Radlett & District Ladies Circle - Our Blog of Fun, Friendship & Fundraising

A sophisticated night out

2010-03-01T15:24:00.004Z

Purely for research purposes, Radlett Circle went to the see the Chippendales last night at the St Albans Arena. Shirley and Nic G found the joys of sitting on the end of the row, only 4 rows back from the front! Luckily, these weren't the original Chips (who we suspect would need some help to get their kit off in a hurry these days) but the new and improved version. Fantastic night out and here is the photo to prove it!

So what have we been doing in 2010 so far?

2010-02-18T13:52:00.002Z

Long time, no post I'm afraid but thought we should do a quick update on the year so far. We've had a good meeting at Pizza Express and have been doing lots of planning around events for this year. We had a great time at our Christmas Party in Elstree and the Pre-Christmas cocktails organised and hosted by Suzanne so 2009 finished well and in usual style!

Everyone is looking forward to the Oscars Night at Elstree Film Studios next month, organised by Radlett Round Table. There will be lots of 'awards' for the 130+ 'nominees' attending and a great night with lots of eating, drinking, dancing and laughs is promised. We've also got a family Easter Egg Hunt planned and a trip to the Chippendales coming up.

Welcome to the Radlett club!

2009-10-14T09:50:00.005+01:00

At the Think Pink night last week, Suzanne welcomed Louise as our newest member. We're thrilled that Louise is joining us and are looking forward to all her new ideas! We didn't even put her through the promised initiation ceremony!

Alternative Quiz Night!

2009-10-14T09:44:00.002+01:00

Saturday's Alternative Quiz Night went down a storm again. Rather than boring questions about sport, history etc, we had to make egg holders from spaghetti and marshmallows, identify distorted celebrities and dress a real mummy. The food was great and we raised over £1,200 for our two charities: STEPS and BEAT. Well done to all who helped organised and thanks to everyone who attended.

Summer's Evening

2009-08-19T15:53:00.007+01:00

On a glorious summer's evening (remember those?) last month, Circlers from all over Area 21 came together for our annual dinner and to give our summer dresses an outing. After champagne cocktails in the last of the sun, we sat down to a gorgeous dinner along with mega chat-a-thon. Nicki Stocken, our National President, joined us and shared how much she's enjoying her role this year despite many early starts and late nights - she's off to International Conference in Bangalore later this month. Many thanks to Harpenden for organising such a great evening on behalf of Welwyn, Radlett, Harpenden and St Albans circlers.

There go the girls!

2009-07-08T10:17:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Julie & Nicole for helping the Peace Hospice by throwing themselves off a tall building! Luckily, they were attached to an abseil as they descended 90ft down the side of the Harlequin Centre, Watford. Accompanied by Spiderman and Vicky Pollard among others (aka Steve & Ray from Radlett Round Table), they raised thousands for a good cause. Thanks to all who came along to cheer them on! Watch out in the Watford Observer for more coverage...

Welcome to our two newest members

2009-06-04T09:33:00.002+01:00

A big welcome to Liz and Helen, our two newest members during a lovely evening of wine, cake and strawberries at Shirley's earlier this week. We're all set for Radlett Festival on Sunday and are getting the publicity going for our Cheese, Wine & Chat in a couple of weeks. We're also hoping that the weather stays gorgeous for the Open Air Theatre trip as wellies is so not a good look!

Here come the girls...for a taste of Circle!

2009-05-27T19:39:00.002+01:00

Cheese, wine & chat evening open to any women living in Radlett & surrounding villages aged 18-45 who want to find out more about what we do and have a great night out. From 8pm at the Radlett Youth & Community Ctr (corner of Loom Lane & Watling St), come along and try out a few new wines and cheeses. Book your places through the email link on this site for just £5 per head. A warm welcome awaits!

Old Skool 80s Disco Night

2009-05-18T11:44:00.004+01:00

Having shaken up our wardrobes and raided the charity shops / kids' bedrooms, we donned our school uniforms or 80s gear last Saturday for the Round Table Old Skools 80s Disco. Re-living our teens, we danced the night away to Duran Duran, FGTH and Madness. Our 'skool dinners' of bangers & mash gave us the extra energy for some more dancing. Even 'Vicky Pollard' managed to have a laugh - joined here by Radlett Circle 'skool girls'. A great night was had by all and some money was raised to help Round Table in extra fundraising.

