The University of Leeds Ladies' Club

Summer 2024

Thank you Carole for continuing to be our President

Carole and Gill AGM 2024

University of Leeds Ladies’ Club

Newsletter August 2024 

Diary Dates:

Tuesday Drop-In Coffee Mornings (10.30 am) at The Golden Beam (Wetherspoons), Otley Road, Headingley  LS6 1BL

Golden Beam

10th September

8th October

12th November

10th December

(This event is proving to be popular - with around 25 members coming along in August)

 

Stroll around Roundhay Park (see below)

Tuesday 17th September 10.30 am

Roundhay Park 1

 

Centenary Celebration Sparkling Tea ☆☆☆

Tuesday 29th October at 1pm at Weetwood Hall Hotel (see below)

 

Christmas Lunch

Monday 16th December at Headingley Golf Club (details nearer the time)

 

Dates of any other Autumn Meetings will follow 

Dates of the two Book Club Meetings, Area Coffee Mornings and Gardening Group are provided locally

ULLC 2024/25

Committee:

Mrs Carole Tabbron (President); Mrs Gill Lydon (Vice President); Mrs Angie Robinson (Hon. Treasurer);  Mrs Moira Wallace (Hon Secretary(; Mrs Margaret Bradbury (Membership Secretary); Dr Diana Wetherill (Minutes Secretary); Mrs Jean Williams ; Mrs Candace Arber; Miss Diana Bell; Mrs Tina Irving; Mrs Judith Partridge; Mrs Carol Gleisner

 

The Club currently has some 70 members, including 5 honorary/life members and 4 associate members.  

 

£10 Subscription for 24/25 due from September 1st

By cheque: payable to The University of Leeds Ladies’ Club and to be sent to Mrs Margaret Bradbury, The University of Leeds Ladies’ Club

Please let Margaret Bradbury know if you have paid this way. I refer you to your email.

Our Website

If you have not already discovered this lively website (with its beautiful blue butterfly) you are definitely missing something!  Joanna Fox created it over 10 years ago and has kept it going ever since.  It is full of information – and has a gallery of photos taken at various events over the years.  You are almost certainly in one of them!

Simply type ‘University of Leeds Ladies’ Club’ into your search bar and you are there.

 

Details of Forthcoming Events

Stroll around Roundhay Park  – Tuesday 17th September

Meeting at 10.30 am at Tropical World Cafe, Canal Gardens, Princes Avenue, Roundhay LS8 2ER

Tropical world cafeTropical world

This is a short stroll around the upper part of Roundhay Park with a view to including everyone.

Coffee/drinks are available at Tropical World Café after which we would walk through Canal Gardens, possibly also the Friends of Roundhay Park Garden, before crossing over into the main part of Roundhay Park.

The walk will continue along the path towards the Upper Lake (anyone who doesn’t want to walk round the Upper Lake can sit by The Mansion, see below right). After walking around the Upper Lake, we head back to The Mansion with a chance to visit the Art Exhibition Shop.

Monet GardenMansion House

Our next stop is the Monet Garden, leading to the Alhambra Garden and with a chance to see the new installation by The Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Back at the Tropical World Café lunch is available.  They seem to cater for most diets. 

There is no need to book.  Just come along and enjoy a stroll, coffee/lunch and a chat.

(On-street parking is available on the roads near the Canal Gardens. Some of us could pick up members who don’t drive.  Perhaps we could organise this at the next Coffee Morning on September 10th at The Golden Beam?

Buses 2 and 12 stop by Tropical World and the Park Gates on Princes Avenue)

Cath Potts 

 

  *******************************************

Centenary Celebration 

Tuesday 29th October at Weetwood Hall Hotel, Otley Road, LS16 5PS

1pm in the Jacobean Suite

Jacobean suite

The President and Committee hope that as many of you as possible will be able to attend The Sparkling Afternoon Tea and raise a Toast to The Club and its Members Past and Present.

