The sun was setting in a blaze of fire as we left Blakenham Woodland Garden on a Thursday evening in mid-April.

The garden is exactly what it says – a woodland garden, located in a seemingly natural woodland setting at the edge of a Suffolk meadow. As we passed through the gate on arrival we heard a woodpecker drumming in woods not far away, and birdsong filled the air. It was the perfect visit for a spring evening.

The garden was created from the 1950s onwards by John Hare, then MP for Sudbury and Woodbridge, who bought the wooded hill next to his house in 1951. Continue reading →

Capel Ladies’ first meal out this year was a trip to The Red Lion in East Bergholt, where we filled the dining room with noise and bustle. Luckily this didn’t fluster the staff at all, and we were made to feel welcome whilst all our meals were served piping hot and without a fuss. Everyone was pleased with their choice of food and there was a jolly atmosphere throughout the evening. Be warned, Red Lion – we may well return!

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An Evening with Pam Ayres – Mercury Theatre, Colchester

On the same evening a Capel Ladies splinter group went on a theatre trip to the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, to see Pam Ayres in her one-woman show. They too had a good night and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

I had always thought that Reflexology was a rather ticklish subject, but at our March meeting, held in Dove Close, Anita Gillespie assured us all that this was not so. In fact, judging by Linda Morrison’s response to having her feet massaged and stroked it proved to be a very relaxing and therapeutic treatment. Continue reading →

Fifty members and guests welcomed Mark Browning, chairman of Capel St Mary Community Trust, to their Christmas Social in the Community Centre’s Vine Lounge on Thursday, 18 December.

He was invited in order to receive £410 contribution from the club towards the Community Trust Roof Appeal. Ladies had raised £260 during the year through fund raising and donations and £150 from serving monthly afternoon teas, which were organised by Mary Butters at Dove Close.

Following the presentation, the ladies enjoyed a Christmas quiz, Family Fortunes, set by Pat Bradford. Refreshments were served. Members provided a super buffet with a wonderful selection of sweet and savoury dishes.

The tables were decorated with Christmas crackers and festive table decorations made by chairlady Penny Thompson and Mary Butters. A raffle with an amazing selection of prizes was organised by Linda Evans and Molly Johansen and a grand draw for a Christmas hamper was organised by Maureen MacNeil. It was won by Pat Naylor. Secret Santa gifts were drawn from Santa’s sack.

A presentation of a planted Christmas basket was made to Sue Woolgar for her work on our website and publicity.

The social, which was judged highly successful, closed at 10.30pm with the singing of a Christmas carol.

Capel Ladies’ Club wish everybody in the village a happy and healthy New Year.

Penny Thompson

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The choice of venue for our Christmas meal this year was made after several members had been on a very enjoyable afternoon visit to Acorn Village at Mistley, and it proved to be an excellent choice too. Continue reading →

It was with a slight feeling of apprehension that a select group of Capel Ladies met in the library on 16^th October for a craft workshop with Heather Price. Continue reading →

On the 18th of September on what was a lovely sunny afternoon, eleven members were made very welcome and enjoyed a very pleasant visit to Acorn Village at Manningtree. This is home to around sixty adults with learning disabilities, some of whom are residential, others going home each night or at weekends. The aim of the village is to encourage the residents to make their own decisions and choices, also for them to lead a full and fulfilling life. Self development is encouraged with assistance always on hand.

Whilst we were touring round we met several of the residents, one or two of them being real characters, another proud to show us her pet guinea pig which she takes around on a lead. Some of the residents were busy working on preparations for the Winter Wonderland Christmas Market coming up in November. This work was taking place in the recently purpose built art and craft unit. They also have a theatre, a recording studio, and a state of the art sensory room. To aid their fund-raising they sell many of the art and craft items made by the residents, some of whom are very talented in this area. They also have a second hand book shop covering many and varied titles. I think most of us came away with at least one book.

Once our tour was over we had tea and cake in The Acorn Coffee Shop, this being another place where the residents often help with the daily running. It is open to the public and has a good menu choice at very reasonable prices.

We were all impressed by the happy, calm and relaxed atmosphere of the whole village.

You can find out more about Acorn Village on their website: http://www.acornvillages.com/

Fifteen Capel Ladies’ Club members met for a healthy and interesting pub-walk evening on 7^th August. It was centred on The Ship Inn at Levington, the starting point.

Members split into two groups, one group walking three miles and the other one mile. Both groups returned to The Ship for refreshments via Levington Creek.

It was a fascinating evening with much wildlife to see, including a field of deer!

The next meeting is on September 4^th at 7.45pm in Capel Library. The speaker is Marilyn Coates on “The Samaritans’ Purse – Operation Christmas Child.”

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On a glorious hot summer evening, more than 40 members of Capel Ladies’ Club enjoyed their annual BBQ in Chairman Penny Thompson’s garden.

The ladies were greeted with a welcoming Pimm’s fortified with gin.  Chef Nick Eaton of Capel cooked burgers, sausages, chicken breasts, Suffolk-caught rainbow trout and Capel mushrooms stuffed with his own special recipe. He also made a variety of interesting and delicious salads, and his cooking was widely praised. There were exotic desserts and the ladies brought wine and soft drinks.

The garden was lit by candles as dusk turned into darkness. The BBQ, on 17 July, was a happy four-hour event, full of fun and laughter with the last of the ladies leaving at 11.30pm.

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Capel Ladies’ Club members enjoyed a delightful summer evening walk around the privately-owned Woodward Gardens in Coddenham on 19th June. The owners, Richard and Marion Kenward, opened the gardens, part of the National Garden Scheme, especially for Capel Ladies. Members commented on the wonderful plants in the borders, the immaculate lawns and colourful shrubs and flowers. The hosts provided refreshments and there was an opportunity to buy plants. A return visit is planned.