APRIL:

The meeting started with our Annual General Meeting and was followed by a talk by Nikki Barber about Canterbury Cathedral’s intriguing past which has led it to become one of the UK’s most visited places, with over one million visitors every year.  Nikki’s knowledge and enthusiasm conveyed the importance of our heritage and preserving this building for future generations.

Nikki Barber gave a fascinating insight into

the turbulent history of Canterbury Cathedral.

MAY:

Janet Thomas, at our May meeting, explained the basics of painting, the different media of watercolours, acrylics, etc and how photographs can be enhanced by ‘digital-painting’, a skill for which she is much in demand and which was demonstrated by several stunning pictures.  Janet urged our members to develop their confidence and learn art skills through classes or with magazine tutorials especially for beginners: “you can draw and paint!!!.

Photograph or watercolour?  You decide  - or a mix between the two?  

Janet's adorable grand-daughter is captured on canvas.

Sunshine, shopping, good food, a glass of wine and good company: all the ingredients that made our Bring and Buy in May such a success!  Over 50 people turned up to support Leggies’ chosen charity for 2009 (Maison des Femmes in Villeneuve) and find bargains in the clothes, plants, books and bric-a-brac stalls and then sit down to a delicious Ploughman’s Lunch in the garden! Many volunteers who worked hard through the day  - over €1,000 was raised, a truly impressive amount that will make a huge difference to other’s lives.

Trish Wall (centre) gives a cheque to the charity,

Maison Des Femmes, being proceeds from a Ploughman's Lunch.

JUNE:

Claudie Gadiffert of the SPA (animal protection association) spoke of the work in taking in stray cats and dogs and tracing their owners or rehoming the pets.  As this work is poorly funded by State and local bodies then fundraising and charity donations make up a shortfall in their running costs; the SPA continues to be a powerful voice against illtreatment of animals.  Meryl Gregory presented the SPA with a donation from Leggies and the hope that the SPA may long continue its vital work.

Claudia Gadifert (l) of the SPA receives a donation

from Meryl Gregory as a contribution to SPA's work

SEPTEMBER:

After a two-month summer break, Leggies reconvened in September where Liz Fraser gave a fascinating talk on natural medicine and the principles behind iridology and reflexology.  Liz had practised these sciences in the UK and quoted several case studies where impressive results had been achieved with herbal medicine and a vegetarian diet.  Leggies' members had plenty of questions for Liz, and offered their own home remedies ranging from skin-healing oils through to cures for hiccups!

Always look after your feet, ladies!

Liz Fraser explained the fascinating science of reflexology .

OCTOBER:

Firstly Marie-Christine Ahagreis of Maison Des Femmes thanked Leggies' members for their support and presenting Meryl Gregory with a painting. Solicitor Jonathan Cavender then followed with an overview of French family and taxation law - both subjects dear to members' hearts, judging from the many questions that were asked. Queries ranged from having the right kind of marriage regime through to rights-of-way disputes and Jonathan even made the complexities of Napoleonic Law understandable!  

Jonathan  Cavender helps our members

get to grips with French legal matters.  

NOVEMBER:

Husbands and partners were welcomed to hear a talk on a subject that is unavoidable: death and the practical aspects of bereavement.  Undertaker Angela Clohessy handled this with tact and sensitivity, explaining the need for keeping vital papers in order and making lists of assets and vital numbers to assist one's family at a difficult time.  Whilst the topic is a serious one the mood was lightened with typical Leggies' laughter as we discussed our 'last wishes' and our own humorous epitaphs!

Angela Clohessy handled a sensitive subject -

bereavement - with tact and sensitivity.

DECEMBER:

This featured a demonstration of Christmas Crafts by Kate Thomson and members set to work making their own seasonal decorations.  The hall was full of chatter and laughter as we combined fragrant lavender, clove-studded oranges and cinnamon sticks into aromatic and attractive arrangements. As a reward for our efforts Nina Parret had laid out a Christmas tea with sausage rolls, mince pies and generous slices of stollen cake plus glasses of wine to help the Christmas spirit along!

"Now this is what your Christmas decoration should look like" -

Kate Thomson showed seasonal crafts at December's meeting.