23 March 2017
This was the final meeting of this session and the last meeting to be held in The Mitchell Library. About 15 of us attended and speculation about the subject matter of the meeting was rife! The planned speaker cancelled at short notice and Jim Anderson managed to arrange for Alan Clark, a past president of the Clarkston Speakers Club to come along. The title of his talk . . . "The life of a male escort"!
The first part of the meeting was our AGM and I think it fair to say that those present were keen to move on to the actual talk. Alan gave us a very detailed and amusing overview of the "Life of a male escort", he was referring to his job escorting the coaches who take passengers from cruise ships on their shore trips – I don't know what else anyone was expecting!!
Alan is an extremely good speaker and we could visualise him on the coach dealing with all the various problems the cruise passengers could cause. We think his passengers will have a very entertaining commentary on their coach journeys.
The AGM part of the meeting was quite brief. We were sad to hear that Nancy McDonald is resigning as Treasurer and those present thanked her very much for the time and effort she has put into the role. She will continue to take in the coffee money at the meetings and Elaine will take over as Treasurer.
Our summer lunch is planned for Thursday 10 August and details will be sent out nearer the time.
When our new session starts in October we will be meeting in the St Andrew's Bridge Club, Woodside Crescent, Glasgow – just a stone's throw away from The Mitchell. (If the stone is 'thrown' by a cannon that is!). A handout was available at the meeting showing the exact location and this will be distributed again when the new schedule is sent out.
This was the final meeting of this session and the last meeting to be held in The Mitchell Library. About 15 of us attended and speculation about the subject matter of the meeting was rife! The planned speaker cancelled at short notice and Jim Anderson managed to arrange for Alan Clark, a past president of the Clarkston Speakers Club to come along. The title of his talk . . . "The life of a male escort"!
The first part of the meeting was our AGM and I think it fair to say that those present were keen to move on to the actual talk. Alan gave us a very detailed and amusing overview of the "Life of a male escort", he was referring to his job escorting the coaches who take passengers from cruise ships on their shore trips – I don't know what else anyone was expecting!!
Alan is an extremely good speaker and we could visualise him on the coach dealing with all the various problems the cruise passengers could cause. We think his passengers will have a very entertaining commentary on their coach journeys.
The AGM part of the meeting was quite brief. We were sad to hear that Nancy McDonald is resigning as Treasurer and those present thanked her very much for the time and effort she has put into the role. She will continue to take in the coffee money at the meetings and Elaine will take over as Treasurer.
Our summer lunch is planned for Thursday 10 August and details will be sent out nearer the time.
When our new session starts in October we will be meeting in the St Andrew's Bridge Club, Woodside Crescent, Glasgow – just a stone's throw away from The Mitchell. (If the stone is 'thrown' by a cannon that is!). A handout was available at the meeting showing the exact location and this will be distributed again when the new schedule is sent out.
16 February 2017
15 members welcomed Christine Miller back to continue the story of her family research. Christine introduced us to another branch of her family and told us how, using various 'strands' she was able to piece together the history. As always we were fascinated and look forward to the next instalment!
15 members welcomed Christine Miller back to continue the story of her family research. Christine introduced us to another branch of her family and told us how, using various 'strands' she was able to piece together the history. As always we were fascinated and look forward to the next instalment!
19 January 2017
The first meeting of the New Year was well attended and those present thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mr Watt speaking about "Boxes from 1750 - 1960".
Mr Watt has given a talk every year for the last 28 years, always on a different theme – that must surely be a record. He always extends an invitation to visit his shop if you are in the area – the address is Past and Present, 3 Lainshaw Street, Stewarton KA3 5BY. We hope Mr Watt will return next year and he has suggested that the meeting become the setting of an "Antiques Road Show" - start thinking about what you could bring!!
The first meeting of the New Year was well attended and those present thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mr Watt speaking about "Boxes from 1750 - 1960".
Mr Watt has given a talk every year for the last 28 years, always on a different theme – that must surely be a record. He always extends an invitation to visit his shop if you are in the area – the address is Past and Present, 3 Lainshaw Street, Stewarton KA3 5BY. We hope Mr Watt will return next year and he has suggested that the meeting become the setting of an "Antiques Road Show" - start thinking about what you could bring!!
17 November 2016
Our speaker for the November meeting was Judith Bowers, the founder and director of the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Campaign, who talked about the history of the world’s oldest surviving music hall and its colourful past. She had the audience in stitches with a theatrical performance which was also interesting and informative.
17 members were present and heard of the history of a theatre which, in it’s prime, attracted an amazing 2,000 visitors per day. Many Glasgow luminaries had treaded its boards, probably the most famous being Stan Laurel and a young Cary Grant. Founded in the 1850’s, the theatre was boarded up and hidden away behind shop fronts in the late 1930’s, only to be rediscovered in 1997. It is now being fully restored and the a charitable trust has been set up to fund its future preservation for the coming generations.
Our speaker for the November meeting was Judith Bowers, the founder and director of the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Campaign, who talked about the history of the world’s oldest surviving music hall and its colourful past. She had the audience in stitches with a theatrical performance which was also interesting and informative.
17 members were present and heard of the history of a theatre which, in it’s prime, attracted an amazing 2,000 visitors per day. Many Glasgow luminaries had treaded its boards, probably the most famous being Stan Laurel and a young Cary Grant. Founded in the 1850’s, the theatre was boarded up and hidden away behind shop fronts in the late 1930’s, only to be rediscovered in 1997. It is now being fully restored and the a charitable trust has been set up to fund its future preservation for the coming generations.
20 October 2016
Our first meeting of the season was well attended and it was great to see everyone and catch up on the chat.
Our speaker – Mrs Elizabeth Rodgers – gave us an extremely interesting talk about homemade wine and how to make the perfect brew. She brought along examples of a wine in development as well as samples of wine ready to drink. Some members have experience in making their own wine but I think we all came away with a lot more knowledge on the subject than when we arrived!
For those wishing to develop their own winemaking Elizabeth has kindly provided the following information (click on the name to go to the website):
The Inn House Brewery Company Ltd – (for equipment)
Stamperland Wine Circle – if you want to join with like minded wine makers, share experiences and learn from the experts!
Our first meeting of the season was well attended and it was great to see everyone and catch up on the chat.
Our speaker – Mrs Elizabeth Rodgers – gave us an extremely interesting talk about homemade wine and how to make the perfect brew. She brought along examples of a wine in development as well as samples of wine ready to drink. Some members have experience in making their own wine but I think we all came away with a lot more knowledge on the subject than when we arrived!
For those wishing to develop their own winemaking Elizabeth has kindly provided the following information (click on the name to go to the website):
The Inn House Brewery Company Ltd – (for equipment)
Stamperland Wine Circle – if you want to join with like minded wine makers, share experiences and learn from the experts!