Clubs and Community: Including girlguide’s voting campaign taken to Westminster

Adeyfield Townswomen’s Guild

March is the month of the AGM, and after the business of the general meeting was concluded members listened to the annual reports from the secretary, treasurer and chairman. The incoming committee was announced and Mrs Kathy Richardson was welcomed as the new president for 2015/16, in the guild’s 63rd year.

Members then enjoyed tea and biscuits and had the opportunity to buy lots of items from the sales table. The speaker for the evening was one of the guild’s own members, Mrs Joan Fellows. She gave a talk about her favourite lady singers. She played an introductory song, then told members about the life of each particular singer and then played another well known track. Members learnt about five singers in total, Gracie Fields, Ann Shelton, Alma Cogan, Kathy Kirby and Vera Lynn.

Members thoroughly enjoyed Mrs Fellows’ talk and remarked that they could hear every single word that each singer sang! The evening finished with a raffle being drawn.

Members were reminded about the open coffee morning on Wednesday (today, March 18) from 10.30-11.30am in the Adeyfield Community Centre.

The next guild meeting will be on Wednesday April 1 when members will hear about the experiences of a Land Girl. The meeting will be held at 7.45pm in Adeyfield Community Centre and visitors are always welcome.

Girlguiding voting campaign taken to Westminster

A Berkhamsted young woman is urging all girls eligible to vote in this year’s General Election to make their voices heard – after taking her calls for change directly to politicians in Westminster.

Ellie Dibben, 18, joined a host of female politicians and BBC Radio One presenter Gemma Cairney at a special event held at the Speaker’s House in parliament to champion the issues affecting girls and young women in the UK.

The event was hosted by two of the UK’s leading charities for women and girls, Girlguiding and Women’s Aid.

Together the charities, who represent and support nearly one million girls and women across the UK, want to make sure all women’s voices are heard at the ballot box on May 7.

Speakers included MPs Caroline Nokes, Jo Swinson and Seema Malhotra and Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow – and Ellie.

In the 2010 General Election more than nine million women didn’t use their vote. Just 39 per cent of women aged 18-24 turned out to vote, compared to 50 per cent of 18-24-year-old men.

Ellie, who is a Leader with the 1st Potten End Brownies, said: “Who runs this country impacts all of us and so voting is key in ensuring that the government make the changes that we want to see.”

Sarratt Horticultural Society Spring Show

The spring show takes place on Saturday March 28 in Sarratt village hall and will be open to the public from 2.30 pm.

The usual wide range of classes will be on show from daffodils, camellias, tulips, houseplants and wallflowers to rhubarb, vegetables and eggs. With classes for flower arranging, cookery and photography as well as arts and crafts, there is no shortage of variety while the different age classes for children are always keenly contested.

Singing is good for you

The Dacorum Community Choir wants to spread the word that singing is for everyone. So as part of Voluntary Arts Week 2015, the choir is holding a ‘Come and Sing’ event on Saturday May 16, at Grovehill Community Centre from 2 -4.30pm.

Whether you’ve sung in a choir before or have never sung before - all are welcome. You may have always harboured a desire to sing, but believe it is not for you. Maybe you were put off at an early age by being told you couldn’t sing. Just come along and give it a try - you’ll be pleasantly surprised and will have fun.

There will be plenty of members there to offer support and encouragement - you certainly won’t be singing on your own.

Musical director Rufus Frowde, said a lady came up to him at the end of one of the early rehearsals after the choir was founded in 2009 and said that she was 80 years old and had never believed that she could sing, but the choir had helped her to find her voice. So, it’s never too late to try something new.

If you have any questions about the event call or text 07890 288859.

Ukes for Unicef

BURP!’s fourth annual Ukes for Unicef ukulele festival, held in Berkhamsted Civic Centre in February, proved to be the most successful to date.

The overall amount raised on the day was almost £3,000, with more than £150 of it coming from the street collection.

Further donations made through the Unicef My Fundraising page brought the total raised to over £3300. Thanks is extended to all those who helped and performed on the day and everyone who donated to a very worthy cause.

Volunteers sought to help in fight against dementia

Fundraisers in Hertfordshire are being encouraged to show their support for dementia research, as Alzheimer’s Research UK welcomes a new dedicated fundraising officer for the region.

Jessica Hiscocks has joined the UK’s leading dementia research charity as regional fundraising officer, working to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity across the east of the country. Ms Hiscocks is urging people in the region to join her in the fight against dementia, which currently affects over 13,000 people in Hertfordshire.

She will support the charity’s many committed fundraisers in the region, and hopes to inspire even more people to help raise much-needed money for research. She is currently working towards setting up an Alzheimer’s Research UK Regional Group in Hertfordshire and is keen to hear from anyone who is interested in being a part of this.

The charity’s regional groups bring together individuals from the same area who are passionate about defeating dementia who can then discuss fundraising ideas and events as a team. To find out more call 0300 111 5 555 or email [email protected].