Ellisfield Ladies Club

We are fortunate to live in a most delightful rural village surrounded by bluebell woods and farmland. It is a very spread out village which unfortunately has not got a shop which would otherwise be a focal point where the ladies would meet and pass the time of day. (It has, however, got a very nice Public House called The Fox, where the men of the village discuss matters and put the world to right.)

Thus, the Ladies of the village formed a Social Club some 33 years ago, in order that we could meet and get to know not only our immediate neighbour but also the village community as a whole socially. This has proved to be very successful and we are growing all the time - at the time of writing (January 2007), we have 66 members. We hope that if you are not already a member you will take up our invitation and join us and keep the community together.

We meet once a month, and this may take the form of many different types of social events. We have events ranging from Skittle Matches, Dances, Walks, Theatre trips, Harvest Supper Entertainment, Prom Concerts, Christmas Carols and much much more – something for everyone we think. But most of all we help and care for one another. We hope this has stimulated you enough for you to find out more about us and come along to one of our meetings which are publicised both on this website and within the Hill and Dale.

Please call to find out more.

Chair: Doreen Lonergan 381652
Secretary: Hannah Houstin-Lacey 381863

٠ Please advise if numbers are restricted – members to have first refusal

٠ Write ups for Hill & Dale etc – to be arranged by event organiser (or co-opt someone to  do it for you)

٠ Committee – Doreen 381652, Joanne 381300,  Hannah 381863,
                        Sue 381819, Helen 381384

RECENT EVENTS

Ellington at Wellington – JAZZ Evening, Saturday 26 July 2008

More than a dozen people joined the Ellisfield Ladies’ trip to Ellington at Wellington, an open air concert on Saturday, 26 July.  It was fantastic, I am not a jazz aficionado myself but the atmosphere was terrific; great music and lovely weather, and an amazing light show, starting with the most spectacular sunset I have seen in ages and then I have to say an amazing firework show to finish. The organisers; volunteers from Macmillan Cancer Support had arranged a brilliant show, an eclectic mix of music showcasing some local talent including the Innovations Jazz Orchestra and some internationally famous artistes including Kenny Lynch and The Laurie Holloway trio.  More than £5,000 was raised at this event and if they do it again next year – it’s well worth going along to support them and have a great evening.

Article and photo by Jacqui Matthews

Visit to Farleigh House and Gardens Thursday, 22 May 2008

Nearly 30 members of Ellisfield Ladies enjoyed a tour of Farleigh House and Gardens last Thursday. Many thanks to Lady Portsmouth herself who guided us around her beautiful home and garden and told us tales of the house and its occupants from Tudor times to the present day.  It was particularly interesting to learn of the family connection with Sir Isaac Newton, whose great niece, Catherine had married Viscount Lymington in 1740. The weather was just perfect and the gardens looked marvellous in the early evening sunshine.

Many members also purchased copies of a recently produced, beautifully illustrated book on the history of the Earls of Portsmouth as a souvenir.

In true Ellisfield Ladies style, after the tour, we gathered in the Farleigh Club for drinks and snacks; many thanks to Maggie Heath and Judy Sly for organising such a good evening.

Scottish Dancing – Saturday, 19 April 2008

Our thanks to Caroline and Bernard Cazenove for arranging an excellent evening of Scottish Dancing on Saturday, 19 April 2008 at Ellisfield Village Hall– approximately 35 people attended and enjoyed a fantastic evening of music and dancing – Caroline and Bernard instructed us well and everyone had a heap of fun!

Bernard had the difficult task or pleasure of selecting the winner of the best Scottish outfit.  Joint first place went to Nicky Harvey and Joanne Thomas – their lavish outfits followed a theme of Brave Heart, Robert the Bruce with a touch of Mel Gibson!  Their plaids were fortified with shortbread and whisky miniatures for the long journey home over the hills!  Oh and Mel Gibson again along with Bruce’s spider!    Their protectors for the evening were two roving lads from over the border, suitably attired with tamashanter and a sword!

