The University of Leeds Ladies' Club
Christmas 2025
University of Leeds Ladies’ Club
Monthly Newsletter - December 2025
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to the December edition of the monthly newsletter, the last of 2025. We hope that you all had an enjoyable Christmas and that you are keeping well and looking forward to the New Year. I start this newsletter with news of forthcoming events and some dates for your diary.
Forthcoming Events
‘Drop-In’ Coffee Mornings
The committee has managed to secure further bookings at The Golden Beam in Headingley Lane. It is a Wetherspoons pub, which serves hot and cold drinks and meals all day. We have reserved the use of the ‘Library’ and this will be held for us on the second Tuesday of each month until further notice.
The dates are as follows: -
Tuesday 13th January
Tuesday 10th February
Tuesday 10th March
Tuesday 14th April
Tuesday 12th May
Tuesday 9th June
Tuesday 14th July
Tuesday 11th August
Tuesday 8th September
Tuesday 13th October
Tuesday 10th November
Tuesday 8th December
There is parking on site, and in the adjacent roads, plus the buses along Headingley Lane/Otley Road all stop outside.
As this is a ‘drop-in’ session there is no need to book in advance but we hope as many members as possible will be able to attend. If you would like more details please don’t hesitate to get in touch with President Judith or the Club Secretary, Moira Wallace.
Spring Term Events
A number of events and meetings for the Spring term have been arranged. Information on the first event, to be held on Thursday 15th January, has been circulated as follows:
The University of Leeds Ladies' Club invites all Members and Guests to a talk by Alun Pugh entitled:
"A Journey Along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal... a poor man's Michael Palin".
To be held in the TV Lounge at The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW.
On Thursday 15th January at 1.30pm, for 2.00pm.
£8.00 per person, payable on the door. To include tea/coffee and pastries/scones.
Alun Pugh, is a retired Leeds Teacher, Leeds City Tour Guide and Speaker, and Chairman of the Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery. He promises to deliver an interesting, and entertaining talk to us.
Bookings should be made with Mrs. Moira Wallace, refer to your email for her email address.
Members are asked to please note that for catering purposes, attendance must be booked no later than Sunday 11th January.
Details of future events during the Spring term will be sent out in due course but for your information, and as a date for your diary, it is hoped to arrange two further events before Easter. Both events will be held at Headingley Golf Club as before.
The proposed dates are Wednesday 25th February and Tuesday 31st March so do watch your inbox for full details and how to book a place.
Further details will be sent out as dates and timings are finalised. Watch this space!
News of Members
2025 has been a year of very mixed news about members.
A number of members, or their families, have suffered serious illness through the year. I know that we have several members with long term health issues and to them we send all our best wishes for better health in the future.
To those still undergoing treatment, we send our very best wishes and hope that the new year brings better times.
New Members
On a happier note, I am delighted to report that we have gained several new members this year. To all our new members we send a very warm welcome and we look forward to seeing you at events in the New Year.
Website
I am not sure if all our members are aware of the ULLC website, which gives details of all our forthcoming events, has a splendid archive from past events, and includes items of interest from members.
www.universityofleedsladiesclub.co.uk
The website is administered by Joanne Fox, a long-standing member of the Club, whose expertise in, and knowledge of, the technicalities involved in maintaining a website is exceptional.
To Joanne we send our sincere thanks for all your hard work. We really couldn’t do it without you and the committee, and all the members, are very grateful for all you do on our behalf.
(Thanks Carole and committee. It's a fraction of your contribution.)
News of Groups
BOOK GROUP II
Book Group II did not meet in December because of the Christmas holidays but we plan to meet again at the end of January when members of the group will discuss their own favourite poems.
Our thanks go to Christine Roy, for convening the group all year. She works tirelessly for us, organising the meetings, purchasing the books on our behalf and generally keeping us all up to date with what is happening within the group. It is very much appreciated by all involved.
