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Tuesday 6^th May 2014

Speed Crafting

Think Speed Dating….but with crafts!! This activity was a HUGE hit!

Ladies had 10 minutes at each of the five tables. Every table being led by one of our very own Valley Girls! Oh you are a creative bunch!   There was Jude showing how to make popm-poms in super quick time with a very handy device, no need for the old cut up cereal boxes here!! Love the spotty one!   Jayne got us all into “tin bashing” using old drinks cans.   Kate had us folding and creasing with some origami “Ninja Star” flowers…..very pretty!   Catherine led the very popular and very WI-esque Mini Bunting!!   Very nice ladies.   And finally Emma showed us how to make decorated clothes pegs fridge magnets.   We then had some “cross crafting” pom-poms attached to clothes pegs and the like….bonkers!! Next meeting Tuesday 3^rd June…..Bake & Take plus clothes swap!

Sunday 4^th May 2014

Women’s Festival of Arts and Music

We had a stand at the festival to showcase Valley Girls WI, and show the good old general public what we have been up to in our first few months.

The photo display showed that we have been an active little group already.

Huge thanks to those who were able to be present on the day – we managed to spark interest in 4 new ladies who came along to the May meeting.

Tuesday 1^st April 2014

Self Defence

In April we were pleased to welcome Steve Stockdale former martial artist world champion, fitness coach and personal trainer (he is also a special needs teacher).

Steve started the session with some stretches and warm up exercises. (which had us all giggling!)

We learned some extremely useful self defence manoeuvres, and we all left feeling like empowered women!

Next meeting Tuesday 6^th May…….Speed Crafting!

Tuesday 4^th March 2014

Singing

Local music teacher Eirwen Jones (known fondly by many of the Valley Girls) came along for a singing workshop.

We started with some breathing exercises along with sound and note formation. Once we were all warmed up and relaxed Eirwen then led us in a few familiar songs in both Welsh and English.

It being Rugby season our meeting was rounded off with a rousing rendition of Calon Lan an outstanding performance by the ladies….next stop Millenium Stadium….perhaps!

Next meeting Tuesday 1^st April…..Self Defence

Tuesday 4^th February 2014

Felting

Jayne of “Sew Plain Jayne”  started with a demonstration of how to make a piece of flat felt. This took a fair but of muscle power and elbow grease combining crafting with working out!!

She then went on to show us how to make those very cute felt balls. We all then had a go at some rolling…it’s trickier than you may think! The result = some balls we more spherical than others!

Next meeting Tuesday 4^th March…..Singing

Tuesday 7^th January 2014

Bollywood Dancing

Our first official meeting, over 60 (!!) ladies came along to the Hand Hotel, to find out a bit more about Valley Girls WI.

And to learn a few Bollywood dance moves.

From local dance teacher Julie Thomas.

Ages ranged from mid- 20’s through to one very game lady in her 90’s!! The cliché “you’re never too old” springs to mind!

Next meeting Tuesday 4^th Februay……felting!

Open Evening

Tuesday 19^th November 2103   On Tuesday 19th November an Open Evening was held in The Hand Hotel Llangollen, for the newly formed Valley Girls WI, described as “a new branch of the Women’s Institute (WI), set in the heart of the beautiful Dee Valley. Meeting monthly (first Tuesday) in the town of Llangollen, welcoming ladies from in and around the Dee Valley”. The evening was attended by 38 (lively!) ladies who expressed an interest in being involved with this new WI group.   The ladies were asked to write down suggestions for activities for meetings which were pinned up on a board of ideas.  Suggestions given were certainly eclectic and included, amongst others, wine tasting and cocktail mixing, outdoor pursuits, crafts such as crochet and decoupage, a taster boot camp session, Irish “Riverdance” dancing and life drawing! It appears that good (and fun) ideas will not be in short supply with this group! This group will hopefully appeal to a broad range of women, the general plan for the monthly meetings is to spend approximately the first hour enjoying the month’s activity. The second hour (approximately!) will be reserved for socialising, chatting, making use of the bar facilities in the venue, catching up with old friends and meeting new people.   A warm welcome is extended to everyone who is interested. If you don’t know many people locally or you are new to the area this group would be perfect for you,  it is a very friendly group, come along…..don’t be shy!!