Today was our first meeting of the Millennium. We had quite a good attendance as it was a very cold day and also people with the flu. Hilda played the piano and led the prayers beautifully. Our speaker was Mrs F. Willgress, who gave a most interesting talk on bell ringing (a lovely lady). I was rather touched when Rita presented me with 2 flower vouchers for my hard work with taking the meetings (I was overwhelmed). They are a nice group of ladies. Our meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits made by Sheila and Freda.

February 17^th 2000

Sadly I had to announce the passing away of Mrs Rachel Lee. Not many ladies attended today due to illness etc., but we had two new ladies, Gwen Jones and Barbara Mortimer, who we made feel welcome. Our speaker was Mrs Gould who spoke on the Millennium and also brought various items to illustrate her talk. Hilda led the prayers and Joyce ran the raffle. A lovely afternoon. Hilda played the piano for the hymns. B. Ellis.

March 16^th 2000

We had a very good attendance with the ladies today. Hilda played for the hymns and led us in prayer, Ruby gave the birthday cards and told ladies how she had a magazine from Margaret (Devon) with our good wishes to her in it on forming a ladies meeting. Our speaker was Rev Ian Weaver from Whitefriars, he comes from Australia and the work he is doing in Rushden is marvellous with the young people (a very nice person). Joyce ran the raffle, our good wishes was sent to Enid and Helen, who are not well and I asked the ladies to remember them in their prayers. Our meeting finished with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. We had two new ladies today, Linda and Barbara, we gave them a very warm welcome. B . A. Ellis.

April 20^th 2000

We had a lovely meeting and a very good attendance today at our meeting. Our speaker was Mrs Rosemary Hallworth who arranged several flower arrangements which later were put into the raffle. It was a lovely afternoon. Hilda led the prayers, Ruby the birthday cards and register and Joyce the raffle. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

May 18^th 2000

I was unable to attend because of illness. I was in hospital, after a lovely holiday in Guernsey. B. A. Ellis.

June 15^th 2000

A lovely summer’s afternoon. It was our annual strawberry tea, but first we had our meeting. Our speaker was Miss E. Bull from Woodford, who showed us lovely slides of the alphabet in Northamptonshire (really lovely). Doreen Wilford played the piano as she was visiting us, Hilda led us in prayer, Ruby the birthday cars and register, Joyce the raffle, Jean, Ruby, Joyce and  myself got the tea ready, a lovely afternoon. Rita was not with us today as she had just come out of hospital. We missed her and wish her a speedy recovery. We all look forward to our outing to Bury St Edmunds in July, then on to Fordham All Saints where the ladies of the W.I. will prepare tea. B. A. Ellis.

September 21^st 2000

Today was our first meeting of the autumn, we had a lovely afternoon and meeting. Our speaker was the Rev Nigel Young from the Higham Ferrers Methodist Church, who spoke on Icons. He had been to Cyprus on his sabbatical to learn about the Orthodox faith, very interesting, a lovely person, so friendly. Then we had our tea, to celebrate 17 years since we began. I made a special cake which was enjoyed by all. Ruby & Joyce helped to set the tables and make the table arrangements, Hilda said special prayers for Helen Jones and Jean’s husband who are both ill in hospital. We hope they will soon be well and back with their loved ones again. A new lady joined us, her name is Jessie, we made her welcome. B. A. Ellis.

October 19^th 2000

Today was a lovely day for October, we had a lovely meeting. Our speaker were Mr and Mrs Apted, a lovely couple, talking about their holiday in New Zealand, a lovely country. We discussed our Christmas Lunch and our forthcoming Coffee Morning in November. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea served by the ladies. A new lady joined us today, Mrs Joyce Toone, who we made very welcome. B. A. Ellis.

November 16^th 2000

Another lovely meeting, we had another new lady join us, Mrs Pam Graham, we have quite a good membership now. Our speaker today was Betty, Hilda Chettle’s daughter, a lovely girl, so friendly, she showed us how to make Christmas crackers and brought some along she’d already made for various occasions, weddings, christenings, birthdays and of course, Christmas, where she took orders (a very clever lady). After the raffle which everyone enjoys we finished with a nice cup of tea and a biscuit. B. A. Ellis.

