The University of Leeds Ladies' Club
Autumn 2025
September outing to Harewood House
(Report on this in the October Newsletter)
Message from our President, Mrs. Judith Partridge:
ULLC Newsletter
Monthly Newsletter - October 2025
Welcome to the October edition of the monthly newsletter, which I hope you will enjoy reading.
Subscription
Just another gentle reminder that a subscription £10 is due by the end of December and, if you have not yet paid your subscription, Margaret Bradbury, the Membership Secretary, would be pleased to receive your payment.
You can pay by bank transfer, BACS, to the Ladies’ Club account at Lloyds Bank, see newsletter.
It would be very helpful if you could let Margaret Bradbury know if you have paid by BACS.
The Club Treasurer, Angie Robinson has asked me to emphasise that, owing to the new regulations at the bank, payment if no longer possible by cheque. However, it is still possible to pay in cash to Margaret Bradbury at any of the Club events.
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Reminder of Forthcoming Events
Talk on ‘The History of Puddings’ by Robert Gee
See September newsletter.
This is just to remind members that this talk will take place at 2pm on Thursday 6th November at the Headingley Golf Club. The cost is £7 (payable on the door) to include refreshments (including a hot pudding with cream or custard).
A Flyer for the talk was sent out several days ago with a closing date which has now passed, and the response has been very good. The speaker, Robert Gee, is known to many of the members and the afternoon promises to be an interesting and entertaining one.
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Christmas Lunch
- Roast Turkey with all the Trimmings
or
- Poached Salmon with Herb Butter
or
C. Sweet Potato Roulade
all served with Seasonal Vegetables and Roast Potatoes
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- Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce
or
- Lemon Cotta Tart with Cream
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Coffee or Tea and Mince Pies
Christmas Lunch which will be held on Thursday 11th December, A copy of the Flyer and Booking Form has been emailed to you. This is always a very popular event in the Club’s calendar so, if you are planning to attend, early booking is recommended. Details of where and how to pay will be on the Flyer.
Future Events
Your committee are currently in the process of organising several events for the Spring term, in addition to the regular monthly coffee mornings. More details will be circulated in due course so…Watch This Space!
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President Judith has asked me to send the following report of the meeting on Thursday 9th October.
Our first meeting of the 2025-2026 session took place on a beautifully sunny Autumn afternoon. 34 Members and Guests enjoyed the opportunity to socialise, before listening to our Guest Speaker, Chris Madeley, Author of the Cones series of children's books"
This wonderful series of children’s books cover a wide range of topics in the construction industry, energy, and transport sectors, bringing these exciting projects to life, for children of Primary school age. Based in Leeds, local partners have included the Headingley Stadium and Leeds Children’s Hospital, and outside the region, extends to the new Everton Football Stadium, and the electrification of the TransPennine route. The titles are carefully researched, and beautifully illustrated, and Chris’s obvious passion for the work she does, provides the audience with an opportunity to enjoy a most informative, and entertaining presentation.
Congratulations were offered to Chris, for her inspiring work. We hope she will keep in touch with us, as she continues to expand her reach with exciting new projects."
A full report of the meeting can be found in the September newsletter and our thanks go to Jeanne Pritchard for her most interesting response to the event.
NB: Since the meeting took place, we have heard that Chris has received a national award for her books, especially the book on ‘Homes’. We send many congratulations to her on her success.
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I have received the following report of our first event of the Autumn season from Jean Williams.
Autumn Social – Tuesday 2nd September.
See picture at the top of this page
This year Harewood House was the venue for the autumn social – with the bonus of a visit to the Austen/Turner exhibition on the State Floor.