GARDEN GROUP REPORT OCT, NOV, DEC 2025
Our meetings in October and November gave us the opportunity to consider a number of different issues, including our love/hate relationship with weeds. Nettles have a strong association with people, who may hate them for their ability to sting if touched, but which also have culinary, rope and cloth making, and wool dyeing applications. They are also an important food plant for butterflies. The ‘railway weed’ of my childhood, rosebay willowherb, introduced from America more than a century ago as a garden plant, is also very attractive to insects. It is now less desirable to us in the herbaceous border being able to thrive anywhere at will. A saving grace is that it is the main food plant for the Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar.
We also shared our love/hate relationship with some of the wildlife in our gardens. Foxes are making it ever more challenging for me to grow vegetables. Investigative digging, rooting around, chewing through cane supports, netting and cloches, and the giddy larking about of cubs are almost constant activities, day and night. Jill Dilks also has deer visiting and reports that they find her roses particularly delicious.
We were interested to read about an exhibition, now closed, at Leeds Central Library - ‘Unearthed: The Power of Gardening’. On display were a number of antique books on the subject of how to grow and use plants, some with beautiful illustrations. The exhibition was one of over 80 public library displays running alongside a summer exhibition at the British Library.
We also read a report about the University of Leeds Farm which with 9 European farms hopes to reduce its carbon footprint by 55 per cent over the next 5 years. It is hoped that studying such issues as animal feed, cropping systems, carbon capture by hedgerows, and use of manure will enable the university to give evidence-based advice to farmers in the UK.
Our December meeting was an afternoon tea, generously hosted by Janet and Barry Herbert, their daughter, Kathryn, being a most attentive waitress. Everyone contributed to the delicious variety of savouries and cakes; crackers were pulled and jokes read out.
It was a delightful conclusion to the calendar year. A restful afternoon for weary gardeners, and those wearied by the thought of gardening. Many thanks once again to Janet and Barry.
And finally -
I hope you have enjoyed reading this and all the other newsletters through the year. As you know I can only include news and other items that are sent into me for publication so please do keep sending in anything you think may be of interest to other members.
The next newsletter will be sent out on, or about, 31st January 2026. Please let me have any items for inclusion by 28th January 2026.
So now, as we come to the end of 2025, on behalf of President Judith and all the committee, we send all our good wishes to all our members for a very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.
Carole
Christmas Letter from President Judith:
Dear Ladies,
Autumn 2025
September outing to Harewood House
(Report on this in the October Newsletter)
Message from our President, Mrs. Judith Partridge:
ULLC Newsletter
Book Club 1
Christmas lunch, prior to a discussion of Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively.
Monthly Newsletter - November 2025
Welcome to the November edition of the monthly newsletter, which I hope you will enjoy reading, and my apologies for the delay in distribution. I have been away for a few days and have only just got back into the swing of things.
Christmas Lunch
A reminder that the Christmas Lunch will be held on Thursday 11th December, at the Headingley Golf Club, as advertised earlier in the month.
The response has been very good and we look forward to seeing you all on the day. Unfortunately, President Judith is unable to attend the lunch as she has to attend a family funeral on that day. We send our sincere condolences to her and all her family.
‘Drop-In’ Coffee Mornings
Just to remind you that the last ‘drop-in’ coffee morning of 2025 will take place next Tuesday (9th December) at 10.30am at the Golden Beam in Headingley as before.
It is planned that the Coffee Mornings at the Golden Beam will continue to be held on the second Tuesday of each month throughout 2026 and therefore the first meeting of 2026 will take place on Tuesday13th January 2026.at 10.30am.
Forthcoming Events
The committee is in the process of organising a programme of events for the Spring. Flyers for the events together with booking forms will be sent out in due course.
As mentioned previously, the Coffee mornings are to continue on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and reminders of the dates will be in each month’s newsletter.
News of Members
I have not been informed of any new illnesses amongst members and I hope that this is the case. To all our members, or any of their families, who are suffering ill health in any way we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
November Events
Talk on the History of Puddings. Held at Headingley Golf Club on Thursday 6th November. (See October Newsletter)
36 members and guests enjoyed a most interesting and entertaining talk by Robert Gee which also included a free raffle of – you guessed it - Puddings! There was quite a selection of savoury and sweet puddings in the raffle which I hope were enjoyed by all the winners.