December 7^th 2000

Today was a special day, it was our Christmas Lunch and meeting; it was a little earlier this year as the ladies from the Methodist Church at Higham Ferrers were very busy and could only cater today. A lovely meal enjoyed by everyone and beautifully cooked and served. 100%.We then had our meeting with carols and ladies taking various parts with Mr Ken Apted on the organ, plus Father Christmas came to visit us. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea served by the ladies. A really lovely afternoon. B. A. Ellis.

January 18^th 2001

Today was our first meeting of the year 2001. Rather a cold day, but we had a nice lot of ladies attend. Our speaker was Mr Peter White who with his wife travels a lot. Today he brought us slides of Iceland to show us which were very interesting. The scenery in some slides was beautiful. I was presented with some flower arrangements from the ladies of the meeting for all the work I do for the meetings, I was very touched by this kindness (a lovely group of ladies). The meeting ended with a lovely cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

February 15^th 2001

A lovely spring afternoon, not all our ladies this afternoon due to a lot of illness, but it was a lovely meeting. Doreen played the piano, Hilda the prayer (which she puts so much thought into, really lovely), Ruby the register and Joyce the raffle. Our speaker was Mrs Joyce Coleman who made lovely hand-made chocolates which we all sampled at the end. A really lovely afternoon which ended with tea and biscuits provided by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

March 15^th 2001

We had a good attendance today which was lovely. Our speaker was Mrs Christine Young, wife of the Methodist Minister at Higham Ferrers, she spoke about her childhood days (a lovely lady and very talented). Doreen played the piano, Hilda the prayers, Ruby the register and birthday cards and Joyce the raffle. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea prepared by Sheila and Freda. B. A. Ellis.

April 19^th 2001

22 ladies attending today. Our speakers were Mr and Mrs Jack Lee, who showed us some lovely slides of different places and events (a very clever man). Hilda led us in the prayers, Doreen played the piano, Ruby and Joyce the register and raffle. We made arrangements for our annual outing later in the year to Stamford, then on to Brigstock for tea (we hope for nice weather). Our meeting ended with refreshments, a lovely afternoon. B. A. Ellis.

May 17^th 2001

Not a very nice day, the weather was really cold. Never mind we soon got the hall nice and warm for the ladies when they came. Our speaker was Mrs Jennis, who was a very talented lady with her embroidery and ribbon embroidery which was really lovely. We remembered Joyce Toone, one of our members who is very poorly in hospital, we hope she will soon be a lot better. Hilda led us in prayer, with a lovely thoughtful was that she has with her prayers. Doreen played for the hymns, Ruby seems a little better now, which we are all very pleased (such a lovely person). We drew the raffle and ended the meeting with a nice cup of tea. B. A. Ellis.

June 21^st 2001

A lovely afternoon for our meeting and our annual Strawberry Tea. Ruby got the strawberries, they were the first English ones, really lovely. Our speaker was Miss Ball, who showed us lovely slides of her holiday in Egypt, a lovely place to visit, then she and her friend joined us for a cup of tea. Joyce ran the raffle. We missed a few of our members today, with holidays and other appointments. We were sad to hear Pat Bugby’s husband is very ill, again, I asked the ladies to remember them in their prayers. We are looking forward to our outing to Stamford on July 6^th and hoping for good weather. B. A. Ellis.

July 2001

We held a Beetle Drive, but it was very poorly attended, but those who did come really enjoyed it. B. A. Ellis.

September 20^th 2001

Today was our first meeting of the autumn meetings. It was a special day because it was our 18^th Anniversary. Our speaker was the Rev Quentin Chandler of St Peter’s Church, Rushden, a lovely person; he stayed after the meeting and joined our Anniversary Tea. Doreen played for the hymns and Sylvia led the prayers. We had a few minutes in silence, in respect of the tragedy in New York last week, where so many lives were lost, a shock to the whole world. B. A. Ellis.

