There’s so much more going on at the meetings than just a speaker. On entering the hall you will be greeted by one of our ‘meeters and greeters’. Their job is to sign in the members/visitors and pass on any leaflets, newsletters etc.
Enjoy a free tea/coffee and biscuit whilst chatting to others. Then explore all the things around:-
There’s a library full of interesting books to borrow. It's only 40p to borrow a book or dvd for a month. There are some good P&Q magazines to buy too, 25p each or 5 for £1
The sales table is always popular. Please bring any sewing related things you would like to sell to raise money for our chosen charities. Anything can be taken from the table in exchange for a donation. Each year we have a few charities we support as a group and this is one way the group can raise money for them.
There’s a raffle table, feel free to donate any prizes and also support them by buying a raffle ticket. This too raises money for the chosen charities, half of which goes to them with the other half going to group funds.
At most meetings we also have a trader. They are usually local and come with lots of goodies for us to buy.
Don’t forget to look at the notice board, it's full of posters of events, local info and other interesting things for the group.
There is also a notice board especially for the workshops, on which will be photos and information on future workshops. We have about four workshops a year, often on a Tuesday but occasionally on a Saturday. To book onto any of these please see the workshop secretary.
Most meetings follow the same format:- doors open to members at 6.50 with the meeting starting at 7.30 with notices given by chairman. The raffle tickets are drawn and we have a show and tell, a good time to bring anything you have made to show the group. The speaker is then introduced with the meeting formally finishing about nine o’clock. Feel free to stay awhile and talk to friends, look at what the speaker has brought with her, book onto the group’s workshops and purchase from the sales table or trader.
There are a few meetings a year when we have a different format:- January brings a choice of mini workshops where we have a chance to make something. March is our annual general meeting where the first part of the meeting is the formal business but there’s always something else as well, some years we’ve borrowed a collection of quilts to show, or we have a speaker or the committee do their own show and tell. May is usually the Strawberry supper where we bring food to share and enjoy together. There’s no trader, library or sales table but there is usually a fun quiz, maybe a mini workshop or some kind of enjoyable entertainment. December is a time for sharing food again. There’s no trader or sales table but there is usually some fun entertainment, in the past we have joined in with Carol singers and Bell ringers, or had a mini workshop.
KEEPING YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUP
We have two main ways of sharing items and news, the newsletter and the group’s website:-
The newsletter is published every other month. It is sent out by email the week before the main meeting with paper copies at the meeting for those who would prefer it.
The website is regularly updated and is full of interesting info, events, pictures and much more. Visit it often to see what’s happening.
Exhibitions - Occasionally the group holds a big exhibition of our work. It is usually about every three years and runs for three days. Along with many quilts the group has made there are traders, a raffle, a challenge, mini exhibitions of workshops we have held, demonstrations and of course plenty of tea/coffee and homemade cakes.