 

A detailed history of the Club was written by Gillian Roche to mark its 80th Anniversary.  This account, with a preface by Mary Lance, is on the University of Leeds Ladies’ Club website under About Us. The centenary might be a time to read or re-read it?  It is a fascinating history.

…’When  the Club was founded in October 1924, Professor James Baillie, with his wife Helena, had just arrived at the University from Aberdeen to take up the post of Vice-Chancellor.  Perhaps sensing an historic moment, nine senior ladies, under the guidance of Mrs Marion Priestley, the wife of the Professor of Botany, signed a short circular letter proposing the formation of a club which would foster contact ‘between the wives of members of the University Council and staff, and women members of staff’….read on

Reminder: Booking forms and cheques for £32 (made payable to University of Leeds Ladies’ Club) must be received by Carole by Monday 16th September (You will find her address and her email address in your email)

If preferred your payment can be made by bank transfer with your name as reference (see details in previous section).  Your bank payment should be confirmed to Carole by email 

Please contact Carole if you have a query

 

 

Reports from Groups

Book Group 2

In July we read Amongst Women by John McGahern, a renowned Irish writer, published in 1991 but set in rural Ireland of late fifties and early sixties. We were grateful to Jennifer for her introduction.  While we were all agreed that we were pleased to have read it, we also agreed that it was no easy read.  The book begins with the main character, Michael Moran, near to the end of his life and then unfolds through a series of flashbacks.  We see in this novel how this once powerful former IRA hero seeks to continue to control by exercising his strong personality over the lives of his children.  His second wife Rose seems largely content to blend in with his wishes. There are the daily and annual rituals of religion in the recitation of the Rosary but little love or forgiveness.  Moran is a man who requires to be the centre of the universe he has created and the underlying violence (although not directed at the daughters) is always there.

For such a densely packed novel this barely scratches the surface and does no justice to Jennifer’s introduction.   Many thanks to Anne (and of course the butler) for the excellent hospitality.  It was lovely to have the whole group present.

Christine Roy

There are no reports of group meetings in August

News of Members

Doreen Smith has not been able to get out much recently as her health has not been so good.  We wish her all the best.

 

Militza Srivastava was 90 on August 11th.  Moira Wallace has sent her a card from the Club. 

‘Just to report that Militza is happily settled in Oatley House, St. Monica’s, Bristol, where she has a lovely apartment and where there are excellent facilities, including beautifully maintained grounds.  I went to her 90th birthday celebrations, at the Pump House on the waterfront in Bristol and then at the summer house in the grounds of St. Monica’s, where I was pleased to meet some of her fellow residents, along with her family and friend.’  Lorraine Harding

 

One of our new members, Terry Beddows, has had a fall while on a walk and has broken her arm.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Terry.

                                   ***********************

 

 Details of events that might be of interest to members would be particularly welcome for future newsletters - as indeed would be any individual news or accounts of adventures (Send to Jean Williams by 20th of the month. Her email address is in your email.)

        ***

PS:  you may well know that the new VC is Professor Shearer West CBE who starts on November 1st 2024. She is currently vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham.                                                        

Prof Shearer VC 

Monthly Newsletter    -   July 2024

 

Dear Ladies,

Welcome to the July edition of the monthly newsletter.

This will be the last newsletter edited by me, as my good friend and fellow committee member, Jean Williams, will be taking over with the edition at the end of August. 

I have enjoyed compiling the newsletter each month for the last three years and I send my thanks to everyone who has sent me information for inclusion over that time.  However, I will continue to send out the quiz in the middle of each month 

If you have any items for inclusion in the newsletter in future, please could you let Jean have the details by no later than 20th of each month to ensure that they are included. 

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 13th August at 10.30 am in the Library at the Golden Beam, Otley Road, Headingley.