So, on one of those lovely last days of summer, some fifteen of us gathered for coffee and a chat at 10.30 in the Courtyard. For some the visit was a bit of trip down Memory Lane – with recollections of bringing children (and grandchildren) to have fun in the playground and to inspect the birds. (Sadly, for economic reasons the bird garden closed in February 2022, with the birds being re-homed and the penguins now apparently happy in Cornwall. The playground is still there but has now been sympathetically redeveloped as part of the large-scale ‘Reimagining our Landscape’ which aims to restore the landscape to its 18th century glory)
There was no fixed programme for the day – with members able to visit the house, the terrace gardens, All Saints’ Church (the alabaster effigies are stunning) and have lunch as and when they wished. The shuttle bus and friendly volunteer guides were generally on hand to assist! Unfortunately, the ferry was not running so a visit the Walled Garden and Stupa would have to wait until another time.
The ‘main event’ was the Harewood House/University of York exhibition which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the births of Jane Austen and JMW Turner. It examines their parallel lives, particularly within the context of the country house. Highlights of the exhibition include early Turner watercolours (and the very paintbox he used when he was painting Harewood) and the original manuscript of Austen’s unfinished novel ‘Sanditon’. (The exhibition continues until Sunday 19th October)
Many thanks to Judith for organising the visit. The consensus seemed to be that it had been a very enjoyable, relaxed and friendly day out – and a good start to the year.
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News of Members
Sheilagh Ogden tells me that she has at last been able to have her hip replacement operation after much delay and that she is recovering well. She is currently staying with her family, in Nottinghamshire, whilst she recuperates. She is sorry to have missed all the Autumn events and sends her best wishes to everyone.
Jane Buckler had a knee operation on 24 October. We hope she is progressing well and wish her a very speedy recovery.
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I have received an interesting item from Gillian Roche about a lady who, although never a member of the Club, was well known in the University environs.
Gillian Roche writes:
Passing the Oxfam bookshop in Headingley recently I spotted in the window a copy of Vanessa Rosenthal’s biography Inside Out: a Life in Stages (she had been an actress and playwright).
The name may be unfamiliar to you but, as I had found out from Carole Tabbron a couple of years ago, she had been the wife of Jim Walsh, who had been University Deputy Registrar from 1971 and then Registrar from 1979-1992. We had intended to invite her to talk to the Club but sadly she died in 2022.
As I suspected the book does feature the Club, but in a rather negative way:
” I never joined the university wives, or the university ladies club, but found my own place and style in which to support [Jim].”
However, one of our late members, not named, is even quoted:
“… the professor of dentistry’s wife, who was a Norwegian, lamented the passing of standards in the university in a doleful sing-song voice. ‘When I came to this university all the ladies wore white gloves up to their elbows if the Princess Royal, our chancellor, was visiting. We lined up on the Parkinson steps and curtsied low as her car drew up.’ ”
Some of you will remember the lady in question and indeed the time when hats and gloves were worn, even on less formal occasions.
Editor: If any of you recall Vanessa perhaps you could please let us know.
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News of Groups
Book Group 2 met on Thursday 30th October 2025 and I have received this note from Christine Roy
The October book was Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift and many thanks go to Jennifer for her interesting and insightful introduction.
The group met at Candy's and thanks go to her too for her warm hospitality…and the pre-Christmas treats of mince pies and stollen.
Apologies from Anne who had passed on her comments that she had enjoyed the book, especially the second half.
I gave apologies for no longer being able to host the Christmas buffet due to an unexpected Christmas trip to the US.
The November book will be the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith which will be introduced by Carole.
Christine Roy
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And Finally…
I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. The next newsletter will be sent out on 1st December. If you have any items for inclusion, please let me have them by November 28th.
My contact details are in your email.
Take care and keep safe
Carole
Monthly Newsletter - September 2025
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to the September edition of the monthly newsletter which I hope you will enjoy reading.
HRH The Duchess of Kent
It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent death of HRH the Duchess of Kent at the age of 92.
Her Royal Highness was the fifth and longest serving Chancellor of the University of Leeds from 1966 – 1999 and during her Chancellorship she spent several years as Patron of the University of Leeds Ladies’ Club. In addition, from 1975. she was Patron of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, ‘The Friends’ of which a number of members of the Ladies’ Club are also members.
