I must confess that when I set up this woman’s networking group in 2019 to mark 100 years of women getting the right to vote in Jersey, I did not anticipate the parish based group growing and being as successful as it has been. I get stopped by women telling me it has been their social life-line or a welcoming introduction to fellow parishioners and the parish. I even get asked by women outside of Grouville if they can join! The success is down to everyone who participates but especially my dedicated ‘Admin Team’ and those who host our various activities.
I am also very proud that some of our activities are used to enhance parish events namely our singing group ‘The Warblers’. Trained and ably led by the talented Jo Thorpe, the parish ‘gigs’ have provided musical entertainment at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations on Gorey Common, the Harvest Fayre, Remembrance Coffee Morning and the Senior Citizens Christmas lunch. The fortnightly practices take place on Gorey Common when the weather is fine, or in the Church when it is not.
As the winter evenings draw in, Les Grouvelles book club ‘Book it’ proves very popular. Hosted by our very own Grouville author Penny Byrne, they meet every couple of months to discuss reading lists and often invite local authors to the evening.
Other events include; learning to knit and crochet with Sue de la Mare, Ambles with Maggie Esson or less vigorous but nonetheless equally informative walks with Betty Hambly, weekly Petangue on the Common run by Nina Morgan and of course our regular socials organised by Sue Coutanche. The last summer social was a delicious evening meal at Drifters in Gorey Village. We always encourage members to suggest and help host different events that may be of interest to our members, the admin team help organise and advertise it on our Facebook page.
Other events which may be of interest to members is the Toddlers Playgroup organised by Rev’d Helen Gunton which takes place in the Church every Tuesday morning at 9.30am and the newly set up Repair Cafe organised by Jennifer Bridge – the first one is on 10th September at the Parish Hall.
Three times a year I invite all members to a ‘Main Meeting’ where – over a glass of wine – we arrange the details of forthcoming events and invite a Guest Speaker. Our next meeting is due to take place on Thursday 15th September (not Tuesday 13th) at Holme Grown at 7pm and I am delighted to say that our Speaker at this event will be Jersey’s first female Chief Minister, Kristina Moore.
If you are considering becoming a member please visit ‘Les Grouvelles’ Facebook page. Alternatively please contact me on tel: 852488.
I look forward to seeing you.