Ranches Ladies Newsletter
Good Morning Ranches Ladies.
The Holy month of Ramadan is drawing to an end this weekend, followed by Eid Al Fitr at the beginning of May.
If you are observing Ramadan we wish you all the blessings of the holy month and a wonderful Eid celebration for you and your family.
Whatever you have planned, hope you have a great week ahead.
Scottish Dancing Circle by Carole Binbrek
I started the Ranches Ladies Scottish Dancing Circle about 10 years ago. We met in the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, wherever they could find us a room; upstairs in a small room, the Baker Finch Room and sometimes Birdies. We were just happy to have a space to dance. We met every Wednesday morning from 9.30-11 following by a late breakfast at 11 in the golf club restaurant.
I taught Scottish Country Dancing to dozens of enthusiastic ladies over the years, averaging 8-10 ladies per class. Scottish dancing is a great workout for the body and the brain and working together in a team where you have to rely on and help each other as most dances are performed in sets of 8 or 10 created strong friendships as well in keeping with Ranches Ladies motto’ New friendships start here’.
We would start with a warm up session, learn some footwork then perhaps a formation then on to learning new dances of increasing difficulty as we gained in knowledge and confidence. We loved to show off our latest moves at the annual and semi annual ‘Circles Mornings’ where we would attract new members. We even went out on gigs as far away as Ras al Khaimah Ladies College showing off our dances. We danced reels, jigs and strathpeys and even a Scottish waltz. We held little leaving parties in Birdies when colleagues were leaving us, sadly now spread all over the world. We had lovely costumes made, skirts the same colour of blue as the Scottish flag, white blouses and tartan sashes. How smart we looked.
Unfortunately we haven’t met for the past two years due to Covid but I hope to restart in September. We are looking for a new venue as all the rooms at the golf club are now filled with other activities, so let me know if you hear of anywhere and do join us. It’s a much more interesting way of exercising than the gym.
Short Featured Articles Wanted!
A big thank you to Carole for sharing her memories of Scottish Dancing and hopes to restart the circle.
We need more short (200 to 300 words) articles with photos on topics such as:
- What you have been getting up to in your Circle groups
- Your favourite place in Dubai or wider UAE
- Reviews/recommendations for restaurants or leisure activities
- How you and your family celebrate cultural or religious festivals in Dubai
- Your favourite recipe
- Your experience of relocating to or from Dubai
…..plus any other topics you think would be of interest to other RL members
If you would like to contribute please email arladiesdubai@gmail.com
Tuesday Mornings
For those who are not fasting, we are still meeting for coffee at Larte Restaurant in Studio One Hotel, Studio City (across the roundabout from the back entrance of Arabian Ranches 1) from 10.30am- 12pm. It is a great chance for existing Ranches Ladies members to catch up and for new ladies to find out about membership and activities.
Our website is http://www.arabianranchesladies.com and you can find us on FB and Instagram as Ranches Ladies
To join the Ranches Ladies Whatsapp group if you are a member, please email ranches.ladies@gmail.com
If you have any items for the newsletter please send to arladiesdubai@gmail.com (by Friday afternoon for inclusion in the next Monday newsletter)
RL Circles News
The number of Circles are growing, so it is not possible to fit all the Circles and activities on this newsletter each week. There may be some changes to activities during the month of Ramadan.
Please check the latest Circles Calendar on the website for more circles activities.
The following circles are taking a break during April: The International Lunch Circle, Literary Lunch Circle, Gardening Circle.
The Bridge Circle are taking a break until September and The Hiking Circle will return in the cooler winter months.
International Lunch Circle
The next International Lunch Circle will be an Egyptian Lunch, hosted by Fadwa. Come and learn about Egyptian culture while enjoying delicious food.
To find out more and book your place, please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com, or send a direct message to Carole via the WhatsApp RL members group.
New – Climbing Circle
For the first meeting of the Climbing Circle, 3 ladies – all beginners – went indoor rock climbing in Mall of the Emirates, organised by ECC Adventures. They had a great time and all made it to the top of the wall.
