I thought I'd stick my neck out, and invite current members who drop by here to leave a few words about what they like about Spice, and how its contributed to their life in any way...

We all can remember what it was like when we were thinking about joining - were they all 'anoraks', could it be a 'rip off', would people be friendly or cliquey...

Here's your opportunity to help encourage new people to give it a go, join our gang and come out and play !!!

We are people from differant walks of life who want to , need to , and do, do things that they would not have done if they had not joined !


OK we act our shoe size do silly as well as serious things and enjoy anmore active social life than we would have done.



David i can not wait to see some of the replys you get to your posting.

I heard about Spice from a colleague a work. I'd been in London for a couple of years, and believe me, it is very difficult to move to a big city and meet new people. So I joined without realising what I was letting myself in for.

Glad I did now. All my friends outside Spice seem boring now. I do so many different activities now, and made so many friends that I've never been happier, and there is always something to do. I still book lots of events in Spice, but you get to meet so many like minded people that we can now go off and pursue our own interests in more depth.

Whatever you're interested in, there is always someone who wants to do the same as you.

Stu

Never looked back after joining SPICE, and 1 year has gone even quicker than before.

Events I have really enjoyed
Dragon Boat Racing - the quick burst of adrenaline and the pleasure when the team gets the boat shifing - wow!!

Party Weekends - especially that on Anglesea at new year. For those whose new years are often a great anticlimax, the SPice Anglesea Party Weekend is very hard to beat (unless you want to sleep.

Social Gatherings - who knew that there were so many freinds you had not yet met out there!

What I have not liked (just to keep the balance)
Coastering (part of the Anglesea Easter Party Weekend) - jumping in and out of a cold Irish Sea aint much fun (but I would do it again - strangely)
Working - unfortunate and necessary evil, which takes up all the time which could be used for SPice events, but necessary to pay for them -- oh well.

Heres to much more happy Spicing.

Lend me a ladder when I have stopped digging

Dave,

Having been born and brought up on the North Wales coast, living an adventurous life was part of the course.

Unfortunately,after moving down the South East some six years ago, I just stoppped doing the climbing, diving, mountain biking and everything else that was fun

I finally discovered the error and rectified it by joining SPICE. Suddenly there's a huge bunch of great people all prepared to go out and do those things I used to love.

Having spoken to quite a few SPICE members over the past few weeks, so many of them have confirmed it was the best thing they've ever done. I'm starting to think the same way

Jonty

Me?
Got into a rut -- was a virtual recluse for 20 years -- realised I needed to escape which gave me a hard time as the rut by then was pretty deep. Boss suggested Spice -- joined --- now have so many friends and mates and doing so many things that trying to keep in frequent contact with aforesaid is virtually a full time job in itself!!! Spicers? Best people in the world!!
Never met a Spicer who I wouldn't quite happily go out and have a pint with anytime... but there MUST be one somewhere!!!


"My people were fair and had sky in their hair, but now they're content to wear stars on their brows" - Marc Bolan

My advice. Join Spice and now!
I did.. being newly single, a free New Year and nothing planned. I ended up hillwalking in the Lakes.. now Im not a walker so v sceptical. But it was lovely.. snow, sun, booze fun and new friends.. no pressure, just friends....
Next a PeakDistrict Party weekend. Tried everything nearly.... Sailing, walking, caving, kayaking... not me again but maybe it is? And a Saturday night party
Next... new members night in Covent Garden, then surfing in Devon. Cant do it (of course) but hooked.. wonderful scenery, company, lots of drink (again) and friends for life.
Now its the Ardeche multi activity and skiing in Tignes....
If you just like eating and drinking, dont panic... lots of that too. And some nice fit males too!!!!
Have fun. Join now
xx

