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RAGS TO
RICHES |
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At the Tansley Ladies meeting on 3rd
October 2011, Judy Colby spoke about her 'hobby' of
turning rags to riches, bringing along some of the
'rags' that she had transformed into the most elaborate
and enchanting costumes. A number of years ago she had
volunteered to help a Sheffield Theatre group who needed
help in kitting out the cast for a period drama they
were producing, and she has been their sole wardrobe
mistress ever since.
"We were all in awe of Judy's talent in
creating such costumes - a most enjoyable evening,"
commented chairman Diana
Dakin.
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TANSLEY LADIES
GROUP OFFICERS
Chairman: Diana
Dakin
Secretary: Mary
Eatherden
Treasurer: Mary
Templeman
Catering Officer:
Norma Maskell
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INES BODEN
Ladies Group chairman Diana Dakin
says “It was reported with sadness, that our dear and
oldest member, Ines Boden, died on 22nd January; she had
enjoyed listening to all the messages the ladies had
written in the card sent from our evening at Shottle
Hall just a few days before. Ines would have been 100 on
April 28th, and on that evening we will be showing a DVD
'Memories of Ines' at The Gate at 7.30pm when anyone is
welcome to come and join us.”
25th February
2011
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LUCKY OR WHAT?
A report on the Ladies
Group August barbecue
by Diana Dakin
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Lucky - or
what?!! That’s what Tansley Ladies, their
family
and friends
were last Saturday (14th August) evening; after rain -
some torrential - on and off for most of the day, the
clouds cleared, and by 7 o'clock when our barbecue at
the home of Val and Bryan Wildgoose was kicking off
about 60 of us were able to enjoy a very pleasant
evening.
Bryan had erected three gazeboes, to be
on the safe side, but they were not essential to the
evening. Bryan and his able helper, Matt Maycock
did a sterling job with the cooking, and Richard Dakin
poured the squash (!) with his usual jocular
flair!
It was a lovely evening shared by
young and the not so young, enjoying a relaxing summer’s
evening in delightful
surroundings with good food, good liquid refreshment and
most importantly - good company.
CLICK HERE TO SEE
PHOTOS!
23rd August
2010
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LADIES GROUP CAROL
EVENING RAISES £100 FOR VILLAGE
HALL
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Tansley Ladies Group raised £100 for
the Village Hall Restoration Fund at its Carol
Evening on 11th December 2009.
Ladies Group Chairm
an Diana Dakin says:
"Despite a dismal night outside,
there was warmth and comfort (on the new chairs!) in the
village hall as many - young and not so young came to
enjoy our Carol Evening. It was a delight to hear the
schoolchildren sing their three carols, after which
mulled wine, sherry and mince pies were served by the
ladies, the drink helping to lubricate everyone's voices
for the second half!
"The evening would not have seemed
complete without three delightful carols by the late
David Brewster - carols that are unique to the village.
Through the singing of these carols he will always be
remembered for his musical contributions over the years.
"Our three-minute Cinderella panto
caused much laughter as did other readings throughout
the evening. The event was brought to a close with a
gift presentation by Diana Dakin to pianist Bill
Templeman on behalf of the Ladies Group in recognition
of the fact that he has played at nearly all the group's
25 Carol Evenings.
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Ladies Group Kitchen Stall a
Great Success! |
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Ladies Group chairman Diana Dakin
reports that the Ladies Group had an excellent kitchen
stall at the The Gate's Ladies Charity Night on November
19th. The stall (well placed between the flowers and
chocolate tables!) made a total of £84, of which £40 was
donated to The Gate to support its chosen causes -
Tansley Primary School and Ashgate Hospice. The
remainder went into the Ladies Group's own
funds.
Diana says: "Many thanks to all
those ladies who supplied our stall and to those who
came and supported a most enjoyable evening at our very
own local." |
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TANSLEY LADIES
GROUP
For further information, Email Diana
or phone 01629
55530 |
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To see Tansley Ladies Group
2012 programme click HERE |
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| A BRILLIANT
START TO 2012 AT SANTO'S |
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By Mary
Eatherden
The year
2012 started with the Group's annual winter
dinner on 16th January at a new venue, Santo's
at Higham. This venue proved ideal in every way:
a welcoming Bucks Fizz, spacious, attractive and
unique surroundings, excellent service and ample
and delicious food.