The next session is Wednesday 27th April, 7-9pm Mall of the Emirates. 8 spaces available. All are welcome to join, no experience required.
Follow the link for information & booking, ECC will send full details nearer the time: https://eccadventures.com/product/indoor-rock-climbing-uae/
For more information, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com or send a message to Mandy or Tracy via the WhatsApp RL members group.
Trips
The next planned trip is to Dubai’s new Museum of the Future, on Wednesday 25th May, 10am.
If you would like to join, please book your ticket as soon as possible for the 10am slot, as tickets tend to get sold out quickly. https://museumofthefuture.ae/en/book
For more information, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com or send a message to Allison via the WhatsApp RL members group.
Art Circle
The Art Circle meet on Thursday mornings to learn new techniques and create beautiful paintings. The venue may vary.
If you would like to join them please email Rajul: circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Quilters Circle
Do you love quilting, sewing and embroidery? The Ranches Ladies Quilters Circle welcome new members.
Their first in-person retreat for over 2 years, exclusively for Ranches Ladies Quilters members, is scheduled for 10th-12th May.
For more information or to join, contact Vidhya at thequilterscircle@gmail.com
Walking Fitness Circle
The Walking Circle are meeting (until the weather gets too hot) at 7am on Mondays outside Arabian Ranches 1 retail centre main entrance. They usually walk for about an hour, with coffee afterwards back at the retail centre.
Please email Alex at circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com if you would like to join them.
Walking at Kite Beach
The Beach Walking Circle, led by Monika, are meeting at Kite beach (Blue Villas parking) on Thursdays at 6.30am. They walk for around 7-8 km and stop for coffee afterwards.
If you would like to join them please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com, or message Monika on the RL members only WhatsApp group.
Literary Lunch Circle
The Literary Lunch Circle are currently reading ‘The Secrets of Strangers’ by Charity Norman, a tense and often emotional suspense thriller, about a hostage crisis in a suburban London cafe. They plan to meet to discuss the book over lunch on Monday 16th May. All are welcome.
To join or find out more, please contact Ashfaa at circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Book Circle
The Book Circle are currently ready Hamnet, a Women’s Prize for Fiction winning novel based around the life of Shakespeare, by Maggie O’Farrell.
They will meet on 29th April. If you would like to join them please email Jackie on circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more details
Yoga Circle
Mariana is teaching yoga on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.30am.
Contact circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Pilates Circle
The Pilates Circle has now started on Thursday afternoons 2-3pm, at Optimal Fitness in Studio City. Gillian from Optimal Fitness is teaching the class and there is space for more ladies to join.
Please email Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Mahjongg Monday Circle
The Mahjongg Monday Circle are meeting to play on Mondays from 10am to 1pm, upstairs in Shakespeare and Co, Arabian Ranches 1.
Please contact Sharon for more information. Email: circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Mahjongg Tuesday Circle
A second group, led by Supriya, meet to play ATF Mahjongg on Tuesdays 11am-1pm, email circles.rances.ladies@gmail.com for more information
If you have a different hobby or interest and would like to start a new circle, please let us know.
Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for information on any circles.
Discounts
Your RL membership card is your passport to great discounts from our dozens of discount partners.
There have been some recent updates to the discounts section on the website, so please check for up to date deals.
Discounts for Nail Salons are highlighted below:
Chi Nail Spa – Nail & Beauty Salon
20% (Excluding Thursday & Friday)
Motor City, Detroit House
Tel: 04 457 2485
http://www.chinailspa.com
Cocoon Nail Spa – Nail & Beauty Salon
20% discount on all services Sun – Tue
excl. public holidays, on min spend of AED 150
Motor City, Daytona House
Tel: 04 447 2795
http://www.cocoonnailspa.com
The Nail Spa – Nail & Beauty Salon
15% discount – Monday to Thursday only
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Tel: 600 544 001
http://www.thenailspa.com
For any enquiries or suggestions please contact our Discounts Co-ordinator: discounts.rl@gmail.com
Website: www.arabianranchesladies.com
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Have a great week!
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