So, the year is MARCHing on at a rate of knots, and I can’t believe it’s March already! The great thing about March is that it includes the first day of Spring, the clocks going ON and the blooming of daffodils – so things are starting to look up at last!

Well, in spite of Lockdown 3, Capel Ladies Club’s AGM did manage to take place (by email) this year, organised by the Committee and with the co-operation of the members. Rose Chiverton, our present Chairlady, sent out her annual report reviewing the year.

The year began with a talk on Oxygen Therapy, our charity of the year, and then we enjoyed an Indian meal at our local restaurant Zaynab. In March we had an hilarious evening with Iestyn Edwards’ talk “My Tutu Went AWOL” before Lockdown 1 began. Although there was then no chance of meeting as a group, nevertheless our supportive committee kept in contact with members by phone, texts or email to make sure everyone was ok, occasionally giving advice on shopping or just ideas on how to cope with these difficult times. That support was much appreciated, as were the Easter eggs – delivered to our doors, and cupcakes too, later in the year – all gift-wrapped with our names on! In September we managed to squeeze in an outing to the Bluebell Café for a cream tea before another set of restrictions took over. At Christmas time we held a ZOOM Social with Christmas hats, wine and nibbles, and the annual draws for the two prize hampers. These had been created by Wendy Keeble (Christmas Goodies) and Penny Thompson (Pamper Hamper), and were won by Beryl Backler and Cathy Sweeney. Linda Bloomfield’s home-made Christmas cards were sent out to all of us on behalf of the club, and inside each was a Christmas Quiz sheet composed by Rose herself.  At the end of her report, Rose thanked everyone who had been involved with supporting and working for the Club, not least the committee members who were now retiring: Beryl Backler (Secretary), Sue Crane (Treasurer), plus Linda Evans, Wendy Keeble and Sue Maynard for their continued help and support; also Wendy and Linda for agreeing to stay on as part of next year’s committee. It’s a tribute to them all that Capel Ladies Club has survived its most difficult year – THANK YOU EVERYONE! And Thanks to you too, Rose, as our retiring Chairlady!

Next, Sue Crane , our Treasurer, gave her report, (with attached accounts, audited by John Bloomfied), which was agreed on and adopted by members, and the revised format of the Capel Ladies  Constitution was also adopted by members via email as before.

Members also agreed via email to support the nominations of the two members, Mary Butters and Lisa Gaughan to join the General Committee.

Actually, considering what a write-off 2020 was in many ways, it certainly shows that Capel Ladies Club is a LONG way from being written off!

We now look forward in a positive way to meeting up face-to-face, and to taking Capel Ladies Club confidently into the future!

– Sue Woolgar