Issue 27
Autumn 2007
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Singing for Pleasure (Ladies)
Group News cont’d
We have recently moved from our venue at Oatlands Convent to the Methodist Chapel in Starbeck. We hope to be back at the Convent after Christmas. The Askham Bryan Open Day was in August where we had a number of paintings exhibited and Peter Kearney, our group leader, and some other members of the group gave a demonstration of watercolour and pastel painting. In September we had an outing to Burnley. We stopped at Halifax Piece Hall. This is a grand historic listed building which now houses shops, a visitor centre and art gallery. From there we went to Hebden Bridge. There is a lot to see in this small, pretty town where we stopped for lunch before making our way to Burnley and Towneley Hall. The grounds and Hall are of great interest. There is a museum and art gallery, and various exhibitions take place throughout the house. Our circular route took us through some wonderful countryside.
Margaret Rodger
A party of our members, including Group Leader Peter Kearney, went on an expedition to Florence organised by Brian Graham during the second week of October; they returned with lots of inspiration for us all. They enjoyed the beautiful sights which that city offers and the weather was kind, making for a completely successful and enjoyable trip. A more complete account will be given in the next issue.
Bill Mallinson
As promised we started the new academic year with a look at the work of Ayn Rand (1905-82). Born in Russia she emigrated to America in 1926 and became naturalised in 1931. A successful screenwriter and novelist, she published several novels including some bestsellers. However. her main work was a major new philosophy she called objectivism. This opposes collectivism and holds that the pursuit of self-interest is the real way for society to improve, as it releases genuine achievement and progress. This also essentially reverses the traditional Judeo-Christian ethic of altruism and deliberate self-sacrifice for the common good, which she labelled as liberal delusions She scorned the feminist movement. Her work was widely criticized, to a great extent by people who had not really read her work and didn’t bother to study her reasoning. However her work is now beginning to be more fully studied and accepted. Her most successful novels were based on her theories and I understand that one of them, ‘Atlas Shrugged’ written in 1957, is being made into a film for release in 2008.
The format of the meetings is a presentation by myself, or one of the members, followed by contributions by other members and a general discussion. If you are interested we are a small and friendly group, with no pressure on anyone to contribute, but contributions are welcome, as are new members. Even if you are new to the subject, for more details contact me.
David Broadley
Following our visit to The Railway Museum York, in October, we round off the the year on November 26th. by looking at the factors which give any picture the "wow" factor, and planning possible future outings and themes. There will be no December meeting.
In 2008 I shall be handing on the reins of leading the group to a nucleus of three members who plan to build on the foundation of what the photographic group has achieved over the previous years. They will look at the way forward to enable members to feel comfortable with the new technology.
Sheena Pawson
We are now in our 15th year. We are a group who enjoy reading, and discussing the monthly book with like minded people. The group chooses the books at the planning meeting in September, and the programme is typed and is ready for the AGM.
Our discussion is usually lively as everyone has their own opinion about the book which has been read for that month. We meet at St.Luke’s Church Centre on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10.15am until 12.00 noon.
Our meeting in November will be on Thursday, November 8th, when we will be reading “Spot of Bother” by Mark Haddon. We do meet in December, and the book for that month will be “The Talented Mr.Ripley”.
If you are interested in joining this lively group, please contact Jill Pullman.
We are a small and friendly group, and any new members will be warmly welcomed. You don’t have to be an expert, just someone who enjoys drawing and an outing. You can bring any type of pens, paper, pencils or even paint. I am trying to organise some tuition, as none of us are experts. We just enjoy what we do.
Our next trip will be to one of our member’s houses, and will take place on Wednesday, November 21st. We are meeting at the bus station, with the intention of catching the Knaresborough bus at 1.30pm. We don’t meet in December, but we will be off to the Railway Museum in York on January 16, catching the train at 12.05.
For further in formation please get in touch with me.
Jill Pullman