The Harvest Supper was enjoyed by all, even though numbers were slightly down on previous years. Mr Tony Vickers amused and entertained us as he persuaded us to spend our money at the auction table. Mrs Jo Hughes was presented with a golden photograph frame to commemorate her 50th wedding anniversary, and Mrs Hilda Newman received a rose bush in celebration of her diamond wedding. Mrs Beryl Shiles won the “Unusual Shaped Vegetable” competition with an unusual shaped tomato (no wonder it was red!) Mrs Sue Barnett and Mrs Diane Atkin did sterling work as washers-up – thank you very much. [WS Nov 2004]

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At our AGM on 3rd March(2005), Jane Root resigned as President, though she remains on the committee. Our new President is Irene Roddam. Ann Tear thanked Jane for all her hard work, and members heartily endorsed this. Ann remains as Secretary, and Alison as Treasurer, although she said that this will be her final year after 21 years in the post.... [WS April 2005]

There is a website for this branch of the WI

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WI in Witham St Hughs

We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month in The Ark, Witham St Hughs at 7.30pm. For further information please contact Louise Read 869312 or Hayley Niner 869425

Wednesday 8th December at 7.30pm Christmas quiz and social evening.

First Anniversary Of The Witham St Hughs WI Wednesday 13th October at 7.30pm 1st Birthday Celebrations.

Ceilidh dancing lessons and a buffet to celebrate our 1st anniversary We can hardly believe that in October, we will be celebrating our 1st anniversary! We have been going from strength to strength, with 26 members so far, we look forward to welcoming new members in 2011. Forming the WI in a new community has forged many new friendships and allowed women to meet in an informal atmosphere. We have enjoyed a varied 2010 programme, from belly dancing lessons to watching the Full Monty (at the theatre). We have had some excellent speakers, including the former Mayoress of Lincoln and celebrity journalist, Graham Keal. We have also managed to squeeze in several social and fundraising events, including a lovely fish supper at Doddington Hall, a summer garden party and a cheese and wine evening. A busy and exciting first year! Why not 'give the WI a try' at the last three meetings of the year and benefit from a full year's membership in January 2011. All meetings take place at the Ark, Witham St Hughs at 7.30pm. For further information please contact Louise Read 869312 or Hayley Niner 869425

[WS October 2010]

The newly formed WI in Witham St Hughs is now officially up and running. A committee has been appointed, the official paperwork signed and membership currently stands at 17 ladies of all ages and from various walks of life. Numbers are growing steadily and we are looking forward to welcoming many more members who are also interested in making new friends, learning new skills, having fun and maybe even making a difference within our community.
So far we have enjoyed some chocolate tasting, a session on emergency first aid and a demonstration of Christmas crafting with some chocolate truffle and sloe gin tasting (is there a theme emerging here?!). As this goes to print we are anticipating our “New Year, New You” session, with a talk from Health Trainer Andrew George, a visit from our local Avon representative and to undo all those New Year's resolutions with our first official outing to Doddington Hall's Fish Supper on Friday 29th January. We hope this will be the first of many trips and have already been inundated with suggestions for speakers and events from our members.
Our Events Sub-Committee are currently putting together an exciting programme for the forthcoming year. We look forward to welcoming you, with your friend/neighbour/mum/sister at our next meeting and for that added enticement, your first visit is free!
For further information please contact
Louise Read on 869312 or Hayley Niner on 869425.

[WS November 2009]

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Wednesday 10th June 2009 from 7.30pm in The Ark We are planning to start a WI in Witham St Hughs. Following a very successful informal meeting at the end of April it was agreed to progress this further so another get together is being held on Wednesday 10th June at The Ark from 7.30pm. The Women's Institute has changed its image in recent years, jam making and cake baking is NOT essential. If you would like to find out more do come along either on your own or with a friend, we shall be more than happy to see you. For further information contact Jane on 07713 823845.

