Yam – yes I think Blue Sky Bursaries could be taken up by more colleges … I hope so.
@ Liz - it certainly seems to be a worthwhile cause ...
@ Jacqui – I know slower summer blogging does help a great deal – I'm just slow, always the brain wants to do more … not much else happens until a balloon rises!!
@ Joanne – I agree anything that furthers education is a plus … and helps others, broadens minds and opens eyes to the opportunities available. Oh yes – I wish I was wealthier to give more … I guess an encouraging smile will have to do.
Cheers to you all – and thanks for agreeing here … Hilary
I am very much in favour of paying it forward and have done it a couple of times. Great largesse doesn’t always have to be involved, and for most of us that’s not an option, but a little kindness can have a an impact far behind a modest helping hand. Many years ago I saw an interview by Dick Cavett (I think) - certainly one of the more cogent and sensitive TV interviewers, of David Niven, and I remember being entranced with his fabulous voice, eloquence, good manners and overall demeanour. If there was a quintessential English gentleman surely he was it. I think you should have married him, Hilary!
So glad you solved the mystery of the blue balloon. I used to love David Niven in films. I guess they are still around if I made an effort to look, but perhaps not in France and we only have free TV
Keep well cheers Diane
So, now we know! What a worthy cause. With so much going on in your life, it's hardly surprising your typing fingers have to take a back seat now and again but worry not, it's quality not quantity that counts, something you always provide!
Hilary, you need not wish to have the talent of the Lawson family. You have plenty of talent yourself!
@ David - thank you ... but I could never fit into that way of life; David Niven certainly had an aura about him ... I enjoyed his memoir - the English one! - but I agree with your view of him as a quintessential English gentleman. Marry him (or you perhaps?!) ... ah well - dreams can be made from such ideas!!
@ Diane - I know I was quite glad to solve the educative mystery. Yes - David Niven was an amazing actor ... I tend not to go back and watch films from the past ... I'm not sure why - c'est la vie. I too only have free tv ...
@ Keith - thanks ... I was happy to find out about the College's worthy cause - I'll check in with friends, who have links with the College to keep an eye on it. You're a star - thank you ... I try and find stimulating ideas to write about - keeps my brain ticking over many a subject.
@ Bazza - I guess blogging has brought that talent out (or more likely stimulated the grey cells) to be prepared to do things a little differently ... while educating myself ...
Thanks so much - I really appreciate all your thoughts ... I'm lucky - you pat my back so often ... cheers and thanks again - Hilary
A pity to have a flightless balloon! But that made for an interesting story. :)
Paying it forward is such a neat and heart lifting idea.
I love that the balloon was for raising money for school bursaries.
Cheers,
@ Elizabeth - well ... it was probably safer and I'm sure there was a launch pad somewhere in the countryside, where people can 'grab' a flight. And yes ... it's made an interesting post - and I've learnt a bit more about Eastbourne College ...
@ Nila - paying it forward is such a good idea ... especially linked with a lasting legacy ... and as you say heart-lifting ...
@ Sandra - exactly ... a really good idea to raise monies for more bursaries ...
Thanks so much to you three - I hope they succeed towards their goal with more children having that extra opportunity in life - cheers Hilary
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