ahhh, the wonders of Spice!!!
well, I joined in Sept 2000 having moved down to Manchester in the July and not knowing many people. But it was my sisters, boyfriends mum (confused yet?!) Kath Clarke, a member of South Yorks who recommended it to me (had to get her name in there because she deserves a mention!) after telling her that I loved going to Edinburgh for New Year but was finding it increasingly different to get friends to join me (a lot were settling down and getting married - although I know that shouldn't stop them!!).
The first 2 events I signed up for were helicopter flying and fire eating and it was just mad!!
Then I went on the Hogmanay 3 day fiesta arranged by Edinburgh Spice and that was just brilliant - I couldn't believe how many years I'd gone up there on my own and then there I was with 300 other Spicers at a mad Hogmanay black tie ball flinging each other all over the place!!
Unfortunately, it wasn't on last year (I still went up) but hopefully it'll be on again this year (any news Barry?!!!)
Also Oasis was brilliant too!
Really, there are too many things I want to say about Spice that are good. I have loads of friends outside of Spice as I'd like to think I'm a pretty sociable person but not all those friends are into the same things as me and Spice gives you the chance to do things that you just wouldn't do on your own. I'd also recommend Spice to the shyest of the shy and the maddest of the mad because there really is something for everyone!
On the down side (nearly impossible to think of things for this!) I have to say I had to take a better paid job when I joined - not saying anything's expensive, it's just I wanted to do EVERYTHING so my overdraft has gone a bit haywire
but i'd go for happiness over money any day (my bank manager won't agree!!)
So to finish this essay(!) I just want to add that I spent most of my twenties pleading with friends to do interesting things with me. Now I'm going to be spending my thirties probably pleading to be able to sit down and have a rest!!!!
To all non members....Join! You won't regret it!!! GG XXXX

I got into Spice the same way a lot of other people do, via word of mouth. I had moved to Wolverhampton where I didn't know anyone and hadn't got a job. Smart move, huh? Anyway, I got a job in Birmingham where I met Brenda Phipps and she was the one who told me about Spice. So if you want to blame anyone for the fact I'm here, it's her you need to talk to!!

Anyway, I joined, I met loads of lovely people and have been doing lots of fun things. I'd recommend it, in fact one of my non-Spice friends (yes, I have got one or two) has recently been asking whether it's a good idea for her to join too.

mups



"If a room feels cold and unwelcoming, consider the fact that you may have done something to upset it"

My o my - exceeded all my expectations - quite humbling! Thanks to all who have contributed thus far, and so honestly too. All the comments are fantastic - warts and all...

I'm sure this topic will assist many a person hovering on the outside wondering if they should jump in the deep end.

Thanks again, and more welcome -if you made it this far - why not add your bit. Go on - expose yourself

Hmmmm... and where do I start!!!

Around 6 years ago I left my friends/family/my entire life in fact! behind in sunny Spain to come and live with whom I thought was "the one" in a picturesque corner of our dear Black Country (not far from you, Dragon Slayer!!).

During that time we used to see his friends from time to time, but a year later we moved to London and that was pretty much the end of my social life.

A few years later the relationship started to go seriously wrong. I felt so miserable and so lonely. Then a colleague's friend recommended Spice, I joined, and can honestly say it turned my life around. It meant that when the relationship finally came to an end a few months later, although I was utterly heartbroken, Spice was already a big part of my life and it made it soooo much easier. I don't know how I would have survived otherwise, being here all on my own.

I have made so many friends of all ages and from all walks of life, and have tried so many new things, my life until 2 years ago now seems like a bit of a waste!

So, in summary: Thank you, Dave, for bringing Spice into our lives!

Maria



Now you see me.... now you don't!

I joined Spice towards end of last year. After the break up of a long term relationship, and a couple of people close to me dying I decided I needed to get out there and live life to the full and meet some new people that didn't know my history. Most friends were in couples or joint friends and it became very difficult.

I can honestly say I have met some fantastic people not just in Manchester group but all over the country and done some really madcap things.

Activities that will always be dear to me are:-

Welsh activity weekend last Oct
Banff skiing trip in January
Oasis & Centre parcs

Never had so many parties/BBq's to go to in such a short time.

As the song says "I am having the time of my life"

Kim

I found out about Spice in February from a friend of a friend. She mentioned in passing a "group thing called Spice something or other". My ears pricked up as life was dull and lacking direction. Since moving away to Glasgow 3 years previously my friends had either got boyfriends, husbands or children so did not want to be doing anything other than family activities.

In Jan 2001 I had left a long term partner, fabulous flat in Glasgow, resigned from a well paid job and, started a new job and moved in with mother all in one weekend, phew !! Last year the months came and went. I bought a house ( Mum was great but!!)and threw myself into DIY in a big way for 6 months. I scraped my way through Christmas and New Year somehow and got to mid Feb and though 'there's go to be more to life than this'. My life was hectic, I met 100's of people every day but I felt totally unfulfilled and incredibly lonely.

Spice changed all that. I searched the net and found the web page easily. Sent off for an info pack but go so excited I joined before it arrived.

I've never looked back, life's sweet. I have made so many new friends, even special friends and we all know that you do not find these very often.