Card Shark Alert!

2009-05-18T11:29:00.005+01:00

Fellow poker players, from newbies to old hands, met last month for the Great Poker Showdown. Radlett circlers were joined by Area 21 chums from Harpenden, Letchworth and St Albans. Our patient croupiers managed the session fabulously yet our skill seemed to reduce as the night went on - could have been something to do with large scale wine and food consumption! There was a brilliant atmosphere, even in those tense moments, and Michelle from Radlett took the trophy. Many thanks to Julie for hosting and the boys for giving us that Casino Royale moment (not sure where Daniel Craig got to though). Same time next year?

National Council Meeting in Sunny Solihull

2009-03-02T11:24:00.003Z

Nicola, our Area Chair, headed up to Solihull last Friday for the February National Council meeting. There was a dinner with a buzzing beetle drive on the Friday night: she stumbled into bed just after midnight - her roomie made it through to 3.30am. Clearly, she needs to work on her stamina before National Conference in May!

The business kicked off about 9am, with loads of useful discussion and decisions made - minutes to follow shortly. There was great news about membership, with several new clubs opening and many increasing their numbers. Nominations were received for all Exec roles for next year, with the exception of Minutes secretary. A new role as Media/PR has been taken forward to the AGM to be voted in / out as an Exec role. Everyone is working really hard to manage costs, including pulling out of Marchesi House contract with RTBI so there is no increase to national capitation this year from the team, although a very slight increase is liable due to increased insurance costs and International caused by unfavourable exchange rates. Due to fabulous time management, business was wrapped up by 3pm and Nicola headed back south, having had a lovely 24 hours!

Picture attached of our gorgeous Exec, including our very own Chris from Welwyn, looking lovely in their buzzy bee outfits.

Swing Party Night Pictures

2009-02-10T10:33:00.004Z

Sorry these are a bit late in posting - fantastic fun and raised £1,500 for the Lymphoma Society

Eastern Regional Lunch 2009

2009-02-10T10:18:00.002Z

Six Radlett circlers set off through the snow for Thame to go to this year's Eastern Regional Lunch. Made it in plenty of time to get our slap on and get into the bar. After lunch and plenty of wine, we retired to the spa to chill out (except Julie who actually did some swimming). Back to get changed again and have some comedy moments with the TV maintenance man, then headed into Oxford for dinner then a club. Three of us pottered around Thame, managing to spend some money despite 90% of the shops being closed, whilst the rest tootled back home. All in all, a great weekend! More photos to follow - here is Nicola with Vicky Perry, National Membership Sec.

Mamma Mia - what a great night!

2009-02-03T10:55:00.001Z

Thanks to Shirley for hosting our Mama Mia night - we sangalonga Abba, dressed in our best 70s outfits and scoffed lots of retro food! Pictures to follow...

Frozen but not by fright!

2008-12-08T12:57:00.002Z

Last Wednesday 9 intrepid Circlers from Radlett went on a Ghost Walk around St Albans, joined by Vicky Perry (National Membership Sec) and Jo from Harpdenden. Despite freezing temperatures, we had a great time, learnt some new things we didn't know and soon warmed up in the pub afterwards with Irish Coffees all round! Many thanks to the Tourist Information Office for a good evening and some spooky stories.

A warm welcome to new St Albans Circlers

2008-10-10T16:51:00.002+01:00

On Wednesday night, Area 21 met at Lussmanns in St Albans for dinner and area meeting. It was great to induct two new members to the newly formed St Albans circle - both called Claire! We'd like to welcome them to Circling and look forward to seeing them soon at Area events. Minutes will be circulated shortly so do have a read through if you couldn't make it as there are plenty of events coming up and dates for diaries.

Know your Bordeaux from your Blue Nun?

2008-09-28T16:38:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Michelle for hosting our 'guess the country' wine tasting. I think it's safe to say that Jilly Goulden has nothing to worry about but we had a great evening and enjoyed the wine (even if most of us had no clue about its origin!).

Congratulations Chris!

