Ranches Ladies Newsletter
Good morning Ranches Ladies. Hope you have a great week and a happy last month of 2022.
Successful AGM 2022
The Ranches Ladies Annual General Meeting was be held via Zoom on Tuesday 29th November at 2pm, with an inspector from the CDA (Community Development Authority who regulate all community organisations in Dubai) in attendance.
Around 70 to 80 members attended to hear reports on past and planned future RL activities from our president, Hayet, and Vice President, Carole. Thank you to all ladies who made the time to log on and make this meeting a success. Many members expressed their appreciation of being a part of this wonderful community.
Here is the Hayet’s speech for those who couldn’t attend the meeting:
President’s Speech – AGM 2022
Good afternoon, my name is Hayet Zerelli, I am the current president for Ranches Ladies. I welcome everybody to our zoom AGM and thank you for making the time to join us.
I would like to start by saying thank you to our CDA inspectors: We appreciate all their help and support in overseeing our organisation.
I thank all our current board members: Carole Binbreck, Josephine McBurney, Michelle Robertson, Lynne Haboubi, Clementina Kongslund, Monali Abhijit Navlekar, Jan Hennessey, Shahnaz Fikree, Shaika Obaid, and all our members for volunteering their time in ensuring the continuity of Ranches ladies, as we have come a long way since our founder Carol Binbreck started this small group 17 years ago in the community coffee shop. I would also like to thank Yvonne Elliott for all her administrative help.
The format for Ranches ladies has changed over the last few years – as we no longer have weekly programs in our coffee mornings. We now casually meet on a Tuesday morning for coffee at LARTE at Studio 1 Hotel.
We currently have 188 members and are continuing to grow and welcome new members from many different nationalities and ages. If anyone has friends or neighbours who might like to join us, please get in touch with Lisa (Murphy) our membership coordinator.
During Covid we were able to stay connected through our weekly newsletter, and for that I would like to give thanks to Vivienne Mendonca for her great editorial skills and a job well done.
The main focus for Ranches ladies has been the continuous growth of the circles, activities and trips provided for our members
We currently have 25 circles and I’ll hand over shortly to Carol, our Vice President, for the Full Circle Report.
Our annual Festive Bazaar is fast approaching on the 11th December 2022. We have been invited by sustainable city to join them for their winter festival, as we can no longer use the Baker Finch room where it originally started by Jaquie Hunterholt and Josephine McBerney, two of our founding members 17 years ago.
Plans for 2023
In the New Year we anticipate organising some cultural trips to highlight the UAE heritage. We have already had 1 visit to the Museum of the Future, but understand that more members are keen to visit again soon.
Also, we are encouraging our members to take the initiative in conducting workshops and to share their skills and hobbies with us, and also reflections of recent travel adventures if anyone happy to do so.
The annual financial statement for the year ended 31st March 2022 with 89,377.65 credit. These monies pay the official licencing and registration fees, as well as covering the various administration and membership costs, and supporting specific free events for members, such as the recent Circle Coffee morning.
In our budget for 2023, we have no plans for fundraising, with our only source of income being our yearly membership fee of AED 120, (covering September 2022 to August 2023).
Thank you so much for attending today, and please ask any questions after Carole has finished her presentation, or send by email to ranches.ladies@gmail.com
I hope everyone enjoys a very Happy National Day, some relaxing days with the family and best wishes of the Season, with a Happy New Year to you all.
Hayet Zerelli – Ranches Ladies President
Festive Bazaar – Sunday 11th December
Don’t miss our annual festive bazaar. It always a fun event, as well as a great chance to buy unique gifts for loved ones.
This year it will be on Sunday 11th December, 1pm to 8pm, at The Sustainable City – next to Arabian Ranches 2.
Christmas Craft Morning
Ranches Ladies Christmas Festive Wreath making & festive coffee morning will be on Tuesday, December 13th 2022 at Larte, Studio One Hotel in Studio City. Open to Ranches Ladies Members and visitors.
Come and make, decorate and take home your own personally designed wreath in the comfort of Larte together with guidance and quality materials supplied by Gorgeous Flower Company, Dubai. Make new friends or catch up with old ones over tea or coffee and festive pastries after the craft activity.
There are a few places left. Don’t miss it! Book today to secure your place. Contact Hayet or Josephine via the RL members WhatsApp Group or email ranches.ladies@gmail.com
RL Circles News
The number of Circles activities have increased so it is not possible to fit each one on the newsletter every week. See the Circles Calendar for December on the website for more activities. Due to the holidays some Circles may not be meeting in December, please check with Circle leaders.
Poetry Circle
The Poetry Circle Circle met last week and enjoyed reading and discussing poems on the theme of ‘Shadows’.
Their next meeting is planned for 12th December, with a Christmas Theme. To join them contact Carole or email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Crochet Circle
The Crochet Circle, led by Debra, meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Crochet times have changed slightly – circle members are kept informed by Debra.
