Shirley Chard

President

"Growing Together – Spreading the word"

I have enjoyed my 4 years in an Exec role, with all the lunches and charters etc giving opportunities to mix with so many members. I am really excited to have the opportunity to enthuse our membership to spread the word about Tangent. It is not to be a secret but something to be nurtured and shared with others. I would also like to grow the Round Table Family, not just Tangent, so I will be encouraging more joint activities.

We were good at getting new members for Ladies Circle and sharing all the fun times we had, so time do it again. We welcome new members that embrace our Round Table Family Ideas and ethos.

 My charity for the year is Myeloma UK and we will work hard with them to spread awareness of what they do and provide funds for them to assist in reaching their ultimate goal of making Myeloma history. There is currently no cure for this blood cancer.

 

 

Emma-Jane Wright

Vice President

‘Adapting our Clubs will lead to a sustainable future for our Association’.

I have always been passionate about our Round Table family since joining Ladies Circle in 1996.  My introduction to Ladies Circle was through a friend I worked with. I kept hearing of all these fantastic opportunities the association allowed her to experience, and I wanted to be part of it. Soon I found myself embracing everything the Round Table family had to offer and had been Chairman of my local club along with other committee roles and Chair of Area 20. I remain in touch with my Ladies Circle, Loughborough, and Area 20 as my home in Tangent Charnwood works with them at local, Area and national levels. It’s lovely to have that link still.

Tangent is a continuation of Ladies Circle; you do not need to have been a member of Ladies Circle to join us, though. I am fortunate to be a member of 4 Tangents, they offer something very different as groups, but the fundamentals of each group never change. Tangent is unique as an organisation as each group is allowed to run in a way that suits its members if they agree to work within Tangent’s very few Rules and Regulations. This allows each group to adapt to the needs of its members.

Having spent three years previously as the Association’s Inaugural National Marketing and Membership officer, now becoming Vice President of Tangent is both an honour and a privilege. My role for the coming year will see me support our National President Shirley in her vision, ‘Growing Together,’ and continue to learn about the organisation in readiness for my year ahead and support our National Executive. In addition, I look forward to meeting our members and learning about their clubs so I, too, can continue to shape the future of our Association.

I look forward to welcoming you as a Member of Tangent in the future.

Yours in Continued Friendship

Emma

Heather Parry

Immediate Past President

"the friendships I have made are very precious and will last a lifetime"

I became a member of Tangent in 2007 after being a member of Ladies Circle since 1986, during which time I have been the local Area Sales officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman. In 2018 I became the National Secretary, which I have very much enjoyed this is my final year in this position.

I really enjoy being a member of Tangent, the friendships I have made are very precious and will last a lifetime. In 2014 I was chairman of the Northern Regional Lunch in Leeds, when my club hosted a fabulous day that will long live in our memories.

I have been married for 35 years, we have one Son, and live in a small village in Yorkshire. I worked for over 34 years in the IT industry, before taking early retirement, after which we have indulged in our love of travel. I am happiest when I am busy and love planning our next adventures, after a very busy 3 years enjoying the friendship of Tangent members at their best. 

Carol Hamilton-King

National Secretary

 “The power of true friendship”

To say that I am excited to be your National Secretary would be an understatement! I can’t wait to get to work on your behalf.

I would never have thought that when my husband Rod introduced me to this amazing organisation in 1992 that this is where it would lead to. I had found my spiritual home in Reading Valley Ladies Circle, and I had soon thrown myself into the swing of things: taking on many committee roles including twice as chairman; before progressing to Ladies Circle Area 13 Chairman. I also had the honour of being Chairman for the South East Area Lunch. All of this gave opportunities for fun, personal development and making lifetime friendships.

Tangent, for me, was a natural progression, with just as many opportunities. I have been actively involved in three clubs – Reading Valley and then after a move to the Midlands in Market Drayton & Whitchurch.

During my time in Tangent, I have experienced first-hand the power of true friendship, with many members helping me through a very difficult time for which I will be eternally grateful – you know who you are!

On a personal note, I am married to Rod, have two lovely stepdaughters, two very lively grandchildren and Ginny - a boisterous, but utterly adorable cockapoo. We have a narrowboat – Slimline Tonic - and can often be found slowly meandering along the canals. You are most welcome aboard should you see us!

Most importantly, I am looking forward to the challenge of this role; to being able to give something tangible back. Please do get in contact with me directly with any ideas you may have for ways we can improve – I am open to suggestions!

 

 

 

 

 

Jocelyn Miles

National Treasurer

"...you get so much back if you take the plunge and join in..." 

My life in the Round Table family began when I joined St Albans Circle in the late ‘80s and my husband and I have made long-standing friendships with people we simply would not have met or had such good, shared experiences with otherwise.  We have been on holidays together, spent many a New Year’s Eve together and our bond of friendship has grown over the years, with the addition of our children to the wider family.  We continue to be there for each other, which is particularly important when times are challenging.