Golden Beam

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 and we will have sole use of the ‘Library’ room. There is car park at the rear of the building with a couple of blue badge spaces. Alternatively, there is on-street parking in the surrounding streets.  All the buses that travel along Headingley Lane stop outside the Golden Beam including the X84 (however, as this is a limited stop service it is always a good idea to confirm with the driver that he/she will let you alight at this stop. Otherwise, you may have to travel a few further stops before leaving the bus)

As this is such a popular event in the calendar, we have booked additional dates for coffee mornings on the second Tuesday of each month until December.  The dates booked are 

Tuesday 10th September,

Tuesday 8th October,

Tuesday 12th November

Tuesday 10th December, 

all at 10.30am.

 

********

CENTENARY CELEBRATION in the form of a “SPARKLING AFTERNOON TEA”

Tuesday 29th October 2024 at 12.30 for 1.30pm

To be held at the Weetwood Hall Hotel

weetwood hotelmap for weetwood hotel

As many members are aware, 2024 is the centenary of the foundation of the University Ladies’ Club, then known as the Ladies’ Tea Club, which held its first meeting on 29th October 1924, which will be exactly 100 years to the date of our event. 

 

For a number of reasons, we are not able to hold an event on the University campus but, in order to maintain our link with the University, we have arranged a “Sparkling Afternoon Tea” to be held in the Jacobean Suite

jacobean room weetwood

at the Weetwood Hall Hotel (the former Weetwood Hall of Residence, in which some members may have been student residents over the years)

 

The afternoon will take the form of a Drinks reception at 12.30pm, at which members and their guests will be able to mingle and catch up with old friends before sitting down to a “Sparkling” afternoon tea.

 

The tea will consist of a selection of finger sandwiches and savouries. Scones with jam and clotted cream, a selection of cakes and a choice of freshly ground coffee or Hebden loose leaf tea.  

 

The meal will be accompanied by glass of Prosecco in which to toast the foundation and centenary of the Club. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. 

 

Please note that, in order to keep costs to a minimum, the full cost of the event is being subsidized by the Club as this is such a special occasion.   Bookings are open to members and guests and the subsidized cost will be £32.00 per person, which will be payable in advance.   

 

To those members who have expressed an interest in the event I send my thanks and advise that  an official Flyer and Booking Form will be sent out in Mid-August with a closing date for bookings of 15th September.  

 

The club has had to pay a deposit to secure the booking and we are now obliged to pay the balance in full by the end of September. Therefore, we must have received your payment (by cheque or BACS) by no later than 15th September to ensure that we have sufficient cleared funds in the bank to settle the account.  Full details of how to book will be on the booking form and Flyer.

 

********

Christmas Lunch – 16th December 2024

 

We have made a provisional booking for a Christmas Lunch, again at the Headingley Golf Club, on Monday 16th December. 

 

Details of menus and costs will be circulated (much) nearer the time but if you would like to make a note in your diary it could avoid any potential clash in the festive season. 

********

In the August newsletter we hope to have more details of other events we have managed to arrange for the rest of the Autumn term so do watch out for the newsletter in your inbox.

 

********

News of Members

 

I am pleased to say that I have not had any new information about member’s illnesses, so can only hope that everyone is keeping fit and well, and enjoying the lovely summer weather!

 

To all our members who have on-going health issues, we send our very best wishes for better health in the future.

 

********

 

 Sponsored walk in aid of Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

A good friend in the Rotary movement has asked me to promote a sponsored walk on behalf of the joint Rotary Clubs of Leeds, in aid of research into Alzheimer's Disease, as follows:

 

The Aireborough, Leeds, Headingley, Roundhay and White Rose Rotary Clubs are organising a sponsored walk to raise funds in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK. 

Date: 1 September 2024 

Venue: Temple Newsam Time: 12:00 to 15:00pm 

Distance: 5k (3mile) distance + shorter route for juniors and anyone physically challenged 

Parking: Free parking available onsite 

Bring your family and friends on this sponsored walk. 

Sign up through https://alzheimers.eventsair.com/leedsrotary-clubs-sponsored-walk/sign-up 

To donate and fundraise for your challenge please go to Leeds Rotary Club's Sponsored Walk – JustGiving 

Leeds University is one of the foremost Alzheimer's Research Centres, so we are particularly pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to support their work. 