For the
first time, members sat at a long dining table (to
accommodate 34), but this made no difference to
the chatter and laughter during the meal which
continued when we retired to the oak-beamed lounge with an
open fire.
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During the evening, our chairman Diana
read an allegorical piece of prose about the
things that really matter in life such as family
and friends, to which we could all relate.
Glasses were raised to absent friends, some of
whom were quite poorly. For these Diana had put
aside greetings cards for members to
sign.
Outside a heavy frost was
setting in, but when we left around 11pm the
warmth and bonhomie in the coach could have easily
chased the frost away, given an
opportunity.
Programmes for 2012 were circulated. The
first event, on 6th February, will be a talk by Jonathan Tye from Lea entitled
'Bombs to Barrows'. Details of the full year's
programme can be seen by clicking the link at the
top of this page.
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So
goodbye 2011 and hello to 2012! Whatever happens, the
year, Tansley Ladies Group will continue to
bring fun, warmth and happiness to the Village
Hall on the first Monday of the month.
Come and
join us!
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Ladies Group
chairman Diana
Dakin | |
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A GREAT
FINISH TO 2011!
By Mary
Eatherden
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Tansley Ladies Group's 2011
programme ended with a Christmas party on 5th
December and the annual Carol Evening on 9th December. During
the party evening, which included a quiz and a
buffet, members made Christmas table decorations for the
Carol Evening with foliage and decorations brought along
by Norma (see photographs
below).
The Carol Evening followed its
usual pattern of carols and seasonal pieces of verse and
prose provided by some members. The Ladies Group was
lucky to again have musical accompaniment by Bill
Templeman, who, despite his busy schedule, never lets us
down.
Fewer people attended this year, but the evening
went well and it was good to see some newcomers to the
village joining in the fun and getting a taste of the
Tansley community spirit.
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Tansley Ladies Group prepare for
Carol Evening in the Village Hall
December
2011 |
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This event raised £60 for the |
Village Hall Restoration
Fund |
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FASHION INSPIRED BY THE
ARGENTINE TANGO
By Mary
Eatherden
What do we know
about the Argentine tango? Those of us
who watch Strictly Come Dancing will know it is
about tight holds, jerky heads and legs in
impossible positions, but that is tango display
dancing, not the real thing. |
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On
Monday evening, 7th November, Ann Stewart spoke to a
large audience of Ladies Group members about the history
of the tango and how it was first brought to Europe, in
the middle of the l9th century, from the back streets of
Argentine villages, towns and cities where it was first
performed by gauchos and 'ladies of the
night'. Gauchos even danced alone to compete with
each other for the attention of a beautiful woman. Ann's
interest in, and knowledge of, the dance inspired her,
when taking a fashion design course as a mature student
at Derby University, to choose tango costumes as her
theme.
Ann brought along from her
collection two stunning, innovative designs she had
created that had been exhibited at an end of course
fashion show in London and for which had received much
acclaim.
She
spoke of her efforts and success in gaining sponsorship
from cloth manufacturers and of the help and advice she
received from our very own John Smedley Company in Lea
Bridge. Members were fascinated to hear Ann's story and
afterwards many questions were asked and
answered. |
It was agreed Ann had
brightened up a particularly gloomy (weatherwise)
November night and Val Fletcher thanked her for a
memorable evening.
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18th November
2011 |
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Tansley Ladies Show Off
Their Headgear
at York
Races!
by Diana
Dakin
Last year a few of the Tansley
Ladies enjoyed an idyllic Ladies Day at Ascot Races.
This year we thought we might stay nearer to home and
experience the buzz at York Ladies Day. Our driver for
the day was Steve and once the seven of us were on board
his trusty vehicle, along with our headgear and cool
bags containing the essentials for our outing, we set
off for York.