[WS June 2009]

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Lincoln Sounds Ladies’ Barber Shop Chorus

Meets on Thursdays 7.30 — 10.00 pm at Main Hall, Joseph Ruston Technology College, Shannon Avenue, Lincoln. We are seeking new members. Enjoy an evening of fun-filled singing. Ability to read music not essential. Check our website www.lincolnsounds.org.uk or telephone 692521. [Details may have changed since published in WS Jul 2003]

Barbershop Singing

The Lincoln Barbershop Choruses are holding a free Introduc­tory Workshop to be held at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School on Saturday 22nd September at 2 pm. Whether you’re an experienced singer or not, do come along. The workshop will be followed by a free concert for participants, families and friends. Further details from William Murphy, Royal Oak Cottage, Aubourn (Tel: 789629). [WS Sep 2001]

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Lincoln Sounds Chorus

Lincoln Sounds Chorus would like to see more women take up singing as a hobby….

Learn How to sing in 4 Part harmony

New 6—week course will show you how and it’s FREE
Would you like to sing?
Would you like to harmonise?
Open to beginners and experienced singers.
What you’ll get for FREE  -
9 Hours of 4 - part harmony tuition.
Sheet Music and a teaching CD provided.
Guaranteed to learn at least 2 songs.
What’s the catch?
There isn’t one.  Lincoln Sounds and its association with Sweet Adelines wish to see more women take up singing as a hobby.
From: 18th October 2007
For 6 weeks every Thursday evening.
Find out more:
Tel: 01522 879 597 Mob: 07720 743 290
Email: LincolnSounds@aol.com
Web: www.lincolnsounds.org

[WS Sep 2007]

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Lincolnshire Red Cross

The Lincolnshire Branch of the Red Cross is seeking a link representative for Norton Disney. Where can I get a wheel­chair or a walking frame in a hurry?’ or ‘Can I get a trained escort to travel with a sick relative?’ these are just two of the examples of the sort of question to which someone with knowledge of the Red Cross could provide immediate answers. The task of link representative is not onerous and is best undertaken by a person with good knowledge of the local area and its residents. If you are interested, please contact Jenny Wright, Clerk to Norton Disney Parish Council (Tel: 788211). [WS Feb 2002]

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National Women's Register (NWR)

The aim of NWR is to offer all lively minded women the opportunity to join in lively discussions and make friends, to promote confidence, friendship and self-education, and better to understand the points of view of others. We meet once a month in the evening in members' homes. In addition, we have regular dinner parties (with our partners), and arrange cinema and theatre trips. 

For more information, visit the NWR website or contact the Local Organiser, Valerie Bell (Tel: 789113). [WS Mar 2005]

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Carlton Yoga Group

Carlton Yoga Group has been organizing classes at  Carlton Le Moorland Village Hall for over thirty years in one form or another.
Classes begin on Tuesday 14th September at 7:30pm.
For further details and to book a place please call 788503.

Please call 788503 or see our website for details

Fully trained British Wheel of Yoga teacher

http://community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/carltonyogagroup

[WS Dec 2011]

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YOGA
What is yoga?
“Yoga is the cessation of movements of the consciousness.” So says Chapter 1 verse 2 of Patanjali's yoga sutras written some 2500 years ago. How does this relate to us today? In a yoga class we learn postures (asana) to exercise our physical body, breathing techniques to release inner latent energy and methods of relaxation and meditation to help calm the mind and rest the body's systems. All of which help us become more able to cope with the bustle of modern living by becoming physically fitter, mentally more alert and emotionally calmer.
 

What yoga is not!
Yoga is not a “quick fix”, competitive or a sport. You work to how you feel today –this moment. You do not have to be a gymnast to practice yoga! Yoga is available to men, women and children of all ages and all physical abilities. It is for the teacher to make yoga fit you not the other way around!
 

What do I do to find a yoga class?
In Lincolnshire there are over 20 teachers taking classes. Most of these teachers will belong to and have been trained by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), the UK's yoga representative body to the Sports Council. Most teachers will teach their interpretation of Hatha Yoga. This yoga codified around 13th century works on the principle that a healthy body leads to a healthy and stable mind.
 

