Ever since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of innocent people have fled their homes and country. Many have come to the UK – and one family in particular were kindly hosted by Sue and Nick Lilley of Lydlinch. Ukrainian mum Luda, son Mykyta and daughter Dasha became part of theirs and the villager’s lives for the next 9 months.
It was very much a team effort, with many helping with transport to and from school, horse riding, chess, shopping trips, driving lessons and days on Weymouth beach to name but a few!
Luda found regular employment and recently the family have managed to acquire their own accommodation in Marnhull.
Unfortunately Luda’s husband, Sasha, was unwell; he had heart surgery in Ukraine and was unable to travel with them. But recently, along with grandfather Papa, they have been reunited!
Wanted: accordion
Villager John Taylor heard that Papa had to leave his accordion behind, it being too large and heavy to transport, and thought it was a sad situation.
He put out a ‘wanted’ request on Dorset Freecycle, on the off-chance that there might somewhere be an unwanted accordion gathering dust. He was immediately contacted by Tracey Inglis-McBeath from Kings Stag – her late father had a dance band, and his accordion featured in their repertoire. Since his passing the delightful Italian Mirandelli accordion has remained in its travelling case.
Sue Lilley arranged an evening gathering for Tracey to present the accordion to the unsuspecting Papa, and the whole evenings proceedings were excellently translated by 13 year-old Mykyta!
Papa was suitably surprised, but immediately strapped on the accordion and with very stiff fingers got to grips with its numerous keys and buttons.
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