Alzheimer’s has affected several of our members and their families in the past, and may no doubt in the future.   

If you feel you, or any of your family or friends may be interested in joining the walk please see the Rotary Clubs’ website for further details.

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. The next newsletter will be sent out at the end of August by Jean Williams.  If you have any items for inclusion, please could you send the details to Jean by no later than 20th August.  

 

Thank you for reading the newsletters through the last few years and for all the interesting items for inclusion which you have sent to me.  I have enjoyed receiving them and keeping in touch with everyone.

 

With my thanks once again and my best wishes to Jean and to all of you,

                                                                                                                                                                  Carole

 

 

Monthly Newsletter    -   June 2024

 

Dear Ladies,

I apologise for the late appearance of the June Newsletter.   I have not been at home very much in the last few weeks and all my correspondence has been delayed.  However, I am catching up now and hope that the delay will not inconvenience anyone.

 

News of AGM and Committee for 2024/25

At the Annual General Meeting held on 17th June, at which 23 members were in attendance, the committee for the forthcoming year, 2024/25 was approved as follows:

 

President – Mrs Carole Tabbron

Vice-President – Mrs Gillian Lydon

Hon. Secretary – Mrs Moira Wallace

Hon. Treasurer – Mrs Angela Robinson

Hon. Membership Secretary – Mrs Margaret Bradbury

Hon. Minutes Secretary – Dr Diana Wetherill

Other Members – Mrs Candace Arber, Mrs Tina Irving and Mrs Jean Williams.

At the AGM, it was announced that three members of the 2023/24 committee had decided to stand down (Mrs Janet Herbert, Mrs Anne Mark and Mrs Gillian Roche) and 2 new members had agreed to join the committee (Miss Diana Bell and Mrs Judith Partridge), leaving one vacancy.  

Subsequently, a third member (Mrs Carol Gleisner) has agreed to join the committee so we now have a full complement.

My thanks go to all those members who have left the committee this time for their support and valuable contribution to the proceedings of the committee through the years. My thanks go also to those three new members who have agreed to join this academic year. I hope you will enjoy your time as committee members.

The minutes of the AGM will be distributed in due course.

 

 

Message from the President.

As the continuing President, I would like to express my thanks to all those members who voted for me to continue in the role for another year.  I am very touched by your continued support and honoured to have been asked to continue in this, our very special Centenary Year. I will do my utmost to justify your faith in me.

This has been an interesting year with a wide variety of events ranging from the monthly coffee mornings which were held at the Lawnswood Arms until February when, sadly, the Lawnswood closed for business.  From March, we were forced to find a new venue and we switched to The Golden Beam in Headingley. A move that has proved a very positive one.  The coffee mornings are proving to be a most popular addition to the annual Calendar.  

In the Autumn term, we had our traditional Harvest Lunch, a most interesting talk on The History of Pies (with samples and a raffle of, yes you guessed it, Pies!). We held a most enjoyable Christmas Lunch at Headingley Golf Club.  

In the spring term, in February, we had a very entertaining talk and demonstration of the ‘Art of Origami entitled ‘Paper Magic’ at which we all had the opportunity to try our hand at the craft and we were able to bring home our handiwork.   In March, we had a most interesting and enlightening talk on the ‘History of Spinning in Pre-Industrialised West Yorkshire’ and the Spring Term was brought to a close with a fascinating talk on ‘Television – How it Works…and sometimes doesn’t!’

As we look ahead to the new academic session, I detail some dates for your diary including one very special date for your Diary in October. 

