Unforgettable Christmas Meal 2023

Unforgettable Christmas Meal 2023

Uttoxeter Gateway Club Unforgettable Christmas Meal: A Magical Evening of Festive Fun, Friendship, and Community Spirit

Oh, what a magical night! The Uttoxeter Gateway Club members, staff, volunteers, and trustees gathered together with carers and family to celebrate Christmas in style with an unforgettable Christmas meal at the New Broom at Checkley. The doors were thrown open to give us all a warm welcome, and DJ Paul set the scene with disco lights and background music. Laughter filled the room as we pulled crackers, read jokes, and donned our festive hats.

The delicious starters arrived, and the clatter of cutlery replaced the chatter. We savoured every bite of the turkey with all the trimmings, including a delightful selection of vegetables, sprouts included of course. My personal highlight was the crispy pig in a blanket, accompanied by rich gravy, a true delight. A huge thank you to the kitchen elves for their culinary magic!

After the main course, we cleared our plates to make room for a tasty portion of Christmas pudding and piping hot custard. The Black Eyed Peas got the toes tapping, and the room exploded with energy as we danced the night away. We even sneaked in a quick Time Warp! Time seemed to fly by, and before we knew it, taxis were arriving to bring the evening to a close.

But not before our lovely members were presented with Christmas gifts, thanks to the kindness of Uttoxeter Waitrose, who donated ‘Snapper’ the Venus flytrap as featured in the John Lewis Christmas advert. Each member also received a Cadbury’s selection box, kindly donated by Uttoxeter NFU Mutual. We are truly grateful for all the donations received throughout the year, which make such events as our Christmas Party possible.

The hard work of our staff, volunteers, and trustees is truly appreciated, and it is reflected in the joy on the faces of our members.

Our festivities are in full swing, so before the blink of an eye it is all over, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Until next time…

Activity Schedule

 

Excited Members Immerse Themselves in Disney’s Wish!

Excited Members Immerse Themselves in Disney’s Wish!

Exclusive Screening of Disney’s Wish Ignites Joyful Celebration

Last Tuesday our members routinely turned up to the Uttoxeter Cinebowl.

However, their evening was anything but routine. The Uttoxeter Gateway Club leaders had arranged for a private showing on one of the screens. A whole screen to ourselves, what a treat. And as if that wasn’t enough, the film we were there to see was the new Disney release Wish!

You are never too old for a good Disney film and the screen was soon filled with a riot of colour and music surrounded the audience in a warm cloak of joy. Our members experienced a spectacular show and the evening was a resounding success.

Next Week – Notes for Your Diary

This coming Tuesday, we are at the New Broom at Checkley for the annual Christmas Meal and Disco.

Later in the week, on Thursday at 6.00pm, the fundraising team can be found at the Uttoxeter Town Hall for the Uttoxeter Lions Cracker Night (visit their Facebook page). Why not wrap up warm and come on down and buy a tombola ticket or two?

Uttoxeter Lions Christmas Cracker 2023

Until next time…

Activity Schedule

 

Fabulous U3A Ukulele Band Concert 2023

Fabulous U3A Ukulele Band Concert 2023

What a treat we had at Uttoxeter Gateway Club with U3A!

The Uttoxeter U3A Ukulele Band turned out in style starting our Christmas Season with a smile and Christmas jumpers in abundance. The atmosphere of anticipation crackled through the air as our members waited patiently for the band.

As soon as they appeared on stage the room was filled with the sound of applause and shakers being waved. With song sheets at the ready, the roof was quickly raised by the voices of our enthusiastic members, their families and carers. With thanks to Karen Moore for her kind donation of percussion instruments, the sound of tambourines, maracas and egg shakers joined the voices in a round of happy delight.

U3A played a selection of favourites including American Pie, Brown Eyed Girl and Hi Ho Silver Lining which quickly warmed the vocal cords. After a brief interval for the tea or coffee and a mince pies (thanks to our wonderful Pauline) the fun continued with a homage to Christmas to get us in the festive spirit.

The U3A Ukulele Band are playing again later this year to share the joy with a number of the elderly residents of Uttoxeter and I think Uttoxeter Gateway Club can say that they are in for a real treat. Thank you U3A. We hope to hear from you again in the new year.

The next thrilling adventure on Tuesday next week is a trip to the Cinebowl but rather than bowling this time we are going to see a film! So be there in time for the start and remember to be collected afterwards a bit later at 8.45pm.

Until next time…

Activity Schedule

Roaring Success at Cinebowl and Christmas Lights 2023

Roaring Success at Cinebowl and Christmas Lights 2023

Cinebowl was a Roaring Success

 
This week’s Cinebowl was a roaring success and the smiling and laughing photographs show this to be the case.  One of our members was there having a great time after a great week. What’s more, he has the award and certificate to prove it.  Very well done Andrew, we are so proud of your achievements.
 
 
Uttoxeter Gateway Club were raring to go with a packed stall of goodies to win at the Uttoxeter Christmas Light switch on. The team managed to get all set up before darkness fell and the lights were switched on!  Thank you to all involved in making this evening another Uttoxeter Gateway Club success. 
 
