2nd January 2014
A slow start to the year as we all get over Christmas. A lovely meal at The Sportsman as usual and we welcomed Joan to her first meeting. A few dates were discussed including a trip to see the snowdrops at Angelsey Abbey later in the month (which unfortunately had to be cancelled).
6th February
Another lively meeting at The Sportsman welcoming yet another lovely lady.
13th March - Octavia Cafe
We had a brilliant afternoon tea at Octavia Cafe to celebrate the birthday of Kountess Knit 'n' Knatter. Any excuse for a piece of cake!!
6th March
We welcomed another lovely lady to our meeting and also officially recognised Duchess of Flintstones and Empress Edelweiss to our chapter. Fantastic!
14 - 17th March - Isle of Wight Weekend
Queen Margaret enjoyed a brilliant weekend courtesy of the Vectis Belles along with 159 other Red Hatters. The weather was glorious. The company excellent and her room overlooked the beach and had a balcony. Just the place to sip the wine and listen to the sounds of the waves! Fabulous!
11th April - Bubble Car Museum
Seven of us enjoyed a day out at the Bubble Car Museum near Boston. We met with two Fen Fatales and were amazed at what we remembered about the bubble cars. Just shows how old we are!! It was certainly worth a visit. Thank you Baroness Bolinger for suggesting it. We then went on to Boston and hit the shops. We were as usual stopped and asked about our red hats and were happy to tell people about the society. One gentleman wanted to join but I told him he wasn't eligible - or words to that effect! A really lovely day.
25th April - Springfields
Three of us celebrated the 16th birthday of The Red Hat Society by doing what we do best - shopping. We each bought bargains at Springfields in Spalding and had a lovely lunch aswell.
16th May - Swinging atThe Cotton Club
Ten of us went to the South Holland Centre in Spalding to watch a very fast and enjoyable show about the Cotton Club in New York. The music was wonderful and the dancing by the Lindy Hoppers breathtaking - and that was just watching. Three of us went early and did the shops first. All in all it was a brilliant day thanks to Countess Cabernet.
20th May - 'Hot Flush'
Ten of us went to the Corn Exchange in King's Lynn to see Lesley Joseph in 'Hot Flush'. It was absolutely hilarious and as the subject was the menopause there was plenty of scope regarding jokes, situations etc. We also met with other chapters from Downham Market and Hunstanton. A fabulous night out.
3rdJune - Vicar of Dibley
Ten of us went to the opening night of 'The Vicar of Dibley' at St Peter and Paul Church. It was performed brilliantly by Wisbech Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. The casting was excellent and despite a lack of numbers in the audience, it was an hilarious evening. Thanks to Princess Patterpaws for suggesting it.
11th June - Lunch
Kountess Knit 'n' Knatter held an informal lunch at her home. The food was fabulous and the company great. It was a brilliant afternoon and everyone sat in the garden with a glass in their hand. Thanks Kountess for being such a fantastic hostess!
16th June - Ruby Reds
Lady Corrie and Queen Margaret went to Ruby Reds' Turkish Bazaar. There was a fantastic array of bargains for those who took part. A super buffet and much chat and laughter. We met up with other chapters and it was great.
18th June - Pudding Party
Countess Cupcake held a Midsummer Pudding Party at her home. It was fantastic. Lots of goodies to indulge in and a Pimms on arrival. What more could we ask for. Another brilliant afternoon. Thanks Countess, it was fabulous!
5th July - Rose Fair
Wow, what a day! We followed the Rose Queen in our historic cars with the slogan - 'The Day Colour Came to TV'. We were all dressed up and the sun came out just at the right time. Some were in the cars and some walked. The crowd were fantastic especially for the afternoon parade. A noisy meal at the Hare and Hounds at lunchtime gave us the energy for the second parade. We even got our photo in the local paper. Definitely a day to look forward to again next year. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it so memorable.
30th July - Sandringham
Five of us including two new ladies went to Sandringham for the annual Flower Show. The weather was in marked contrast to last year when it rained all day. It was really hot and we got a tan even when the sun went in. A picnic lunch in the shade was another brilliant part of the day. We also met up with lots of other chapters and all in all provided a real blast of colour in our regalia.
13th August - 50 Shades birthday party
Queen Margaret joined Queens Pat and Julie to help Queen Sharman celebrate the 2nd birthday of the 50 Shades of Red and Purple. It was a very enjoyable evening and the cake was scrumptious.