 

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 13th August at 10.30 am in the Library at the Golden Beam, Otley Road, 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 and we will have sole use of the ‘Library’ room. (For more information look at our gallery images.) There is car park at the rear of the building with a couple of blue badge spaces. Alternatively, there is on-street parking in the surrounding streets.  All the buses that travel along Headingley Lane stop outside the Golden Beam including the X84 (however, as this is a limited stop service it is always a good idea to confirm with the driver that he/she will let you alight at this stop. Otherwise, you may have to travel a few further stops before leaving the bus)

As this is such a popular event in the calendar, we have booked additional dates for coffee mornings on the second Tuesday of each month until December when the coffee morning will be held on the first Tuesday to avoid clashing with the Christmas Lunch – details below.   Do please put these dates in your diary.

 

 

CENTENARY CELEBRATION in the form of a “SPARKLING AFTERNOON TEA”

Tuesday 29th October 2024 at 12.30 for 1.30pm

To be held at the Weetwood Hall Hotel

As many members are aware, 2024 is the centenary of the foundation of the University Ladies’ Club, then known as the Ladies’ Tea Club, which held its first meeting on 29th October 1924, which will be exactly 100 years to the date of our event. 

 

For a number of reasons, we are not able to hold an event on the University campus but, in order to maintain our link with the University, we have arranged a “Sparkling Afternoon Tea” to be held at the Weetwood Hall Hotel (the former Weetwood Hall of Residence, in which some members may have been student residents over the years)

 

The afternoon will take the form of a Drinks reception at 12.30pm, at which members and their guests will be able to mingle and catch up with old friends before sitting down to a “Sparkling” afternoon tea.

 

The tea will consist of a selection of finger sandwiches and savouries. Scones with jam and clotted cream, a selection of cakes and a choice of freshly ground coffee or Hebden loose leaf tea.  

 

The meal will be accompanied by glass of Prosecco in which to toast the foundation and centenary of the Club. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. 

 

Please note that, in order to keep costs to a minimum, the full cost of the event is being subsidized by the Club as this is such a special occasion.   Bookings are open to members and guests and the subsidized cost will be £32.00 per person, which will be payable in advance.   

 

The closing date for bookings is 15th September.  The club has had to pay a deposit to secure the booking and we are now obliged to pay the balance in full by the end of September. Therefore, we must have received your payment (by cheque or BACS) by no later than 15th September to ensure that we have sufficient cleared funds in the bank to settle the account. 

 

If you are intending to book it would be very useful if you could let me know of your interest, say by the end of this month, so that we can keep the Hall informed of possible numbers. 

 

Further details and a booking form will be sent out in Mid-August so do please put the date in your diary and keep an eye on your inbox.

Christmas Lunch – 16th December 2024

 

Although it is rather early to be thinking of Christmas, I think we are all aware that venues get booked up very far in advance.  Accordingly, we have made a provisional booking for a Christmas Lunch, again at the Headingley Golf Club, on Monday 16th December. 

 

Details of menus and costs will be circulated (much) nearer the time but if you would like to make a note in your diary it could avoid any potential clash in the festive season. 

 

In the August newsletter we hope to have more details of other events we have managed to arrange for the rest of the Autumn term so do watch out for the newsletter in your inbox.

News of Members

 

I am sure that many members will be interested to hear that Militza Srivastata has moved to Bristol to be nearer her family.  He son has written to say that if anyone would like to keep in touch with his mother, she would be pleased to hear from them.  Under the terms of Data Protection (GDPR), I am not able to give all the details in the newsletter but if anyone would like to know Militza’s new address and phone number her son has given me permission to pass it on. If you would like the information, please let me know, preferably by email.

 

Our best wishes to Janet Herbert and Gillian Roche for their good health.

 

I have had a request from Sian Batchelder for information about a possible former member

 

Joyce Williams 

Does anyone know - or knew – Joyce Williams? The University of Leeds Walking Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is anxious to uncover any information about Joyce. She was a founder member of the Walking Club, along with her husband Bill, but it sounds as though they have lost touch with her. Siân Batchelder (a former Club member) has been asked if Joyce was by any chance a Ladies’ Club member. She was known to have lived in West Park. 

 

Please get in touch with Siân if you have any information. 

 

I am pleased to say that I have not heard from any other members and am assuming that ‘no news is good news’!