After invading a Little Chef -
where the staff thought it very strange for a wedding
party to stop for coffee, until we told them where we
were going - we arrived at the races in glorious
sunshine and found a spot to begin our day with a glass
of champagne. We then found our way to the County Stand
(we don't do things by halves!) where we manoeuvred our
way through the crowds and up to the top floor for lunch
before making a pitch right opposite the finishing line.
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By the end of the day we had
all lost some and won some - but we had all had a
thoroughly enjoyable day, not only watching the
horses - but viewing some of the amazing and
unusual (even outrageous!) outfits worn especially
for the occasion of Ladies
Day. | .
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25th October
2011 |
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TANSLEY LADIES GROUP AGM
2011, HELD MONDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER IN THE
VILLAGE HALL
Report by
Mary Eatherden
The Annual General
Meeting (AGM) of Tansley Ladies Group was held on Monday
5th September 2011. All existing officers were
re-elected as follows:
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Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Catering
Officer
Village Hall
Representative
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Diana Dakin
Pat Brewster
Mary Templeman
Mary Eatherden
Norma Maskell
Jean
Peters |
Chairman Diana Dakin reported an
interesting and varied programme throughout the year
2010/11. In October, when the Village Hall was
closed for alterations, the Ladies Group met at The Gate
Inn. In December the annual group party and carol
evening had to be cancelled because of bad weather, but
kinder (if still bitterly cold) weather in the New Year
meant that on 16th January the annual
dinner
went ahead as planned at Shottle Hall.
Speakers' topics during the
year were varied, including local history, crafts,
theatre and anecdotes of the past.
The annual Easter Coffee
Morning held in the Village
Hall raised £255 for the hall's Restoration
Fund. The summer
walk
and the summer outing were hugely
successful. Several important anniversaries of
members were celebrated during the year and floral
presentations were made. Sadly, our eldest and very
popular member, Ines Boden, died a few weeks before her
100th birthday, but she was not forgotten and in April
several members met in The Gate Inn to celebrate her
life and birthday in her absence.
Another year has passed and the
group continues to strengthen in friendship and
success. Everyone looks forward to the next 12
months.
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Photos by Diana
Dakin |
A SUMMER EVENING OF
FUN
By Mary Eatherden
The Group set off from the Village
Hall on Monday 4th July for another trip of mystery
arranged by Chairman Diana Dakin in close collaboration
with Ian Johnson the coach driver for the
evening.
It was a perfect English Summer's
evening and as we travelled many speculations were made
as to the final destination; ah, going through
Matlock Bath must be heading for the Via Gellia and
Newhaven, but no; ah, going up Cromford Hill must
be heading towards Carsington, but no; branching
off towards Bolehill ah, must be The Bear Inn, but no
and so it went on until everyone gave up surmising and
sat back to enjoy the, oh so beautiful, Derbyshire
countryside viewed from a coach.
Finally, after about an hour of
sightseeing the coach pulled up at the Lea Rhododendron
Garden's Restaurant where each member was given a glass
of Pimm's followed by a lavish buffet including a
seriously sinful selection of desserts. Some members
chose to eat outdoors which is where everyone later
gathered to enjoy the sublime summer evening in a garden
overlooking surely one of the most stunning views in
Derbyshire. Dusk came slowly, but at last we had
to leave and so enjoyed the short drive home to Tansley
with everyone still chatting - there are few things
better than good friendship.
Thank you, again, Diana, for
organising this event that was thoroughly enjoyed by
everyone.
11th July
2011 |
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Happy 60th
birthday
to
Linda Dalton!
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WEATHER DRY AND SUNNY
FOR ANNUAL WALK
On Monday 20th June 16 ladies and
three dogs set off from the Village Hall for their
annual walk. Fortunately this year the evening was
dry and as an added bonus... sunny!
The group walked down the Old Coach
Road, across Drabbles Park then turned right to head up
to Lumsdale. Surprisingly, there were some who had
never ventured through that historical, quite
enchanting area right on our doorstep!
The few who felt they could not
manage the steep climb up the steps through the old
mills took an early right turn and headed back across
The Ballands - arriving at The Gate only a short time
before the energetic group - who had gathered speed on
the downwards stretch - turned up.
