Our intrepid team of Quizzers ventured to the Dodo Pub's newest Oxford venue, the Slow and Steady. The quiz followed the usual word patterns, palindromic answers, a music round, and a picture round. The bonus challenge to create a campaign post for a new political party revealed some hidden artistic talents and a dab hands at the strategic use of glitter. Unfortunately the whole thing took over three hours to finish, and no amount of pizza and Ben's birthday cake could make a night bus look appealing. But, I am reliably informed by the hardy few who toughed it out that we finished in a very respectable 3rd place.

There is some interest in getting a team together to tackle Puzzled Pint (https://puzzledpint.org/city/oxford-uk/) but it isn't bookable so people will need to solve the riddle to find the location and chance it.

Yesterday we made a welcome return to Kate's Place. It was lovely to see it so well established given that we have been involved since it's early days. We did a variety if tasks including hedge trimming, raking leaves, and sowing yellow rattle seeds, then warmed up over a cuppa on Flo's cafe.

Nothing focuses the mind on how hard it must be to be homeless like freezing temperatures. And so, in the bitter chill, we did our first January group session distributing leaflets around North Oxford for The Porch day centre's fundraising appeal.

The appeal has raised £30,000 so far, which is about 1/10 of what they need to keep the doors open all year. The Porch provide help towards gaining employment, laundry, hot showers, mental health support, and warm food.

Spotted while leafleting:
* Blue Plaque
* "The Cat is Irrational" door sticker
* Keys left in front door (posted back through the letterbox)
* Beautiful stained glass doors and windows
* Tapestry making
* Ice galore
* Christmas lights

Happy New Year everyone!

• To the tune of Jingle Bells...*

Dashing through the streets,
on a chilly winter's day,
Around the roads we go,
Laughing all the way.
Leaflets for The Porch,
Funds are very tight,
Oh what fun it is to do,
A Good Deed task tonight.

Letter flaps, Christmas lights,
Chatting all the way,
Oh what fun it is to help
The Porch this December day.

Last night we delivered flyers around the streets of Cowley, raising awareness of The Porch centre's Winter Fundraiser.

The Porch Day Centre provide day-long support for homeless and vulnerably housed people wanting to move forward in their lives, away from street-life. They focus on housing, health, wellbeing, education and employment, providing healthy food, practical help, companionship, learning skills, work related skills and opportunities for development.