I hope everyone was able to enjoy some nice days in September. Between the wet days we did have a few sunny days and now it has been nice to see the trees changing colour. Many parts of the world have had very bad weather with floods and high winds so although we must expect mixed weather, we can be thankful ours is not too bad.
Now we have had our first Winter lunches this year, and a Ripon lecture, both with a record turnout of members. Following on from the lunches at Ascot House, we realise we have now outgrown the venue. It has become very difficult moving around the dining room and for the servers to deliver the meals. With the difficulty of parking cars and not over running the three-hour time limit, plus the on-going uncertainty of the future of Ascot House, we feel, reluctantly, we cannot continue there.
So, from our January lunch, we will move to The Bridge Hotel at Walshford, on the edge of Wetherby. This will be a trial and we welcome feedback from members. People we have spoken to speak well of the food and menus there. There is a very large room which will be able to cope with our numbers, and a microphone system which will be better to use than our own speaker system. Another advantage is the very large, free car park. The dates for the next 3 lunches are on the booking form. If anyone has transport problems for the venue, do mention it to myself or Helen, as I’m sure between us we can help to overcome that.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our Christmas ‘coffee and cakes’ at Nidd Hall (a few afternoon spaces are still available ) and also on the coach trip to see the decorations at Burton Agnes.
If I don’t manage to see you or speak to you, can I wish all members a very happy Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.