Eight members who were not able to
walk (although our oldest walker was 92! ) met everyone
at the pub for 'sarnies' and chips, refreshments that
were most welcome especially for the walkers. As
some walked home a bit later, that ever-persistent rain
had begun to fall - but by then - nobody
cared! |
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Report and photos
compliments of Diana
Dakin
27th June
2011 |
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'THE SLEEPING BEAUTY' - AN
INTERESTING TALK ON THE RESTORATION OF CROMFORD
CANAL
Report by Diana
Dakin
Mike Kelley gave an extremely
interesting talk (Ladies Group
meeting 6th June 2011) about the restoration of
Cromford Canal, which has been named 'The Sleeping
Beauty'.
Mr Kelley told members that one day
the canal, which stretches to Langley Mill in one
direction and Pinxton in another, could be restored,
enabling boats once again to ascend the Codnor Park
flight of locks and bringing life and prosperity to the
area. Such a restoration would also form a corridor
to the Derbyshire Peak District and the Derwent Valley
Mills World Heritage Site.
Watching the selection of slides we
were all made very aware of the mammoth task that the
Friends of the Cromford
Canal charitable organisation has taken on, and if
any of our members have the energy we might even join
one of their monthly voluntary clear up
sessions! |
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EASTER COFFEE MORNING RAISES
£255 FOR VILLAGE HALL |
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The annual Easter Coffee Morning
held on Wednesday 20th April and organised by Tansley
Ladies Group was again a great success. This year the
event raised £255 for Tansley Village Hall
Restoration Fund.
The weather was perfect and that's
always a good start!
Tables in the
Village Hall were attractively set out with pretty
cloths and Easter wreaths made by the talented Norma.
There was a raffle with a wide range of prizes, run by
Val Neville and Agnes Slack, and a bring & buy stall
with cakes, books and lots of those things you didn't
know you needed until you saw them, run by Sue Spink and
her granddaughter Anna (wonderful to see her). Thanks
also to Marjorie Ramwell for her help in organising the
event.
Doors opened at 10.30am
and soon the hall was full of people, chatter and
laughter Excellent coffee and delicious hot
cross buns were served by members of the
Ladies Group. It was good to see a lot of
youngsters who had come along with their mums and
grandparents to enjoy the morning. Amazingly, each
child won a raffle prize!
A sum of £250 was
raised and this will be donated to the Village Hall
Restoration Fund.
Report by Mary
Eatherden, Secretary, Tansley Ladies
Group
25th April
2011 |
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HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY DIANA FROM YOUR
FRIENDS AT TANSLEY LADIES GROUP! |
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14th April
2011 |
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Ladies Group Enjoy Talk about the
History of Hasland Theatre Company
By Mary Eatherden
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On Monday 4th April, three members
of the Hasland Theatre Company - Mr
McGwyre, Audrey and Rachel - gave a talk on the
history of the theatre, entertaining members with
various anecdotes, some relating
to monologues. Few people present knew
of the existence of this theatre, located at Storforth
Lane, Hasland, so the talk was particularly
interesting.
Mr McGwyre, a member Hasland
Theatre Company for many years, informed members that
the company first performed at the Temperance Hall in
1944 and then at various venues in
Chesterfield until 1964 when The Playhouse on
Storforth Lane was purchased. After two years
of major reconstruction work, this building opened
with the play Running
Riot.
Over the years many technical
improvements have been made to the theatre, including
the seating donated by the Royal Shakespeare
Company. Five shows are performed each year - in
September, November January, March and May. The
next performance will be of Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off, from 16th to 21st
May 2011.
This was an evening of joyous
entertainment and a group of members will be visiting
the theatre in May to see Noises Off and that will
surely be another evening of fun!
14th April
2011 |
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Talk on Bess of Hardwick Keeps
Ladies Group Spellbound |
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A talk entitled
The Amazing Life of Bess of Hardwick
delivered by Ladies Group Secretary Mary Eatherden
kept everyone spellbound at the group's meeting in the
Village Hall on 7th February. Chairman Diana Dakin says
that Mary's vast knowledge of Bess of Hardwick made
for a most interesting talk.