October 18^th 2001

A lovely meeting with nearly a full membership and friends present. We arranged our Christmas Lunch for December 6^th, and also about our Coffee morning to be held on Saturday, November 24^th at the St Mary’s Church Hall at Rushden. Our speaker was Mr Clive Wood, a historian who told us all about the Rushden Hall, and also showed slides, a very learned man. It was lovely to have Marian Sanders back with us. After drawing the raffle we enjoyed a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

November 15^th 2001

A lovely autumn afternoon and nearly a full membership present. The speaker who was due to come was ill, so a dear friend, Mr Rod Walker, came to our rescue and spoke about his past career, and explained the things he made and exported all over the world. A new lady came today to join the fellowship with us, Mrs West, who has lived in Newton Bromswold for many years, where her late husband was a farmer. I have been a friend of the family for most of my life. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

December 6^th 2001

Christmas Lunch and Meeting. A lovely December day, dry and bright. We had a lovely lunch prepared and served by the ladies of the Methodist Church, Higham Ferrers. A 100%. Then followed our meeting and a friendship reading by Linda and a lovely prayer by Hilda, Joyce worked very hard with the raffle, lovely prizes. Our entertainment was by Mr Bob Whitworth, who also brought his wife Ann along, several of us had a go with the hand bells, he is a campanologist at the Rushden St Mary’s Church. A lovely couple. It was lovely to have Pat Bugby with us for the dinner, but she had to leave to go and see Alan her husband, who is in hospital, but she hopes she will soon have him home. Gordon my husband popped in on passing as Santa, the ladies enjoyed that, and he distributes the Christmas cards. A lovely finish to another year with mince pies and a cup of tea. B. A. Ellis.

January 17^th 2002

Today was the first meeting of 2002, we had a lot of ladies present despite the bad weather. Our speaker was unable to attend, due to the car breaking down, but we are looking forward to her coming at a later date. I was sorry to have to tell the meeting of the passing away of Mrs Barbara Evelyn. A lovely lady who had been very brave through her illness, she will be sadly missed by many for all her good work. We had a nice afternoon with Doreen as our pianist, Hilda led the prayers and we played games. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

February 21^st 2002

We had lovely meeting today with quite a good number of ladies present. Our speaker was Mrs Freda Thompson who spoke about her visit to Oberamergau where she saw the passion play. A lovely lady who described it beautifully. Hilda led us in prayer and also played the piano as Doreen was on holiday. We talked about an outing later in the year and also the Jubilee celebrations. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

March 21^st 2002

today was a special meeting as our speaker was the lady of a group who first started these meetings, Margaret Stock and her husband moved to Devon, where they are very active in the church at Beer and also two devoted Christians, a lovely couple. It was great to have them back with us. Hilda led the prayers and Doreen was the pianist, being a special day, and as we will not be meeting again before Easter we served little Easter cakes with a cup of tea afterwards. A really lovely afternoon. B. A. Ellis.

April 18^th 2002

A lovely afternoon, our speaker was Mrs Eileen Higgins, a past Mayor of Wellingborough, really humorous about her events when she was in office, a lovely lady. Doreen played the piano for the hymns, Joyce the raffle of which we had a lot of lovely prizes. We discussed the outing to Leamington Spa later in the year. A nice cup of tea was served by the ladies with a nice biscuit. B. A. Ellis.

