JANUARY:

Snowfalls and cold weather didn’t stop our members coming along to hear Professor Philip Gallimore, a renowned cancer specialist, talk about his research into this disease.  Since the discovery of the humane genome, DNA, there is more understanding of how cancers grow in the body and therefore great advances have been made in treatments and some vaccines.  Members came away with plenty of information and good advice on the importance of early screening.

Prof. Philip Gallimore answers members' questions on

cancer diagnosis and treatment at our January meeting.

FEBRUARY:

Tastebuds were tickled a-plenty when chef Rob  Wall gave a demonstration of kitchen skills and vegetable preparation which were a feast for the eyes and butcher John Price answered members' questions on how French cuts of meat differ to English.  The meeting culminated in an enthusiastic tasting sessions of pork pies, sausages, crudites and delicious dips!  

Chef Rob Wall prepares a tasty feast for

members to sample at our February meeting.

MARCH:

Line dancing with the Leggies ladies - what a fun day we had when Vivienne Gane tried to get us all finger-clicking and foot-stomping in unison!  Some members discovered their natural dance skills whilst others complained about their 'two left feet' .... but there was laughter a-plenty as we swished, clapped, side-stepped and often collided with each other.  A memorable meeting and our efforts were rewarded by tea and a large slice of Nina's delicious cake.

Line dancing with plenty of laughter - Vivienne Gane got

our members up and dancing at our March meeting

APRIL:

Our April meeting started with Leggies' Annual General Meeting and was followed with an entertaining talk by member Annechien Smith  about her many years of breeding and showing Basenji hounds at Crufts which resulted in winning Best In Breed in 2004.  She displayed the many cups and rosettes won over the years and set members a fun competition to see how much we knew about dogs.

Annechien Smith proudly displays her Crufts

prize-winning rosettes and cups at our April meeting.

MAY:

Cold weather and persistent rain didn't deter fifteen hardy Leggies from visiting Plantes de Pailloles near LaCapelle-Biron at our May meeting.  After lunch they visited the greenhouses and gardens with owner Gay Webster, who answered their gardening questions, then they had the opportunity to purchase plants.  With such a large variety of honeysuckles and geraniums including some with the scents of chocolate, mint, lemon and spice, few returned home empty-handed!

Sally Fowles wraps up warmly as she admires the

many varieties of plants on sale at our May meeting

JUNE:

What a change in the weather for members who took a guided stroll in the sunshine around the mediaeval village of Pujols.  Our Tourist Office guide gave a fascinating talk about the history of this most beautiful hilltop site, which has been razed and rebuilt many times over the centuries.  It was thirsty work walking in that hot sun and we finished the meeting with a well-deserved cup of tea and a slice of Nina's delicious cake to restore our energy!

Our June meeting saw the Leggies ladies take a guided tour

of the fascinating village of Pujols in glorious sunshine.

SEPTEMBER:

After a two-month summer break the Leggies calendar resumed with a fascinating talk by Sue Jarvis about understanding and working with our body's natural energy, the power of positive thought (and how negative can sap your strength) and how different foods affect each individual.  Sue put out different foods for energy testing and our members enjoyed the opportunity to munch on chocolate - in the interests of scientific research, of course!!

Sue Jarvis gave a fascinating talk at our September meeting

and is shown here doing energy testing on Val Levy

OCTOBER:

Mediaeval damsels, clowns, extra-terrestrials ... you name it and Annette Howard has created a costume of it.  At our October meeting Annette entertained us with her stories of fancy dress parties and how she turned a hobby into a successful costume-making and fancy-dress hire business.  Some of her commissions for costumes have included ducks, belly dancers and even - surreally - a giant leek!!

Annette Howard entertained us at our October

meeting with some fine fancy dress costumes,

NOVEMBER:

The hall was packed  for Brian Ayling's talk on the history of the Knights Templar.  Brian brought to life their origins, monastic lifestyle and the deep beliefs for which they fought and their order's subsequent demise.  The Templars had strong links with southwest France and of particular interest is their presence at nearby Le-Temple-Sur-Lot with its Templar Commanderie - there were plenty of questions for Brian to answer at the end of his talk.

Brian Ayling drew a large crowd for his talk on the history

of the Knights Templar at our November meeting

Many thanks to all who contributed home-made produce and gifts for Leggies' fund-raising stand at the Monteton Christmas Fair in November - nearly €200 was raised for our nominated charities!  And well done to the volunteers who braved the cold to man the stand all day and have hopefully thawed out by now!  Well done all!

Trish and Meryl chat to a delighted customer at the

Monteton Christmas Fair  where our stand raised €200!

DECEMBER

Members were welcomed with a glass of champagne cocktail at December's meeting - a recipe from our 'Christmas Eats' book containing members' favourite festive dishes.  A mouthwatering array of savoury and sweet nibbles were laid out to taste and were suitably appreciated!!  Copies of the recipe book are still available to purchase

Cheers!   Members raise a glass to toast a successful and

fun-filled Leggies' year before tucking into festive treats.

We finished off the year with a slap-up Christmas lunch at a local restaurant and an opportunity to toast a successful year full of entertainment, activities and friendship.  Here's to a fun-filled Leggies 2011 !

Fine food and good friends - those were the ingredients

that made the first Leggies Christmas lunch so successful!