Marjorie Eyre, a long standing Inner Wheel member, who was presented with a birthday cake at the Sandwich Lunch to celebrate her 97th Birthday.

Members are looking forward to the Annual Association Conference held this year in Bournemouth between 19th and 21st March. There they will have the opportunity  to       meet old friends                     make new friends                      listen to good speakers           get updates on IW’s achievements                     hear different charity presentations              and enjoy quality evening entertainment.

More details are available in the spring issue of the IW Association magazine.

 To see what fun and friendship Mansfield IW has enjoyed in earlier years look on our Association page.

Diana Whiteley, President of Mansfield Inner Wheel Club, recently organised a Beetle Drive at Queen Elizabeth’s School, followed by a pie and pea supper and desserts.  The 160 people, who attended, were then entertained and enthralled by the singing of “The Beatles” group and “Cilla”.  An amazing amount of money, around £1,700, including over £400 in the raffle, was raised for charity.  The proceeds will be donated to the British Red Cross and Marie Curie Organisation.  It was a most enjoyable and highly successful evening.

IW Beetle Drive Jan 18

IW Beetle Drive Jan 18

Ellis Morgan, a member of the Southwell Community Archaeology Group,  gave a fascinating, illustrated talk about the History of Southwell and in particular the Burgage Project.  He brought an impressive collection of pottery and artefacts largely found in the Roman villa.  Kathy Winson gave the vote of thanks and President Diana Whiteley presented him with a gift.

The Inner Wheel Club of Mansfield held a most enjoyable Christmas Party at the home of President Diana Whiteley. Ann Harvey, a Cordon Bleu chef, demonstrated a variety of tasty canapés and Veronica Malkowski made some delicious desserts. Members joined in the Christmas spirit by singing carols to Joan Smith’s accompaniment on the piano. Carol Hyde Barker and Ann Davies won in the raffle the beautiful Christmas cakes, also made by Veronica.

Elizabeth & Diana congratulate the speaker Ann Harvey (centre)

Veronica (centre) made the lovely Christmas cakes won by Carol and Ann.

£100, raised by the raffle, will be donated to the charity, NIDAS (Notts. Independent Domestic Abuse Services).

Most of us had  lunch at the Stables Restaurant before our tour of the amazing Christmas displays in Chatsworth House on a Charles Dickens’ theme.

Captain Albert Ball was brought up in Nottingham and became the most decorated and courageous fighter pilot in World War I. He was awarded three Distinguished Service Orders: the Military Cross and the Victoria Cross posthumously. His family relatives were recently invited to a Memorial Service in France and the Royal Albert Hall to mark the 100th Anniversary of his death.

At our International  Evening in October, Carol Hyde- Barker welcomed  Roy and  Georgina Frost from Tuxford  who gave an inspirational illustrated talk about setting up a school for youngsters in  Kenya.  They began their work  after a holiday in 1992, when they had encountered many orphaned children  living in extreme poverty in Bamburi near Mombasa.

Georgina spoke movingly about the improvements she and Roy had achieved over the years through sponsorship and  donations.    They have succeeded in making The Chink Academy a thriving school which has improved the lives of so many children in the area.