Items sold are mostly what we have made in the Day Centre and range from knitted things to beadwork and jewellery. We were blessed with fine weather again this year and the event proved very profitable.
Joyce on the stall
News 2003
Christmas Carol Singing
Go to Christmas Carols with Graham James 2003
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Go to Christmas Carols with Hassenbrook School 2003
Christmas Dinner 2003
Go to Christmas Dinner 2003 for details and pictures
Warners Break
Go to Warners 2003 for details and pictures
Stanford Le Hope Festival
| Every year Stanford le Hope has a
festival day and we are given a stall to raise funds for
our Branch. Items sold are mostly what we have made in the Day Centre and range from knitted things to beadwork and jewellery. We were blessed with fine weather again this year and the event proved very profitable. |
Joyce on the stall |
Craft Fair
In September we made what has now become our Annual Trip to the New Hall Vineyard Festival Weekend. For anybody who has not been there, it is a very entertaining and "full of events" outing. As you can see from the pictures our party all had happy faces. Please note they were congregated in the wine tasting area. 4 wine tastings are free of charge.
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| There are numerous craft stall with demonstrations by their owners. The plays by the "Mummers" are very amusing and well acted. For the more mechanical minded there is the steam engine and for the more laid back ones a trip round the vineyard on the tractor and trailer. |  |
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Mingling among the
visitors are stilt walkers, fire eaters and jugglers as
well as strolling musicians. The dining area has a
musical event going on all the time. A very good day out. Joyce |
Cosmetic Demonstration
Regrettably due to a number of members being on holiday or poorly there were not many members there. We do thank Bonnie for her time but it was a little disappointing for her. Hopefully, if she can be persuaded, a bigger turn out will be there next time.
Supper
A gathering of 28 members sat down to a feast of fish or chicken and chips.
| The food was obtained from a local establishment and was, as in the past, very good. |  |
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There was no need to lay on any entertainment, although Joyce said she was ready to do her song and dance act. |
By the time we had eaten and the tables cleared, people were deep in conversations so any other entertainment seemed superfluous. The suppers are always well supported, and with the quality of food it is of no surprise. |
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Bowling
Although only six of us went we had an enjoyable evening trying to outdo each other. Marilyn won the first game with Richard winning the second. A good evening, which took on a different feeling when the lights were lowered and we realised the balls were fluorescent. A great evening but tiring on the arm.
Harlow Dogs
We all made our own ways to Harlow and met up in the car park. Inside our tables were reserved with 'ringside seats' by the windows. We soon placed our first bets. One person on my table had a good win. Yes, it was paper money. The meal, which was very good, soon followed. There was a choice of chicken or scampi and chips, and the portions were very large. All to be washed down with a choice of alcoholic or soft drinks.
We were invited down to the track where Darren was invited to present the plaque to the winning dog of the M.S. Stakes. There were several more races and some of the winners became losers at their final countdown. Others were just losers. One person was a winner all the time. Well, I heard her say to her partner 2What's yours is mine and what is mine is my own2. It was a very entertaining evening and the general opinion is we want to go again. It is very wheelchair friendly and good value for the money. Our thanks go to Marilyn for her efforts on our behalf.
Joyce
Inter-Branch Quiz
We managed to rustle up a team and book a place at the last minute for the quiz, at Great Baddow on Sat 17th May. We all went in one car and had an uneventful journey, arriving on time for a cuppa before the event started.
The team started off with ten out of ten for the first round but started slipping down the order. A recovery after playing the Joker on round five saw us back at the top. Other teams also played their Jokers and we slipped to third place. Even a rallying ten out of ten was insufficient in the last round to put us back at the top. The winners, East Herts & West Essex, finished with a total of 98 points only five in front of us.
When the raffle was drawn the first number was picked by our young supporter Cara, she managed to pick Joyce's number, who took home a rubber plant.
It was a fun day with a lot of good humour. What was disappointing was that only 6 teams entered out of the 19 in the Herts & Essex Region, will there be more next year?
Newly Diagnosed Night
On Friday 25th April we held a newly diagnosed night. This night was especially for local people who have been recently diagnosed with MS. We had two recently diagnosed plus the partner of a third attend. There was also a couple of student nurses who wished to obtain some more information on MS.
2003 AGM
This year's AGM was held on Friday March 21st. There were 18 members in attendance and the meeting went very smoothly.
Marilyn read the minutes of last years AGM, and there were no matters arising. Frank then gave a report on the events from last year and ended by thanking the committee members for their help during the year. Lynette then gave a report on the statement of accounts. The elections then followed, the officers and five other members were all elected unanimously. Richard was also elected as the Branch Voting Delegate. Hunt Smee & Co was re-elected as Branch Auditors. There was no guest speaker this year. The floor was then opened to the members present for any questions. As there were none our new chairman, Richard asked for a vote of thanks to the outgoing committee.
For last years news go to News 2002