Bess was born in about
1527, one of five children of John Hardwick. Her
prospects were meagre, however her life story was quite
extraordinary; she was successful in business and in her
four marriages, being a widow for the first time at the
tender age of 16, but her enduring affection was for
William Cavendish, her second husband, by whom she bore
eight children.
"By the end of the evening," says
Diana, "we all felt that we understood and knew this
intriguing lady, who became the most powerful woman in
England, after the Queen, and many of us felt that we
would like to return to Hardwick Hall, especially now so
much renovation work has been done, and enjoy the
surroundings of such a great house that was once the
home of this amazing lady."
25th February
2011 |
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40
ladies and no shortage of conversation!
Shottle Hall revisited -
January 2011
By Mary Eatherden
Last year the Ladies Group enjoyed
its annual January outing to Shottle Hall so much that a
decision was made to revisit this year. Everyone was
expecting a perfect evening and they were not
disappointed. On a blissfully snow-free evening the
ladies were warmly welcomed to the Hall with a Bucks
Fizz. The meals were delicious, table settings
attractive with place names again made by Norma, in
her distinctive, elegant style. Forty ladies sat down at
5 tables for eight and as usual conversation flowed,
with not much ebbing!
Later, coffee was served in the
comfortable lounge that appeared to have had a re-vamp
since last year, making it even more comfortable and
colourful. When 10.30pm arrived it was difficult for the
group to pull itself away from such luxury, but not
before glasses had been raised to absent friends and
photographs taken by the roving photographer, who gets
better each year - rather like Shottle Hall!
Thank you, Diana, for arranging
this successful evening and acting as official
photographer. Where will the group go next
January? Wherever it is it will need to be rated
ten stars, at least!
31st January
2011 |
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Holiday
Memorabilia |
- Ladies Group meeting at The Gate
4th October 2010 |
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TANSLEY LADIES GROUP – 1959 to
2010
By Diana
Dakin
“The group has survived
through the years, mainly because its members enjoy life and enjoy
meeting up with others in the
village.”
A Young Wives’
Fellowship was formed in Tansley on 12th January
1959, opening with a party
held at the Rectory by kind permission of Mrs Cordes the
vicar’s wife, and attended by 24 ladies. In March of the
same year a committee was elected.
In those early days the group met
fortnightly, members paying 6d (2.5p) each time.
Speakers were invited to every other meeting and on
alternate weeks the group made its own entertainment,
such as play reading, listening to records, sing-song
and beetle drives. By the end of April in the first
year, the fee was raised to a shilling (5p) as the venue
was to be moved to the village hall, which would cost
five shillings a night to hire.
The Minute Books highlight the
interesting history of the group over the last half a
century. Many of the speakers at the group's earlier
meetings concentrated on providing help with new
electrical gadgets, which were coming on the market at a
rapid pace.
By the year 2000, 38 members were
each paying a yearly subscription of £4, and a 20p
raffle took place at every meeting.
In those early years, the group
thrived and provided parties for the elderly members of
the village. As the years passed more and more members
looked forward to taking their turn to sit back and
enjoy the parties themselves, but sadly the dwindling
number of younger members made party preparations
increasingly difficult, and the last party was held in
May 1999. Cream teas were provided by the ladies for the
next two years but sadly they also ceased.
For a number of years, a children’s
party was also held, and in fact the group seemed to be
the main force behind any social events in the village.
The harvest suppers were organised – and in 1964, the £3
raised from the sale of the produce was given to help
buy robes for the church choir. Village pantomimes,
written by Joyce Leaney (a Ladies Group member) and
produced by Peter Clark, were performed by members until
the formation of the Tansley Players in 1970. The group
also organised dances, including one on Field Day,
Halloween parties, discos, Bonfire Nights, carol
singing, Christmas bazaars, fashion shows and treasure
hunts.
