What a Joyous Jam evening to be had in June!
Sometimes I consider myself so blessed to be part of such a jubilant gang of Jam girls. They really are a very talented bunch. Just look at all these awards from the County Show! And not just the ‘growed’ ups! Both of the children’s categories were won by Jammetts ! Not to mention the fact that we romped home, yet again, with Julies trophy for The WI With The Most County Show Entries. Congratulations again ladies, you are all truly inspiring, not to mention AMAZING.
In June we were introduced to Mika, another very inspiring lady form Art Brasil, yes spelt with an s not a z!
Mika explained that through sharing music and dance with older people in our communities, they had developed new programmes of Seated Drumming & Dance to enable groups to engage more with each other, with older people and those living with dementia, through outreach workshops, schools, older people’s groups, community groups and the like.
She also took us firstly, through a warm up routine, of course seated, teaching us the moves as we sat, unwittingly taking in the new routine before moving to the more familiar vertical position most of us are used to when it comes to dancing. – Me personally, I just LOVE a bit of chair dancing and can be often seen boogieing on down when the Hubster pulls up at the traffic lights. Alls I can say is that the children are very grateful for the tinted windows in the back of the car…. anyway I digress, back to the real dancing and what fun we had! Our ladies are surprisingly light on their feet you know. They were really shaking their stuff, twirling and dare I say it – actually twerking! There just too many wonderful photos to choose from and if you would like to see more photos and videos please head on over to our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/letsmakejam/
Whilst Art Brasil can usually be found at the King St Studios in the centre of Newcastle-under-Lyme, there’s a good chance you will bump into them out and about, but if you wanted to know more about what they do and where you can catch up with them locally, you can head over to their website : http://www.artbrasil.org.uk
Art Brasil are a non profit making organisation that rely on goodwill and donations. While they welcome monetary donations, they are always on the look out for volunteers – don’t worry, you really don’t need to be able to carnival dance in feathers and 4 inch high heels! However, they do need help with other things too like spreading the word, raising awareness and the promotion of projects. So if you feel you can help out in any way, I’m sure they would just love to hear from you, and of course they can also be found on Facebook too!
Would You Like Any Extra Jam With That?
On Saturday, June 29th we went out for a ‘Jam Swap’ evening.
So, I get asked all the time, “What is a ‘Jam’ Swap”? And no! we don’t swap jars of jam! Basically, once or twice a year – or when ever we feel like a bit of Jam girls night out – we arrange a lovely get together where we can maybe get a little glammed up – not mandatory, but you know we are a pretty glamorous bunch so why not! And we get a few little gifts for each other that tend to be centred around a theme. We’ve have Socks, that was good. We’ve had stationery, that was ace and we’ve had Well Being too. That was Lovely, and calming. Lots of love and thoughtfulness went into that one, as did them all. What can I say we love to spoil ourselves while spoiling other people… and speaking of spoiling ourselves… there may actually be a bit of good food and some BAD*SS cocktails thrown into the mix too – Presents, food and cocktails, what’s not to love? This time the theme was Summer Holiday. It was amazing! We had everything you need, not just for a vacation but a stay-cation too.
So what’s coming up…?
This month we are very excited to announce we will be having a demonstration on Indian Cookery and I, for one, am very much looking forward to the prospect of SAMPLES! Who’s with me on this one?
There will also be the usual array of wonderful cakes, thanks to this months bakers.
And for anyone feeling generous, our kitchen Queen Vanessa could always do with a helping hand in the kitchen, so if Indian cuisine isn’t really your thing then perhaps you would consider helping Vanessa out – you know there’s cake in it for you 🍰🍩🍰🍩
Seek Out Sam
The Lovely Sam Ward is still on the hunt for suggestions for next years program – these things don’t just happen by themselves you know, and we want to make sure we cover a wide range of subjects, issues and topics. So, if there is a subject close to your heart or even a craft you feel brave enough that YOU can demonstrate, please don’t be shy, seek out Sam and let her know.
T’Other Sam – Period Power Campaign
Sam (aka Mrs A) Arnold would like to extend her thanks for our members help with the Period Power Campaign once again this month, it really does make a difference. The box will be out again at this meeting, so if you can spare a pack of pads or tampons by possibly adding an extra pack to your monthly shop with the intention of popping them into the collection box it would be very much appreciated I’m sure.
This is Nicky from affordable foods (left) who hands them out via her shop while others are taken into schools to distributed.
Other Jam Events
Jammy Hookers, every 1st Thursday of the month, 7pm, at the Odeon’ Costa Coffee, Festival Park – Although your going to need to keep an eye out on this one as new premises are being sought. Costa is lovely but it doesn’t stay open very late, and while us Book Hubbers like to be tucked up in bed, with a good book, the Hookers are a little more Rock n Roll and invariably end up moving on to another venue. So once again, if you have any suggestions for a more permanent location, please seek out ‘T’Other’ Sam. However, in the meantime, you’d do well to keep an eye on Facebook, just in case there are any last minute changes.
Jamanory Book Hub, was due to be held this month on the 8th of July. However, after some consideration, we decided to move it to the 19th August as not all our members had finished the book yet (OK, me included – but I wasn’t that far off) As I think this may well be one of ‘those’ books that has the potential to split opinion, we felt it was worth the wait in order to collate a broader scope of judgement.
I am also happy to announce the launch of a little incentive. Anyone finishing The House on Half Moon Street by Alex Reeve, that can come along to the meeting on the 19th will receive a little present of a Jamanory Pin badge. There are two to choose from and of course we would also love to know what you thought of the book itself, that is after all, the whole point! So apart from the actual date, all the other details are the same, Same time 7.30 pm, and the same place, also at the Odeon’s Costa Coffee, Festival Park. Otherwise you know me, I’ll forget.
Did anyone notice the little pop up Jamanory Library?
Just like any other Library, Bring and leave one book and take another home with you.
Remember ladies it’s our WI meeting this Friday 12th, usual place St. Wulstan’s Community Centre. Church Lane. Wolstanton. Newcastle under Lyme. ST50EH. Doors open at 7.15 pm. for a 7.30 start.
Where there is always refreshments and a raffle…And not forgetting the CAKE… most importantly the CAKE!
You can always keep up to date with whats going on by choosing to follow us on :
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
From the Let’s Make Jam Team, until next time
be Jammy!
Let's Make Jam 
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