New Activity Group: ZUMBA GOLD

You are invited to attend a TASTER session of a new group, ZUMBA GOLD

on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7th. at 2.00 pm at Berkswich Methodist Church Hall, Walton on the Hill. The session will last for one hour and the cost will be £1!

If there is enough interest, I plan to continue the class as a regular activity group for our members. The attendance fee will be £2.50 per session, to cover hire of the hall and cost of a qualified teacher from GROOVE ACADEMY, Stafford. 

http://www.grooveacademy.co.uk/aerobic-classes/

 

All the fun of Zumba but without the bouncing and twisting. You can still get a good workout in the class. Also perfect if you are new to exercise. 

Zumba Gold is perfect for

Active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba®class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.

How It Works

The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba®choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong.

Benefits

Class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance!

 

For more information, please contact Rose Gwilt

Posted by / April 16, 2017 / Posted in News
Posted by / April 6, 2017 / Posted in Art

CIRENCESTER-Tuesday 9th. May 2017

 

This outing was led by David Wilkinson who is the retired Stafford Borough archaeologist and who used to live and work in Cirencester, known as the capital of the Cotswolds.

 

Low aerial view of the Cirencester amphitheatre

 

Corinium Museum, Cirencester

The award winning Corinium Museum is the must-see visitor attraction of the Cotswolds.
Leave the 21st century behind you and discover the treasures of the Cotswolds as you explore its history at this multi award winning Museum.

The Corinium Museum has one of the finest and most extensive Roman collections in the country. Corinium, Roman Cirencester, was the second largest Roman town outside London and the major Roman administration centre for south-western Britain.

Other attractions include the Brewery Arts Centre and the parish church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outing to Rode Hall and Gardens, Cheshire Tuesday August 1st. 2017

 

Janet arranged an outing to Rode Hall, one of Cheshire’s most exquisite country houses.  Discover more about its rich heritage and how the Baker Wilbraham family who have owned it for approaching three hundred and fifty years, have contended with the challenges of social change and architectural trends through to its ongoing conservation and restoration today.

Rode’s Grade II listed park and gardens are amongst the finest in Cheshire.  A seventeenth-century survey described ‘orchards, gardens and courts within the Greene before ye hall’ but there are no further records of the grounds until 1790 when Richard Wilbraham Bootle commissioned a ‘Red Book’ from the landscape gardener Humphry Repton (1752 – 1818).

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MIDDLEPORT POTTERY AND LITTLE MORETON HALL-Thursday April 6th. 2017

David Barker has arranged an outing to Middleport Pottery, Buslem on Thursday April 6th. 

Middleport is the home of the world famous Burleigh.

Blue Heritage Storage Jar

 

At Burleigh Pottery, the skilled team of craftspeople have been producing Burleighware at The Middleport Pottery since 1889. It takes 25 pairs of hands to create a single piece of Burleigh pottery, and each pot is meticulously hand-finished. Creating something good, something that lasts, something that is above fashion and trends, something timeless, can’t be hurried.

 

After a tour of the factory, at about 12.30pm. our coach will take us on to Little Moreton Hall (National Trust) where lunch will be followed by a guided tour.

https://www.burleigh.co.uk/

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Cost: £22.25 per person for NT members, £30.75 for non NT members.

For full details, please see the February edition of your Newsletter

A visit to the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, was a FIRST for a group of our Phoenix ‘STRICTLY’ fans.

We were treated to all three finalists from the recent TV competition – Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton, Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse and winner Ore Oduba, dancing with Karen (wife of Kevin) rather than Joanne (sister of Kevin) Clifton, who’s busy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The line-up also included Daisy Lowe and Aljaz Skorjanec and Lesley Joseph, with Gorka Marquez rather than Anton du Beke.

 

The amazing show included some fantastic group numbers. We were treated to a tribute to West Side Story, a steamy Argentine Tango to Chicago, a fabulous 60s number to Hairspray (with Ed throwing himself into it wearing a camp bright pink suit) and a 1930s Hollywood routine with top hats, tails and feather fans.

The aerial acrobatics, indoor fireworks and flame effects to added to the drama.

Ed Balls received the lowest scores, but the loudest applause and a standing ovation!

Image may contain: 1 person, on stage, shoes and indoor

Everyone in the sell out arena had a smile on their face during an afternoon of  fun filled, family entertainment.

Absolutely brilliant!!!!

And my winners were Danni & Oti  

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people dancing

Rose Gwilt

 

 

Gentle Exercise Class

Regular weekly activity.

Our Gentle Exercise Group is back! Please note, we still have a waiting list due to numbers being restricted. Please bring your own drink.

Group Leader: Prue Bradley

  • Day: Friday
  • Time: 10.00am-11.30am
  • Venue: Walton Village Hall
  • Fee: £1.50 per session

Non competitive gentle exercises which are based on Tai Chi, low impact slow motion movements are designed to keep joints supple and improve flexibility. Standing and seated exercises only. i.e no floor exercises.

Thanks to Prue, Sue & Pat (above) for leading the Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charity Donations

At the Annual General Meeting, members were asked to vote for four of the following charities to support for the next twelve months:

MASE (MONTHLY ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT EVENING)

MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE

KATHARINE HOUSE

HOME START

DONNA LOUISE TRUST

STAFFS WILDLIFE TRUST

Members voted to continue to support KATHARINE HOUSE, STAFFS WILDLIFE TRUST, MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE and replace HOME START with DONNA LOUISE TRUST.

