Activity Groups' Reports from AGM 2019-20
Drama Report
Last October The Drama Group presented Pride and Prejudice Revisited, looking back at the ladies telling the story of what happened. This was brilliantly written by Catherine Reeves. It was a great success and we all wore costumes and a photograph went in to Townswoman.
After this production we started rehearsals for our next production for the AGM. We had many rehearsals and were presenting three sketches . The first sketch was called Mother's Day, followed by a radio play Church Belles. The final sketch was Iron Hot Strikers, which took place in the canteen of a laundry. It was a comedy and needed much rehearsal and was disappointing that we were unable to
to perform them due to the Coronovirus. The cast worked so hard too.
Hopefully the time will come when we can all get together again before too long.
Handicrafts
April 2019 – First meeting held on the 17th April at Sainsbury’s Coffee shop. The aim of this get together was to discuss the format of future handicrafts meetings.
May – Very kindly, it was agreed at the April meeting that Handicrafts first project would be to help me complete the Bunting for the June Tea Party, so that’s what we did.
June – This meeting we had a go at ‘3D Decoupage Card Making’ and had great fun with successfully completed projects by all.
July – Had a go at sculpting with air drying clay, lots of fun creating but, unfortunately, our attempt at Christmas tree decorations ended in disaster. Admittedly the clay was very old and this could be why everything cracked and broke when dried. May try again sometime with fresh clay.
August – Took advantage of some contributions to my craft supplies and made simple Christmas cards.
September – This month’s craft session was all about Pyrography. We all had a go and successfully completed some little wooden art work.
October – This month’s craft session was attended by just two of us, so we made some pretty cloth coasters.
November – Almost full attendance this month and had great fun making/cutting out Christmas bunting for our meeting/party next month.
December – Finished off the Christmas bunting for the party to be held on the date of the normal monthly meeting.
March 2020 – After a quick recap of what the Handicraft group had attempted and achieved last year, we set to with some needle felting. It was great fun if a little bit frustrating and I managed to limit myself to two plasters only, the needles were very sharp! We also took time to look forward to any other crafts that we want to have a go at.......so watch this space!
Literary Group
March 2019 – Very mixed feelings for ‘What a Carve Up’ obviously bit of a marmite book! Problems with Library, next book not ready for pick-up and then only seven copies available so we had to take turns. This month’s book was ‘Giovanni’s Room’ by James Baldwin. As the group had now increased to 10 members we discussed the possibility of five x two books over a two month period and swapping at our monthly meeting.
April – No book this month as we were having to share seven copies between 10 members, and the two new members opted to try last month’s book.
May –Selsdon Library closed for refurbishment until August, but fortunately we had chosen two titles discussed previously : ‘The Piano Teacher’ by Janice Y K Lee and ‘Five Quarters of the Orange’ by Joanne Harris,
June – Again, mixed reviews on books. Neither book particularly character driven but compelling story lines.
August – ‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian Faulks and ‘The Quiet American’ by Graham Greene.
September – Books all swapped. Mixed feelings about the books. Some felt Birdsong did get a bit too graphic in certain parts, some really enjoyed The Quiet American and others found Graham Greene hard going.
October – New books collected and distributed: ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ by John Steinbeck and ‘All of these people’ by Fergal Keane.
November – Mixed feelings again. The Grapes of Wrath, very depressing, and Fergal Keane obviously had a fascinating life but did drag on about difficult childhood due to his father’s alcoholism which ultimately led to his own addictions. Requests for some lighter reading in future.
January 2020 – Books for this month are Terry Pratchett – Fifth Elephant and Dorothy Sayers – Gaudy Night..
February – Couldn’t ask for two more different books. I am a Terry Pratchett fan, so enjoyed reading his book. Again, a very mixed opinion but, not surprising. Those who enjoyed the book felt (and I agreed with them) that this was not the best Pratchett book to begin with. Most of us enjoyed the Dorothy Sayers book. It did get a bit wordy in places......but why use one word when you can think of 20? Very much a book of its time, I felt the heroine deserved a good slap but I did fall in love with Peter Wimsey, so will read more of Dorothy Sayers in the future.
Lunch Club
We meet on either on Tuesdays or Wednesdays most months during the year at restaurants in and around Croydon. I try to book those places that offer a fixed price lunch alongside the main menu and which can also be easily accessed by public transport and/or with easy parking. Lifts can sometimes be arranged for those who find it more difficult to get about. I am grateful to and should like to thank those members who offer to drive others to and from our lunches. There is no regular commitment - just come when it suits you but I would ask that, if you put your name down on the list to attend, you let me know if you can’t make it on the day.
Any suggestions/recommendations for a particular restaurant you like or can recommend are always gratefully received as it can become more difficult to think of somewhere different/new by the end of the year! During the last year we have eaten at:
The Boulevard
Las Fuentes in Selsdon
Apatura Turkish restaurant
The Bakery at Tatsfield
Tre Fratelli
Branded in Beckenham
Aqua
The Med Kitchen in Sanderstead
MacDermotts in Forestdale
Little Bay
All the above places provided an enjoyable experience and I did not receive any adverse comments about them, so I will assume that people are happy to continue to use them. I was disappointed that we did not have a greater turnout for the restaurant at Beckenham - a great pity because the food was really good. I wonder if this was because it was a bit further to travel? It was, however, very easy to get to on the tram, although parking was a bit more difficult. Any feedback would be useful for the future.
Unfortunately our booking for March 18th at Coombe Lodge had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and we do not know at the moment how this situation will affect our future lunch dates.
Knit and Natter
I am writing this in July and with all the problems of the last few months I am finding it difficult to think back to 2019 – so here goes.
An average of 6-8 members were able to meet on the second Monday in every month during this year – 12 meetings. We continued to natter a lot but, more importantly, we knitted for the shoebox appeal and other charities. As requested by Pam we made scarves, gloves, hats and toys.
Thank you to all Guild members who kept us supplied with wool. If anyone has found more hiding at the back of drawers and cupboards I at least would be grateful to receive it as after all the knitting during the last three months I am running short.
If any members would like to join us we are a very friendly group and would welcome you. You could find the nattering useful and often amusing. You do not have to be an expert knitter. Just bring two needles and a ball of wool and any news you may have gathered.
Quilting
The quilting group is attended by about six members and we were making different things to sell at the craft stall but of course with lockdown we had to stop meeting. Once we return to Guild we hope to be able to meet up again.
Rummikub
We meet on the last Thursday afternoon each month. We have lots of fun and a welcome cup of tea and biscuits. I would like to thank Joyce Dodgson who stepped in and held it at her house while I was indisposed with my back. Unfortunately we had to stop meeting in March owing to the virus. If you have never played the game you should try and learn it as it is such great fun.
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