What do I need to start?
Just a non-slip exercise mat, loose clothing that allows movement, a sense of humour and a vivid imagination!!!!! So, if you think yoga could be for you, a list of teachers in your area can be found on the BWY web site www.bwy.co.uk. Or contact their office in Sleaford on 01529 306851.
Les Root BWY Dip www.limitlessyoga.co.uk 

[WS Sep 2011]

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Bassingham Village Hall & Playing Field Charity Committee

Appointment of Booking Clerk [WS Nov 2007]

The Village Hall committee has now appointed a new Booking Clerk. Please contact Mrs Lynne Goode (788046) for all existing & future potential bookings to discuss requirements

Committee Meeting dates for you diary. All meetings commence at 7.45pm except AGM 

Monday 5th November 2007

Details of policy and guidance documents produced by the Committee are available by clicking the following links:

Health & Safety

Child Protection

Environment

Equal Opportunities

Volunteers

Bassingham Village Hall has a complete Father Christmas outfit available for hire at £5. To book the kit for your children's party please call Jan Culpitt on 788793. I might even be able to find a volunteer to impersonate the real one.

Bassingham Village Hall Show 2008 Monday 26th November at 7.30pm The first planning meeting for next year’s Village Show will take place in the Social Area of the Village Hall. If you would like to help at the show, or have any brilliant ideas to make next year’s show even more successful, please do come along. If you would like any more information please contact Valerie Bell on 789113.

Witham Investment Club

We have a very successful investment club which meets monthly in the Bugle Horn pub in Bassingham, and it has just celebrated its 10th birthday. We now have some vacancies in the club, so if you fancy dabbling in the Stock market, why not come and join us.

To learn more about it, please contact Andy Milner on 788533, or Jean Adair on 788391.

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Local History Group
Next Meeting

The Local History Group

A visit to Upton Hall Newark has been arranged for Wednesday 18th November.
Meet at the entrance to the Hall at 2.15pm. There is quite a large car park at the Hall which is situated about 4 miles from Newark on the road to Southwell. There is a charge of £5 (inclusive of the guide). The tour of the Hall takes about one hour and visitors may wish to spend a further hour or so in the museum. The present Hall was built by Thomas Wright (1773 to 1845), a member of the well known Nottingham banking family, he was also High Sherriff of Nottingham in 1811. Since that time the Hall has had many owners and has had a variety of uses. The hall is now the headquarters of the British Horological Institute and the museum contains many hundreds of historical time pieces including the Greenwich „pip generator‟, B.T.‟s previous speaking clocks and many other interesting objects.
All welcome
It would be helpful to know how many will be attending before the day of the visit. If interested please telephone Alan Haines on 788753 or Bernard Townrow on 788646.

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Past Events of the Local History Group

A visit to Harlaxton Manor has been arranged for Tuesday 23^rd May. Guided tour of the house followed by tea, coffee and biscuits and an opportunity to view the gardens. The coach will leave Thurlby at 6.15pm with pick-ups in Bassingham, Carlton le Moorland and Norton Disney. The coach will leave Harlaxton Manor at about 9.15pm. Tickets will need to be obtained in advance and can be purchased at the meeting on the 27^th or by contacting:

Alan Haines 788753, Dot Walker 788617 or Rona Pounder 789256

Tickets £13 includes coach, admission to House & Gardens, Tea/Coffee & biscuits, gratuities . Again everyone welcome

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Thursday 27^th April (2006) 7.30pm Bassingham Church

To mark the 40^th Anniversary of the churches coming together as one group there was a Talk on the history of the villages. The talk focused on the villages at the time of the Doomsday Book, Watermills, footpaths and listed buildings.

Entrance fee of £2.50 inclusive of a donation to Bassingham Church, drink and biscuits . Everyone welcome  

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At the recent Lammastide Celebration held in Norton Disney Village Hall, a number of people expressed an interest in forming a local history group. It is envisaged that during the winter months we would have four or five speakers and during the summer months there would be two or three visits to places of interest. Visits could be to such places as Boughton Pumping Station, the mediaeval 'open fields' farming system at Laxton, roof top tour of Lincoln Cathedral, Duke's Wood Oil Museum or the ladies may wish to visit the Doll Museum at Cromwell. There are numerous places of interest within 40 minutes of travel from our area. Some members may wish to form groups of three or four to research a particular interest whilst others may only wish to come and listen to speakers. The venues will depend upon village hall availability, cost and where the members reside. Costs of membership will be kept to a minimum.