Please click on the links below for more information:

http://www.donnalouisetrust.org/

http://www.midlandsairambulance.com/

https://www.khhospice.org.uk/

http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/

Posted by / October 18, 2016 / Posted in News

Outing to the British Ironwork Centre

https://www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk/
Pat Wilkinson wrote the following letter after the visit to the British Ironwork Centre

 

 

Dear Sarah,
I am so sorry we didn’t report as you suggested at reception . I simply had not read your letter, however I have to thank you and tell you how much we enjoyed it.
You will be pleased to know the coach driver was also most impressed and is going to recommend a visit by his coach company .
My son who recommended it to me in the first instance, has promised me he will visit after getting a resounding praise from various members of the group.. We shall certainly put it on the group itinery for a visit in the future.
Many thanks for a successful visit
Sincerely
Pat Wilkinson
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Outing to Oswaldtwistle Mills and Samlesbury Hall, MARCH 14th. 2017

Pat arranged an outing to Oswaldtwistle Mills and Samlesbury Hall, on MARCH 14th. 2017

Oswaldtwistle Mills award-winning Shopping Village in Lancashire has something to amaze, charm and intrigue visitors of all ages. The former Weaving Mill has over 100 retailers all under one roof, 5 Restaurants, NEW Ice Cream Parlour, extensive Home, Lifestyle & Garden Centre, Mill Grounds, Aquatics Specialist, Craft Centre, Textile and Heritage Museum and even it’s own Wildfowl Reserve

Photo of Oswaldtwistle Mills

In the afternoon we travel to Salmesbury Hall,a fascinating medieval house.

Our guided tour through the historic rooms is with a specialist costumed tour guide (a witch). This is followed by a Cream Tea.

 

Samlesbury Hall, one of the stunning stately homes of Lancashire, a haven for history lovers, where the past meets the present

Samlesbury Hall - Lancashire's Historic Home

 

 

CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE-Thursday 6th. October 2016

Pat Hayward arranged an outing to the

CRITCH TRAMWAY VILLAGE, the home of the National Tramway Museum in the heart of the Derbyshire Countryside.

The coach will drop us off in the centre of the village.

On arrival collect your old penny to pay the conductor your tram fare, and receive a ticket you can use all day. Trams depart regularly from town end, calling at various stops along the mile long track.

The exhibition takes you through a hundred years of tramway development from the first horse drawn trams through to steam and electric.

All parts of the village are easily accessible with smooth routes and ramps and lifts to all buildings. There are a variety of catering facilities on site, such as Rita’s Tea room

The Red Lion Pub

The Red Lion Pub

An Aladdin’s cave of treats. Old fashioned jars of sweets, tins of confectionary, foil wrapped bars of fudge and toffee, all jostle for space in the period shop.

Barnett's Sweet Shop

 

David Barker organised an outing to Porthmadog on Monday September 5th. 2016

The itinery was as follows:

Travel through the spectacular Snowdonia National Park to Portmaddog.

Leisurely lunch

Board the Ffestiniog Railway for the scenic one hour long journey.

 

Please click on individual photos to enlarge.

 

Outdoor Bowls 2016

 

‘ As Captain of the Phoenix A Crown green bowling team I would like to congratulate everyone in the team for their support and achievement of winning the second division trophy for the second time and congratulations to Phoenix D for a hard fought battle and becoming runners up.’
After 4 years of Captaincy I will be handing over to Mike Bosson for the 2017 season.  I am sure he will do a fine job of running the team but I will still be there to give him any support he needs.  
Barry Dunn
 Bowls

The victorious Phoenix “A” Team promoted to the First Division of the 55 league,2016.

  Information and picture supplied by David Walthorne.

Federation News: Janet Palmer

At the recent Federation meeting, Bill Basford, the Chairman, initiated a lively and constructive exchange of ideas and experiences from the representatives of the six Phoenix clubs which proved to be of interest to us all. He suggested that we should continue for two years in this manner under his leadership and then review the situation.

We will send club reports out every three months and this sharing of information about speakers and outings should prove invaluable. We are also encouraged to discuss any problems and seek advice with each other. Ann and I agreed to represent Walton Phoenix.

The next meeting will be in November, hosted by Holmcroft and will be the AGM.

The Christmas Celebration was discussed and it was agreed that Federation members be invited to attend our Christmas Band Concert on Friday 15th December 2016.

                                                                               Janet Palmer

Posted by / August 9, 2016 / Posted in News

Thank you to Bill Barber, Group Leader of our Monday Art Group for sharing a selection of  the paintings by his talented members.

Please click on photo to enlarge

elephantbutterflies

Posted by / July 28, 2016 / Posted in Art

Summer Strawberry Spectacular, July 23rd. 2016

 On July 23rd. Jeremy & Anne Wheeler hosted a Strawberry Spectacular event in their beautiful garden.
Refreshments of strawberries and cream,buttered and jam scones with hot and soft drinks were provided.
The Eric Newton Jazz Band enhanced a wonderful sunny afternoon with their Traditional Jazz program.
Many thanks to Jeremy and Anne Wheeler and their team of Phoenix members and The Eric Newton Jazz Band.

 

 

Photo`s provided by David Walthorne and Jim Bergin

 

Defibrillator training courses

De-Fib Training  – Two dates have been arranged for this training which will take place in the Main Hall at 2pm on Thursday 8th & Monday 12th September. We are allowed 30 at each session and at present have approximately 10 members on each session. Group Leaders are asked to mention the availability of this training to their members.

 

Posted by / June 30, 2016 / Posted in News

Outing to Llangollen June 21st. 2016

Many thanks to Pat Hayward for organising the outing to Llangollen, which included a two hour cruise on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Pat also managed to organise the sunshine!

Please click on photos to enlarge

Thanks to David Walthorne and Jim Bergin for the photographs.