JUST to remind you that there are no meetings in August or September.

Our speaker this month is Mary Goodhew, a former ballet dancer who knew Nureyev and a host of other renowned dancers.

She has been a teacher at the Royal Ballet School and what was formerly Elmhurst and is now running the St Bede’s/Legat School.

Our chairman, Jacqueline, believes she will have lots of interesting things to talk about!

Block bookings - there will be boards at the next meeting for both: Mayerling (Leanne Benjamin/Kobborg) on Wednesday 14 October at 7.30pm the Royal Opera House; and The Sleeping Beauty (Alina Cojocaru/Kobborg) on Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm also at the Royal Opera House. For both events it is hoped numbers will reach 18 to enable a coach to be booked and Julie and Maureen will confirm nearer the time. Any members not at our July meeting, do contact Julie or Maureen to make a booking via their telephone and email details, given at the end of this newsletter.

We now have the following vacancies, which you all might like to think about during our summer break: Tea Rota Ladies - If any of you feel able to be part of our rota doing a stint once or twice during the year serving tea/coffee/biscuits at the end of our meeting, do call Joyce Renshaw on 020 8302 1753 who would very much welcome your call, as we are once again short of helpers.

Newsletter writer - I have been writing our newsletter since 2004 and now have three duties as vice chairman, club secretary and newsletter writer. Unfortunately my personal commitments have increased and I also need to provide plenty of support to Jacqueline.

I shall be retaining the now much reduced, club secretary’s duties, but we have decided to advertise for someone to write our newsletter.

Do think about doing this if you enjoy being creative, it is a very interesting job and only involves liaising with Gill our programme secretary for speaker details and with Julie/Maureen for block bookings information.

It would ideally suit someone who does not work or only works part time and is on computer/email.

Once you have written it perhaps a friend could job share by helping stuff and stamp envelopes?

A float is provided by Eileen our treasurer for monthly expenses.

Do please give me a ring on 07746 719258 for more information if you are willing to have a go.

Dont forget - The first meeting of our autumn/winter season will be on Monday, October 5 at our usual time of 8pm.