29 people attended the first meeting of the group to hear Jim Wishart give a talk on the Channel 4 Time Team dig at Farndon where over 700 pieces of Roman pottery were found in one trench dug in a small garden. At the January meeting over 40 people had the privilege of hearing Ted Brooks give an Eye Witness account of the D-Day landings. [WS Nov 2005]

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Streetdance & Latin Dance Classes 

Street Dance/Disco Classes
Classes are to start again in the Autumn of 2010 at the new community Centre, Witham St Hughs

www.streetdance.moonfruit.com. 

A Fun New Way To Keep In Shape

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The Royal British Legion Brant Broughton and Bassingham Area

Since my last letter in The Witham Staple magazine, we have continued to work on consolidating the position of the Sub Branch and I am delighted to say, we now have four additional members. One in Brant Broughton and three in Carlton le Moorland. We would welcome more, particularly those of younger years, to help ensure the future of the Legion in the area.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held in the Heritage Room, Brant Broughton on Wednesday 7th November at 8pm. It is hoped that as many members as are able will attend. Non members are invited to attend, if they so wish. Refreshments will be provided and notice of intention to be there would be appreciated, so that proper provision can be made. Tel Les Burrell on 794974 by the evening of Sunday 4th November if you are attending.

The Brant Broughton and Bassingham Standard will be paraded at the Remembrance Service to be held in Bassingham Church on Sunday 11th November as agreed at our last AGM.

Fund raising continues to be an issue we need to address and this year we shall, again, be holding a Christmas Draw in conjunction with our parent branch. Local contributions to the Annual Poppy Appeal continue to be well supported and efforts of both Legion and Non Legion members of the community are much appreciated.

We are in need of Appeal Volunteers in the expanding Witham St Hughs area and anyone interested in helping with this, once a year event, should contact Colin Jackson, Vice Chairman on 01400 272950 for details of what is involved. An urgent response to this invitation would be appreciated.

Les Burrell Sub: Branch Chairman

[WS Oct 2007]

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Stampin’up Demonstration Workshop

Passionate! Are you passionate? I am, I am still passionate about making hand stamped cards and other products including gift bags, bookmarks, fancy gift labels and other hand stamped projects. Stampin’ up is an American company founded in 1988, which has just recently launched in the UK to help people like you and I explore and have fun with the craft of rubber stamping. I am planning to hold workshops where you can make and take. If you would like to find out more or to book your own workshop to be held in your own home where you invite your friends and family, then please contact Sarah Marwood on 788901 or email rsmarwood@aol.com

[WS Oct 2008]

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Newark Air Cadets

Newark Air Cadets Are Recruiting

Expand Your Horizons! There is an open evening for potential recruits aged 13+ and their parents on Tuesday 20th September at 7.15pm The Cadet Centre, 2nd Floor, 12–14 Sherwood Avenue, Newark, NG24 1QQ. Flying – Gliding – Climbing – Survival – Sports – Leadership - Target Shooting - Overseas Trips – Qualifications - Adventure Training – Duke of Edinburgh Award and much more! There’s more to life than television and computer games!

ADULT VOLUNTEERS WANTED Help the youth of Newark by volunteering to help run 1260 (Newark & District) Air Cadet Squadron as an Officer – Senior Non Commissioned Officer - Civilian Instructor - Civilian Committee member. No Experience needed! Paid commitment depending on your rank is up to two evenings a week and some weekends. Ring us on the number below or visit the website to make contact. For further information contact us on 01636 701260 (answer phone outside hours) or visit us on a Tuesday & Thursday or see what we do by visiting www.1260sqn.com.uk

[WS Sep 2011]

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Bassingham Community Association Or Group

It has been suggested that we form a group in Bassingham for people of any age during the day on a week between the lunch group dates.

