September Newsletter

siobhan — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:12:38 +0000

Welcome to the September issue of twinsnews. Hopefully your summer has been going well and your little ones have been enjoying the nicer weather (when we have seen it!) The group has been out and about over the summer and it has been great to see the expecting and new mums getting to know the group and each other.

Hello from our new chair Ellie!

“I am a very busy mum of 3:- I have boy/ girl twins born in August 2008, so they are nearly 2 called Ethan and Amelia and also have Eva who is 4. Before I became a mum I was a mortgage advisor and an aerobics teacher. I am now training to be a Teaching Assistant in a primary school. I was honored to be asked to be the new chairman, I hope to continue Jenny’s good work and ensure that, along with the rest of the committee, the wednesday groups are smoothly run and a fun/ happy/ friendly/ relaxed place to meet. I hope to be a support to the new mums by placing an information page on our website about the existing networks that can assist them when they need help.”

Hello from our new social secretary!

“Hi everyone, I’m really excited to be taking on the role of social secretary and would love to hear any suggestions/requests regarding nights out/fun things to do in Cheltenham (I’ve only lived here for 7 months). Our night out in June at Ask was really fun and I hope to organize another one in the next couple of months. Things in the pipe line are a dad’s night out at the end of September and the Christmas party. Details will follow soon.

Warm wishes Stella.”

Summer party

Just to echo Penny’s words: A huge well done and thank you to Ruth, Belinda, Jenny and Emma for doing such a brilliant job in organising the summer party on Saturday and raising so much money for the Special Care Baby Unit. Approximately £600 was raised, which is a brilliant result and will help provide life saving equipment for lots of tiny patients in Gloucestershire. If you still have your sponsorship money or would like to make a donation, please could you email Penny so she can arrange to get all the money in and then raise the final cheque for Emma to hand over to the Scoo-B-Doo charity.

The party was a super event (particular thanks to Ruth and family for letting us all invade your house and gardens!) and everyone had a great time. We also took the opportunity to formally thank Ruth, Belinda and Jenny for all their fantastic hard work over the past few years in steering the group and making sure it is such a vibrant , supportive group to pass on to the new committee.

Wednesday Playgroup News

Wednesday group sessions start back on Wednesday 1^st September, with a full calendar of activities.

1/9 The group meets again in the hall. Play dough activity for the children

8/9 Brenda Cowie from ‘Mummy and Me Dance’ will be leading a dance/music session with a salsa theme this week. This should be a really good session and Brenda is great with the children.

15/9 Dinosaur craft activity

22/9 Robot themed craft activity

29/9 Sea Creature craft activity

August meetings

The August meetings went well. We are aware though that they haven’t all suited everybody’s needs. We would welcome suggestions etc for next August. We had thought about perhaps hiring a space in another venue a couple of times and organising some activities. So let us know any thoughts you have.

Double the Fun

The most recent copy of ‘Double the Fun’ should be coming your way soon. I would be thrilled to receive more articles from you all for the next copy which will come out in the winter. A reminder of the kind of articles: ‘A problem shared’ (something a mum has struggled with and overcome), people’s birth stories, nice/funny story about having twins, recipe, problem page questions. Generally, we would love to get any articles or suggestions. We are also hoping to have an activity section and top tips in the next copy, so please do send anything my way. Email: rachelpike100@gmail.com

AGM

The AGM was held on 30^th July and had great attendance with everyone really keen to help support the group to remain as good as it has been. Some great suggestions were made- such as ensuring activities are organised for the older children on Wednesdays in the school holidays (Ruth, Belinda and Jenny agreed to coordinate this) and also ensuring more and varied toys are available for the toddlers on Wednesdays. We also have a new committee- details below.

Committee meeting

The next committee meeting will be on Monday 13^th September in the Fiery Angel pub at 8pm (7pm if you are eating). All welcome! We will be discussing upcoming events and various general running issues. Ellie is keen to hear suggestions from you all for the group, so if you would like to contribute but can’t make the committee meeting, she will be putting a suggestion box in the hall, and also you can obviously contact Ellie or me directly.

Committee

Following the AGM in July, we now have a new committee- some new members and many of the previous committee members. If you are a member of the committee and your details are not below, please can you forward them to me? Thanks