Thanks to all Spicers, co-ordinators and Dave for giving me the opportunity to live my dreams.

Dancing Queen

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

DQ - Your story really spoke to me and I can totally agree with everything you said.

Often the busiest parties are the ones you feel the lonliest in. Spice is that party but with nobody feeling lonely.

When non-spice members ask me to describe what being in Spice is like I tell them its like being invited to a picnic.

Everybody brings something different to the picnic table.

We all share in what we bring.

You never seem to run out of your favourite food.

and theres always a chance to sample something new.

My reasons for joining Spice are a bit different. After 30 plus years of being a couch potato, I realised how much of life I've missed and how much I enjoy physical activities.

I've organised a few things on my own - but I hate organising so much - I get too wrapped up in making sure things are going to plan that I don;t enjoy myself.

And apart from that, have you ever tried to get the girls from work to comit to a paintball weekend - they're all for it till it's money time then they backpedal.

So for me Spice is a way to try the things I've always wanted to do and introduces me to some new stuff - like fire eating. My first event, and to be honest I only went because I had a money off voucher - but what an event. 3 years ago and it still rates as one of the best.

And of course, I've no organising to do.

Along the way, I have grown in confidence, There are some things I've wanted to do but knowing I;d be going it alone I didn't have the confidence - after having a SPICE horse riding lesson which was fabulous, I then arranged to take regular lessons locally - all by myself - that was a major leap for me.

But the biggest thing, I've got some ideas of what I'd like to do in the future when the family has moved on, and to acheive this, I've enrolled on the Mountain Leaders Award which is both a large financial commitment aswell as a a personal one - but I've learnt so much about myself that I feel it will be money well spent, and again, SPICE has given me the confidence to put the wheels in motion - even knowing that there is a lot of work to be done before I make the grade.

Spice means lots of different things to different people and we all have our own reasons for joining. It's pretty amazing that so many people benefit in so many different ways - I can only say .........thanks Dave!

Don't let the past hold you back - you're missing the good stuff

what a great topic thread. reading why so many people joined must be encouraging for prospective members.

I moved back to the midlands in Jan.2000. decided it was a new millenium and time for a new life.

I left behind a job I was contented in, 20 years worth of friends and a house and garden I loved.

why move??
I also left the hassle of an alchoholic, depressed ex who still after 7 years divorce was phoning/calling round to tell me all his problems, debts that had mounted up and up and problems with kids at school.

I brought with me 5 children and a determination that we could make a new life.

it wasn't easy but it was possible.

SPICE is the icing on the cake......the thing that has meant the efforts have been worthwhile.....I've left friends behind but have now begun to make new ones.

I feel as if I'm living not just surviving.

Thanks to all who make SPICE work.....the people behind it and the people in it.

I have to thank spice and Dave for giving me a new lease of life and a chance to prove to myself and others that I was a worthwhile human being.


At an early age of 22 m ylife was going no where after sickness and problems at home, I felt like I had failed as a human being.
My partner at the time had no ambition and it felt like he was dragging me down.I had very little self esteem a huge dislikeing of myself and no confidence.
When i met Martin he introduced me to Spice and it changed my life, At first just helping in the office as a volunteer was enough I was to scared even to answer a phone. But with the support of Martin and the great people I met on events my confiedence grew and now there is no stopping me.

I would like to thank everyone in spice for helping me get my life back on track.

And a special thanks to Dave the best boss anyone could ever have (CREEP I KNOW but its true)

I first heard about Spice via colleagues when I relocated to Manchester from London 10 years ago. I thought it was all about jumping out of planes and fire-eating, so decided it definitely wasn't for a scaredy cat like me.

Then nearly 2 years ago, I turned 40 and felt I needed to make a few changes in my life. My job was boring me to death and most of my friends had either settled down with partners or migrated back down south, leaving me with a small circle of friends. Much as I still like them, I wanted a social life that extended beyond visiting real ale pubs, gay bars or the same restaurants, so I took the plunge and signed up - without bothering with a preview night!

Since then I haven't looked back. OK,I'm never ever going to eat fire or walk across it, but I've found so much else to do, as well as meet so many interesting and friendly people. Whether members choose to attend 4-5 events per week or per year, Spice offers something for everyone and keeps adding new and exciting options to the list. I only wish I had joined sooner.

Cheryl P

Why? Because Spice filled a hole in my life, when I needed it!

I was taking a while to get over a deep relationship that had lasted for some years. I was also paying off outstanding debts from when I was self-employed - one client going bust on me and another withholding a lot of money for six months left my finances very tight.

