Happy New Year!

To all our members, let's hope this year is healthy, happy and harmonious! Sadly we had to bid farewell to a few of our active members in 2012, and they will be greatly missed. Let's hope this year sees a growth in our membership so we can enjoy the company of new and exciting members who will encourage us to venture out of our safety zones.

We are trying to come up with an interesting mix of events for this year, if you have any suggestions we are always open to new things. For now, this is what is on the menu for January:

January 26th - Pot Luck Supper. To start off with a celebration of the new year, Debra and Phil have kindly offered to host an evening at their house so that we can all catch up after the holidays. To get in training for our new adventurous spirit for 2013 (we don't want to dive straight into the bungy jumping!), we will start by trying out some new dishes. If you would like to come and join in the fun, please contact Pat and let her know whether you will bring a sweet or savoury dish to share (just so we know we have enough of each). Please bring a bottle of your favourite drink for yourself or to share.
Here are a couple of photos from the night - sounds like it was enjoyed by all! (Yes, Renee was there too, but as she is our official court photographer she never seems to get on any photos....)

January 28th - Film Night - Les Miserables. We want to see what all the hype is about - many of us have seen the stage production, let's see if the movie has the same quality, and ability to make us laugh, sing and cry! Meet in the Cheshire Oaks cinema foyer at 6:30pm, the movie starts at 6:45pm. See you there.

December Delights

December 1st - Port Sunlight Christmas Food Fayre. The best food and drink producers from Cheshire and the North West gather in this historic town, and top chefs demonstrate their tips & tricks in the kitchen.  If you are interesting in going, we will meet at Chester Railway station. For more information, contact Pat Pawson.

December 6th - Charity Cookie Exchange and Raffle. Joanne has kindly offered to host a cookie exchange and raffle at her house in Hoole, all proceeds to benefit Michael's Whatever Appeal. You must bring a batch of home made cookies for the exchange. If you would like to attend, please contact Joanne for directions and time.

UPDATE: Everyone sends their thanks to Joanne for hosting the event. Here are some great snaps of the cookies and those who were lucky enough to sample them. The Cookie Exchange raised approximately £90. As usual for our annual fundraising event, Newcomers will make a donation of the same amount, making a grand total of £180. (I hear there may still be a few recipe books available - don't miss out, get your copy from Debra for only £5 and well worth every penny.)

December 12th - Chester Newcomers Christmas Lunch. 12:30pm at the Cheshire Fields Country Club. It’s a new place, with a lovely view (on a fine day!) on the A56 just outside Chester, so no problems parking. You can choose from the a la carte menu, or from 2 course party menus (£19 or £23).  Turkey & Christmas pud are on the menus but there are plenty more options!! Check out their website: www.thechesterfields.co.uk. Contact Pat for more details.

UPDATE: It was nice to meet up for a special meal before the holidays kicked in, and also to say farewell to Joanne who moved back to the USA with her husband Mike. We wish them all the best for their new life in Connecticut, at at least they will have Colin (the tea cosy) to remind them of their time in Chester.

December  - Overnight Trip Several members have asked if we can do an overnight trip to one of the Christmas Markets in Germany. We have not yet got the details, but if you are interested please contact Sue so we can add you to the list.

November Celebrations

November 5th - Guy Fawkes Night at the Red House. Watch the fireworks from the safety of your dining table, with a view across the Dee towards the town. Cost will be £39.95 per person which includes a 3 course meal and a wonderful Firework display. We have booked at table for 10 (4 are already taken) – so  if you are interest in joining us, let Barbara George know by October 24th  absolute latest please. After that date, call the Red House to book your own table, but be warned that this event fills up very quickly. In either case, a deposit of £10 is needed when you reserve your seat.

November 25th - Christmas Medieval Fayre in Ludlow. The best medieval show in the land - over 100 stalls selling seasonal gifts with a medieval flavour. With more music, minstrels, merriment and mirth than ever before. If we have enough people we can hire a coach for the event. The cost will be approximately £18 per person for the coach, plus £8 entry to the fayre.  Contact Sue Warby for more information.

The following items are listed for those who are interested, but will not be a Newcomer organized event:

November 28th - Michael Buble Night at Croes Howell, Matty Roberts performs hits by Buble, Sinatra, and Martin as well more current songs by The Killers and Cee Lo Green.  The cost is £29.95 per person and includes a three course meal and dancing.

Autumn Activities

Now that we are all back from our various trips around the world, we can get back on track and enjoy ourselves at any or all of the many upcoming events for September, October and November.



September 19th - Film Night at Cheshire Oaks. This month we are going to see the new film Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. The film starts at 7:30, and we are going to meet for a pre-theatre drinks and nibbles at Frankie & Benny's. Meet us there any time after 6:30pm, or at the cinema. If you have Orange on your mobile you can use your Orange Wednesdays to get 2 for 1 tickets.

September 28th - This month we are having Afternoon Tea at Croes Howell, with splendid views over the Cheshire countryside. The cost is £12.95 for two people, which includes finger sandwiches, scone, shortbreads, mini welsh cakes and Bara brith, and a hot beverage of your choice. Meet us there at 2:30pm for a very tasty afternoon.

October 11th - Canonbah Bridge Wine Evening - this is a very special wine tasting event at Mitchell's Wine Bar, Tattenhall. We have booked a table for 10 people, but we can add more if necessary. There will follow a 4 course dinner and coffee, and with each course they will serve a different wine from the Canonbah portfolio. Meet there at 7:30pm for dinner at 8pm. Contact Barbara George to reserve your place at this event.

October 17th - We return to our monthly coffee morning at the Cheshire Cat. Meet us there at 10am. Some members usually stay on for lunch. 

October 21st - Join us for Sunday Lunch at the Egerton Arms, a great character pub in the heart of the Cheshire plains. Food ranges from toad in the hole or steak & kidney pie to Lobster Thermidor. Meet us there at 1:00pm.

October 25th - Motown Night at Croes Howell, the evening includes a three course meal and dancing to Motown music provided by A-KAY.  The cost is £29.95 per person.


We are also looking for ideas for walks and hikes. If you are planning a walk this month and would like company along the way, please let us know.