Since 1985 the group has also
organised village picnics (some turning out wetter than
others!) and race nights (played
with wooden horses crafted by Nigel Griffiths, two large
sponge die and a plastic track running three-quarters of the
way down the hall). It also put on an art exhibition
featuring Tansley artists Enid Sewall, Kevin, Norma and
Leavon Archer, Rachel Brewster, Eileen Wilding, Linda
Winder, Gilbert and Margaret Seymour, John and Patrick
Eatherden, Duncan Rose and Peter Duggan. An Any Questions evening was also
held, and panel member Patrick McLoughlin, our local MP,
arranged for the group to visit The House of Commons; we
left early on a snowy April morning, slipping and
sliding up Nottingham Road onto the moor with snow
showers falling nearly all the way to London! A carol
evening is now held within the comfort of the village
hall, with a good break for sherry and mince pies to
lubricate everyone’s vocal chords!
In 1963, the name of the group was
changed to The Tansley Wives Fellowship, as it was felt
that some members could no longer be viewed as young!
The name changed again in 1972 – to The Tansley Ladies
Fellowship – meaning that you did not need to be married
in order to join – and again in 1985 when the group
became known quite simply as the Tansley Ladies
Group.
In 1980 the number of
members attending meetings on a regular basis dwindled
drastically and the group was nearly disbanded. However,
in 1982 it was agreed to meet only monthly (the first
Monday of each month) and to end the year in July with
an outing of some sort – theatre, barge trip, mystery
trip etc. The idea of a village walk was also born – a
walk ending up for refreshments at the Royal
Oak, The Tavern or the
Gate. More recently we have walked up to Riber Manor, the home of
Colonel Walton, or Heatherfield Lodge on Lant Lane where
group member Val Wildgoose lives both having the most
delightful gardens to enjoy; when meeting at the latter
venues, a group of expert sandwich makers convene at 49
Riber View Close in the afternoon and then the
refreshments are taken there ready for the weary walkers
to refresh themselves before the walk back. Some of the
ladies who find the walk a little too far, meet up just
for the refreshments and a good old natter! The group
would not meet in August, and the AGM was to be held in
September.
Over the years, the group has
managed not only to provide parties for the children and
senior citizens of the village, it has also been able to
help the village school, playschool, the church and the
chapel, and in acquiring the village Fete Field.
Donations have been made to various charities but mainly
to the Air Ambulance Service and to the Whitworth
Hospital Minor Injuries Unit which has included the
provision of an Oxygen Probe.
The group has survived through the
years, mainly because its members enjoy life and enjoy
meeting up with others in the village.
In 1982, the group celebrated 25
years when 19 members attended a meal at the Black Swan,
Ashover, inviting founder members. On 18th January 1999, more than 60
past and present members (including four original
committee members – Rosemary Mantell, Jean Clark,
Margaret Lomas and Agnes Slack – celebrated the 40th anniversary with lunch
served in the Village Hall and memorabilia displayed
creating much interest. Brenda Travis, a founder member
of the group was presented with a bouquet of flowers in
recognition of her loyalty and continued membership,
being the group’s longest serving member.
January 12th
2009 marked exactly 50 years
since the formation in 1959 of The Tansley Young Wives
Fellowship. The Ladies Group celebrated its Golden
Anniversary with a
dinner at Alison House, Cromford, in January, and
culminating with Pimms and an evening meal in The
Burlington Room within the surroundings of Chatsworth
House in July 2009.
Current chairman of the Ladies
Group is Diana Dakin, who has held the post since 1985.
She joined the group in 1978 when she first came to live
in Tansley.
Today the group has around 45
members, including three people whose involvement
dates back to the group's inception - Marjorie
Ramwell, Sheila Newton and Agnes Slack. Subscription is
now £10 and the raffle 50p. The age range of members
(without wishing to give away any secrets!) is from
around 50 years to 99 years - meaning that the younger
members were only just being born when the group
began!
7th August
2010 |
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Click HERE to see more photos
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TANSLEY LADIES GROUP SUMMER OUTING
2010
By Mary Eatherden
Another evening trip out
for the ladies of Tansley.
This was the final one of the season and took us on a
mystery tour finishing at The Rising Sun in Bamford.
