JANUARY:

Our 2011 calendar started with Sandy Hewlett's Fun Team Quiz in January, where two teams competed with general knowledge and picture puzzles. Brains were racked, steam was coming out of our ears as we tried to remember who had won the World Cup, work out pre-decimal coinage sums and even guess how many noses a slug has!  Winners received prizes, as did the losers, so everyone went home happy!

Ouch my brain hurts!!  Winners relax with a cup of tea and

a slice of cake and display their prizes at our January Fun Team Quiz.

FEBRUARY:

Our February meeting was a lively event with plenty of audience participation as Ann Stephens encouraged us to rescue all those old scraps of material and put them to good use in her Creative Textiles workshop. Combining different fabrics, textures and colours - and bringing out a creative side that many of us had forgotten we had! - Ann showed us how to recycle our wardrobe remnants to create original designs.  An enjoyable afternoon!

Ann Stephens showed us how to recycle those scraps of fabric

and materials into decorative collages at our February meeting

MARCH:

It was a packed house in March when local entertainer, Wally Mardell, gave the Leggies ladies a talk about his history and career in showbiz.  Going back to the 1960s, he regaled us with stories of the household names that he had worked with and his own success as a pop star and TV warm-up man .  He is a born raconteur and had us in stitches with laughter at some of his amusing anecdotes.

In March local funnyman Wally Mardell had us in stitches as

he regaled us with anecdotes about his showbiz life.

APRIL:

Our April meeting started with our Annual General Meeting and a few changes at the top.  Founding President Meryl Gregory stood down and nominated Kate Thomson in her place which was unanimously supported by everyone.  Trish Wall, Secretary, also stood down after her three-year stint.  Joan Bagley and Vivienne Gane were elected to the committee and will bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to our group.  

Could the Leggies ladies ever get any lovelier?  Well we all need a hand occasionally and Trish Mahon showed us how to spruce up our nails, lashes and brows in her 'Getting Ready For Summer' demonstration in April.  There were plenty of volunteers willing to be plucked and tinted, and a lucky few went home with a glossy manicure and diamante nails!  

Trish Mahon demonstrated a selection of beauty treatments

in her 'Getting Ready For Summer' talk.

MAY:

We were treated to a fascinating talk in May when Val Levy regaled us with anecdotes from her midwifery career.  Val's interest in birthing practices through the ages led to writing her first novel 'Midwyf' and she told us of the superstitions that have surrounded childbirth, some of which continue to this day.

Val Levy's talk on midwifery through the ages led to her writing

her first novel, 'Midwyf', seen here at our May meeting.

JUNE:

Our June meeting saw an excellent turnout to the enchanting Boissonna Garden near Duras.   It was a glorious day and the gardens were at their best. Boissonna is a delight to visit - absolutely full of roses and many other shrubs and plants. We all enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea which was rose themed – rose tea, rose petal jam and even rose shaped scones.

A cream tea and good company - time to relax

after a tour of the beautiful Boissonna gardens

Meryl Gregory and friends hosted a musical evening in aid of Leggies’ nominated charity, the British Heart Foundation.  Over eighty people enjoyed supper whilst being serenaded with singing and piano accompaniment, and The Gift of Hope Fund was boosted by €1,300 from the evening’s events.  Well done to everyone involved.

Music and singing under the stars -

all in a good cause !!

SEPTEMBER:

After the summer break we met up at Kate Thompson’s house for a charity bring-and-buy morning.  Twenty members sat out in the sunshine with coffee and cakes to take in the spectacular valley views before purchasing fruits and jams, books, gift and plants.  A hamper of food goodies was raffled and the morning’s activities raised €200 for the Heart Foundation.  Thanks to all involved for their time and generosity.

Coffee, cakes and chatter - an enjoyable

morning in aid of the Heart Foundation

OCTOBER:

Our hall was packed with members and their partners for Vivienne Gane’s talk about her ‘Adventures In The Sky’.  Over a 7-year period she and her husband built a light aircraft (but first of all they had to build the garage in which it would be constructed!) in which they have flown all over Europe, sometimes just for lunch.   Vivienne recounted several hilarious - and sometimes hair-raising - anecdotes that entertained her audience throughout.

Vivienne shows photos of the Falco 2-seater

plane that she and her husband built

NOVEMBER:

This month’s beautiful autumn countryside colours inspired our flower-arranging demonstrations by Kate Thomson, Gail May and Vivienne Gane, who produced a seasonal table centre, a fireworks-themed display and a Christmas candle centrepiece using flowers and foliage with rich russet-gold hues and sparkling bright tones.  Helpful notes were also given out so we could produce similar displays for our own homes .

Rich autumn colours were the inspiration

for these three beautiful flower arrangements

DECEMBER:

Several dozen Leggies ladies, plus some new members, were welcomed with a glass of Christmas Champagne before browsing the many stalls in our charity fayre.  Books, jewellery, gifts and accessories were browsed and bought while members sampled a selection of delicious cakes from our new recipe book ‘Nina’s Scrumptious Cakes’.  A hamper bursting with luxury goodies was raffled for the charity, and a festive quiz had members scratching their head and counting on fingers for the prizes.  

Getting into the Christmas spirit early ...

carols and good cheer all around !

We finished the year with a Christmas lunch at a local restaurant that was well-attended by members.  A welcome cocktail was followed by a delicious lunch that we all enjoyed.  Gail May set a food-themed quiz with hilarious clues and even funnier answers and then with prizes for the winners.  

Merry Christmas everyone!

Goof food and good friends -

always a winning combination!