2008-09-28T16:32:00.003+01:00

Friday night saw us arriving in Chorley from all over the UK to join the first National Councillors Meeting of the year. Friday night was a big party for Lynda's birthday (our National President), complete with balloons and party bags although wine, gin & beer replaced the ribena. For anyone thinking 'meeting' = 'boring'...think again! I can't think of many meetings where everyone wears fancy dress and plays 'pass the parcel' between agenda points. Congratulations to Chris Goodacre, past Area 21 Chair and member of Welwyn Circle, who has taken up the post as National Treasurer: we're really proud of you!

Here she is in her Exec 'Buzzy Bee' outfit...

Area 21 Circlers Past & Present

2008-07-11T15:33:00.002+01:00

Luckily the rain held off for a great evening at Hitchin Priory as Area 21 Circles came together for our Annual Area Dinner. Letchworth Circle had organised a fab dinner in a gorgeous venue kicked off by Pimms and finished by White Chocolate Pudding. Our National President, Lynda Wieland, joined us along with Circlers present and past including the founder of Letchworth Circle in 1952. Thank you to everyone involved in organising this and here are the various Circle Chairs, Vice Chairs, National Chairs and Founders.

Car Rally, BBQ and Festival

2008-06-09T10:31:00.005+01:00

Friends and family of Circle took part in our first photographic car treasure hunt on Saturday - here we are all raring to go. Great questions and route set by Julie and Michelle (thanks!) took us all on a tour of pubs we never knew existed. Whilst some of us didn't exactly shine in the results (last place!), it was a great afternoon and the kids loved it too.

In the traditions of the great British BBQ, we did get a few spots of rain later on that evening but it didn't stop us having a good time and even getting to the Radlett Festival the next morning. Well done to Shirley for organising the stall and thanks to all who supported on the day. Final calculations to be done but we believe we earned close to £100 for good causes. BTW, we have a russet coloured man's M&S sweatshirt and ladies Coast stone coloured cardigan left at the Bradens': please claim if they belong to you!

Next Meeting at Michelle's on Wednesday: Apprentice Final, Pizza (and very quick meeting!). More details to follow by email.

Gambling Girls!

2008-03-06T11:05:00.004Z

Some of us were virgins, others more experienced but we all met at Julie's house last night to play together...a few hands of Poker. With the help of our lovely croupiers, we managed to play properly despite the wine, canapes, cakes and Amanda losing her cards. It was fantastic that Hitchin and Harpenden circlers made it over to St Albans. Although we were all having far too much fun to keep poker faces at least nobody lost their life savings. We've already had suggestions that we should do this again as it worked really well. Thank you to Julie for hostessing and congratulations to Amanda for winning. Lots of pictures below...

Congratulations on raising so much money!

2008-02-07T14:41:00.000Z

Some brave and fearless Tablers walked across burning coals to raise money for the Watford Peace Hospice, cheered on by many Circlers (and joined by them in the bar afterwards for a few drinks to celebrate). The evening raised about £13,000 in total which is fantastic and will make a real difference to the hospice, a charity that Radlett Circle has supported over the last few years as well. Here they are after the event...and not a blister in sight!

In the pink...with 2 new members

2007-10-05T17:52:00.000+01:00

We had a lovely Think Pink evening last night to raise some money for Breast Cancer Awareness. We wore pink, ate pink food (smarties and taramasalata although not necessarily together) and drank pink champagne. Thanks to Nicola for hostessing, complete with pink table settings! This raised about £50 and Suzan won the prize for being the 'Pinkest Lady' by remembering to wear pink underwear too...winning is in the detail of course. It was also great to officially welcome two new members so 'welcome' to Irene and Louise.

Next get together is the 'Style Consultant evening' organised by Julie on Thursday 18th October (contact Julie direct if you want to come). Our next meeting will be 6th Nov, kindly hosted by the lovely Irene. In the meantime, get selling tickets for our Alternative Quiz at St Johns Church Hall on Saturday 17th November - Cath will be sending round flyers to us all. Julie will get full meeting minutes out shortly.

And another new member for 2007

2007-07-09T09:37:00.000+01:00

We are really pleased that Helen has joined us as our newest member - it must have been all those cakes at Amanda's house that clinched it! This is particularly great for Nicola who is looking forward to lots of lift sharing...here is Helen with our lovely Chair, Shirley.

More pics of us stuffing our faces...

2007-06-25T16:18:00.001+01:00

...and it looks like Nicola is just praying that these calories won't count!