What a difference good summer weather makes to any
outing! In the past the weather has only been
suitable for a winter’s day, but not this year. Nearly
fifty ladies left The Village Hall at 6.15 pm on Monday
5th July by coach heading for a destination only known
to our chairman Diana Dakin. The route ran through
Chatsworth Park, Froggat Edge (where we stopped to enjoy
the view and drink wine and eat nibbles), past the
Longshaw Estate and onto The Fox Inn where we turned
left and people began to make assumptions as to our
destination - but almost immediately these ended and
only ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ could be heard in the coach as we
passed through and overlooked some of the most beautiful
scenery in Derbyshire. The ‘Surprise View’ is on
this route. This was a real delight for not only those
who hadn’t been there previously, but also for those who
knew it. Of course, the perfect summer evening
weather showed the view at its very
best.
At the Rising Sun in
Bamford friendly staff and a glass of Pimms welcomed us
in the reception area from where we later went into the
dining room to eat a meal that was simply delicious,
attractively presented and well served. The wine flowed,
the conversation rose to great heights, tributes were
paid and toasts made to absent friends. I won’t
say we staggered into the return coach, but certainly
our feet were light-hearted as we climbed the steps.
Thank you, Diana, for
organising yet another trip and for being such a superb
chairman.
July 14th
2010 |
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A PERFECT SUMMER’S
DAY
By Mary
Eatherden
Photos by Diana
Dakin
It’s not always good
weather for the Ladies’ Group Summer
walk held annually in June, but this year everything was
perfect. Nineteen members set off from the Village
Hall to walk to Riber Manor (home of Colonel
Dennis Walton) on the evening of Monday 21st June
via Tinkers’ Bridge, Gypsy Lane and the Riber
fields. The views on this route are spectacular
and everyone living in Tansley should walk this
route at least once! Ten members who were not so
‘fleet of foot’ met up with the walkers at The
Manor.
Chairs and tables had been
put on the lawn in a setting of tranquil
beauty.The garden had interesting features and
everyone was free to wander along the hidden paths
and discover further intriguing
delights.
During the evening Colonel
Walton gave a short history of the Manor which is
a Listed Building dating back to 1633. He also
generously gave guided tours of the building for
three groups that showed its ancient origins and
adherence to the character of the building by its
decoration and contents.
When the sun set, with the
wine and food gone, reluctantly members set off
for home. Not so many walking back, but
nevertheless still some stalwarts who enjoyed the
end of a perfect summer’s day with a twilight walk
through the glorious fields and paths of the area
on the night of the Summer Solstice.
Before leaving Colonel Walton
was thanked for his hospitality and for allowing
everyone to enjoy his beautiful house and garden
on a wonderful English summer’s
evening.
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Ladies Group members enjoying
themselves!
Trip to Knightsbridge
& Royal Ascot Ladies Day
organised by Hilary Connor (second
from left)
(June
2010)
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"The Highs & Lows of the Guided
Walk Business" - a very enjoyable
presentation
By Mary Eatherden
Sally Moseley, well-known writer in
The Peak Advertiser about walks in the Peak District
with her dog Alfie, came to talk to the Tansley Ladies
Group on Monday 7th June, bringing Alfie, lover of
biscuits, with her. Her talk on the highs and lows of a
guided walks business was given with an obvious sense of
fun and joy in what she was doing with her life. It was
an illustrated talk and the ladies were shown scenes,
with related tales, in the Peak District, many of which
were known to all, but quite a lot unknown and this
prompted much interest with decisions to seek them out
at some time.
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Photos by Diana
Dakin |
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Everyone was surprised at the
extent of the themed walks that Sally provided: the
Willy Wonka (of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame)
walk that went to a hidden spot in the Peak District
where a chocolatier worked to produce the most delicious
sweets; the picnic trail, with upmarket picnic
meals provided at certain spots; the dating walks for
lonesome couples looking for a partner (very successful
we learnt – Sally has already been invited to one
wedding!); the teapot trail, taking in cafes providing
tea and ending at Cromford where Sally bought a hat in
the shape of a teapot. She brought this to the meeting
and wore it for photographs taken with the
members.
Sally’s complete knowledge of
walking in the Peak District must be unique. Her website
is accessed worldwide and her clients come from all over
the world. What a joy to meet this lady! Alfie’s
behaviour throughout was exemplary and he was finally
rewarded with a biscuit at the end of the
meeting.