The fun continues over coming weeks with games night and then our concert with the U3A Ukulele band
 
Until next time…
 
Games Night at the Club

Games Night at the Club

This week’s Club night was a Games Night

Now some of you might have been thinking games night was perhaps a quick round of snakes and ladders or draughts, or that the Kurling mat might be rolled out.

Oh no, this Uttoxeter Gateway Club and nothing so predictable as that!

So setting the scene – there was a chair, a small pile of clothes, a bucket, bean bag and a ball. Scene set and instructions issued let the fun and game commence.

I wasn’t sure about who was hiding under a very fetching hat and a bright purple shawl, or that one of our members resembled Little Bow Peep at one point but what I do know is there are enough smiling and laughing faces to show that once again the team had come up with a winning formula for an entertaining night out.

Hang on to those scarfs and gloves, winter is coming but next week we will be warm and cosy at Cinebowl for a quick round of 10 pin bowling.

Until the next time…

Activity Schedule

Frightful Halloween Party 2023

Frightful Halloween Party 2023

It was a frightful, scary Halloween Party in Uttoxeter!

The last few weeks have flown by and it’s hard to believe that we have put the clocks back already!

Since Annie and her Pompoms entertained us, we went back to Cinebowl for 10 pin bowling and had a night out at The Steeplechase, where we spent a delightful evening playing various games, including Pool (or was it snooker?). It was good to see so many members relaxing and enjoying a night out down the local with their friends.

The Halloween Party was huge hit, and why wouldn’t it be with the delicious cakes and goodies. A fabulous selection of outfits were on display and it was difficult to tell who was behind the masks at times. The goup photo had an eerie ray of light casting one of our members in a very ghostly auram- very spooky! Once again laughter and smiles ruled the evening, you’re never to old for a bit of dressing up and larking around.

As the dark evenings are now upon us we have a so much to look forward to in the coming weeks in the run up to the festive season. Why not come along and join in the fun.

Until next time…

Activity Schedule

Fantastic Pompom Annie

Fantastic Pompom Annie

Are you ready for Pompom Annie?

Grab a seat and when you’re sitting comfortably I’ll begin!  There were pink and purple, orange and silver pom poms everywhere you looked, those pom poms were shaking. 
 
Annie soon got everyone in the swing of things with pompoms high, low and to the side shaking all about.  Laughter rained down, who knew getting fitter could be so much fun. 
 

Our members loved having Annie back in the room and sharing her enthusiastic love of life!

 
Cinebowl next week so don’t forget subs are £6.00, see you there.
 
Until the next time…

Activity Schedule

Annual General Meeting 2023

Annual General Meeting 2023

Report from the Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 4th October 2023

The Annual General Meeting 2023 was held on Wednesday 4th October and a big thank you to Waitrose Uttoxeter for the use of their community room for the meeting. 
 
The general report from the meeting was that on the whole last year was encouraging with returning members after the knock back of the Covid pandemic and our membership has returned to pre-covid levels and rising. 
 
Thanks was given in particular to our loyal hardworking Staff, Sue and Di.  They work tirelessly behind the scenes to plan and deliver the Tuesday event schedule and the outings throughout the year and keep our Facebook updated.  They are supported by our wonderful volunteers who Gateway wish to thank wholeheartedly for their enthusiasm and support in making these evenings and outings so successful too. Not forgetting the our website guru!
 
The Chairman, Paul, expressed his appreciation to his fellow Trustees whose work is based entirely on maintaining the Club and looking for further investment in the club, albeit through fundraising, grant applications or donations and sponsorship.  Without this funding Gateway simply cannot operate. 
 
Gateway recognise and have gratefully received donations from Uttoxeter Lions, Uttoxeter Rotary, NFU Mutual, Barratt Foundation and private individuals who have supported and appreciated the work we do for our members. 
 
The future of the Club is looking positive and expansion could well be on the cards.  Thank you everyone.
 
Why not come along and join this successful team of individuals as a Trustee or Volunteer and help us build a brighter future for Uttoxeter Gateway Club?
 
 
Until next time…
Puzzling Quiz Night September 2023

Puzzling Quiz Night September 2023

Quiz Night certainly had them scratching their heads!

From memory tests, to cute babies and a bit of sweet and sour to tickle your taste buds. 

The concentration was very apparent with all eyes on Fay for her memory round.  The smiles on the carers faces makes us smile too as these evenings are enjoyed by them not just our members as they work alongside to be the winning team. 

 

It is always best to have a bit of the tasting stick in both hands to give a balanced test but was that really mustard?  I bet our members were grateful for the tuck shop break to wash away those flavours.  But whatever you do, don’t forget that four heads are better than one and it really doesn’t matter win or lose,  it’s all in the name of a good night and this clearly was another one of those. 

Thanks to our wonderful team pulling it together.

Until the next time…

Activity Schedule

Competitive Cinebowl

Competitive Cinebowl

Uttoxeter Gateway Club Cinebowl Competition

Cinebowl for Uttoxeter Gateway Club was certainly competitive last night.  The gauntlet had been thrown down and members were flexing their muscles all determined to be the winner this week. 

A worthy Winner at CinebowlAs it is when playing across a couple of lanes, competition was tight and this week there was another member who proved to be the worthy winner.  Well done everyone, we know you love Cinebowl

Sharpen up your brain cells for next week’s Quiz Night. It’s always good fun.

Until next time…

 

Activity Schedule