The first meeting will be on

Thursday 11th February 2010 from 2pm to 4pm

in the Heritage Room Bassingham

We will discuss a programme and elect a committee.

Entrance fee £1, tea & cake provided.

There will be a display of materials provided by the British Red Cross. The Co-op Moorland Mobility Centre and Lakeland. There will be a short discussion on which items have proved helpful.

[WS Feb 2010]

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Wellingore U3A
 

Hazel's excellent newsletter and the speaker programme is also available from Marianne Overton marianne.overton@biosearch.org.uk 

Chairman Alan Stannard is pleased with the membership of around a hundred and the committee plan to put together an annual year book.
 

Beyond The Bin!

A visit behind the scenes at the Caythorpe Recycling Centre this week was organised by Marianne Overton, mainly for the antiques group of the Wellingore and District U3A. Twenty-seven members and guests were fascinated as the guided tour wove alongside great lengths of conveyor belt, winding its way round the huge warehouse. Eleven tonnes of rubbish per hour shoot along a roller-coaster conveyor belt being sorted at speed, both by hand and using some innovative mechanisms. Rows of women hand sort to remove the big items in a dusty environment. Signs in Polish help some of the 120 permanent employees who live with their families, in daily commuting distance. Aluminium cans bounce and pop, drawn off by huge magnets and shattered glass drips into neat glittering piles like mountains of jewels, guarded by the dragon Smaug. The neat bales of plastic, paper and tins rise like walls of insulation around sides of the warehouse, like pupae, ready for transformation and a new life. It was a fascinating look at where our rubbish goes and a great incentive for us all to keep North Kesteven as a leader in the league of recycling, with rates of well over 50%.

Contact Marianne Overton 01400 273323 marianne.overton@biosearch.org.uk  or Liz Bull 01400 273037 alanbull601@btinternet.com 

[WS July 2011]

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Heath U3A

Our next branch meeting is on

Monday 13th February

The Lost Railways of Lincolnshire with Alan Stennett

Monday 12th March Heath U3A AGM

The work of Rainbow Children’s Hospice with Caroline Rossin

If you are no longer in full time employment and looking for new interests, then new members are welcome to join this lively U3A Group, for group learning, social events and new friendships. Monthly branch meetings take place on the second Monday of each month, 10am to 12noon at the Methodist Church, Grantham Road, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln.

There are twenty interest groups which are held each month on a wide range of subjects. For more information, please contact Membership Secretary:

Alan Mayo 3 Glebe End Canwick Lincoln LN4 2FP. Tel. 528881

e-mail heathu3amember@gmail.com 

Please visit the website: http://heathu3a.org.uk/index.htm 

[WS Feb 2012]

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Bassingham Weight Watchers Class

Mondays at 6.30pm Hammond Hall, Playing Fields, Bassingham, LN5 9HQ

Contact Jo Hempsall 07858 017 432

[WS Dec 2010]

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Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Fund Raising / Stamp Recycling

Volunteers supported us over the last year by sending us their used postage stamps and helped us raise £12,126.21! Thank you!

RNIB is the UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems. Our pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem – not just with Braille, Talking books and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

We fight for equal rights for people with sight problems. We fund pioneering research into preventing and treating eye disease. Our projects such as Talk and Support and Parents’ Place make a difference to peoples lives. We need your support to fund our vital work. As a charity we rely on your generosity.

RNIB provides over sixty services to blind and partially sighted adults and children, which can not continue without the support received from the public. These services include rehabilitation, education, information services and research.

We can not reach our target of £15,000 this new financial year unless we get more supporters from the UK and overseas. We raise approximately £4 a kilo for UK stamps and approximately £12 a kilo for foreign stamps. Please could stamps be torn or trimmed with a border of ½ - 1cm / ¼ - ½ inch of paper around the stamp to prevent damage and remove the back of the envelope. Stamps sorted into: A. British, B. Foreign would be appreciated.

I have a volunteer in your area who is happy to trim, sort and pass  the stamps on to us and her details are:

Mrs Joyce Morgan, 6 Mulberry Drive, Crowle, Scunthorpe, DN17 4JF.

