Ladies Circle

Augusts’ Antics

Locally August is always a much quieter month in Circle terms and Nationally it’s not much different.

On the 17th August I waved my husband and children off from Southampton as they set sail for a much deserved 2 week cruise. I have to say it was a most distressing day and I thank my diary lady Diane for accompanying me on the journey.

I had a week at work before setting off on Friday 22nd for Barcelona with my own Circle. The original plan was for me to fly out for a day to meet Keith and the girls when the ship docked in Barcelona but inevitably it turned into my entire Circle coming with me for 3 nights!

I had a great day with Keith and the girls on the Saturday and a wonderful time with my own Circle, which has been a little neglected this year.

Thanks to ALL of them for coming, it was a fantastic weekend.

I landed back from Barcelona at midnight on Monday 25th. I went into my bedroom, tipped the entire contents of my suitcase on the floor, filled it up for Aberdeen and returned to the airport at 8 am Tuesday 26th.

I managed to get some sleep on the flight to Aberdeen, and it was a good job I did because very little sleep ensued thereafter. I know that most of you have heard how wonderful Aberdeen was by now, but for me, National President of the hosting country, it was truly amazing.

Men in kilts, men on the stage, men...

The girls, and boys, from Turriff put on the best International Conference ever, and those were the words of many Circlers in attendance, not just mine.

I had the time of my life in Aberdeen and I can’t thank Judith and her team enough. I would also like to thank all of the girls from GB&I that supported the Aberdeen conference, it was greatly appreciated.

Returning home from Aberdeen on 31st August I had mixed feelings, I was sad that Aberdeen was over, glad that it had been a truly amazing party and happy that Keith and girls would be home when I got back. They met me at the airport and they were all looking great after their 2 week holiday. However, Keith’s first words to be me were something like, “You look very tired dear.”

Sore September

Just before the Aberdeen conference I was told that I needed to have surgery on my neck. For those medically minded I needed to have my C6 and 7 disk removed (or was it 3, 4 and 5), anyway I needed a disk removing as it had slipped and was leaking fluid on my spinal cord...

Wednesday 3rd September saw me booked into the North Cheshire hospital in Warrington to have it removed. I was only in for a couple of nights but was told to try and sit and do nothing for a few weeks, and not to drive for 6 weeks!

Those of you that know me well know that this was very difficult for me. So 10th September National Secretary Naomi kindly picked me up for the Exec meeting. We had 2 nights at a cottage in Stafford, much cheaper than a hotel but you do need a good cook on the Exec (thanks to Michelle for the catering).

I have to say the Exec girls worked extremely hard and also looked after me, making sure I didn’t use my laptop (not much anyway). We were joined on the Thursday evening by Christine Goodacre, our new National Treasurer, phew what a relief to have filled that post.

Friday 19th September saw Diane and me setting off for Edinburgh to meet up with Johann and the girls from Area 41. We went to Jongleurs, a comedy club in Edinburgh, something I had never done before so thank you girls it was a fantastic night.

The following Friday 26th found us at Park Hall Camelot for the National Council meeting and two great party nights. On the Friday night my own Circle hosted a birthday party for me. I have never had so many people attend my birthday party, thanks girls for making my birthday a truly memorable day.

Saturday was our very first council meeting and I would like to thank all of the councilors, observers and the Exec for all their hard work, it really was a constructive day.

Saturday 27th was my Presidential Ball hosted by my PLC, and what a night it was. The theme was Broadway and for Keith, the girls and I it was a show that we will never ever forget. Thanks to my PLC chairman Mike and MY ENTIRE PLC. The raffle and auction raised approximately £2,500 for my charity, Rett Syndrome. Thank You So Much.

October’s Outings

As I was still unable to drive, Naomi arrived on the 3rd October to take me to Marchesi House for the 4 club meeting.

Friday night, after the 4 club meeting Naomi, Trudy and I had decided to stay over at St John’s Wood in Solihull, the venue for the February council meeting. We checked in and then made a mad dash for the shops, as Naomi had forgotten her outfit for the next day; we then went for a meal, back to the hotel and straight to bed. We had no husbands, no children and were staying over in a lovely hotel and we went to bed at 8.30 PM!

What is happening to your National Exec!

Saturday 4th was Shirley’s 50th Charter and what a lovely day, Helen and Nicola really looked after me and the, “This is Your Life” interruption by Round Table was fantastic.