May 16^th 2002

A lovely summer afternoon, the sun shining and the birds singing. We had 22 ladies attend. Our speaker was Miss Corinna Flyn, who came along to talk about aloe-vera, a lovely person, being her first time she was excellent, both showing and describing the products. Doreen played the piano and Hilda led us in prayer, Ruby wasn’t able to be with us today, so I did her little job. A lovely afternoon ending with a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

June 20^th 2002

Today was a special day for our meeting, our speaker was Mrs M. Sturgeon, who spoke about her days in a telephone exchange in the years gone by, really interesting. After the meeting followed a Jubilee Tea arranged for us by a friend of mine, and some other ladies, a really splendid spread, everyone enjoyed it. We had two special guests, Mr & Mrs Ken Hall. Mr Hall is on the Village Hall Committee and is very kind to us. Jean Perry presented Mrs Hall with a lovely basket of flowers, which she arranged. This is the last meeting of the summer, we meet again in September. A lovely afternoon. B. A. Ellis.

September 19^th 2002

Today was special day, it was our 19^th Anniversary of our meeting. Our speaker was Mr David Hunt, he spoke on Psalm 150. A well spoken man, a real Christian. Then we had a nice Anniversary tea arranged by the ladies. Mr Hunt and Mrs Wendy Muncey also joined with us. Wendy came to play the piano for us, as Mrs Doreen Wilford was on holiday. A really lovely afternoon. B. A. Ellis.

October 17^th 2002

A lovely day for October. A good number of ladies attended. Our speaker today was Mr Geoff Paul, a Special Constable, a very interesting speaker, we must ask him to come back again. Hilda led the prayers, and Doreen was back with us on the piano, Joyce arranged the raffle and Ruby the register. The meeting ended with tea and biscuits served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

November 21^st 2002

Today was not a very nice day weather wise, but that was soon different when our speaker arrived with her lovely flowers to do some lovely flower arrangements. Mrs Rosemary Hallworth, a really lovely lady and also so clever. Doreen played the piano, Ruby the birthday cards and Joyce the raffle. We made arrangements for our Coffee Morning on Saturday, with various stalls. A really lovely afternoon enjoyed by everyone. B. A. Ellis.

December 19^th 2002

Today was our Christmas meeting and Party. A lovely time had by everyone. We had Coral and Peggy to entertain us, from Irthlingborough. Coral sang and Peggy sang and played the piano (beautiful voices). Afterwards Father Christmas came and presented everyone with a Jubilee mug and a Christmas card. Joyce ran the Christmas raffle. Our Coffee Morning raised £192. Our next meeting will be in January 2003. B. A. Ellis.

January 16^th 2003

A lovely bright winters afternoon, our first meeting for 2003, we had two new ladies attend, Joyce and Joan, we have quite a nice number of ladies attend now. I was presented with a lovely Flower Book by the ladies for my work with the meetings, which I really enjoy (such a lovely thought). Our speaker today was Mr John Kinlock (Crime Prevention Officer). He gave a very interesting talk and the ladies were able to ask a lot of questions. He left leaflets and books for them to take home. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

February 20^th 2003

A cold but nice bright afternoon, a lovely meeting, one or two ladies away with illness or some other reasons. I announced the death of Pat Bugby’s husband, a lovely man struck down with an illness four years ago. It has been very hard for Pat, but she has been wonderful, a really caring person in every way. I know he will be sadly missed by a lot of people and also his family. Our speakers today were Kim and Yvonne who work for Thornton’s the chocolate shop. Kim gave a lovely talk about how the firm was started up until today. They brought some samples which everyone enjoyed. Doreen was the pianist, Hilda led us in prayer and I read a piece about friendship. We all had a nice cup of tea and biscuits to end the meeting. B. A. Ellis.

March 20^th 2003

A lovely spring afternoon, with the little lambs bleating for their mothers in the field opposite (a lovely sound). Our speaker today was Mrs Watkins about her young life, being brought up in Berlin in the Second World War years. Our singing of hymns was led by Hilda and Ruby because we didn’t have a pianist. A lovely afternoon enjoyed by everyone, especially our visitor, Christine, from South Africa (Gladys’ daughter). B. A. Ellis.