Hannah Houstin-Lacey

Movie Evening at Ellisfield Village Hall - Friday 22 February 2008

A lovely evening was spent 'at the movies with Hugh Grant'. We started the evening with a short black and white film depicting rural life in the 1940s, then had a Looney Tune to take us back in time, followed by the main feature of  'Music and Lyrics' starring Hugh Grant.  The traditional ice creams and pop corn were served in the interval and all accompanied, of course, by a glass or two of wine.  Theresa and I do hope you enjoyed the evening.

We would like to thank everyone who supported this event, it was something completely new, which to my knowledge had never been tried in the Ladies Club before.  Our special thanks must go to Ted who did such a good job as our projectionist. 

Thank you, Celia and Theresa

JANUARY 2008

A very enjoyable and convivial night out at The Fox was organised by Maggie and Julie on 15^th January.

The new owners of the Fox, Lynn and Dave Reed, did us proud, the food was lovely and the vegetables particularly nice.  It was, incidentally, Doreen’s 21^st birthday, so this was marked in the usual way with cake and candles and serenading (mostly in tune).

Edna Chilton

ELLISFIELD LADIES ON TOUR!

Carol singing around the village on Friday 21^st December

Despite the cold, the Ellisfield Ladies toured the village singing as they went: many thanks to Rose for driving the tractor and trailing the carollers from stop to stop; we sang loud and long to keep out the cold.

Many thanks also to Nicky Palmer, Dee Haas, Judith and David Richards and Maggie Heath for entertaining their neighbours and carol singers with plenty of Christmas Spirit, and of course thanks to David and Lynn Reed at The Fox for the delicious mulled wine that soothed the vocal chords.

£350. was raised for Hampshire Air Ambulance

Jacqui Matthews.

A Taste of Tuscany – came to Ellisfield - 16th November 2007

Held at Ellisfield Memorial Hall

FANTASTICO! Wonderful, marvellous, delicious – I could go on…. Nearly 30 members of Ellisfield Ladies enjoyed a fascinating demonstration of Italian cooking from Sue Self, Christine Marshall and Linda Knight, their hand-made pasta was seriously delicious, we were thoroughly spoilt, Prosecco, antipasto and a three course meal, all made by their own fair hands.

Thank you very much for an excellent evening.

Jacqueline Matthews

TOWERof London - Friday 12 October 2007

More than 30 members of the Ladies Club and friends attended The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London on the evening of Friday 12 October. The trip was organised by Shelagh and Tony Trown and we were lucky enough to be the guests of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (of which Tony is a member) and enjoyed a private tour led by the Yeoman Gaoler himself, followed by a delicious buffet supper in the regimental HQ. The Ceremony of the Keys, which has been virtually unchanged for the last 700 years, takes place every night the Tower is locked up by the Chief Yeoman Warder. Dressed in a Scarlet Coat and Tudor bonnet, carrying a lantern and with foot guard escort; he secure the Tower for the night; once all the gates are locked, the last post is sounded by a trumpeter and the ceremony is concluded.

The group travelled by luxury coach, transported door to door in comfort and the evening was a total success. Everyone had a great time and many thanks to Shelagh and Tony for organising the event.

We were not allowed to take photos of the actual ceremony, but here is one of the Yeoman Gaoler (perhaps deciding whether to lock up Doreen Lonergan and Phil Self for the night!)

Tea at 3 for the St Michael's Hospice - Sunday 15th July 2007

A BIG thank you to all those who, made cakes, gave raffle prizes, donated their time and generously came to support the Tea at 3. We feel we must say a special thank you to Mrs. De Ferranti who so kindly opened her garden to the public in support of this event, and Suzanne Light whose beauty therapy was much appreciated.  We had a wonderful afternoon chatting over a cup of tea with friends and with so many delicious cakes on display, it was difficult to chose just one, so some of us had two. I think the diet was forgotten for that day.    We are delighted to tell you that we equalled last year’s target, and our grand total was £530 – a magnificent sum to be handed over to the Hospice.

