From The Chair
April 2025
Slightly disappointing numbers at the last coffee morning, even though members were dancing in the aisles (never seen that at a coffee morning before). Let’s hope for better at the next Coffee Morning on the 19th June 2025, with Richie Deane, a Tom Jones Tribute act.
Another date for your diary, on Tuesday 15th July Phoenix are celebrating their 30th year anniversary, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of VE day (I know its officially in May), we will be hosting a similar event to the Phoenix coronation afternoon, only with two entertainers this time. So, keep your eye out for tickets and more information soon.
Thank you to the teams that entered the Walton quiz; better luck next time. This gives you plenty of notice to revise for the next quiz, which is on the 20th of March 2026.
Elaine
March 2025
The year has started well for Phoenix, lots of new members, and all groups are well attended. This year we are celebrating 30 years since the birth of Phoenix, something worth celebrating so keep your eyes and ears open as the committee gets their thinking caps on in order to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile, this month’s Coffee Morning is on Thursday 20th March, at Sheepfair and West End singer Victoria Lucie will be singing for us.
On Sunday 3rd March, Angela Rippon had a Get-the-Nation Dancing day and the Phoenix line dancers had an invite to dance at the Armitage village hall as part of the day. There were about 100 people attending, Folk dancers, Morris dancers, Belly dancers and Clog dancers etc. We had a really good day and we joined in to try some of the different styles of dancing.
Money raised from the event will be going to St Giles.
Elaine
February 2025
Thank you to everyone who attended the January AGM (quickest one ever) hopefully you enjoyed Roy singing and Bonkers Bingo. The committee presented Joyce Westmancoat, one of the coffee morning ladies, with chocolates and flowers as a thank you for all she has done over the years serving refreshments. Joyce is now retiring from duties and taking a well-earned break.
Thank you to Phoenix members already signed up for another year (numbers are looking good) and it’s nice to see some new members signed up.
There is a Phoenix quiz being held at Walton on the 21st of March, Knit & Knatter have a team attending, if anyone else is interested please speak to your activity leader.
A new coffee pot and 2 new teapots have been ordered to replace the ones at Sheepfair.
Here's to a good year Elaine
January 2025
A reminder to everyone that the Phoenix AGM will be held at Sheepfair on Thursday 16th January 2025, at 10 a.m. Just a short one this year leaving us time to welcome back singer Roy Lorenzo, therefore making it more of a coffee morning.
The Christmas Coffee Morning went well, a total of 58 members attended. Lydia was
singing for us and the committee presented Joyce with a bouquet of flowers, after many years of being our tea lady at coffee mornings Joyce is retiring from duties.
Phoenix membership is now due, £10 for the year, see your group leaders for membership forms.
See you at the AGM.
Elaine x
December 2024
Christmas is nearly upon us, I’ve been for so many Christmas meals I don’t know about eating a stuffed turkey I’m beginning to look like one!
Christmas Coffee Morning is at Sheepfair on the 19th December at 10am. Lydia is singing for us. You are welcome to bring a guest for a coffee and a mince pie.
Although I love Christmas, mostly the decorations and the socialising, I am aware of those who don’t have such a good Christmas to look forward to. Those without a home or who are not well and those who are lonely. Phoenix can’t do a lot about the first two, but I hope we help a little with loneliness, by coming along to our activities for a few hours. Having people to talk to and just getting out of the house makes a world of difference.
See you at Coffee Morning.
Elaine
November 2024
The Line Dancing/Sequence Dance was a great success despite the storm! Fifty people attended, and they raised £209.50. Well done!
It’s still November but we are starting to think about Christmas already! I do know some of us are putting up Christmas trees and buying presents.
So, the Christmas Coffee Morning is 19th December, at Sheepfair. We have Lydia to entertain us, with Christmas songs and Carols for us all to join in with. Come and join us.
Elaine x
October 2024
We've had a really positive response from Septembers Coffee Morning, despite being let down at the last minute. Stand in Roy Lorenzo came to sing for us, lovely voice and entertaining. I loved that he shook everyone’s hand whilst singing his last song.
The sequence and line dancers had a Saturday night get-together, great night, despite the thunder and torrential rain, we had a really good turnout and raised over £200. Thank you to Dave & Shelia for organising, look forward to the next one.
Elaine
September 2024
Just a reminder that Coffee Morning is on Thursday 19th September at Sheepfair
10 a.m. Roy Lorenzo will be entertaining us, he will be entertaining us with foot-tapping singalong songs from the 50s 60s 70s
Saturday 21st September 2024 at 7 pm the Sequence and Line dancers are having a 'danceathon' at Sheepfair. We’ve sold around 50 tickets but there are a few tickets still available or you can pay £2.50 on the door if you are interested in joining us. Bring your own nibbles and drink.
See you at Coffee Morning
Elaine
August 2024
Summer may be here at last, hopefully you've taken 5 minutes to sit on the new bench outside the front of Sheepfair and enjoyed the sunshine. We are now organising a new plaque to acknowledge that the bench has been donated by Phoenix and Sheepfair. The plaque which has been removed from the old bench will now have a new position by the 'Phoenix tree'.
September Coffee Morning is up and coming on Thursday 19th September at 10a.m. We have singer Samantha Mary Oxborough to entertain us. I've quite often been asked if people who are not Phoenix members can attend the coffee mornings, yes please bring them along as a guest they can pay the £1 and see how wonderful we all are and want to join Phoenix.
See you Coffee Morning
Elaine
July 2024
From The Chair
Thank you to the 48 members for attending the June coffee morning. A lovely morning with the very entertaining Lichfield Shanty Singers (the mermaid song is still my favourite).
The committee presented Phoenix member Beryl Stubbs with free use of Phoenix activities, flowers, and gardening vouchers. Beryl is one of the original 10 members who formed Phoenix.
We are currently purchasing a new bench for the outside of the Sheepfair building, Delma has kindly offered to pay half of the cost. Then we can take 5 minutes out to sit and enjoy the sun!!
Elaine x
CHAIRMAN’S EMAIL— Chairman@rugeleyphoenix,org.uk