Monday 4th March 2024 - teens:)unite FIGHTING CANCER 

Simon called for us on his own this evening, but with guest tips from David and Penny, as Trudy was away in Dorset with her mother.

During the evening we were very pleased to be visited by Debbie, Diane and Anita from the charity, teens:)unite FIGHTING CANCER who were presented with a cheque for £325 being the money raised at our Christmas party through donations, including fees, and participation in various games.  Debbie, a Co Founder of the charity, told us a little about the charity including how it came to be set up and the work they do to provide social, emotional and physical support for young people aged 13-24 who are fighting cancer. Although locally based in the old Hoddesdon Police Station, less than 10 miles from where Waggoners meets in Hertingfordbury, they reach out all over the country. From the old Police Station they run the Jailhouse Shop and Cafe where refreshments can be enjoyed in the former cells and interview rooms. After the presentation, Debbie, Diane and Anita joined us to dance a basic tip.

Later in the evening Simon told members about the presentation to David of the Harry Preston Memorial Award and that he and Trudy had themselves won this some years ago and that Andrew Agathangelou, who used to call for us, was also a previous winner. It was noted that all callers at Waggoners had held, or currently held, positions on the Callers Club Council: Peter Skiffins was Training Co-ordinator, Eric Curtis served as P.R.O.,  Simon as President, Trudy as Vice President, Andrew as a Council member, David is the current Treasurer and Penny has just been appointed a Council member. We have also been represented on the British Association of American Square Dance Clubs with Beryl Skiffins serving as its President from 1998 - 2000 and more recently Keith Rowden served as its Treasurer and Barbara Scott as its Secretary.

Monday 18th March 2024 - We were pleased to welcome back the new dancers who joined us last week as well as Gill, Gordon, Michael and Sue. We danced four squares for the teaching tips and three squares for full Mainstream. As well as recapping the moves shown to them last week, Trudy and Simon taught our new dancers  "4 ladies chain three quarters", "ladies in, men sashay" and to "square thru 1", "square thru 2", "square thru 3" and finally "square thru (4)".  Penny was away handbell ringing so David was our guest caller giving us a debut performance of "My Love for you will never Die" as his singing call. We are looking forward to our Easter celebration next week when, as is our custom, we will be enjoying Hot Cross Buns.

Monday 25th March 2024 - Nicki, one of our new dancers, kindly brought in a copy of an item which appeared in the Hertfordshire Mercury newspaper dated April 2007 showing Waggoners dancing at their inaugural event at St Joseph's in the Park School. Long term members had fun putting names to faces although very sadly many in the photo had since passed away.

As part of our Easter celebration this evening we enjoyed Hot Cross Buns during the break and for the first time in a very long time at a Club night we danced five squares!  Trudy and Simon were our callers this evening with a guest tip from Penny. We wished a Happy Birthday to Gill, who will be celebration this weekend, and a Happy Anniversary to Trudy and Simon, who will be celebrating early next month.

Saturday 30th March 2024 - James Wyatt Memorial Dance

Ann, Brian, Penny, Bob, Hazel, Martin, Jackie, Keith, Janet, Bob, Barbara, Maggie, Janet and David went to the James Wyatt Memorial Dance which raised £1000 for the charity, Diabetes UK. The event was organised by Barbara and Maggie and was held at St Joseph's in the Park School. The dance floor was full for every Tip with Neil Whiston called Advanced during the afternoon and in the evening Neil was joined on stage by Eddie James calling Mainstream and Plus with Amy Richardson cueing Rounds. Honoured guests were James's widow, Brenda, who came along with her two children, Lori-Ann and Rocky, their partners and little grandson. Emerson. Paul Bristow was also to have called at this event but was unable to attend due to illness. He was represented by his heavily pregnant daughter, Cherish, and her husband. Videos of James calling at various events were shown near the Dining Hall and brought back many happy memories of his outstanding singing voice.