I’ve heard of some unusual collections in my time, but historical and vintage underwear must be one of the strangest! Liza Jones has a suitcase full of the most amazing garments worn by ladies through the ages, which we passed round to look at while she told us of their history.

The underwear market in the UK is a thriving business, worth £1.6 billion a year, but it has not always been so. Women have not always worn underwear, but from the 15^th century onward began to take more interest in showing off their own body shape under clothing. They began wearing laced corsets which were stiffened with whalebone to keep their shape and provide support. Liza wanted to add one of these corsets to her collection but was unable to find one so made her own! Instead of using whalebone she stiffened each section using modern parcel ties and the result is a work of art!

Apart from this garment she has pantaloons, knickerbockers, a Victorian night-shirt and cap, a liberty bodice and a wonderful collection of vintage bras and underwear sets from more recent times! We were taken on a journey from busks to Madonna’s bullet bras, and from loin cloths to G-strings! A fascinating and enlightening talk and slides, which was brought to life as we passed round the various items of clothing, many of which were hand-made and edged with delicate lace or broderie anglaise. Thank you Liza for a lively and interesting talk!

The police theme from our museum visit cropped up again at our March meeting, when Gary Egerton, a retired police officer and Blue Badge Tourist Guide, made a welcome return visit to the club to tell us about “The Funny Side of Policing”. He had a wealth of amusing yarns to tell from his various experiences – first, as a rookie cop, pounding the beat at the tender age of nineteen, then as a member of the C.I.D., solving crimes, and finally as a police protection officer responsible for guarding V.I.P.’s like members of the Royal Family, pop groups and politicians.

Gary is a great storyteller and has a proper ‘policeman’s voice’, so we had no trouble hearing the hilarious accounts of incidents from his time on the force.

At the end of the evening he received much enthusiastic applause from a smiling crowd of Capel Ladies Club members who had been treated to large doses of “the best medicine” – LAUGHTER!

Our next speaker promises more amusing anecdotes when she reveals facts concerning the subject of “Knickers”- so do come and join us for a jolly evening! New members always welcome!

There was an excellent turnout for our first “In” meeting of the year – a Body Shop Evening. Our new chairlady, Di Barker, began by welcoming everyone and introducing the new committee for 2017 before handing over to Lindsey Imlach, the Body Shop consultant.

Founded in 1976 by the late British environmental and human rights campaigner the late Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop started life as a small outfit in Brighton selling just 25 products. Customers were encouraged to recycle packaging and there was a real emphasis on natural ingredients that were ethically sourced and cruelty-free. Now the range consists of over 300 products and there are more than 2500 stores worldwide.

The natural ingredients of these products come from all over the world, from Guatemala and the Brazilian rainforests, Ecuador and Cameroon to Ghana, Sudan and even Norfolk in the UK! They are all community-traded raw ingredients which play an important part in keeping village co-operatives and farms in very rural areas of the world as thriving businesses. Moneys raised help to pay for the education of children and young people, and also conserve the environment in which they live. Here in East Anglia there are nine flourishing family farm businesses, which might otherwise have failed, now growing crops such as camomile to produce Norfolk Essential Oils.

Lindsey passed round various creams and lotions for us to try and then there was an opportunity to buy some of the products. It was a very interesting and enlightening evening, and a very sociable time for everyone who attended.

Coming up we have a visit to Suffolk Police Museum, a meal out to the Wenham Queen, a talk about the Funny Side of Policing and another about Knickers!  (None of these are connected, by the way!)

Come and join us!

The A.G.M. was attended by a total of 20 members, including five members of the 2016 Committee. The minutes of last year’s A.G.M. were approved by the members present, and the audited accounts were officially adopted too. In her chairlady’s report Linda Evans said it had been another busy year, and a varied and enjoyable one. She listed all the activities including the many outings which were all well supported by members. There had been one or two new members joining during the year, and Linda asked that regular members encourage newcomers to join their friendship groups to help integrate them into the club, after all, we were ALL new members once! Linda said her OWN membership had begun over 40 years ago!

She thanked all the committee including those retiring this year – who are Jean Rollings, Maureen MacNeil, Cathy Sweeney. Linda is also retiring having served three years, and she said the Club could now look forward to some new committee members volunteering for 2017. Thanks were also given to Val and Dorothy, our esteemed tea ladies, who regularly get the refreshments laid out at the start of every “In” Meeting.

Several new committee members were then proposed, seconded and accepted onto the 2017 team. These include Di Barker (who was proposed as the new Chairlady), Shirley Ward, Pat Bradford and Irene Carder.

After the business was finished Cakes, Coffees and Teas were served, and then came the Raffle and a few games of Beetle to end the evening.

There was a wonderful turnout for our Christmas Social! And a record-breaking Christmas Draw too! Our entertainer for the evening was David Padwick, who sang a selection of old popular hits interspersed with amusing stories – not all of them new but very funny! After our delicious buffet supper, provided by all the members, there was more music and a chance to join in with carols and seasonal songs. There were raffle prizes for nearly everyone in the end, as well as Secret Santa gifts and our own Capel Ladies calendars. Just the Christmas Meal at The George to look forward to now, before 2017 is upon us and we start a new programme!

Future events on the cards at Capel Ladies Club include our January AGM and Beetle Drive, where we hope to amass a few more winners in the shape of some new committee members, and a Body Shop evening in February – watch out for our posters!