21st August - Hunstanton
Seven of us went to the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton to see the Seaside Special organised by Countess Cabernet. It was brilliant and we even got a mention, actually we got two and a photo at the end. A superb night.
3rd September - Lavender Fields
Four of us went to Heacham Lavender Fields to join Queen Margaret and the Sunny Hunny Belles for their coffee morning. We also met up with Queen Kathy of the Ruby Reds. Coffee and a cream tea was the order of the day and was thoroughly enjoyable.
10th September - Corn Exchange
Six of us enjoyed an afternoon of nostalgia at the Corn Exchange, King's Lynn to see a performance of 'There'll Always be and England'. It was a fun afternoon with lots of sing - a- longs.
15th September - Dolly Mixtures
Seven of us enjoyed a great afternoon with the Fen Fatales. They really are a creative bunch of gals making fascinators, painting pictures, making cards etc. We came away with some super bargains and so many raffle prizes that I think we may be banned from going again! A brilliant afternoon.
25th September - Jimmy's Memorial
Eleven of us joined our Pinkie (Princess of the Nile) who is the teacher at Southfields Primary School who brought about this annual memorial. Jimmy was a donkey born in the trenches of the First World War and adopted by the Cameronians who looked after him and made him their mascot. He was brought to Peterborough after the war and died there on 10th May 1943. He is buried in Central Park. Each year there is a short memorial service to him and other animals who have been involved in and died in conflict. It was very moving and included the Last Post and readings by the children. Afterwards we all enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea back at the school.
26th September - Macmillan Cancer Support
Queen Margaret joined the Swaffham Sparklers at their Macmillan Coffee Morning. It was lovely to meet up with other hatters. Kountess Knit 'n' Knatter also hosted a coffee morning in Wisbech for Macmillan.
26th September - Murder Mystery
Baroness Bolinger, Countess Cabernet and Lady Corrie enjoyed a Murder Mystery evening with the Ruby Reds.
It was good food, lively company and really good fun.
29th September - Caithness Crystal
Five of us joined the Ruby Reds for their coffee morning at Caithness Crystal in King's Lynn. We were made to feel very welcome and it was very enjoyable.
17 - 20th October - Convention
Queen Margaret and Vice Queen Sandra went to Liverpool for the annual British Red Hat Convention. We went by train and the hotel was only a two minute walk from the station.It was a really fun weekend and Liverpool didn't know what hit it. Everyone was really friendly and the entertainment ranged from the 'Beatles' to 'Tom Jones'. We even went on the 'ferry 'cross the Mersey'. Brilliant weekend.
23rd October - Tea Party
Lady Laugh a Lot, Kountess Knit 'n' Knatter, Princess Patterpaws and Countess Cupcake did us proud by putting on a magnificent spread for our tea party. The room looked amazing with the red and purple tablecloths and assorted china and cake stands. We were joined by other chapters and it really was a fun afternoon. Thank you ladies for all your hard work and the Queens and chaperettes who supported us.
27th October - Purple sale
Five of us supported the Fen Fatales Purple sale in aid of Cancer Research. It was a lovely day and a lot of bargains were to be had, all in a very good cause.
30th October - Quiz Night
Ten of us and Baroness Biggles' mum, who didn't look as old as she said she was, enjoyed a great evening getting the old grey matter working. We split into two teams and it was a really super evening. We even had chips in the interval. Fabulous fun.
November
A relatively quiet month. Apart from our usual excellent meal at The Sportsman, Queen Margaret and Lady Laugh a Lot attended the meeting of the Fen Fatales to hand over some more of our popular hats. We were made very welcome as usual and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.
4th December - Christmas dinner
We had our Christmas dinner at the Sportsman and had a brilliant time, made better by a visit from Santa.. Lots of lovely food, laughter and presents. What a way to start Christmas.
10th December - Panto time
We joined with the Fen Fatales and enjoyed a brilliant pantomime - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - at the corn Exchange in King's Lynn. It was made more special as there were lots, and I mean lots, of children who had been let off school for the afternoon. The scene of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was absolutely hilarious.
15th December - Wisbech Christmas Market
This apparently had been renamed Wisbech Yule Fair and I have to say was disappointing compared with previous years. Nonetheless we were joined by the Fen Fatales, Sluice Women, 50 Shades and the Gadabouts.
It was a very cold day aleviated by delicious hot chocolate. Thanks to all who came along.