Recently one member, Jennifer
Chadbourne, had celebrated forty years of wedded bliss
with her husband Brian and during the meeting she was
presented with a bouquet and card by Chairman Diana
Dakin that conveyed the congratulations of the Group on
this marvellous milestone in their
lives.
17th June
2010
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HATS GALORE!
by Mary
Eatherden
Hats Galore! Over one hundred in
every shape, material and colour (Oh, what beautiful
colours!) were brought along by Irene Yarnell of Matlock
to the Tansley Ladies Group at its meeting on Monday 1st
March.
Irene modelled every hat, at the
same time giving its fascinating history. Irene’s
interest in hats and clothes started when she was young
and she and her twin sister were dressed in matching
style by her mother who placed great importance on a hat
to complete each ensemble. To this day Irene finds hats
irresistible and regrets the decline in their
use.
Some members brought their own hats
to the meeting and at the end of the evening hats were
being passed around with the tea and biscuits! Irene was
thanked by Pat Brewster for coming to Tansley and
providing such an entertaining evening.
Perhaps one day hats for everyday
use will become popular again, but who in Tansley will
start the trend?
6th March
2010 |
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Ladies Group Meeting 1st February
2010 -
Celebrations! |
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Diana Dakin
reports:
"At this meeting we
listened to various extracts from Derbyshire
Diaries, and afterwards there were refreshments
with a difference: Val Wildgoose brought some wine
to share in celebration of her 65th birthday and
her forthcoming retirement, while Norma Maskell
made some delightful birthday buns topped with
pink icing. Val was presented with some
flowers and a card by Val Neville on behalf
of the group.
"Sue Spink was also presented with a
card and some flowers, by Pat Brewster, in
recognition of the Ruby Anniversary she and John
had recently
celebrated." |
Photos by Diana
Dakin |
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Ladies Group Annual Dinner -
"an ambience of friendship"
by Mary
Eatherden |
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This year the location chosen
for the annual January dinner of the
Tansley Ladies Group was Shottle Hall at
Idridgehay and this was a perfect choice.
Thirty-four ladies set off from Tansley Village
Hall in a Slacks coach on Monday 18th January for
what proved to be a successful, joyful and fun
evening.
Shottle Hall is a building of
great charm and the dining room/bar spacious with
modern, eye-catching décor. Each attractive
table setting had an individual card with name and
menu choice tied to a daffodil with ribbon which
was the original idea of an artist member Norma
Maskrey. The meals were delicious, wine flowed and
the ambience during the evening was one of
friendship. |
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The Chairman
toasted absent friends, particularly Ines Boden who was
in hospital, but who had originally recommended the
venue, an orchid and card were presented to birthday
girl Marion Gregory and a bouquet was given to Gwyneth
Olive who had celebrated her golden wedding anniversary
before Christmas.
Photographs had been
taken during the evening but at the end of the meal a
group photograph was taken in the drawing room by a
staff member amidst great hilarity. There
was an opportunity to peep into other rooms in the Hall
before getting on the coach for the return
home.
The Group’s programme
for the year is varied and the speaker at the February
meeting on the first Monday in the month will be Ruth
Gordon who will reveal the contents of Derbyshire
diaries relating to aspects of local life, food, work,
leisure, crime, etc. from 1680s to 1900. New
members are
welcome.
27th January
2010
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TANSLEY LADIES GROUP
GOLDEN
ANNIVERSARY YEAR
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Tansley Ladies Group celebrated its
Golden Anniversary in great style,
opening 2009 with a special anniversary dinner at Alison
House, Cromford, and enjoying a summer get-together at
Chatsworth House.
January 12th 2009, the
date of the first celebration, marked exactly 50
years since the formation in 1959 of The Tansley Young
Wives Fellowship, as the group was then called.
See Diana Dakin's
article Tansley
Ladies Group - 1959-2010 to find out more
about the history of the group.
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Click the photo to see others
taken at Alison House |
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Click the photo to see others
taken at Chatsworth |
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Ladies Group Members
Learn Paper
Craft Techniques
(November 2nd
2009) |
Photos by Diana
Dakin |
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Margaret Armour
demonstrates how to make a Father
Christmas |
Ladies Group
members show off the flowers they have
made | | |