Once again our thanks to you everyone for their support from, Maggie, Judy, Rose, Celia, Theresa, Paulina, Suzanne and Julie.

Marwell Sunset Safari – 19th June 2007

The weather didn’t bode well as we left Ellisfield at 5.30pm – leaden skies and thunder rumbling around – it seemed like we were going to have a wet safari! In fact Ellisfield did have a thunderstorm and torrential rain.

Meanwhile, at Marwell, the skies cleared and we enjoyed a lovely sunny evening being guided around the park by our two zoo keeper guides. 31 people attended, enjoying the tour which included all shapes and sizes of animals from meer cats to tigers to giraffes, with a refreshment break in Marwell Hall half way round.

It was especially good to visit in the evening when the park was closed to the public. It was very peaceful and the animals all appeared very relaxed. Many thanks to our two zoo guides and to Debbie for organising a fun evening.

Action for ME – fund raising day - Sunday, 13 May 2007

The Dingee family of the Fox Inn, Ellisfield, hosted an action packed day.

Although the weather was extremely unkind, rain and more rain, it did not dampen the spirits too much as the day commenced with the Sponsored Walk, a short circular route to and from the Pub of approximately 4 miles.  Gilly and Pete struck out down Green Lane, towards Furzen Lane at 11.00 hrs, followed by a stream of walkers (approx 90) all determined to do their best to raise funds for Action for ME. 

On returning to the Pub the walkers were met with the sound of Jazz, played by the Tim Eyles Jazz Band and, although absolutely drenched, all were still in good spirits – the mood was extremely jolly.  There was time for a well earned beer and to enjoy the delicious hot buffet before the Morris Dancers began the first of their 2 sessions.  The group of dancers from Alton performed several traditional dances and invited members of the audience to participate.   The Dingee’s are extremely grateful to the Alton troupe, who gave their time freely as a gesture of goodwill. 

The Auction of Promises started off at 2pm – a magnificent assortment of gifts kindly donated by local people, friends and family, were auctioned off to the highest bidder.  The gifts ranged from a flight in a 2-seater light aircraft to the Isle of Wight, afternoon tea for 2 at Audleys Wood, a case of good quality wine, signed cookery books, bed and breakfast, yoga classes, gardening services, 2 hanging baskets with seasonal planting for one year, and more…..    The total raised from this part of the day was just over £1,500 – a tremendous achievement due to peoples’ extreme generosity.

The light heartedness and fun mood of the day continued to late afternoon with the Morris Dancers and the band providing more entertainment.  People happily gathered around, as the sun came out, enjoying the spirit of the event, the entertainment and camaraderie of the occasion.

M.E. is an indiscriminate illness which can strike at any time leaving the most severely affected sufferers totally bed bound, in pain and isolation – awareness of this illness needs to be raised as well as vital funds for essential research into what causes this crippling illness.

Camilla, Gilly, Pete and Adrian wish to sincerely thank everyone for their tremendous generosity and support in helping to make Sunday, 13th May such a great success – the many helpers, the walkers, their sponsors, indeed, all who gave in one way or another.  It has indeed been a truly awesome experience! 

The money raised from this event will go towards research.  The total to-date stands at just under £4,000 – I hope to be in position to confirm the grand total towards the end of June when the personal sponsorship raised by the walkers is collected.

I would like to add my personal thanks to everyone for their unstinting generous support in helping make the day very successful; the walkers, the sponsors, the people of Ellisfield, Lord Portsmouth for allowing us to walk on his land, everyone for coming along and for giving.  A special thank you to Jacqui Matthews and Nicky Harvey; all have been tremendously kind and supportive with their time and help while I organized this event.

Hannah Houstin-Lacey

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