2016
6th January - London
Lady Laugh a Lot and Queen Margaret joined with the Fen Fatales and went to London to see Burt Bacharach - Close to you at the Criterion Theatre. We left on the train at Peterborough and having arrived in King's Cross we boarded the bus to Piccadilly Circus. There followed a trip round Jubilee Market in Covent Garden and having bagged a bargain we had lunch in Henry's. We then walked to the theatre, while having our photo taken along the way including with a mounted policeman. The performance was great and we then sauntered back to the Strand Palace Hotel for a sumptuous afternoon tea. We arrived back in Peterborough having had a brilliant day and one which we will remember for a long time.
7th January - REDuation Day
Our meeting this month was a special one as our lovely Lady Cheeky Choccy reached the grand age of 50 last month. We had a short ceremony in which I read a poem and exchanged her pink fascinator with our chapter red hat and draped purple organza round her shoulders. We presented her with some gifts including a personal message from each of us. After the meal we had some games involving chocolate in honour of our newest red hatter. It was great fun and a lot of laughter was heard.
9th March - Downham Divas
Countess Cupcake and Queen Margaret supported the Downham Divas at their formation afternoon. There were many Red Hatters there to watch Queen Bez being crowned as Queen of the Downham Divas and several other Queens were also crowned as they hadn't previously had a coronation.It was a great afternoon and lovely to be part of it.
4th April - Dolly Mixtures
Some of us supported the Fen Fatales at their Dolly Mixtures Day when we took along clothes (red and purple of course) which had shrunk in the wardrobe.We alos bought some items but those which hadn't sold at the end of the afternoon were given to charity.
25th April - Fen Fatales
Countess Cabernet, Queen Margaret and Lady Laugh a Lot attended the 10th birthday party of the Fen Fatales. It was a fabulous afternoon and it was lovely to see again so many friends. The food was truly scrumptious! It was also the birthday of the Red Hat Society so a double celebration.
5th May - Coronation Day
This date was also the birthday of Princess of the Nile, Baroness Biggles and Queen Margaret. As it was also the 70th birthday of the Queen, it was decided to hold a coronation for her. It was a superb evening organised by Lady Laugh a Lot. We were also supported by Queens and chapterettes from the 50 Shades of Red and Purple, Fen Fatales, Downham Divas, Sluice Women and Sunny Hunny Belles. A fabulous cake was also made. Queen Pat from the Fen Fatales performed the ceremony ably assisted by Queen Sharman of the 50 Shades. Queen Margaret was presented with a goblet decorated by Queen Bez of the Downham Divas and a purple cleany thingy.
This was followed by the surprise crowning of Lady Laugh a Lot who is Vice Queen. A lot of fun and laughter was the order of the evening and we had a brilliant time at Elme Hall Hotel. Thank you all so much for a truly memorable birthday.
2nd June - Abba
Lady Laugh a Lot, Duchess Free Spirit and Baroness Biggles went to an Mama Mia sing a long organised by the Sluice Women. It was a really fun night with plenty of singing and dancing with other chapters and a great time was had.
21st June - Sluice Women tea party
Three of us went a long to Downham Market to the Sluice Women tea party. There were so many other chapters there it was brilliant to see so many familiar faces. The food was absolutely superb and it was lovely to meet the new Queen of the Posh Poppies of Peterborough.A fantastic afternoon.
30th July - Narrowboat Cruise
Seven of us together with Queens Pat and Sharman had a fabulous day out on the narrowboat cruise run by Sheen from Upwell.We were waited on hand and foot and enjoyed a three course lunch, tea and cake and all the tea and coffee we could drink. We went form Upwell to March and it was superb including the lock. Definitely something for the calendar next year.
2nd August - Buckingham Palace
Four of us joined with the Fen Fatales and went on a coach trip to Buckingham Palace. I have to say that the weather was really unkind to us as it absolutely chucked it down and we got really wet. However it had cleared by the time we exited the Palace. The tour itself was amazing and we saw the exhibition of Her Majesty's clothes including her wedding dress and coronation dress and robes. A fascinating day and the shop was very hard to resist. In fact I didn't bother and just went for it! An ice cream to finish with a palace wafer biscuit rounded off a brilliant day.
4th August - Swaffham Sparklers tea party
VQ Sandra and I went to Swaffham to their tea party. There were lost of other chapters there and it was lovely to meet up again. The food was absolutely superb and a lot of hard work had gone into the catering. The rain held of mostly but when it did come down we just piled into the marquee and carried on regardless. It certainly didn't spoil what was a fabulous afternoon.
17th August - Sunny Hunny Belles
VQ Sandra and I were invited by the queens of the Sunny Hunny Belles and Ruby Reds to afternoon tea at Le Strange Arms, Old Hunstanton together with other Qs and VQs. It was a fabulous afternoon and we met up again with lots of friends. A group photo was taken by a not so reluctant husband of a guest.
18th August - London
Four of us including a potential pinkie went on the train to see The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre. It was hilarious. There were well over 100 of us and the theatre kindly gave us all free ice cream - what a bonus! A trip to Covent Garden market before the performance was the order of the day where we actually bought our own ice cream - see photo - not knowing we were going to have the opportunity to have more. Bliss!! A brilliant day.
12th October - Full Monty
Two of us went to the Theatre Royal in Norwich to see 'The Full Monty'. We were very familiar with the film and the show didn't disappoint. It was hilarious. A super night!
24th October - Non-birthday party
We had a non-birthday event this year at Worzals and invited many local chapters to a coffee and cake afternoon.There were about thirty plus of us all in our red and purple finery. Worzals didn't know what hit it! Lots of other chapters supported us which was lovely. A great afternoon.
29th October - Spooktacular
Four of us joined with other chapters including Queen Sharman of the 50 Shades of Red and Purple, to see the Spooktacular at the Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. We all dressed up in our halloween costumes and it was brilliant. On went the red and black face paint, talons, teeth et al.Great fun.
3rd November - Fireworks party
Princess Blingy Balls kindly hosted us at her home for a Fireworks party which was brilliant. Ably abettted by her husband we enjoyed a brilliant fireworks display and enjoyed great food including a red birthday cake. Fabulous evening. Thank you.
7th December - Christmas Pt 1
Three of us went to the Fen Fatales Christmas lunch at Tofts. It was great fun including games and we all had a gift from Santa. A super way to start the festivities.
9th December - Christmas Pt 2
We went to our own Christmas party at Elme Hall Hotel joined by the Fen Fatales, Posh Poppies and Ruby Reds. It was a really fun night and the dancing had to be seen to be believed! Great night.
14th December - Christmas Pt 3
VQ Sandra and I went to the 50 Shades of Red and Purple Christmas party at the Swan, King's Lynn. It was a lovely meal and we came away with smashing raffle prizes and secret santa gifts. A fitting end to our Red Hat festivities.