She was a much loved and highly respected Chancellor of the University and for those of us who had the privilege of seeing her at various events on the campus, and in Leeds, and of meeting her in person, however briefly, her death has cast a shadow.
The members of the University of Leeds Ladies’ Club send their sincere condolences to HRH the Duke of Kent, and to all the Kent family, in the loss of such a charming and most gracious lady.
Subscription
As we are starting a new academic session and therefore a new year for the Ladies’ Club, I have to inform all members that subscriptions are now due.
The subscription this year will be £10, as before, to cover the administrative costs of the Club.
The Club Treasurer, Angie Robinson, has asked me to let you know you can pay by bank transfer, BACS, to the Ladies’ Club account at Lloyds Bank - in the name of ‘The University of Leeds Ladies’ Club’
It would be very helpful if you could let the Membership Secretary, Margaret Bradbury, know if you have paid by BACS. by email
Because of the changes to the level of banking charges at Lloyds Bank, Angie has requested that you do not arrange to pay by cheque.
However, if you prefer not to pay by Bank Transfer, you may pay in cash to Margaret Bradbury at any of the regular Club meetings, including the monthly coffee mornings at The Golden Beam. For further details please contact Margaret or any other member of the committee.
Forthcoming Events:
‘Drop-In’ Coffee Morning
Tuesday 14th October at 10.30am onwards at the Golden Beam restaurant on the Otley Road in Headingley.
As usual, this will be a ‘drop-in’ session for which there is no charge. Coffee/Tea and other drinks are available to purchase and for those who wish to stay on and have lunch afterwards this also can be purchased, again at own cost.
For those who do not know the Golden Beam, it is a very friendly and welcoming Pub/Restaurant. There is free parking with a couple of blue badge spaces and all the buses up Headingley Lane stop outside (except the X84 to Otley and Ilkley which is a limited stop service and does not drop off until West Park). .
Thursday 9th October – Talk
The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW.
1.30pm for Talk at 2pm.
by Chris Madeley, author of The Cones Series of Books For Children.
This wonderful series of children’s books cover a wide range of topics in the construction industry, energy, and transport sectors, bringing these exciting projects to life, for children of Primary school age. Based in Leeds, local partners have included the Headingley Stadium and Leeds Children’s Hospital, and outside the region, extends to the new Everton Football Stadium, and the electrification of the Transpennine route. The titles are carefully researched, and beautifully illustrated, and Chris’s obvious passion for the work she does, provides the audience with an opportunity to enjoy a most informative, and entertaining presentation.
Report by Jeanne de Melo: "Our first meeting for the year was a talk by Chris Madeley on her children's books on Cones. Chris was a lively and enthusiastic speaker, but someone should have warned us we were in for a mammoth ride! 26 books in all, film rights for one and possibly another and still going.
The University Of Leeds Ladies’ Club
Invites all members and guests to a talk by Robert Gee (above) entitled
‘A History of Puddings’
To be held in the TV Lounge at
The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW
on
Thursday 6th November 2025at 1.30pm for 2.00pm
£7.00 cash per person payable on the door to include refreshments
Tea / coffee & a hot pudding with custard / cream
Bookings should be made with Mrs Moira Wallace.
(Please note that for catering purposes, attendance must be booked no later than
Wednesday 29th October)
Christmas Lunch
Thursday 11th December 12.30pm for lunch at 1.00pm
The annual Christmas Lunch will be held at the
Headingley Golf Club
on
Thursday 11th December at 12.30pm for lunch at 1.00pm,
Back Church Lane, Adel LS16 8DW
The cost will be £25 for a two-course lunch followed by tea or coffee and mince pies.
Flyers for booking will follow shortly.
News of Members
Jeanne Pritchard has sent me the following report of a visit to the ‘Wild Uplands as part of the current Bradford City of Culture Programme.
She writes….
Here's an idea for a fair-weather day. ' Wild Uplands' is part of The Bradford City of Culture Art programme. It is on till Oct 12th near Haworth at Penistone Park and it's free. Haworth is nearby for cafes and at least 2 Pubs for coffee and or lunch.
