News Articles from 2008
Safari Supper
Well done to the 'terrific trio' Kathy, Jude and Phil for organising such a great Safari Supper evening on Saturday 13th September.
A big thanks to all the hosts and cooks, I certainly had great food and and company at Lynne David's and then Rachel Esteki's. We did manage to be first home, just a couple of minutes ahead of the first people for the puds part and what a great party atmosphere, lots of fun and yes the house did survive the disco, even the cream rug! I've had a couple of requests for copies of some of the funny pictures/jokes around the walls, especially the ones in the downstairs loo! So will send those on. I'm still finding after eight wrappers in strange places.... and I have a selection of plates/dishes ready to be collected. It was a perfect club night, lots of food, lots of wine and great bunch of people!
Mini Olympics and Puds
What a fun evening we had on Tuesday (15th July) - thanks to Kathy, who did a wonderful job of hosting and organising a mini olympics games.
There were many highlights - including Maggie/Olivia's 3-legged team was quite a winner, all the intrepid trampolenists (is that a word?).....especially Sally's 'mini-olympic' routine, and the 'bouncers' who all deserved a medal for entertainment value especially queen of the space hopper Anita! However, I think one of the funniest highlights must surely be the 'welly throwing'. I think Phil and Nitu will secretly be practising for next year! Happily for me the blue team won and I have yet another piece of bling to add to my Circle collection.
Well done to everyone for taking part and having a good laugh, and thank-you to everyone who made a delicious pudding.
Ever increasing Circlers...
Congratulations to Harpenden Circle, who in July won a regional award for recruiting the most new members across 2007 - 2008. Harpenden Circle has grown from strength to strength over the last 12 months, recruiting 11 new members.
At the Annual regional dinner, held this year at Hitchin Priory, members of Ladies' Circle across Hertfordshire celebrated the successes of the past year, including raising over £15,000 for charity last year, and a re-launch for the St Albans Ladies Circle.
Walking 'Car' Rally
Once again a fantastic evening and great turn-out for the annual rally
Over 55 Circler's and Round Table joined forces on a beautiful evening to take part in the annual car rally around Harpenden. This year's event, organised by last year's winners, Emma and Paul Taylor; was a walking rally around central Harpenden and Batford.
Teams of 6 started out at St Nicholas church at 7.15 pm, and weaved their way around Harpenden, trying to answer some cryptic clues and collecting some more detailed local knowledge along the way! After stopping off at the Cross Keys for a swift half (or G&T) everyone converged on Station Road and ambled along the River, answering the final questions before ending up at the Amble Inn for a lovely Buffet at 9.30pm.
It was a close run event this year, with only a few points between all the teams. Congratulations to team Newton for winning the priceless trophy this year, and to Emma and Paul Taylor for organising such an enjoyable evening.
Harpenden Carnival
A fantastic Carnival on Sunday 18th May! Great weather and a big turnout kept Harpenden Circle very busy in the Tea Tent, supporting Round Table on carnival day.
A taste of Chinatown came to the Harpenden Carnival this year. Harpenden Round Table's annual fundraising event, was a fabulous day and thanks to fine weather was attended by a bumper 4,000 people. The day kicked off with a parade of themed floats making their way down the High Street and over 20 children associated with Harpenden Circle formed a multi-coloured dragon, with each child representing an animal from the Chinese calendar. A professional martial arts team - Nam Yam took centre stage with its traditional displays using Shaolin weapons and dragon dancing, followed by a thrilling motorcycle display by the Globe of Death stunt team.
The fabulous turnout ensured the demand for refreshments was high. The queue for the BBQ just got longer and longer and the Tea Tent - run by Harpenden Circle - was very popular. Despite only 2 working urns Circlers' provided tea, drinks, cakes and snacks until past 5pm. Congratulations to Janet Houston and her team for managing such a successful Tea Tent and to everyone who participated in such a great day, helping to raise over £22,000 for Round Table's chosen charities. For more information please visit Harpenden Round Table's website http://www.table455.org
Annual General Meeting
A fantastic turnout out of 40 members and guests of Harpenden Circle enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Harpenden House hotel, prior to our Annual General meeting on 22nd April.
There was fun as well as the formality, as we enjoyed remembering all the events of the past year. Having been Chair for a year, the evening ended as I passed the mantle of Chair to my Vice-Chairman, Mandy Gosling.
There were celebrations of the 10 new members who have joined this year (the Circle year runs from April - April) and some good news of 3 babies born to Circlers!
There was some sadness as we said fond farewells to 6 members who have now reached the age limit ceiling, but it was more "au revoir" than goodbye as they moved on to our sister (or should that be "mother" club Tangent). We also welcomed both the past and present Chairs of Tangent, and as well as all the business of the evening I think everyone enjoyed it.
Each member of our Council gave a summary of the year, from the FANTASTIC £14,000+ monies raised for charity to the social activities including a trip to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot to a relaxed evening at The Amble Inn. There's something for everyone to get involved in and the AGM is a great way of us sharing in our success.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my year in the Chair with a great Vice and Council to support me and wish Mandy and her new Council every success in their forthcoming year.
Spring Bling Ball
Over 80 members of Harpenden Circle and Roundtable enjoyed The Spring Bling Ball on Saturday 15th March.
The theme of this year's annual ball was Bling and some of our members were adorned in their finest jewels from head to toe! Hammonds End Golf club served up a delicious three course meal which was followed by the end of year speeches from both clubs. Rosanne (Circle Chair) and Mark (Roundtable Chairman) both reiterated that 2007/2008 has been a fantastic year as in the region of £26,000 has been raised for charity by both clubs in Harpenden this year.
The Highlight of the evening was the band "Disco Inferno". From the minute the band played their first song the dance floor was full, even the most reluctant couldn't resist dancing to familiar songs from the band who have supported Robbie Williams in concert.
Charity Cheque Presentation
Having raised in excess of £14,000 from the successful Christmas Gift & Craft Fair held in the Harpenden Public Halls in November last year, it was a real pleasure to host a dinner to formally present the money to our chosen charities.
We had elected to support MIND, Phoenix Holidays and the NSPCC and representatives of these organisations along with 30 members of Harpenden Circle enjoyed the evening. I was delighted to be able to make the cheque presentations and each charity gave a brief overview of the great work they carry out and an indication of how our money raised would be spent. Roger Talbot Chairman to the Board of Trustees of MIND gave an insight into the valuable work carried out to support and help people with a wide range of problems. Our money will enable MIND to extend some of the work they have been doing helping people in the St Albans & Harpenden. Tony Marriott who is a Trustee of Harpenden Phoenix gave a great talk about the work him and a team of volunteers do in giving local physically handicapped people holidays. He showed photos of some of the holiday makers and their helpers having fun. Our money will be well spent in helping to pay for well-deserved holidays. Sally Phipps the Community Fundraising Manager from the NSPCC gave an enlightening insight into some of the issues being tackled by the NSPCC and Childline. Again, she talked about how local children can be helped and our money used for good effect.
All in all, an enjoyable evening and chance for us celebrate our successful fundraising and pass the money on to 3 most deserving charities.