According to Wikipedia: “Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure.”
Now that our Memorial Hall fund-raising drive is reaching its final stages, perhaps it’s time to think once again about ways in which we can help to raise additional funds for the project.
With this in mind, here’s one possible idea: a sponsored “Abstinence Week”, in which some of us will pledge to give up some of our favourite indulgences, in return for donations (from friends, relatives, colleagues, and anyone else outside the village who might be feeling supportive) to the building fund.
For example: if you enjoy a drink, then why not give up alcohol for a week? Or if you’re a smoker, could you be persuaded to give up tobacco for seven days? For younger people, how about pledging to stay away from sweets and fizzy drinks?
There are loads of other possibilities. Ladies could spend a week “au naturel“, without using make-up or other beauty products. Gentlemen could go without shaving. Internet addicts could refrain from surfing the web. Telly addicts could switch off their TV sets. Game players could shut down their Playstations or Xboxes. Or perhaps users of “colourful language” could promise not to swear!
These are just a few suggestions. But before we commit to organising anything, we’d like to hear from you.
If you had to give something up for a week, what would you choose? Please let us know in the comments box!
PARWICH.ORG 
I’m outside Parwich and I’ll give up white wine for a week if my family will donate to the cause! If they don’t respond to this, I will contact them directly. Heather C
i’ll give up brussel sprouts for the week although I don’t know how I’ll cope without those dear little green orbs!!
Ha, ha – I should have suggested I’d give up tripe! Heather C
H – You’re on!! Don’t ask me to give up choc though! Sue H
What about an auction of promises?