We recently spent the afternoon walking in the hills and moorlands enjoying these Art installations in the amazing Yorkshire countryside. Make sure you have a windproof jacket as it gets quite breezy out there on the moors. Takes about an hour to get round comfortably and there is plenty of parking available.
Jeanne sent me some photographs for inclusion but unfortunately, I have not been able to reproduce them in the newsletter but details of the programme are available on the Bradford City of Culture website at https://bradford2025.co.uk/programme/wild-uplands/
PS The Turner Prize finalists are exhibiting at the Cartwright Hall. I highly recommend. Free but book. There is a cafe. (Admin.)
News of Groups
Book Group 2 - September 2025
Book Group 2 met on 25th September. They discussed John Steinbeck’s book East of Eden. Numbers were somewhat depleted due to holidays and various medical and other appointments but the members enjoyed an interesting discussion about the merits, and demerits, of the book. Thanks go to Jean for her hospitality.
The book for October is Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift.
Garden Group - August &September 2025
August.
Those of us not undertaking the challenges of high season holidays in August shared a meeting indoors, the overcast world of a suburban garden in Leeds being somewhat uninviting. We spent several happy hours together exchanging reports on any summer growing successes we had enjoyed. As is often the case we wandered down unplanned routes to talk about a variety of garden related issues. It was surprising to discover that only one of us had come across the red lily beetle
and witnessed its dire effect on the plants from which it takes its name. Although no live specimen was to hand, laptop and iPhones were. Having looked at some images of this bright red beetle all would-be exterminators are now on the lookout.
September.
Golden Acre Park was our venue in September, and happily the weather was favourable for taking a circuitous route to the outdoor cafe for refreshments. It was clear that in many areas of the park the drought of the summer had taken its toll on some of the planting schemes. Many of the herbaceous displays were largely showing more seed heads than blooms, but autumn tree colour had not yet started to show. Nevertheless, we passed a pleasant afternoon together, and perhaps took home some inspiration for what we might do in a corner of our own gardens.
Heather Harrison
And Finally….
I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter.
The next newsletter will be dated 31st October…. but will it be a ‘Trick or a Treat’?
If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than 28th October.
My contact details are by email or text/phone.
Take care and keep safe
Carole
Welcome to the August edition of the Newsletter. I hope you are all keeping well and that you have been able to take advantage of the beautiful weather we have been having.
At the AGM in June, we welcomed a new President and a revised committee as follows:
Committee 2025/26:
Officers:
President - Mrs Judith Partridge
Vice President - Vacant
Hon. Secretary – Mrs Moira Wallace
Hon Treasurer - Mrs Angie Robinson
Hon. Membership Secretary - Mrs Margaret Bradbury
Hon. Minutes Secretary - Dr Diana Wetherill
Other Committee members; Miss Diana Bell, Mrs Carol Gleisner, Mrs Tina Irving, Mrs Gill Lydon, Mrs Carole Tabbron.
For further information see under: About Us.
To see images of the event look under: Programme/Summer
At the AGM it was announced that two members of the 2024/25 committee had decided to stand down (Mrs Candace Arbor and Mrs Jean Williams) which left two vacancies. Since then, 1 new member has agreed to join the committee (Mrs Jeanne Pritchard).
Our thanks go to those members who have left the committee this time for their support and valuable contribution to the proceedings of the committee through the years. Thanks go also to Jeanne Pritchard for agreeing to join us this academic year. I hope you will enjoy your time as committee member.
This leaves one vacancy. We are a very friendly group who meet approximately 5 times a year to decide on the programme and any other policy issues that may arise.
If you, or any other member, feels that they would be interested in joining the committee and would like further information please do ask President Judith or any member of the current committee for information.
The minutes of the AGM will be distributed in due course.
Subscription:
Please be aware that the Annual Subscription from 1st September is now due. The subscription for 2025/26 will remain at £10 and this sum may be paid in the following ways:
In cash to Margaret Bradbury at any of the ULLC events.
