Dear All,
I hope 2025 has started well for you despite the snow and ice in January. Christmas and New Year is a long time ago and I do hope you had a good time with family and friends. For me, it was a time to forget as, after three weeks in hospital, I am still trying to recover.
We have had some really good events since the last newsletter. A super coach trip to Burton Agnes – a Historic House so well decorated by the staff and volunteers using traditional hand crafts.
Our usual visit to Nidd Hall Hotel for cakes and coffee was most enjoyable, giving time to chat with friends. Do let us know if you want us to continue with this event – we will have to book soon!
Then, in January, we had our first lunch at the Bridge Hotel as we had outgrown Ascot House. I was not well enough to attend this lunch but was told by everyone how nice the hotel was, with a lot of free parking, great home made food and a sound system that worked! I now look forward to the March lunch and talk.
Due to snow, our November lecture at Holy Trinity had to be postponed, so it was in January we had a superb talk by David Banks on the production of Alum on the Yorkshire coast.
Now we look forward to the long-awaited opening of the Quiet Garden at Fountains, which we have supported, and some early summer events. A coach trip on 22 May to visit Lyme Park offers free entry to National Trust members. The coach costs £22 per person. Please book early so we can fill the coach and cover costs.
We hope to arrange local garden visits during Spring and early summer, using our own cars and the use of car share.
My final point is to ask for everyone to try to obtain new members. We have yet to reach last year’s membership of 150. This will help with the plans for visits, and new members may have new ideas for events and visits.
I wish you all a good spring and summer and I look forward to meeting you all at the various events and visits. – Geoff Bayford.