April 17^th 2003 (Maundy Thursday)

Today we didn’t have many ladies present, as we seem to have a lot of them ill. But we still had a lovely meeting with everyone joining in. Our speaker was Violet Groocock talking about Castle Ashby house and its occupants, right up until to date (a very clever and well spoken lady). The afternoon ended with a nice cup of tea and Hot Cross buns served by the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

May 15^th 2003

A lovely afternoon, more ladies joined us today; it was lovely to see ladies back with us who had been ill. Our speaker today was Mrs Sandra Hynes, talking about her plants and garden and the different foliage. The ladies really enjoyed it, asking her questions as well. Doreen our pianist is not well enough to play so at the moment we sing without music, but we do very well. Hilda who leads us in prayers has also been poorly, but hopes to be back with us at the next meeting. We are hoping for nice weather on July 23^rd for our members and friends outing. B. A. Ellis.

June 19^th 2003

Today was our Strawberry Tea, an annual event, it was a lovely day and a lovely tea, the ladies helped to get it all ready then our speaker Mrs Gill Morrison, the wife of the Rector of St Mary’s Church, Rushden. Her subject was My Duties as a Magistrate, a very interesting talk, a lovely lady. This was our last meeting until Sept ember when it will be our 20^th Anniversary. B. A. Ellis.

-- , Sheila Rodwell, Dorothy Elmer & Freda Godfrey

Mrs West, Ruby, - - , - -, Hilda, Bertha & Sheila.

Mrs West - the oldest club member with Rev John Tye

September 18^th 2003

Today was our first meeting of the autumn, also our 20^th Anniversary, we didn’t have a full attendance due to holidays and illness, but it was a lovely afternoon. Our speaker was the Rev. John Tye speaking about his life to becoming a Reverend (a lovely kind man). Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely cup of tea given by the ladies and a celebration cake (a really lovely afternoon) John and Sheila were busy taking photographs. Ruby did some lovely table decorations. B. A. Ellis.

October 18^th 2003

A lovely autumn afternoon and quite a lot of ladies attended today. Hilda led the prayers and chose the hymns, Ruby gave out birthday cards, Joyce ran the raffle and Pat with Ruby did the register. One of our ladies, Rita, has just been in hospital but is now back home with her family, a lovely lady, and we all wish her well again soon. Our speaker was Mrs Madeleine Sturgeon, who spoke on her family’s café [Rollie Cox’s] during the War years and also after the War until it closed. The ladies really enjoyed it, bringing back many memories. The afternoon ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by Joyce and Joan. B. A. Ellis.

November 20^th 2003

Today was our Christmas Afternoon as it is our last meeting this year. We are going out to the Diamonds Centre for our Christmas Lunch this year, being as it is 20 years since the meeting has been going. Our entertainers today were Mike and Kim Clarke, they are a wonderful couple, they go all over the world singing the Lord’s praises, they are from the Salvation Army in Rushden (a lovely couple). We had a special raffle which Joyce had arranged some lovely prizes, she really works hard getting all the things. Ruby gave out the Christmas cards and Hilda led the prayers. A really lovely afternoon which ended with mince pies and a nice cup of tea made by Gwen and Barbara. B. A. Ellis.

November 22^nd 2003

We had our Ladies Friendship Meeting and Coffee Morning at the St. Mary’s Church Hall, Rushden. We had 7 stalls and coffee and biscuits and we raised the Grand Total of £161-30, a wonderful result, which will go towards the ladies meetings. (Thank you to everyone). B. A. Ellis.

December 18^th 2003

Today was our Christmas Lunch at the Diamonds Centre in Irthlingborough. It was really lovely and everyone enjoyed it. It was lovely to sit down and be waited on. I was presented with a lovely bouquet from the ladies, for which I was thrilled (for arranging the Christmas Lunch). It was a lovely ending for our meetings for 2003. We look forward to January 15^th our next meeting in 2004. B. A. Ellis.

January 15^th 2004

Today was our first meeting of the New Year. Because of the weather we didn’t have so many ladies attend. Our speaker was Mr Roger Safford, he showed lovely slides with the music to blend in (a lovely afternoon). Tea and biscuits was served by the ladies at the end of the meeting. B. A. Ellis.