Her email address is morgan982@btinternet.com  or can be telephoned on 01724 710857.

Joyce is ready with scissors in her hand!

Every day 100 people start to lose their sight. Your support helps rebuild lives devastated by sight loss.

RNIB Stamp Recycling, PO BOX 185, BENFLEET, England, SS7 9BH

Tel: 0845 345 0054

Email:rnibstamps@rnib.org.uk

www.rnib.org.uk

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Lincoln Lions Launch New Programme
Lincoln Lions have launched their programme of events for the new Club year which started on 1st July. The programme covers events that have proved so popular with the local public over the years, some events that have been launched recently and some brand new programmes.
In the first category are our colourful duck races from the Brayford to Waterside, our participation in the Lincoln Steam rally, our peace poster competition, young ambassador and young people in service projects, our famous stall at the Lincoln Christmas market where we sell lanterns and cakes and our Santa's Sleigh which will once again be out at local supermarkets.
 

In the second category, we aim to be running the Wrinkly Rockers concert again, holding our alternative race nights for local organisations, supporting the Lincoln 10k and with the City Council running the "Silver Arrow" award
 

Finally our new events will include a youth cycling challenge for the under 16s, student mentoring, participating in a Lions International project to plant 1 million trees in the World, and running an awareness event on World Sight Day.
 

We extend an invitation to anyone who would like to get involved in the above programme as well as enjoy our extensive social programme to ring Lincoln Lions on 0845 8339852 or check our website at www.lincoln.lions105e.org.uk

[WS Sep 2011]

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Bassingham Recorded Music Society

The second meeting of the Society took place on the 13th January. The selection of Music chosen by Bill was to again indicate to members the type of programme that could be chosen and played by the members. The first half lasted for approx 45 minutes and included the overture for Smetana’s Bartered Bride, 3rd Movement of Dvorak’s Violin Concerto, Chorus from Iwan Sussanin by Glinka, Swaledales prized Silver Band based in the tiny hamlet of Muker and the complete Symphony No 1 in D by Prokofiev. This heralded the interval for tea or coffee and social chit chat before the second half of the concert, which included Mozart overture to The Magic Flute, 3rd Movement of the first Piano Concerto by Chopin, Vivaldi Concerto for two trumpets, played by Crispian Steele-Perkins and the afternoon finished with an aria by Andrea Bocelli from his recent album ‘One night in Central Park’

The next meeting takes place on

Friday 10th February at 2.15pm

and will be presented by Jennet from Norton Disney.

For more information please contact Bill Golder on 789289

[WS Feb 2012]

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Do You Enjoy Knitting?

Do you enjoy knitting, crochet, spinning your own yarn or hand embroidery?

If so come and join us on the last Wednesday of every month

at Whisby Nature Park in the coffee shop, from 10am to 12noon

(we have a great view over the lake).

The car park is a pound and you can buy tea and coffee from the coffee shop.

(last Wednesday this month is 30th November 2011)

[WS Nov 2011]

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Keep Fit In Lincoln with New Aerobics Classes

Men and women in Lincoln are being encouraged to keep fit with a new Aerobics class in Bassingham. The class will run every Wednesday evening from 6pm to 7pm in the Hammond Hall, Bassingham.

Shane Ward, Operations Officer at Lincolnshire Active Community Network, said: “We are working with Hammond Hall to provide opportunities for people in the local area to be more active and keep fit. The Hall already holds weekly Netball and Table Tennis sessions and we’re delighted to be starting this Aerobics class.”

The classes cost £2.50 each and booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. To secure your place or for more information call Shane on 07940 954 140 or e-mail bookings@lincolnshiresports.co.uk.

Lincolnshire Active Community Network is a Community Interest Company and is owned by Lincolnshire Sports Partnership which has charitable status. For more information about Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, contact Hayley on 585580 or hayley.cook@lincolnshiresports.co.uk.

[WS Dec 2011]

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Witham Staple Web Editor can be contacted by e-mail: info@withamstaple.com