Getting involved beyond my own Circle, first with Area and then with the National Executive, formed the bedrock of more great and lasting friendships.  The girls in Area were a huge support when I took on the duties of Circle National Treasurer, as were the new friends I made along the way, both on the National Executive and beyond.  I am a very proud member of Harpenden Tangent, and it has always been a joy to meet up with my erstwhile Circle and now Tangent friends at regional lunches and special celebrations from time to time.  I am hugely grateful for the continuing fun and friendship the Tangent Association affords us all and you get so much back if you take the plunge and join in.

I’ve worked in various administration and finance roles during my working life, culminating with service as a Bursar for 15 years in three independent schools.  Now that my full-time work has come to end, I am eager to put something back during my tenure on the National Executive, as well as picking up where I left off with some musical interests.  I am close to completing my Day Skipper theory course too and hope to take to the water in due course, to add to the rich tapestry of experiences I know I will enjoy through my membership of Tangent.
 

Ruth Curry

Editor & Website Co-ordinator

Tangent provides the opportunity to make new friends and make a difference to your community.  

Hello all 

I am originally from Zimbabwe.  I joined Ladies Circle in February 1993 whilst living in a small farming town called Marondera and then relocated to Mutare which is located on the Mozambique border.  I relocated to the UK in 2002. 

I am married and have three grown up children, two cats and a dog. 

I work for an online supermarket as a regional manager looking after three sites.  

I have held numerous roles within Ladies Circle locally, nationally as the National Executive Administrator and then on to National President 2013-2014 and finally internationally as the International Secretary 2014-2016.

I now am a member of my local Tangent and have taken on the role of Chair and I am actively involved in our E-Club Tangent too which works well around the shifts I work. 

In my spare time I sew and particularly love quilting.  I love all sorts of hand stitching, painting, cake making, generally anything crafty and being in the fresh outdoors and being on my bike.  

If you need any further information about Tangent please feel free to contact me through our Contact Form.

Yours in Continued Friendship

Ruth

Jane Bizley

Executive Administrator

“Tangent starts and finishes with friendship. Join Tangent to try something new, join Tangent to make new friends, join Tangent to help and support your local community, join Tangent and experience a special friendship wherever you go.”

I joined Dereham Ladies Circle in 1992, having being invited to join by a current Circler. I attended my first meeting in March of that year; it was one of the best things I have ever done! Two nights a month of ‘me time’ whilst meeting new friends, trying new things, getting involved in charity events and attending Area meetings too.

During my Ladies Circle years I became Club Treasurer, Vice-Chairman, Chairman & Secretary. Having always enjoyed the Area meetings, which involved joining up with other Norfolk Clubs, I became treasurer for one of the Regional Lunches in Norwich at which we hosted over 400 ladies. Following the meeting I was persuaded to stand as Area Vice-Chairman. I took up the challenge and then became Area Chairman, not once but twice, and in between was Area Treasurer.

In 2007 I transferred into Dereham & District Tangent 791. I was Tangent Treasurer from 2013-2015 and also Treasurer for the 2017 Midlands Regional Lunch which we hosted in Norwich.  I have been Chairman from 2019-2022 and needed something else to keep me busy so I stood for the role of National Executive Administrator……….the rest, as they say, is history!

When I was only 16 I started working for Barclays Bank. Later I worked in the Local Head Office in Norwich & became the Regional Recruitment Officer, covering Norfolk, Suffolk & part of Essex. In more recent times I worked for an Accountant, followed by a local company, running their office until I retired in 2019.

My husband is a very busy 41 Club member and we very much enjoy our social life around the two Clubs. We have a family; I have a 32 year old son, who is married with two beautiful grandsons, plus two step-daughters who are 32 & 28 respectively. They all live in and around Norwich, so are only half an hour away.

When I’m not busy with Tangent matters, I like to play golf. I was Ladies Captain in 2015 and am currently Secretary to the Ladies Committee. We love walking and spending time with family as much as we can. Life is what you make it and we like to live ours to the full!

Josie Blackburn

Marketing and Membership

"Giving something back to the association that has given me so much over the years"

I found Ladies Circles as I was on the point of turning 40. I attended a Ladies Circle Regional lunch as a guest in 2005 and knew immediately that this was the Association for me.  I had a fabulous time; I dressed up, had a lovely meal, laughed till my sides hurt and most importantly felt welcomed by everyone I spoke to.  I had made some new friends and started a fantastic journey, culminating in being the Ladies Circle National Membership Officer in 2011-2012.

I spent that year focused on supporting members and assisting in the formation of new Circles, whilst of course having the most amazing year travelling around the UK and meeting fantastic members doing amazing things to support their local communities and having fun whilst doing it. 

Throughout those six short years in Circle I packed a lot in; I had some fantastic opportunities and challenges which I took whenever I could, making some special memories. Having left Ladies Circle, I spent a year in the wilderness.  I set up Leicester LAFF (Life After Forty-Five) Tangent in 2013 and the second phase of my journey began.

I am passionate about the Round Table Family and the difference that Clubs and Members in their local communities, through volunteering, fundraising, offering friendship and having fun.  So now, here I am, giving something back to the Association that has given me so much over the years.

As Marketing and Membership Officer I am here to support all ladies who wish to know more about our Association. I can signpost you to local Clubs or even assist a group of ladies to set up a new Tangent in their area.  You can get in touch, via our Contact us page.  I look forward to hearing from you!