There have been a few technical glitches to say nothing of Christmas and New Year celebrations so please forgive the delay in resuming normal service. Ros managed the blog for many years and did so with great skill so may I start with a vote of thanks for all she did and a request that you bear with me as I find my way round. I will try to provide the same excellent service you have been used to, but it might take a bit of time.
It was lovely to see so many people at the Christmas meeting and to have the opportunity to socialise over a delicious meal. Thanks go to the Committee for organising such a spread and for making the hall look so festive. While the food and company were suitably festive the speaker was memorable! Waafa Powell gave a masterclass (mistress class?) in belly dancing. She explained that correctly it should be called Oriental dance, Belly Dancing is a misnomer, it is an ancient art form invented about 2000 years ago by women to entertain themselves and maintain fitness. It is a full body exercise with music that lifts the spirits and gives body confidence. Waafa dances to traditional Lebanese or Egyptian music and she managed to persuade a goodly number of members to give it a go. Amid much laughter and goodwill ladies of shall we say more mature years enthusiastically practiced movements and then performed a short routine. And from the perspective of one who was taking photos (& video) from the stage, it was pretty impressive!



