Hats off to our very own Pat S for organising a wonderful Literary Lunch at Nunsmere Hall on 17th July for 199 ladies! Seventeen of our members enjoyed the very sociable 2 course lunch. The sun even honoured us with its presence and we managed a stroll around the beautiful grounds before our guest author, Milly Johnson regaled us with her tales of how she got into the world of publishing, starting with writing verse for the Purple Ronnie range of greeting cards. Milly has just published her 22nd novel, all of which are based in the North of England and many around her home town of Barnsley.
Craft Group July 2024 – Quilling
Twelve enthusiastic members of the craft group came along to learn the art of quilling from one of our own members. Sue had organised the afternoon so very well. We each had a pack of all we needed to make a card and we had splendid instructions so everybody was able to complete a card to take home.
It is quite simple, but one does need patience and nimble fingers. After a time we all managed very well and had great fun choosing our flower colour and plant pot shape. It was amazing to see the difference in each card, as individuals each choose their own colours and sticky words.
Well done Sue, and thanks again to Joan who became our tea lady for the afternoon.
July 2024 – Subgroup meetings
The Book Club met to discuss The Library by Bella Osborne. The Craft Group had another really good meeting on the topic of Quilling and the Art Group painted outdoors in Walton Gardens – see separate posts for these.
Walking Group went on one of their favourite walks from Acton Bridge – along the canal and the River Weaver, with a lunch at the Riverside. Baking Beauties experimented with baking Gluten Free, Helen C visited to give us some tips.
Main Meeting – July 2024 – Honey Bees
Julia Young spoke to us at our July meeting with tales of sex, violence and adulteration in the life of the honeybee.
Members got to look first hand at the intricate honeycomb made from beeswax that the bees use to store their food and raise their grubs. Julia is also a registered ‘swarm’ collector and is on hand to remove honeybees that have swarmed in the most peculiar places, including the back window of a car!
Julia had brought some of her pure honey to sell and informed us that not all honey is equal and the vast proportion of the honey for sale in supermarkets is adulterated with sugar syrup. Her jars were very popular!
Group Outing to Saltaire – June 2024
Several of our members joined the Village Group trip to Yorkshire at the end of June. We visited Saltaire and had time to wander around the unique village of Saltaire – a world UNESCO site built by Titus Salt to house the workers for his woollen mills. The old mill now houses a permanant display of works by Bradford born artist David Hockney. An added bonus was the 1940’s festival taking place in the village with a tea dance at Victoria Hall and people dressed in 1940’s fashions.
For those of us who walked over the river Aire to Roberts Park, a cricket match was in progress although the skies were a little grey. From Saltaire we journeyed on to Ilkley and saw the famous Ilkley Moor and Cow and Calf rocks sitting above the town. A cuppa at Betty’s tea room beckoned for some of us and of course some retail therapy! A most enjoyable day!