I cannot believe how quickly the photos were on Face Book. Later that week I attended a Tangent function with Pat Paulson, Tangent President in Altrincham. It was one of those events where you think, “I won’t know anyone”. How wrong I was, it was like a small regional lunch and I managed to catch up with loads of ex-Circlers that I hadn’t seen for ages.

I would encourage you all to attend Tangent events where possible.

On Saturday 11th I promised Keith a trip to Old Trafford County Cricket Club, however when I told him he needed to wear his dinner suit he knew it wasn’t for cricket. In fact it was the Diamonds and Pearls Ball of Area 2, a glittering night.

On Monday 13th it was down to London for the Women of the Year Lunch. This was a truly remarkable experience and a great opportunity to meet some amazing women. Talking of amazing women it was then over to Helweun and the girls of Area 17 who had booked a meal in “Bumbles” with a really buzzing theme; thanks so much girls I had a wonderful night.

The following weekend the 17th & 18th was Eastbourne Preview weekend. We arrived very late on the Friday evening but managed a few drinks in the bar.

Saturday was an early start and the day included a tour around the conference venues, the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne is the venue for our AGM. Please ensure you get booked into conference ASAP www.eastbourne2009.co.uk

Monday 20th was the turn of Donna and the girls from Area 32, however, they came down to my neck of the woods and we went ski-in at the Chill Factore in Manchester. I had never done this before (and may never do again) but it was a great night. There were 8 girls in our group from Area 32 and 2 men, who we didn’t know but eventually owned up to be Tablers from Tarporley, we skied much better than them.

November’s Notes

Sunday November 2nd saw me heading back to my childhood town to celebrate 60 years with Halifax Ladies Circle – what an achievement and I can tell you Circle is still buzzing in Halifax.

I even met up with a few people who attended the same secondary school in Halifax as me. I was also asked to do an article about Ladies Circle for the “Old Crosslian” school magazine – how fab is that, and as for the personal plate of sandwiches...oo I could just eat those now.

Thursday 6th it was off to Area 13 with Kate, for a fabulous dinner on the Thames!! Then Saturday 8th I attended the AGM for my charity Retts Syndrome, wow what a humbling experience that was. Believe me ladies your fundraising will go to great use ensuring that young girls/ladies get the most out of life. If you can hold a small fundraiser in your Circle or in your Area then it would be greatly appreciated. I know a lot of you are raising funds for Sari’s which is fantastic but it would be great to help these girls where we can as well.

From one humbling experience to another, Sunday 9th was the Remembrance Sunday Service in London; I would like to thank Round Table for affording Trudy and me this very special experience.

Then it was off to Area 27 on the 14th and what a nightmare that was! Not the visit that was lovely, many new faces, some supporting ones from Area 4 and a lovely meal with a great bunch of girls who really are working hard on their membership. But I ended the night on my drive at 3 am “LOCKED OUT”.

After a few hours sleep on the 15th Keith and I packed our 80’s gear and headed to see Karen for the Area 43 Ball in Tring. We were met by some of the girls from Area 3, offering us a Vodka and Redbull - what more could a woman want? What a fantastic night again supported by surrounding Areas and several members of the Exec.

The 17th November saw me heading for Gloucester Rugby Club for a Magical night with Area 14, the magician was amazing.

The last weekend was an Exec meeting to discuss the budgets but as this is a no buzziness magazine I am not going to discuss it here.

On the 26th I then went to the old Area 23 to join Harrogate (now in Area 3) celebrating their 50th Charter and then my final event for November was the 29th for Harpenden’s XMAS Craft Fair.

When the alarm went off at 5 am I was thinking this is mad, and I can’t tell you what the children and Keith said, however when we arrived at the hall in Harpenden it was all worthwhile, especially as we were given Bacon Butties! This has to be one of the best, if not the best, XMAS craft fair I have ever attended. ALL the girls from Harpenden there working in shifts to ensure every aspect was covered. They raised over £18,000 well done girls. I believe more information will be in the Circler magazine.

December’s Dates

Early in December saw Diane and me travelling up the motorway and then across country to Barnard Castle to meet Katia and the girls from Area 1.

Diane came prepared for blizzards and snow storms but unfortunately we didn’t get snowed in. It was a lovely event at Thorpe Farm and we brought home lots of goodies from the shop – the sticky toffee pudding was gorgeous.

The rest of December was spent at lots of XMAS doos for Circle, Table and 41 Club. Wow how fast 2008 went – I am buzzing into 2009 now and can’t thank you all enough for your hospitality wherever I have travelled.