A poem… ‘One Day’ by Donna Ashworth

Mar3

I recently came across this poem written by a British poet called Donna Ashworth, who writes uplifting poems, many of which have women in mind. The theme of this poem will resonate with many readers of both sexes, I think!

Today, I dared to let myself dream,
That the world will one day open again.
That the locks will loosen, the walls will fall,
The doors will fly open and reunite us all.

I dared to imagine the warmth of a cuddle,
A group of my friends all locked in a huddle.
I felt all the heartbeats, drumming with mine,
I heard all the laughter, I tasted the wine.

I thought of the feelings I’ve missed for long,
The room full of music, united by song.
The freedom to roam, to plan and to meet
To hold someone’s hand, to meet, to greet.

Just for a moment I dared to dream of,
The flights I would board to the places I love.
The moment those eyes would meet mine at the gate,
The feeling of joy after so long a wait.

Today, I dared to let myself dream,
That the life we once had would happen again.
That we’d no longer fear the danger of air,
That our lives would not depend on such care.

They say that we mustn’t wish time away,
But it’s hard, my friend, when faced with a day,
So long in blank hours and so wiped of laughter,
It’s tempting to drift away to thereafter.

So yes, I dared to dream just a while,
Of life coming back, it brought me a smile.
One day I know, this will be in the past,
And hugs will be free, again, at last.

Donna Ashworth
Author of ‘To The Women’ and ‘History Will Remember’. Available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_HubdGbPF31SR5

Capel Ladies Club A.G.M. 2021

Mar1

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

Capel Ladies Club February 2021 update

Feb14

Well, here we are in February, and although my report is a little bit on the thin side I found a positive quotation on the internet recently…

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

-Victor Hugo, born 26^th February 1802, died 22^nd May 1885.

…and I thought it just fitted the way things are at the moment. We must all try and stay optimistic that we will see the end of the virus in the-not-too-distant future!

Someone who was feeling particularly positive just before New Year was Cathy Sweeney, the Capel Ladies Club member who won the virtual draw for the Pamper Hamper during our virtual Christmas Social! Here she is being presented with her prize by our Chairlady Mary Butters! Our second winner, who won the Food Hamper in the same draw, was Beryl Backler. Thank you to Penny Thompson and Wendy Keeble who were responsible for filling the hampers with goodies!

We are now keeping our fingers crossed that we will actually be able to meet as a proper club by Easter… watch this space! Meanwhile stay safe and Keeeee-eeeep Smiling!

Capel Ladies Club’s Christmas Fun!

Jan5

“THE SHOW MUST GO ON!”

Even though we were still unable to meet up face-to-face as a club because of THAT VIRUS, the Capel Ladies Club Committee had some festive plans up their sleeves to cheer us all up and to keep the ball rolling, as it were!

Our planned annual Christmas Social, due to be held on 17^th December in the Vine Lounge at Capel Community Centre, was switched to a Virtual Social via ZOOM. Members were invited to dress up in their Christmas party finery and have drinks and nibbles to hand in their own sitting rooms and share some of the glitz and sparkle of the festive season with each other. During this “Virtual” party we were still going to hold the usual Members’ Draw for the Christmas Hamper. This year there were to be TWO hampers – one with traditional edible contents, and one – a “Pamper Hamper” with luxury items such as soaps, creams and lotions with which we could indulge ourselves in between the festivities!

There had been plans for a Christmas Quiz, which could still go ahead, not live – but with a fun sheet of questions which was to be delivered to all members inside their Christmas cards from the Club. Well done, Committee, it’s great to know that in spite of everything THE SHOW GOES ON!

Speaking of which at the next meeting of the Committee in January the main topic on the table will be how to take the Club forward into 2021.

Meanwhile, wishing all our members, prospective members and everyone reading this a Happy and Healthy New Year! Come and join us in 2021!

– Sue Woolgar

A Capel Lady’s Christmas List

Dec6

As Christmas approaches, in case I am missed,
I thought I would jot down my own Christmas List.
I don’t want a jumper, some gloves or a hat,
But what I WOULD love’s more important than that.

I’d like no pollution, no plastic or fumes,
No wars and no hatred, no more dooms and glooms.
No famine or discord, no cancer or pain,
And no global warming with protests in vain.

Why can’t we be happy with life and new birth,
On our beautiful planet, our green Mother Earth?
So, as Christmas approaches, think seriously
And pray for a world full of peace, Covid-free!

– Sue Woolgar

November Quiz-Word Grid!

Nov1

Pens and Paper at the ready! Answer each question in the grid below to find the hidden message in this Suffolk quiz!