February 19^th 2004

A lovely spring afternoon, little lambs were in the field next to the hall where we have our meetings. Our speaker was Mr Eric Jenkins, a local historian, a very well spoken and intelligent man. We held a competition which was won by Dorothy Elmer. At the moment we have quite a few ladies poorly, so we remembered them in our prayer. Hilda led us with a lovely prayer. Our afternoon ended with a raffle and a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

March 18^th 2004

We had a lovely afternoon meeting, our usual hymns and prayers but unfortunately our speaker didn’t appear, so we had an afternoon of poems and talking about things in our younger days. The ladies seem to have enjoyed it. The afternoon ended with the raffle organised by Joyce and the usual cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

April 15^th 2004

 Being as it was Easter Week we didn’t have so many ladies attend the meeting, but we had a lovely afternoon. Our speaker was Mrs Anita Smith from the Bansang Hospital in Gambia. It was through going on a holiday to this country that she saw how help was needed and from then on she has worked tirelessly for the hospital (a lovely lady). The meeting ended with a lovely cup of tea and a little Easter decorated cake, served by Sheila and Freda. B. A. Ellis.

June 17^th 2004

Today was a special day, it was our meeting followed by our Annual Strawberry Tea. There were 20 ladies present. It was a lovely meeting our speaker was Mrs Julia Roberts, daughter of Mr and Mrs P. Crisp the department store in Rushden High Street (a lovely person). She spoke about her father and how he began his life as an apprentice in an ironmongers shop and rose to having his own business (unfortunately he has now passed away), but her mother and herself are now company directors of the firm, a very interesting talk. Our next meeting is going to be a Beetle Drive. B. A. Ellis.

July 22^nd 2004

It was a lovely warm afternoon, although we didn’t have a lot of ladies attend our Beetle Drive. The ladies really enjoyed themselves, Edna Underwood was the winner and that was nice because it was her birthday and Hilda Chettle the booby prize. (A lovely afternoon ending with a nice cup of tea and biscuits). B. A. Ellis.

September 16^th 2004 (21^st Anniversary)

Today was a lovely day, 20 ladies attended, it was our 21^st Anniversary, we had a really nice meeting. Mr and Mrs Ernest Stock came back to join in our meeting. Mrs Margaret Stock was our speaker and Mr Ernest Stock the pianist (2 lovely people). After the meeting we had a lovely tea. Margaret and I presented the Ladies Friendship Meeting with a plaque commemorating 21 years to be placed in the hall, and the ladies had an engraved key ring each as a gift. A day to remember in years to come. B. A. Ellis.

October 21^st 2004

Not many ladies attended today, about 17, but we had a nice meeting, then a discussion between ourselves, which the ladies seemed to enjoy. Unfortunately the lady speaker didn’t turn up, so the discussion fitted in quite nicely. We made plans for our Christmas meeting at the beginning of December. The afternoon ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits given to us by the Newton Bromswold Little Stars Kindergarten, a lovely gesture. B. A. Ellis.

November 18^th 2004

Not a very nice day, a real November day, we had two new ladies join us so we had about 22 attended. It was a lovely meeting, we had the Cranford Lady Songsters to entertain us, they sang beautiful, really lovely. Our next meeting in December will be our Christmas Afternoon. The afternoon ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

December 9^th 2004

Today was special day, our Christmas Meeting and afternoon, we had a nice time with carols and prayers led by Hilda. Afterwards we played games and then a lovely finger buffet organised by Mrs Norma Horn (a really lovely buffet, enjoyed by everyone). this is our last meeting until January 2005 (a lovely end to 2004). (A lovely Christmas raffle organised by Joyce). B. A. Ellis.

January 20^th 2005

Today was our first meeting of the New Year. 21 ladies attended. Our speaker who was to come, had a bad fall, so two of my very good friends came along at short notice for me and made it a very interesting meeting. I gave out we had sent £50 to the tsunami appeal and also toys to be sold for the Bansang Hospital in Gambia (Mrs Anita Smith a wonderful person). Joyce did a lovely raffle. The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits, an afternoon enjoyed by everyone. B. A. Ellis.

