Valley Wives
Valley Wives at Village Day 2006. You could join them! (do they take men?)
2009 Programme here.
This Month's Meeting
To start our meeting , Jill quoted some words of wisdom written as long ago as 1698, saying that "Happiness is :-something to do, something to share and something to hope for" In the announcements we were told that the V.W."Spring Chicken Team " came third in the Potter Quiz . Our Ladies Night was a great success ,with excellent food and service provided by caterers John Seaton and family of Bierton and followed by a most enthusiastic performance of singing and entertainment by Fiona Harrison . Members were reminded that we have a cake stall at the Village Hall Bazaar on 27th November and would like donations please for that ,and the Charity Christmas \Tea on 5th December in aid of cancer research.
Our speaker Mrs Deaken was warmly welcomed on her return visit ,with a talk and slides on her cruise to "Shackletons Antarctica" We were told the amazing story of Shacklton's carefully planned expedition to the North Pole in his ship "Endurance"which set sail on 19th January 1915 after being delayed due to the outbreak of war.Shackleton had been with Captain Scott on the ship "Discovery" in 1901 which reached within 745 miles of the South Pole and in 1908 Shacklton reached within 100 miles .Scott succeeded in reaching the South Pole in 1912 in a race with Amundsen,but arrived 35 days later .He and all his party perished on the return journey, the last date was 4th March only four miles from help. Shackletons ship , Endurance, became trapped in pack ice,.was crushed and sank on 21st November1915.His party lived on stores from the ship for 5 months .they then took the three tiny boats rescued from the ship and sailed for 7 days to Elephant Island .which was dry but bleak ,with no communications or inhabitants.Shackleton with 5 men proceeded to South Georgia ,800 miles away, which took16 days then trecked over mountains to Stromness to find a whalers settlement on 20th May 1916. they then had to return to Elephant Island for the 22 men who had been there for 4 months.with only two upturned boats for shelter.They were rescued on 30th August 1916.ALL SURVIVED.
Mrs Deaken had started her cruise from Ushuaia National park where there is the southernmost Post Office in the world.She showed us many beautiful slides of the Antarctic terrain and wild life ,all of which is protected for peaceful and scientific purposes. Only 30 people out of the 600 on the cruise were allowed to disembark at a time, because they had to change into special clothing, free of bacteria,Suprisingly 22,000 tourists visit there every year,but Mrs Deaken did not see anyone else.A beautiful view of low sun across snow ended the show Sylvia gave the vote of thanks for taking us on a most unusual and facinating slide" adventure" and for bringing many pictures,books and photographs etc to further illustrate her excellent talk.
Our open Christmas Meeting is on 3rd December with entertainment by singer and pianist Jean Jones and Peter Jones,followed by mince pies and coffee/tea.
On January 7th we have a Games Evening in the SMALL HALL....... Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year.
On January 7th we have a Games Evening in the SMALL HALL....... Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year.
Latest quarter's meetings
At our November Meeting we were very p[eased to welcome two new members to Valley Wives.We Congratulated our team of nine for gaining fourth place in the Potter Cup was more challenging than usual.
The Theatre Evening was Most enjoyable with excellent Play and delicious Supper which raised £440 for our much needed funds.
Jill read a letter of thanks from the hospice for the regular donations raised on our monthly stall.
The theme of the stall next month is Pickles and Preserves.
Jill gave a warm welcome to our speaker Mrs Sandra Webb who introduced us to Chinese Cookery. Using a Wok she had had for many years Sandra demonstrated Broccoli in oyster sauce ,Fish Slices in Chilli Sauce,Sweet and Sour Chicken and Stir Fried Celery,all of which we tasted and enjoyed very much Sandra raises money for the charity Xp Support,which helps those who suffer with U .V and Light Sensitive conditions ,of which one is her 15 year old son.
In December we have a meeting "Madeira in Springtime" by Beryl Hulbert - slides and BBOWT gifts .
Black and White is the title of our games evening in January
Wishing You a Happy Festive Season!
Kimberly Cox, our speaker on Feb 5th gave a talk entitled "Cancer and Bio Detection Dogs "Since 2008 Kimberly has worked with a small but growing charity set up by Claire Guest at Westcot, that is dedicated to disease diagnosis using trained dogs who alert their trainers when they detect, by odours, the presence of diseases in humans ,e.g. diabetes ,cancers, epilepsy ceasures, bladder and prostate problems etc.
Kimberly herself has lived with diabetes for 17 years,She brought Noah , her special 4year old labradore. dog who she described as her best friend and companion.He alerts her when her blood suger is going dangerousley high or very low.The dogs are life savers and enable people to live independent lives.The dogs are of many different breeds but are chosen for their alertness and sensitivity to odours they must not be nervous or aggressive and must love people.They live with fosterers from pups to 12months old and are never kept in kennels.When they become mature and quiet they are highly trained using odour samples which they have to pick out from a carosel, they become 100% acurate .The dogs love their work which they do naturally.The clinical studies are carried out in partnership with the hospitales.the cancer dogs are used in research ,but for other diseases the dogs are carefully matched to the patient, but always still belong to the charity .It is possible to sponser a puppy, and open days are held at Westcot, Aylesbury.Kimberly said it is truly amazing what the dogs tell us although doctors were very sceptical at first.This work could become as important as" hearing" and "blind " dogs.
Kimberly was warmley thanked for her enthusiastic and fascinating talk on this ground breaking work ,and congratulated as a most competant "first time "speaker. A collection was made for the charity. Our next Meeting on 5th March is a talk on Chenies Manor by Valery Edwards, and it is hoped to have a visit to the Manor later in the year We always have a warm welcome for visitors to our meetings.
Joan Steel
Last Month's Meeting
Jill welcomed a large number of members and guests to our December meeting then read for us an interesting Christmas poem.We heard that our cake stall at the Bazaar had raised £75 for Village hall funds. Diana was thanked for taking charge of V.H. Bazaar.
Mrs Hulbert was warmly greeted on her return visit and gave a most intersting slide talk on Madiera in Spring time. Her February departure began with the daunting sight of the de-icing of the aeroplane On arrival it was 70 degrees a .temperature which hardly changes throught the year The, terrain is very mountainous , with high cliffs one of 2000 feet straight down into the sea, and deep ravines ,Most cultivation is set on terraces and irrigated with lavadas.The coast line is narrow with shale or grey pebble beaches .The small pretty towns have avenues of jacqurander trees ,mimosa and colourful little gardens.some houses are perched on very steep slopes .Many facinating species of wild flowers grow everywhere even lilies grow wild.
Among the many birds are russet capped Spanish sparrows ,black and white avocets and gardens full of parrots.Butterflies are profuse.
The industries of the island are mainly flower growing and fishing.The slide show finished with a stunning night time view of Poncha .
Norma proposed the vote of thanks and the evening ended with refreshments.