By cheque: payable to The University of Leeds Ladies’ Club and to be sent to Mrs Margaret Bradbury.
By Bank Transfer: Sort Code details in your email. (The University of Leeds Ladies’ Club)
Please let Margaret Bradbury know if you have paid this way. You will find her address and email address in your private email.
Website:
The website continues to attract attention and our thanks go to Joanne Fox, who is our amazing ‘Webmaster’, for all her hard work in maintaining the site. It is well worth visiting regularly for news and information.
Simply type
universityofleedsladiesclub.co.uk
into your search bar and you are there.
Details of Forthcoming Events:
As is now our custom, we will be holding the monthly
Tuesday Drop-In Coffee Mornings
at 10.30am at The Golden Beam (Wetherspoons),
Otley Road, Headingley LS6 1BL
on the following dates:
Tuesday 10th September
Tuesday 8th October
Tuesday 12th November
Tuesday 10th December
Thursday 9th October – Talk
The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW.
1.30pm for Talk at 2pm.
by Chris Madeley, author of The Cones Series of Books For Children.
Chris’s wonderful series of children’s books cover a wide range of topics in the construction industry, energy, and transport sectors, bringing these exciting projects to life, for children of Primary school age. Based in Leeds, local partners have included the Headingley Stadium and Leeds Children’s Hospital, and outside the region, extends to the new Everton Football Stadium, and the electrification of the Transpennine route. The titles are carefully researched, and beautifully illustrated, and Chris’s obvious passion for the work she does, provides the audience with an opportunity to enjoy a most informative, and entertaining presentation.
£7 per person, payable on the door, to include refreshments. Members are requested to pay cash, please. No cheques.
Bookings should be made with our Events Secretary, Mrs. Moira Wallace, via Email: or by phone/text.
Please note that for Catering purposes, attendance must be booked no later than 30th September.
November – Date to be confirmed – Talk by Robert Gee
‘Puddings’
Details to be advised in due course
December – Christmas Lunch
Because of the new catering arrangements at Headingley Golf Club we have been unable to secure a confirmed date for a Christmas Lunch as yet. However, we are working very hard to agree a suitable date and will advise members as soon as possible when information is available, in order to avoid any possible diary clashes at this very busy time of year.
Reports from Groups
I have not received any reports from the groups for August as usually there are no meetings in the month due to holiday commitments.
News of Members
As members are aware, Layinka Swinburne died recently. Her funeral was held on Tuesday 12th August. President Judith represented the Ladies’ Club at the funeral, accompanied by several other members. Mary Lance gave a most moving tribute during the service in honour of her and Layinka’s almost 50 years of friendship. A Sympathy card was given to Layinka’s relatives on behalf of the club.
Please refer to the previous newsletter for more information about our distinguished former member.
Our Vice-Patron, Jill Dilks, has recently had a new knee and we wish her a very speedy recovery.
I have not received any other news of members and I hope that that means that you are all keeping well. However, for all those of you who are suffering from any health problems, as always, we send our very best wishes for a successful outcome.
President Judith has asked me to let you know of some forthcoming events in the Leeds which may be of interest to members.
The Heritage Open Days
are coming up. September (12-21). The Leeds area has a full programme of very interesting events on offer. Details can be found on the Heritage Open Days website, or from the leaflet available in public libraries.
The Abbey House Museum
at Kirkstall has two current exhibitions which literary lovers might find tempting:
Literature In Leeds: Prose, Poetry and Plays. (July 1 2025 - March 8 2026)
A community display celebrating Leeds writers, from historical fiction, to thought-provoking poetry, and plays written for the stage and screen.
Story Time: (January 2025 - December 31 2025)
Children's books, then and now. Are you sitting comfortably? Uncover a love of reading, in this family friendly exhibition.
Finally, I hope that you have found this newsletter of interest.
The next newsletter will be sent out on 1st October and if you have any items for inclusion please let me have the information by no later than 28th September to give me time to compile the necessary paperwork.
With best wishes,
Carole