When you’ve finished, click the arrow on the grid to reveal the answers!

Traditional local breed of heavy horse. (7,5)
Site of 1^st UK Radar Station. (7)
Good place to go crabbing! (11)
Site of famous concert hall. (5)
SpringWatch 2016 came from here! (8)
Martyred King of the East Angles. (6)
Coastal town with remains under the sea since the 13^th Century. (7)
Tudor Archbishop, Thomas …. whose surname was given to our local theatre. (6)
The UK’s busiest container port. (10)
An annual sailing barge race starts here! (3,4)
The artist John Constable was born here. (4,8)

MYSTERY WORD (down) – What we all need to try and do!

3rd Sept | Afternoon Tea at Bluebell Tea Room

Sep3

It was a real treat for sixteen members of Capel Ladies Club to meet up for the first time since Lockdown began, and by all accounts the last, now, for a while! The occasion was Afternoon Tea in the Bluebell Tea Room at the By Pass Nurseries, where Mandy and her team made us all very welcome.

We had finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and cakes too, accompanied by unlimited cups of tea and coffee – delicious! The service was excellent and came with plenty of smiles and everyone enjoyed the occasion very much!

It was especially nice to see Molly Johansen with us, as she has recently had a bout of very poor health, and it was good to see she is on the way to recovery. At the end of the afternoon Rose Chiverton thanked Mandy and her team, and confirmed that Capel Ladies Club will definitely be continuing into 2021 with some new committee members joining our ranks.

The only unfortunate thing is that we won’t be able to meet as a whole club for at least six months or more, thanks to Covid-19! Oh well, perhaps we should split into breakaway groups of six and have our own mini-meetings on the green near the war memorial……!

Just joking, of course – but roll on next Spring when perhaps we’ll be able to gather in the Library once again at 7.45pm. on the first Thursday of the month!

Meanwhile – Keee-eep smiling! (And remember to wash those hands!)

Stop Press: CLC meetings restart dates!

Sep1

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As I write, some late CLC news has come to my attention!

At a recent committee meeting, it was agreed to co-opt some new members onto the existing committee, and an EXTRA meeting is being held on 9^th September to do this, and to discuss the way forward for the club.

Meanwhile, obvious restrictions still prevent us from holding our first CLC autumn meeting in the Library. To compensate for this, an afternoon tea is being planned (hopefully!) for Thursday 3^rd September at the Bluebell Café in the By-Pass Nurseries!

Why not join us for tea and scones? All members and prospective members welcome!

– Sue Woolgar

September update – a poem

Sep1

We might not be big – in fact we’re quite small

But nevertheless we’re the best club of all!

We need some new members

To carry us on,

We hope that you’ll join us

Before we are gone.

There’s speakers and outings

And barbecues too

And visits to pantos

And craft things to do!

We’re older than some

But we’re still young at heart

And we’d love some new blood

To give things a fresh start!

Please don’t be put off

Come and give it a go –

Until you have tried it

You’ll just never know!

SEE YOU THERE?

– Sue Woolgar

Capel Ladies Club – August update

Aug1

At the time of writing this article I am not sure when Capel Ladies Club will next be able to meet. It would be great to think it could be September, but who knows?

So – just in case we are actually able to enjoy our full Autumn Programme, I thought I would give details of what to expect, both as a reminder for current members and as useful information for potential ones.

Our autumn in-meetings include a visit from Wiltshire Foods, a talk on the Silk Road from China to Essex, tales of Suffolk Ghosts and Hauntings and a Christmas Social with Buffet supper in the Vine Lounge.

Our planned trips range from an outing to a local vineyard and one to the Hotter shoe shop in Ipswich. Nearer to Christmas there is a shopping trip by coach arranged jointly with the W.I., and of course our club’s Christmas meal out to a pub or restaurant. (Can you remember what that’s like???)

I do hope that at least some of these things appeal to many of you, and that they might just tempt you to come along to a meeting on the first Thursday in the month, at 7.45pm in Capel Library, where you will find a friendly crowd and an interesting speaker to pep up your evening.

For more information please see locally distributed posters or browse this website.

Do give it a whirl – you never know, you might even enjoy it! And you’ll certainly learn something – and also make some new friends!

Sue Woolgar

Cup Cakes 2 Photo P.S. Our members each received another nice surprise from the Capel Ladies Committee last week – a presentation box with a pretty gift tag containing two delectable cupcakes! Mmmm! We can’t guarantee that this will be happening EVERY month, but it’s a lovely lockdown treat! Thank you again CLC Committee!