Email circle.ranches.ladies@gmail.com if you would like to join them.
Walking Circle
The Walking Circle meet on Mondays at 7.15am outside the main entrance of the Community Retail centre in Arabian Ranches. Tea/coffee in Costa afterwards at 8.15am.
New ladies are always welcome to join, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Beach Walking Circle
The Beach Walking Circle, led by Monika, at Kite beach (Blue Villas parking) on Tuesdays at 6.30am, 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
Line Dancing Circle
The Line Dancing Circle, led by Carole, meet on Wednesday mornings at Studio One Hotel. They will meet on 7th & 14th December, before taking a break until after the New Year.
If you would like to join please contact Carole or email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Book Circle
The Book Circle, led by Jackie, will meet on 16th December 9.30am in Arabian Ranches Golf Club Restaurant to discuss some Christmas themed short stories: ‘Festive Spirits’ by Kate Atkinson and ‘A Christmas Memory’ by Truman Capote.
If you would like to join, please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
French Circle
The last French Circle for 2022 will be on 9th December. They will restart after New Year.
Do you want to improve your French? New members welcome. Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Cinema Circle
The Cinema circle, led by Marina, meet on Mondays at Vox Cinema, Mall of the Emirates. Time depends on the movie chosen. To join them please email circle.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Literary Lunch Circle
The Literary Lunch Circle are taking a break in December. Their next read is The 2022 Booker Prize winner ‘The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida’ by Shehan Karunatilaka. They plan to meet on 23rd January 2023 to discuss this book.
New members welcome. To find out more, please email Ashfaa: circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Pilates Circle
The Pilates Circle meet on Thursday afternoons 2-3pm, at Optimal Fitness in Studio City. Gillian from Optimal Fitness is teaching the class.
To join, please email Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information
Yoga Circle
Mariana is teaching yoga outdoors. The times have changed to 5pm on Tuesdays and 8.15am on Fridays.
Email circle.ranches.ladies@gmail.com to find out more.
Jewellery Clinic Circle
The next jewellery clinic is on Wednesday 21st December. If you have a piece of jewellery that has sentimental value or some that you don’t wear anymore and would like to give them a new life, then the jewellery clinic circle is your answer. Hayet can help you redesign it or fix it and enjoy wearing it again.
WhatsApp Hayet or email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com to book a place.
Mahjongg Circles
The Mahjongg Monday Circle, led by Sharon, are meeting to play on Mondays from 10.15am to 1pm, upstairs in Shakespeare and Co, Arabian Ranches 1. Due to the holidays they will finish on 12 Dec and restart 9th January.
The Mahjongg Tuesday Circle, led by Supriya, meet to play ATF Mahjongg on Tuesdays 11.30am-1.30pm at Shakespeares and Co. Arabian Ranches 1.
Please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Looking for a new hobby for the New Year? Some of our RL members would like to start new circles if there is enough interest. If you would like to join any circles, please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
PaperCraft Circle
Hand Embroidery Circle
Saba would like to start a Hand Embroidery Circle, for ladies to stitch as a group and learn new techniques. Please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com of you are interested.
Wanted – Newsletter Contributions
This is your newsletter and you can make it better. What would you like to share? Short (200-300 word) articles on any subject of interest to RL members, with photos if possible, much appreciated.
Please email any items for the newsletter to ranches.ladies@gmail.com before midday on Friday for inclusion in the next Monday’s newsletter.
Discounts
Your RL membership is your passport to great discounts from our dozens of discount partners. Please make sure you present your valid membership card to avail a discount.
There have been some recent updates to the discounts section on the website, so please check for up to date deals.
Discounts for Clothing and Accessories are highlighted below:
Bare Essentials Swimwear Dubai
Clothing Beach Wear Swim Wear Boutique
20% off full-priced Moontide and Piha swimwear
Jumeira Centre, Jumeira Beach Rd
http://www.bareessentialsdubai.ae
Facil Blanco – Authentic Italian Linen
15% off all styles by quoting ARL15
http://www.facilblanco.com
Mamiya Jewellery
Up to 70% discount on diamonds and pearls.
Free repairing, cleaning, polishing for
any of your old and broken jewellery
Deira Gold Souk, Gold & Diamond Park, Building 1
http://www.mamiyadiamonds.com
Oasis Fashion – Clothing Boutique
20% Discount
Wafi Mall, Oud Metha Road
http://www.oasisfashiondubai.com
Neon Star
Neon Starfish have rebranded as Neon Star with boutiques in new locations:
Marina Mall and Springs Souk, or shop online
Use code ARLADIES10 for 10% off discount when you spend over AED 500
IG Link: https://www.instagram.com/neonstardubai/
For any enquiries or suggestions please contact our Discounts Co-ordinator: discounts.rl@gmail.com
Our website is http://www.arabianranchesladies.com and you can find us on FB and Instagram as Ranches Ladies
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