February 17^th 2005

Not a very nice day today, but it didn’t seem to deter the ladies, we had a lovely meeting. Our speaker was Mr Peter Bird who showed us lovely slides of Norway, of which he took, when he and his wife went on a cruise there. Hilda led the prayers, birthday cards were given to the appropriate ladies. Joyce got together a very nice raffle of which there were some happy winners. a lovely meeting ending with a nice cup of tea and biscuits served by two of the ladies. B. A. Ellis.

March 17^th 2005

A lovely spring day today, which is a lovely change after such cold weather. 17 ladies attended the meeting. Hilda was unable to come today, due to her husband being very poorly, so I led the prayers, Joyce the raffle and Ruby the birthday cards and the register helped by Edna. Our speaker today was Mr Don Aspinall who does paintings, he done one to show the ladies and then donated it to us (he’s a very clever man). Hilda donated a lot of little fancy cakes and I some Hot Cross buns, being as it was our nearest meeting to Easter. A lovely meeting ending about 3-4 pm. B. A. Ellis.

April 21^st 2005

A lovely sunny afternoon, we had about 20 ladies come to the meeting, it was a lovely meeting. Our speaker was Mr Bert Catlin, so it was a very humorous afternoon and his wife came with him. It was lovely to see Pat as she isn’t able to get out a lot. Jean and Doreen did the tea and biscuits, so it was a nice end to a lovely afternoon. B. A. Ellis.

May 19^th 2005

Rather a chilly day today, but it didn’t deter the ladies attending. Our speaker this afternoon was Mrs Lilian Butler, a very talented lady, today her talent was Origami. The ladies all had a go, very amusing (not quite like Lilian’s). Hilda led the prayers, Ruby the birthday cards and Joyce the raffle. A lovely afternoon ending with a nice cup of tea made by Sheila and Barbara. We had a special visitor from America, Betty, it was lovely to see her again. B. A. Ellis.

June 16^th 2005

Today was a special day, it was our Strawberry Tea. Our speaker today was Mrs Ann Delight a lovely lady who spoke about her work with Spurgeon’s. Afterwards we had a lovely tea of strawberries and cream, scones and jam, plus a nice cup of tea, followed by a raffle. A lovely afternoon to end the summer meetings until September 15^th. B. A. Ellis.

September 15^th 2005

Today was our 22^nd Anniversary, we didn’t have all the ladies present due to illness, but we had a lovely meeting. Our speaker was Mr David Bramford, and his wife Sylvia came along as well. Hilda led the prayers and chose the hymns. Then we all sat down to a lovely tea, followed by a raffle. A lovely afternoon enjoyed by everyone. We look forward to another year of fellowship and friendship together. B. A. Ellis.

October 20^th 2005

We had a lovely meeting today, with Hilda leading the prayers and 2 lovely hymns. Our speaker was Mrs Perkins from Irchester who gave us quite a humorous afternoon with her poems (a lovely lady). Joyce has just moved house so she was unable to be with us, so Edna did the raffle, quite willingly. The ladies seemed to enjoy it. B. A. Ellis.

November 17^th 2005

Today was a lovely autumn afternoon, we discussed our forthcoming coffee morning on Saturday, then we had a lovely meeting. Our speaker was Mr J. Webster, who showed us some lovely slides of birds and flowers of the Shetland Isles and of England. A lovely afternoon. B.A Ellis.

December 15^th 2005

Today was our Christmas afternoon. Prayers were led by Hilda, a lovely reading by Rita. Our speaker was Mr Ken Apted, who spoke about memories in his lifetime, a lovely interesting talk. Afterwards we sat down to a lovely Christmas Buffet. Ruby arranged the table decorations, which were really lovely. Joyce ran the raffle. Everyone had prize. We had Betty with us from America which was lovely. That was our last meeting until the New Year 2006. B. A. Ellis.