 

Reports from the Groups.

From Book Group 1 (from the AGM June 2024)

We meet in the afternoon and continue to eat delicious cake.

Our discussions run the gamut from chatty and frivolous to serious and critically-informed.  We have enjoyed books set in Edinburgh and in Venice and read, amongst other books, ‘Death in Venice’; Patchwork: A Life among Clothes (by the curator of at the V & A); and the pro-science, pro-women ‘Lessons in Chemistry.

We look forward to learning some more history from historical novels including about East Prussia at the end of the war and, more pleasantly, about St. Cuthbert.

This will be our 68th year.

Mrs Gillie Andrews - Convenor

 

From Book Group 2 (from the AGM June 2024)

 

We continue to meet on the last Thursday of each month.  Our membership is restricted to nine, being the maximum we can accommodate at each meeting.  We have read an eclectic mixture of books, each chosen by a member to introduce at the relevant meeting. We aim to read a least one “classic” a year.  After each meeting a summary of the discussion is circulate to members.  

We have read books by, amongst others, John Steinbeck, Arnold Bennet, Barbara Pym and Robert Harris. 

Ms Christine Roy – Convenor

 

Garden Group (from the AGM June 2024)

We have met each month throughout the year except during severe wintry weather.

 

Our discussions have covered a wide range of topics including our unpredictable weather, chemical spraying of pests and weeds and the research into these issues.  We have also learnt about current research into the medicinal use of plants by the indigenous people of tropical rainforests.  We have been reminded of the importance of pollinating insects.

 

Each discussion has been followed by tea and cake and meetings continue to maintain friendship and mutual support.

Mrs Heather Harrison - Convenor

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. The next newsletter will be sent out around 31st July.   

If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than 28th July

Take care and enjoy whatever summer we get!

 

Carole

 

 

strawberry scones

Monthly Newsletter     -    May 2024

Dear Ladies,

I hope that you are keeping well and that you are making the most of the occasional bursts of sunshine that we are having in between the monsoon like rain storms.  Let us hope that we may see some more sunshine and warmth in the coming months.

Wednesday 29th May 2024 Annual Spring Lunch – 12.30pm for 1.00pm

34 members and guests enjoyed a splendid two course lunch at the Annual Spring Lunch which was held in the main dining room at the Headingley Golf Club. 

spring lunch 2024

As usual, we enjoyed very good food and service in this most pleasant setting and I have had only excellent feedback from those who attended.   

As we enter June, we have the following events arranged:

Annual General Meeting

We have booked the TV lounge at Headingley Golf Club for the morning of Monday 17th June from 10.30am for the Annual General Meeting.  It is hoped as many members as possible will be able to attend.

At the meeting, several members of the committee will be stepping down and, inevitably this brings discussion about what is to happen in the next academic year. In particular, the membership of the committee for the new year.

The committee has a membership of 12 of which 6 places are for members who hold offices (such as President, Treasurer etc) and 6 who do not hold any office but provide advice and support at meetings.  These positions are open to Full and Associate members of the Club and are usually held on a three-year basis, although that is flexible.  A couple of the current committee members are coming to the end of their time on the committee and we need to look for their replacements.    Can You Help?

We are a very friendly group, with enjoyable meetings, which always include cake!  If you think you would be interested, and would like to know more, do please get in touch with me and I will do my best to answer any queries you may have. 

Further details of the meeting will be sent out in the next few days.

Forthcoming Events

On Tuesday 11th June from 10.30am onwards, we have our usual Coffee Morning. 

This will be held in the Library at The Golden Beam on the Otley Road as in the past few months.  As this is a drop-in session no payment is required in advance, just pay for what you have on the day.

The Golden Beam is situated in the former Elinor Lupton building on Otley Road and there is a car park at the rear plus on street parking in the area.  The buses travelling on the Otley Road/Headingley Lane all stop outside. These are the No’ 6, 8, 27, 28 and the limited stop X84, although do check with the driver on the X84 that he/she will allow you to alight outside the Golden Beam. 