I've always been an active person (no, I said ACTIVE, not fit!), and had been a member of my operatic society for about 6 years. I enjoyed the theatre, but I was meeting the same people all the time. My holidays were spent either working on the house, or spending a week or so with my parents down south. I felt I had to get out more.

Finally got my finances straight, and remembered about Spice. I had been a guest on a stage swordfighting course about 10 years ago. Searched the web (just using 'Spice') and found the website, amongst over 500 Spice Girls sites and even more adult sites!

I found Spice helped me to try events I'd always wanted to do. It also helped my confidence. This year I thought I ought to go abroad by myself, so I started small - went to to New Zealand! Anybody thinking of going next year, I can heartily recommend it - it's a beautiful country!

Thanks to Dave for getting Spice going, and may Spice continue to grow!

Tama tu, tama ora, tama moe, tama mate. Maori proverb - He who stands, lives; he who sleeps, dies - or you snooze, you lose !

Dave well done for bringing this back up to the top, all these lovely sentiments are just the tip of the iceberg. Thinking about the many many people I met in my year in Manchester everyone has a different reason for joining but the same reasons for staying, that it added that extra something that you just can't find anywhere else... No need to say keep up the good work I know you will be.. take care and hope to see you soon
Becky x

Sometimes all you really need in life is another chance ... thats what Spice has given to me, and anyone reading who may be thinking of joining, please believe me when I say that if you do so, it will do that for you too.

Quite simply, Spice has breathed air into my lungs in a way I never felt possible, it has given me a reason to live and a reason to be. At the end of the day, which of us ever really needs more than that? I know I don't.



" When you're standing on the edge of nowhere ".

I have a career which makes it difficult to lead a normal social life. Added to this is my liking for high-adrenaline activities.

The solution was Spice- a friend was a member many years ago. Watching him flame-blowing in the garden fired my interest (sorry for the bad pun) at the same time as destroying the tree he was standing under.

I've had a lot of fun, I'm going to have a lot more. I've done things many people can only dream of such as driving a formula 1 car, dog-sledding in the arctic and diving with sharks.

To sum it all up in one phrase, spicers tend to do once-in-a-lifetime events several times a year.

Join.

RH


To err is human, to forgive is not company policy

Have a great time in Oz Desmo. If you find your suitcase is a little heavier than you imagined, be gentle with it - I'll be stowing away!

OK, back to the question about joining Spice.

I heard about Spice through a work mate about 5 years ago. At the time I thought it seemed a nice thing to do but not for me.

Then, Christmas 2001 I found myself stuck in a real rut. I was in the middle of a divorce having walked out of a violent marriage, my social life consisted of meeting up with the same people every week (much as I love them dearly you begin to wonder if you'll ever go anywhere "different") and my job was boring me to distraction.

I suddenly realised that, if you want to meet different people and do different things, you have to go to different places - they don't come to you. Has anyone ever seen "Educating Rita"? There's a scene in the film where Rita is in the pub with her parents. They've been going to the same pub with the same people for years and she suddenly looks across and sees her mum crying because she doesn't see anything different in the future. At that point Rita realises that, unless she does something, that will be her in 30 years time. She goes off to do an OU degree (which I'd already finished by that stage) - I went off and joined Spice cos I could see myself going down the same route.

My first event was on 9th January 2002 - a Greek Taverner evening where I ended up belly dancing on a chair (along with all the other ladies - and a few fellas....not a pretty sight!!) I had such a good time that I signed up for my next few events straight away.

So what has Spice given me? Well, it's given me a whole set of new friends, a new man (who's also a member of Spice), the confidence to take on a new job and the knowledge that, if I had to start all over again, I could cos I did it once before. That to me is priceless and has given me back the confidence that had been knocked out of me in my marriage.

And for those of you out there who think you need to be a dare devil to join - you don't. I'm scared of heights, can't swim and tend to go for the social things rather than the adventurous stuff - although I plan to do a flying lesson this year and have a go at the abseiling which was cancelled in 2002. OK so maybe I am just a little bit adventurous or maybe I'm just ready to give it my best shot and not worry if I succeed or not now. With Spice you don't have to be the best at anything - you just have to join in and give it a go, but only if you want to.

I celebrate my 40th birthday next week and have a big party (60 plus people) to enjoy on 18th. A few Spice friends are coming and I'll give you a guess who'll be on the dance floor first.