January 2006

It was our first meeting of the New Year. Not all our members attended due to illness. Our original speaker let us down, so two friends of mine came to the rescue, Freda and Reg, and we played a few games which the ladies enjoyed. We had a nice meeting beforehand with hymns, prayers and I read a parable called The Parable of the Pencil. The meeting ended with a nice mince pie, biscuits and a cup of tea served by Hilda and Margaret. B. A. Ellis.

February 16^th 2006

A lovely sunny afternoon, although we were down on numbers due to illness and half term from school. It was a lovely afternoon with Mike and Jenny Clarke, with the keyboard being played by Mike and Jenny reciting and singing (a really lovely couple). The meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

March 16^th 2006

A very cold afternoon, but a lovely warmth of friendship and fellowship, when we had the meeting. Our speaker was the Rev Mark Lees from the Full Gospel Church at Rushden (a very nice person). I gave our about the Jumble Sale held at St Mary’s Church Hall recently, it raised £543, a wonderful result and I thanked anyone who helped in any way. The meeting ended in the usual way with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

April 20^th 2006

It was a lovely meeting today, 17 ladies came, Hilda led the prayers and Joyce the raffle. Our speaker was Mr L. McCrea, who showed slides and spoke on lighthouses, a very interesting speaker. Our meeting ended with a nice cup of tea and hot cross buns. B. A. Ellis.

May 18^th 2006

Rather a mixed weather day, but a lovely meeting. Our speaker was Mrs Anita Smith, a lovely lady, who has devoted her life to helping people in Gambia and building a new hospital to care for them. We had a collection for her, we were few in number but the ladies gave generously (£100 plus), a splendid result. Thank you ladies. The meeting closed at about 4 o’clock. B. A. Ellis.

June 15^th 2006

Today was our Strawberry Tea, after the meeting, it was a lovely meeting with Hilda leading us in prayer and also choosing the hymns. Our speaker was the Rev John Tye and his wife Christine came along with him (a lovely couple). John told us his life story, very interesting. This is our last event until September 21^st when it is our 23^rd Anniversary. The meeting closed at about 4 o’clock (a lovely afternoon enjoyed by all). B. A. Ellis.

September 21^st 2006

Today was our 23^rd Anniversary of our meeting. There were about 20 ladies present. Our guest speaker was Mrs Eileen Higgins, a very humorous lady, talking about her life as a child compared with children of today (a lovely lady). After the meeting we had a lovely tea given by the ladies. Joyce ran the raffle. A nice afternoon enjoyed by everyone. B. A. Ellis.

October 19^th 2006

We had a lovely meeting today with 17 ladies present. Our speaker was Mr Eric Jenkins, a local historian from Rushden, a very well read man and very interesting. He has written several books of which the ladies bought (i.e. Christmas presents). It was rather sad as this afternoon we had decided to close our meeting, due to us all getting older, illness and transport. We have had 23 happy years and I’m sure everyone has enjoyed them. We shall run to the end of the year then close as we have no younger people coming on. I thanked everyone for their support over the years. B. A. Ellis.

November 16^th

A lovely meeting, but only 14 ladies attended due to illness, etc. Hilda led the prayers beautifully, as she always does. Joyce the raffle and Ruby the birthday cards. Our speaker was Mrs Rosemary Hallworth, speaking on Bygones (a lovely lady, so interesting) with the things she brought with her from her late parents’ home. The afternoon closed with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. B. A. Ellis.

December 14^th 2006

Today was a very happy meeting, and also a very sad one. Firstly it was our Christmas afternoon with Mike and Jenny Clarke. Mike playing the organ and Jenny singing, a really lovely pair devoted to their faith. But also a sad time as this was our last meeting, after 23years. Due to age and illness causing numbers to decrease. We had the ladies from Higham Ferrers to cater for the tea which was really lovely. Joyce organised a lovely raffle, where everyone had a present. We have some lovely happy memories. B. A. Ellis.