COMMITTEE

Name	Title	Info
Ellie Bolton	Chair	I am a very busy mum of 3:- I have boy/ girl twins born in August 2008, so they are nearly 2 called Ethan and Amelia and also have Eva who is 4. Before I became a mum I was a mortgage advisor and an aerobics teacher. I am now training to be a Teaching Assistant in a primary school.
Penny Harrison	Treasurer	Mum to Calum and Nina, born April 08. Still traumatised by the memory of their colic. Part-time accountant with a secret love of fancy dress and singing nursery rhymes.
Liz Smith	Membership Secretary	Full-time mum to cute & cheeky boy/girl twins born May 2008, part-time waitress & sales assistant. Before DT (double trouble) day arrived I worked for a Food/Drinks brokerage as a purchasing co-ordinator, and enjoyed going to the cinema and dining out with friends (not that that happens as much nowadays) Self-confessed caffeine addict!
Rachel Pike	Secretary/ Newsletter Editor	Mum to identical twin boys born in February 2008. Loving being a mum and just about managing to juggle the demands of parenting with the demands of working virtually full-time for the National Autistic Society.
Terri Harvey	ETE Co-ordinator	Mum to decidedly dissimilar twin girls, born May 08, whilst working as an accountant. Prior to their arrival I loved socialising, especially eating out, but bizarrely prefer this lifestyle of outings to the park and gourmet pasta and cheese!
Jenny Cameron	Committee member	Jenny is mum to identical twin girls Daisy and Emily, who were born in July 2006. Before having the twins, I was a Drama teacher, but now spend my time watching more Wonder Pets than Shakespeare.
Ruth Powell	Committee Member	Mum to twin girls who were born Sept 06 and Georgina (Georgie), born January 2009,and a farmers wife! Before motherhood took over my life I was a Social Worker in Worcester. I absolutely loved my job and miss it.
Belinda Hughes	Committee Member	Mum to identical twin girls and Bo born January 2009. I also help to run my husband’s tree surgery business and am studying towards an English Lit Degree
Chantal Freeman	Graphics & Comms Co-ordinator	Mum to 4 young boys, the youngest of which are identical twins. Freelance graphic designer when I’m not policing
Rachel Chicken	Committee Member	Mum to non identicals – Evie and Jess – who were born in May 08 and Matilda who was born in January 2010, and a marketing freelance, doing stuff for software companies.
Laura Roberts	Committee Member	Full-time Mum to three energetic boys – eldest is 4 and my non-identical twins were born in March 2008. Pre-twins worked in the civil service, and then a bookshop. Have no idea what I will do once they are at school, other than enjoy the peace and quiet!
Vanessa Tanner	Committee Member
Alex Agombar	Committee Member	My two were born in June 2008, a boy and a girl, James and Katie. Before my life was overtaken by twins I used to work for Friends of the Earth. I now spend my days in toddler groups and playgrounds, still looking slightly shocked.

Cot and Breast feeding pillow

siobhan — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:52:54 +0000

Item 1)
Mamas & Papas Cot & Mattress

Sherwood oak cot & mattress £85.
Excellent condition.

Item 2)
Mothercare EZ nurse pillow

Perfect for breast feeding twins. Immaculate condition, used for a few weeks only. £25.

Mamas & Papas Eloise cot beds

siobhan — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:00:01 +0000

Two Mamas and Papas Eloise cot beds for sale.

Only occasional use by visiting twin grandchildren, so condition is ‘as new’.

Mamas and Papas City Scape Twin

siobhan — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:10:56 +0000

Mamas and Papas City Scape Twin pram for sale.

Staverton Day out – 25th August

siobhan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:32:40 +0000

Free! Join CTG on day out at Staverton Airport.. yes, we will be plane spotting! Indulge yourselves in that endless pleasure of pointing at planes and helicopters.. bring a picnic or sample the pub’s brilliant grub as we watch the little planes fly over head. Meet at the Cafe at 10am

Gloucestershire Airport Limited
Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6SR

http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk

Twins Summer Farm Party – Sat 21st August

siobhan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:26:09 +0000

Summer Party for CTG kindly held at Ruth’s Farm. There will be games, treasure hunt, tractor rides, BBQ and raffle. All for bargain price of £10/ family!

Please let us know if you plan to join us so we can make sure we have enough for everyone.

Location and times to follow.

Cotswold Farm Park – Weds 18th August

siobhan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:17:04 +0000

Free! This is a our summer outing paid for by the group. We really need to know numbers for this one, so please let Belinda know if you are coming as we need to have your names ‘on the door’. Meet at 10.30am

Cotswold Farm Park,Guiting Power, nr Cheltenham,Glos. GL54 5UG

www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Pittville Park Picnic – Weds 11th August

siobhan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:11:20 +0000

2nd CTG summer day out will be at Pittville park, join us for what will hopefully be a sunny day spent hanging out on the grass between the bird cages and play park.

Dick Whittington Farm Park day out – 4th August

siobhan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:43:18 +0000

As part of the CTG summer days out we will be meeting at the Dick Whittington Farm Park on Wednesday 4th August. All sorts of activties are available at the park, animal safari’s, tractor rides, go carting .. full list is available on their site below.

www.dickwhittington.org

Dick Whittington Farm Park , Blakemore Park
Little London, Longhope,
Gloucestershire, GL17 0PH

Meet there at 10am

Commitee meeting, Mon 7th June, 8pm

siobhan — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:07:01 +0000

Held at the Fiery Angel, Hewlett Road, our next committee meeting is on Monday 7th June at 8pm. As usual, come early if you want to eat.

Cheltenham Twins Group - support for parents & carers of twins & triplets in Gloucestershire