If you park in the car park, please note that you should register your car number plate at the Bar to avoid any possible parking fines. 

Please note also that the July coffee morning will be held at The Golden Beam on Tuesday 9th July at 10.30am and the August coffee mornings will be held there on Tuesday 13th August at 10.30am.

News from the groups.

Christine Roy has sent me the following report of the recent meeting of Book Group 2.

 

We met on Thursday May 30th 2024 and our book for May was Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris. 

Introduced by me, I had relied heavily on that well-respected (!) academic, Google to remind myself and the group of the 17th Century context. There was some discussion of the apparent neglect of this historical period in current exam syllabuses. We admired Harris’s depiction of the two fugitives, Ned Whalley and Will Goffe. Although these were based on actual historical figures, their pursuer, Naylor is an entirely fictional one although Harris brings him to life on the pages. 

Our discussion focused on the way Harris leads us to empathise to an extent with each of the characters, reminding us that circumstances can often change people into awful versions of themselves. Both sides had committed dreadful acts yet both sides also showed and experienced the best of humanity. We could see how their puritanical beliefs in a vengeful God led them to accept that every misfortune was explained by some greater plan. Goffe even had specific biblical references at his fingertips to back up these beliefs. 

We thought the contrast between England and the US was well drawn. Harris has a gift for apparently looking at a modern landscape, such as that around Harvard, and then stripping it of any modernity. He convinces us with his description of how it was then, with the large, empty landscapes of the US in many ways as frightening as the cramped, dirty confines of the London of Charles II.  I think it is true to say that all had enjoyed the book in spite of a few gripes about the ending and some lengthy repetition.  

We missed Jean who is still with family in NZ. Thanks to Candy who hosted us and provided a wide choice of delicious cakes.

And finally!

A date for your diary,

Centenary Celebration – Tuesday 29th October 2024

This year is the Centenary of the formation of the Ladies’ Club and we are hoping to organise a celebratory lunch to mark the occasion.  Tuesday 29th October 2024 seems to be the most appropriate date, as it will be exactly 100 years to the day since the first meeting of the Club.  Please do make a note of this date in your diary.  

It would be good if as many members as possible were able to attend to mark such a landmark date in our history.  Further details will be sent out in due course.

Christmas Lunch – 16th December 2024

I do realise that it is rather early to be planning for Christmas, we haven’t even had summer yet!   However, I think we are all aware that venues get booked up very far in advance.  

Accordingly, we have made a provisional booking for a Christmas Lunch, again at the Headingley Golf Club, on Monday 16th December. 

Details of menus and costs will be circulated (much) nearer the time but if you would like to make a note in your diary it could avoid any potential clash in the festive season. 

 

The next newsletter will be sent out around 30th June.  If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than 28th June.

Don’t forget that, if you are interested in giving something back to the Club by becoming a member of the committee, please get in touch and I will do my best to give you an insight into what is involved.  

I hope you have enjoyed reading the newsletter and I hope to see you at the coffee morning and the Annual General Meeting.  

Carole

Monthly Newsletter - April

Dear Ladies,

 

I hope that you are keeping well, that you all had an enjoyable Easter holiday despite the weather and are looking forward to the summer, when hopefully we may see some more sunshine and warmth.

 

On 21st March, we had a most enjoyable talk by Dr John Cruickshank on the history of ‘Spinning through the West Riding’ in the pre-industrial period. The talk was very well received and made us realise just what hard lives our ancestors had endured and how lucky we are to live in the present day. 

Please see picture in  the March newsletter below..

 

On 15th April, we enjoyed a most interesting, enlightening and entertaining talk by Patrick Titley on ‘How TV works….and sometimes doesn’t’.  Patrick regaled us with stories from his career as a TV director and producer and the amusing, and sometimes not so amusing things, that happen in the making of TV programmes.  I think we all left with a new respect and admiration for the hard work, and the complexity, involved in the makin