HAPPY NEW YEAR: to all Spice members from us all here in the Spice office. We’re looking forward to a fantastic fun packed 2008 & to researching & putting on lots of exciting events for you. The start of each year is traditionally a very busy time for Spice with a bigger than normal influx of new members & bookings tend to be busier too. So it’s more important than ever to book early & be aware that events may sell out. The earlier you book the more chance we have of getting more slots/tickets if needed for events. If you’re one of our recent new members then a big hello. We look forward to seeing you out & about on events & know that come this time next year you’ll have had one of the most fun packed years of your life.

2008 HERE WE COME! Well I’m really pleased to announce that we finally have a regular Leeds sports night in the programme. Starting from mid January we will be offering a weekly sports session at the newly refurbished South Leeds sports centre. We have provisionally booked a ten week block & will extend this if the Leeds sports prove popular. So if you are one of the folks who have asked for more Leeds events please support this as it it’s popular we will extend the booking on a permanent basis. We can do most sports there with the exception of volleyball so we’ll be trying our hand at most sports on a circular basis. Don’t forget to let either the Spice office staff know or the sports coordinators if there’s a sport you’d like us to try for you. As with our Sheffield, sports we’re offering a 2 tier paying system to encourage early bookings.

Also as I say sometimes that I seem to be a season ahead out come all the details of the Easter breaks this month (I send joining details for Xmas breaks with one hand & type up Easter writeups with other & then friends wonder why they get Easter Eggs as Xmas pressies!!) . Lots of great breaks with offerings from Walkwise, Barry & Sonya, a brand new Mongolian Yurt weekend & a Chester/Liverpool weekend from Steve Dell. Most of these are shared with other Spice groups.

Also just as we’re back from our fabulous Xmas visit to Oasis we announce our spring visit (Just don’t mention the word rooming & double bed configurations too loudly to Jonathan yet for a couple of weeks!!)

New on the calendar this month we continue our TGIF nights with a visit to a brand new karaoke venue in Leeds which got my attention as soon as it mentioned dressing up & props (can’t think why?!).

Also in Sheffield the awaited new Champagne Bar on Ecclesall Road has opened so we have a visit booked in there in February. Lots of new restaurants have also opened in Sheffield recently so we’re spoilt for choice on meals & rest assured we will be working our way through testing them all out in the forthcoming programme.

As ever we have out normal plethora of motor & air events over the winter & lots & lots of rambles. Our bookings have been really picking up on walks with some selling out 3 weeks in advance so expect them to be busy in the New Year.

SPICE CALENDARS: We have had some Spice calendars printed with photos of a selection of highlights across 2007. They are available to Spice members to buy at £10 each. Just add them onto your booking form in the normal way or book online & we’ll post a copy out to you. We will also have them available to buy at the next couple of Spice in the City nights.

Hopefully we will have already seen you or are going to be seeing you at one of our many parties over the festive period. We look forward to sharing yet another fantastic Spice filled year with you in 2008.