February Events

Thursday 7th saw the first of our knit and natter sessions in 2019. The challenge is to make as many twiddle muffs as we can before the AGM in April. As you can see, cups of tea and homemade biscuits and scones kept the needles clacking.

The long awaited trip to see the snowdrops at Burton Agnes Hall took place on a lovely sunny Sunday 24th. We travelled through fog on M62 in both directions and had brilliant sunshine at Burton Agnes. The woodland walk was a leisurely stroll and the snowdrops were lovely.

Thursday February 28th was a fascinating speaker meeting presented by our own member Sarah. Sarah had a holiday in the Arctic on the look out for polar bears, and of course to appreciate the area. Her pictures took us through that journey demonstrating that it is not just a great wall of ice, but has some spectacular scenery and even vegetation, although this does not grow too tall because of the difficulty pushing through the solid ground. We also learned that people, men mostly, never go out unless carrying a gun. Polar bears are very dangerous, and of course are carnivores. In the search for the bears they came across many seals, and we were saddened to learn that the bears eat baby seals, as a later picture showed us.

Eventually we came across the polar bears and realised that they were not all snowy white as sometimes imagined, but were very big and quite fearsome to look at, especially when they seemed to know that they were being filmed.

Sarah had captured both spectacular sunsets and sun rises on the journey which took them to within 500 miles of the North Pole…so very, very cold.

A very interesting and enlightening evening, enjoyed by all. Thank you Sarah!!

Speaker Meeting – January 24th 2019

Thursday 24th January was our first speaker meeting in 2019, and we welcomed Vicky Greenwood and her husband Steve from Oggles Hedgehog Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre in Dewsbury Moor.

This is obviously a cause very close to Vicki’s heart as she explained how she came to be, not just involved with the general well being of hedgehogs but also the rescue and nurturing of abandoned, and often injured ones. Hedgehogs, it seems, are not just creatures with spines and which hibernate in the winter; they are much more complicated and sensitive. They are nocturnal and so if seen out in the daytime they are behaving oddly and should be rescued as they could be near death.
It is a myth that they amble along slowly as, in fact, they are able to move very quickly, due in no small measure to very strong back legs; it is also a myth that they are flea ridden. They also love their food, and if food is not taken, that too could indicate problems.
After being inundated with questions Vicky introduced us to Eileen….one of her rescue hedgehogs!!!
It was a very interesting and informative evening.

Festive Times

Our Christmas party was at Ego in Horbury. As is customary at our party nights, the wine flowed and the food was excellent, and the ‘nick it back raffle’ brought out our devious natures. Another fun night, thank you to Carol and Julie for arranging it.

December 8th was our annual party for the residents of Tentercroft in Dewsbury. As is customary SID & D turned out in festive garb ranging from antlers, flashing lights, ornamental Christmas trees, glasses, ear rings etc etc. As is also customary the tables were laden with wonderful food. Traditional games were played, traditional carols were sung, and of course Santa made his appearance to the delight of everyone. Good time was had by all.

 

The carol service was held on Sunday 9th December at Thornhill Parish Church accompanied by the Gawthorpe brass band.  The Kirklees Mayor, Gwen Lowe and Pat Kilbane SI Yorkshire President were in attendance.

 

An Eventful November

On Wednesday November 7th we invited the two new members from last year, Debbie and Julie, and this year’s new recruits, Jan and Jane, to an informal evening to discuss any problems they might be experiencing. Fortunately, all were happy and looking forward to continuing their programme action work, as well as enjoying the fun and friendship.

We had the usual tribute to the ‘fallen’ on Armistice Day, especially poignant as it was 100yrs since the end of the First World War.

Presidents Linda & Pat, together with June, Jackie and Maureen, attended the Centenary of The Armistice that ended World War 1 in 1918. Hundreds lined the streets of Mirfield to watch the parade and pay their respects.

The ‘knit and natter’ group have been beavering away making items which will go on the Christmas tree at Holy Trinity Church, Ossett in December.

On Saturday 17th a few members did a bag pack at Tesco Extra in Batley, to raise awareness of Admiral Nurses and Dewsbury Soroptimists. We decorated our small Christmas Tree with mini twiddle muffs and handed out sweets to the children.

Thursday 22nd November was speaker meeting and our speakers were Liz and Jackie, staff from Ravenshall School. This is a school which caters specifically for the mental and physically incapacitated. We were given a visual tour of the school which gave us an insight into the work which they do by way of the artwork which covers the walls, and the facilities available to the children to enable them to experience things like baking, cooking, handling money, everyday things which we so often take for granted. Putting on a show like the modern day ‘Joseph’ was an achievement in itself, as is sometimes just getting a child to speak. Liz and Jackie expressed their gratitude for the story sacks given to the school from the club and to please keep them coming. Thanks were given from Kathleen T.

Three large bags of assorted goods were taken to the local refuge. S I Dewsbury has been collecting toiletries, clothing, towels, nappies and food. We are now concentrating on the Red box project.

Saturday 24th November was the Regional Council meeting at Rogerthorpe Manor, Badsworth. This meeting also included the welcome from the new SI Yorkshire president Pat from SI Garforth Elmet, and congratulations to our own Linda who is the new SI Yorkshire vice-president. This meeting was particularly colourful as we had been invited to wear something orange in support of the campaign ‘violence against women’.

Oh, What a Night (and a day), for some of our party it was quite an adventure just getting to The Grand, the train was cancelled and we had to take a taxi with probably, the only taxi driver that didn’t know his way to Leeds! Jersey Boys was great, as was the meal at Gino D’Campo’s. Thank you to Eileen H for arranging it.