THE December meeting wouldn't be the same without a glass of Trixie and Pat's homemade mulled wine and there it was to welcome members again this year.

New president Janet was in fine voice as she greeted everyone and added to the Christmas mood by reading a poem, Christmas Morning.

Ann Summerton then spoke about and demonstrated the art of belly dancing.

She explained the history of the dance, how it had evolved and its links to Spanish Flamenco and the Italian Tarantella.

She went through the principles of the dance, emphasising the main idea is to keep everything "isolated and crisp." She demonstrated this with a dance called Damasque, which she performed to Egyptian music.

Then she invited volunteers to put on costumes and "feel the pleasure of it" as she showed them how to move bellies, bottoms, bosoms and hips. The three ladies did members proud.

Finally, everybody enjoyed seasonal refreshments while the raffle was drawn and Janet wished everybody a Happy Christmas.