Happy New Year to everyone in Spice. My first year's been brilliant so if you're hesitating - fill in the form.....and enjoy!

Jax


"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

I think SPICE is great i am now getting to know people around reading and the events sre so varied well done to all the co-ordinators you must put in loads of work. thanks

Just Join.....U have nuffin to lose, sept maybe a few quid, a bit o time, and your dignity, but, you have so so much to gain.
Mark.

hey mark you had dignity? when?!!!?? .Ive only been a member for six months but Ive met so many people, from all around the country. Id recommend something like fire eating as a great way to meet other mental people

I joined Spice a couple of years ago, but had heard of it donkeys years ago, so long ago I can't remember how.

I started life being fairly adventurous and active, travelling alone in Japan for 3 months when I was 21, and getting my hang gliding pilots license when I was 22. However, not long after that I got ill with some strange neuromuscular disease which meant I could barely walk for 5 years and felt completely deathly. It's taken another decade or so to fight the heavy fatigue and weakness, and am still doing plenty of exercise to regain a sensible and lasting level of energy.

Along the way, i'd heard of Spice and knew I would join as soon as I could take some advantage from it. Being ill for so long means when your friends move away, you don't get out to meet new people, you don't get into a relationship, you lead a very dull life etc, etc.

Spice has given me chance to restart without any pressure. I managed to fulfil my dream of walking up some mountains again in Austria with a fine bunch of people. sometimes I have not so good patches, but the weekends away, like Centre parcs, mean that I can party and play for as long as I want but a bed is only 10 minutes walk away for a recharge of the batteries. sometimes people think I am quiet and shy, but then I burst into life again. People have been very understanding and I get the best of all worlds. And I get to laugh a lot too.

It's a bit of drain on the finances as I am not working yet, but as I feel I will be in the next 6 months I have been using the credit card quite a bit. However, it's definitely worth it!!

Here's my input.

Joined SPICE in October 2002 - nearly joined in 2001 and nearly nearly joined 8 years ago when I lived in Manchester, why I never joined then I do not know.

Like RH I am very busy with my job and travel around Europe(great fun!) so it has been tough on my social life. Most mates are now married with kids, in-fact at nearly 39 I am the only "gal" still single(and there is nothing wrong with that!), but I decided I needed to get " a life" and so I did it and best thing I ever did. Done loads a stuff, going on my first SPICE weekend at Easter, and loads more stuff booked.

There are some great people in SPICE, always ready to chat and have fun.

Hope to see you guys sometime, have a few beers and lots of fun!

Giggler

I'm Brum's Number 38 - it has been brilliant being here since the beginning and watching it grow. Even though we're the biggest group I still think we retain that air of friendliness and cosiness.... aaaaah!

I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am...
Aaron Bieiberg

Hamilton's 2c.

(one of the) good things about Spice is that as well as getting to do all that fun, groovy stuff that you don't get to do normally (fly jet airplanes, breath fire, get chased around welsh mountains by ex-army types, to name but a few).... you get the indirect, 'positive mental attitude' that just develops.

example: I had nothing special planned for the last weekend, was catching up with some old hobbies... and part way thro' realised that it was 'the weekend', and that if I wanted to get anything out of it, I needed to put some effort and concentration _in_. What's this got to do with Spice? a lot..... because all the things I've done with Spice that I wanted to do (and my buzz comes from adrenaline sports) has helped develop the things I'm less good at... like being sociable and talking to people I don't know. Why? Because all the Spice people I've met (either face to face, or on the boards), have been sociable, easy going, non-judgemental, and generally people you would _choose_ to hang out with.
What does this mean? on a personal level, I've got some friends I wouldn't have had otherwise. I've been to some parties I wouldn't have been to otherwise. I've hung upside down on a shiny pole in a lapdancing club (ok, that might be a little more than most people want to do, but hey, in for a penny, in for a pound). And that's the point. You'll end up doing stuff you didn't know you wanted to do... and enjoying it... and then suddenly realising that you're a 'better' person than you where before, becuase you've gone out and _done_ things. And met people. And had a laugh.
And then you'll realise that the 'positive mental attitude' has rubbed off on that (progressively smaller) part of your non-Spice life, and that you're having more fun, and that you start achieving things..... back to my weekend, I got chatting to a couple of complete strangers on sunday, (ok, we had a common interest, but I hadn't met them before), and we all had a good time.... and that's just one example.

hope this ramble made sense!

thanks for havin the inspiration Dave....

regards
hamilton

"I let my mind wander - and it never came back"