COMMUNITY NEWS: Eakring andf Bilsthorpe

Women’s Institute

President Heather Brown welcomed members and guests to the recent meeting held in the Cator Hall. Jerusalem was sung. Guest speaker Linda Hewitt was introduced and gave an interesting talk and demonstration on making bread the easy way. Members enjoyed a tasting session of the different flavours of bread that she had made earlier. A vote of thanks was given by Jean Manning. Correspondence was read by Brenda Millward and the minutes by Patricia Endean-Rowe. The monthly competition winner, a Butter Dish, was Mary Stokes. Tea hostesses were Carolyn Lloyd, Jill Booth and Val Morley. First of many raffle winners was Diane Walker. The W.I. quiz was held recently in the Cator Hall, with everyone enjoying a hot supper provided by members .Team winners were Hall Farm Losers. First raffle prize winner was Alan Millward. A vote of thanks was given by the President Heather Brown.

Oakring Club

Chairman Mary Stokes and members attended the meeting held Tuesday week at the home of member Linda Goldby who also provided the refreshments. Members played bingo, callers were Mary Stokes and Edna Wright.

St Andrew’s Church

Holy Communion service Sunday week was led by the Rev Richard Seymour-Whiteley who preached and led the prayers. Readings were by Malcolm Goodall and Michael Beaumont. Organist was John White. Refreshments were served afterwards by Sue Wilson and Malcolm Goodall.

Bilsthorpe

Garden Club

Members attended the meeting held Wednesday 19th March in the Welfare. Speaker Dr Patrick Harding was introduced, and gave an illustrated talk on mushrooms and fungi which was very entertaining and amusing. Two new members were also welcomed. Raffle winner was Sandra Fleet. The competition for the best bowl of bulbs was won by Connie Roberts with a bowl of pink hyacinths. The next meeting will be Wednesday 16th April at 7.30pm in the lounge at the Welfare. The talk will be about Orchids, new members welcomed. Two or three places are also available for the Summer Holiday trip to Norfolk. Contact Alan Ashley 01623-870810 for details.

Scouts

Leader Emma Tyson was in charge of Monday week’s meeting at headquarters. Members worked towards gaining their fitness challenge badge, with games and the dreaded bleep test, then planned the meeting for the following week. Helpers were Graham Baguley and Derek Taylor.

Beavers

Group Scout leader Graham Baguley was in charge of Tuesday week’s meeting at headquarters. Members worked toward their First-Aid stage one badge and played games assisted and supervised by Marian Mawer, Lisa Jest, Emma Tyson and Carl Baguley.

Cubs

Network leader Emily Spencer-Mawer, assisted by Lynn Blanchard and Sharon Page, was in charge of Tuesday week’s meeting at headquarters. Members went back to basics learning many different scouting skills including Knot work. A family fun night was held on 15th March in the Village Hall. The event raised £238.09 towards funds. The next fundraiser will be a table-top sale at Scout Headquarters on Sunday 11th May. Tables are still available to rent.

Burton Court Centre

Chairman Sandra Morton welcomed 12 members to Tuesday week’s meeting. Raffle winners were Lil Cotterill and Cynthia Reade. Twenty members were welcomed to Thursday week’s meeting. Raffle winners were Ann Moody and Ann Hutchison. Refreshments were served by committee members and helpers. Bingo caller for both sessions was Sandra Morton.

Over 50s Club

Chairman David Ramsdale welcomed 39 members to Wednesday week’s meeting at the Welfare. Dance MC was Dennis Knight and bingo caller was Steve Jackson. Members joined in a horse racing-themed game arranged by Marion Sentence, Katie Towle and Brian Charlesworth. A quiz arranged by Colin Dodsworth was won by Connie Roberts. Winners of the chocolate dance were Jill Olley and Jan Jones. Refreshments were served by Connie Roberts and Jill Olley. Nineteen raffle prizes were won by Monica Powell, Margaret Heath, Rayna Clipston, Alan Wilcox, Connie Charlesworth, Rita Dodsworth, Brenda Wilderspin, Laurie Mudd, Janet Knight, Christine Benn, Eileen Baxter, Marion Towle, Barbara Marson and Brenda Creasey.

Green Centre

Chairman David Ramsdale welcomed 18 members to Tuesday week’s meeting. Raffle winners were Joan West and Maureen Abbott. Twenty-two members were welcomed to Friday week’s meeting. Raffle winners were Sylvia Somerville and Dolly Moody. Refreshments were served by committee members David Ramsdale, Celia Smith and Maureen Abbott. Bingo caller for both sessions was Celia Smith.

St Margaret’s Church

Holy Communion service on Sunday week was led by the Rev Richard Seymour-Whiteley , who preached and led the prayers. Hospitality greeter was Jacqueline Brown. The reader was Iolen Harding who also did intercessions. Jenny Elston read the Gospel. The vicar dedicated a new altar book in memory of Linda Ann Bryan (nee Knight). Also blessed were the new kneelers. Elements were taken to the altar by Sandra Burrows and John Olley and Jacqueline Brown helped with distribution. The offertory was taken by Jenny Elston. Sunday school activities were supervised by Karen Bonser the theme was Loving Jesus. All the children said prayers. Refreshments were served afterwards by Sandra Burrows, John Olley and Sienna Stokoe.