Subscription
Just another gentle reminder that, if you have not yet paid your subscription, the closing date for renewal of membership is 31st December.
The subscription amount has been retained at £10 for this year and we ask that, if you can, you pay by bank transfer, BACS, to the Ladies’ Club account at Lloyds Bank as follows
It would be very helpful if you could let Margaret Bradbury know if you have paid by BACS.
Due to the newly instigated charges on the Club account at the Bank, when paying in cheques, we ask that, preferably, you do not try to pay by this method. If you are unable to pay by BACS and prefer to pay in cash you may do so at any other of the club meetings, when Margaret Bradbury will be delighted to accept your subscription and give you a receipt for your payment.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. The next newsletter will be sent out on 31st December or very soon thereafter.
If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than December 28th.
Take care, keep safe and well, and may I take this opportunity to send Seasons Greetings to you all. I hope you all have a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.
Carole
Monthly Newsletter - October 2025
Welcome to the October edition of the monthly newsletter, which I hope you will enjoy reading.
Subscription
Just another gentle reminder that a subscription £10 is due by the end of December and, if you have not yet paid your subscription, Margaret Bradbury, the Membership Secretary, would be pleased to receive your payment.
You can pay by bank transfer, BACS, to the Ladies’ Club account at Lloyds Bank, see newsletter.
It would be very helpful if you could let Margaret Bradbury know if you have paid by BACS.
The Club Treasurer, Angie Robinson has asked me to emphasise that, owing to the new regulations at the bank, payment if no longer possible by cheque. However, it is still possible to pay in cash to Margaret Bradbury at any of the Club events.
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Reminder of Forthcoming Events
Talk on ‘The History of Puddings’ by Robert Gee
See September newsletter.
This is just to remind members that this talk will take place at 2pm on Thursday 6th November at the Headingley Golf Club. The cost is £7 (payable on the door) to include refreshments (including a hot pudding with cream or custard).
A Flyer for the talk was sent out several days ago with a closing date which has now passed, and the response has been very good. The speaker, Robert Gee, is known to many of the members and the afternoon promises to be an interesting and entertaining one.
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Christmas Lunch
- Roast Turkey with all the Trimmings
or
- Poached Salmon with Herb Butter
or
C. Sweet Potato Roulade
all served with Seasonal Vegetables and Roast Potatoes
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- Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce
or
- Lemon Cotta Tart with Cream
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Coffee or Tea and Mince Pies
Christmas Lunch which will be held on Thursday 11th December, A copy of the Flyer and Booking Form has been emailed to you. This is always a very popular event in the Club’s calendar so, if you are planning to attend, early booking is recommended. Details of where and how to pay will be on the Flyer.
Future Events
Your committee are currently in the process of organising several events for the Spring term, in addition to the regular monthly coffee mornings. More details will be circulated in due course so…Watch This Space!
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President Judith has asked me to send the following report of the meeting on Thursday 9th October.
Our first meeting of the 2025-2026 session took place on a beautifully sunny Autumn afternoon. 34 Members and Guests enjoyed the opportunity to socialise, before listening to our Guest Speaker, Chris Madeley, Author of the Cones series of children's books"
This wonderful series of children’s books cover a wide range of topics in the construction industry, energy, and transport sectors, bringing these exciting projects to life, for children of Primary school age. Based in Leeds, local partners have included the Headingley Stadium and Leeds Children’s Hospital, and outside the region, extends to the new Everton Football Stadium, and the electrification of the TransPennine route. The titles are carefully researched, and beautifully illustrated, and Chris’s obvious passion for the work she does, provides the audience with an opportunity to enjoy a most informative, and entertaining presentation.
Congratulations were offered to Chris, for her inspiring work. We hope she will keep in touch with us, as she continues to expand her reach with exciting new projects."
A full report of the meeting can be found in the September newsletter and our thanks go to Jeanne Pritchard for her most interesting response to the event.
NB: Since the meeting took place, we have heard that Chris has received a national award for her books, especially the book on ‘Homes’. We send many congratulations to her on her success.
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I have received the following report of our first event of the Autumn season from Jean Williams.
Autumn Social – Tuesday 2nd September.
See picture at the top of this page
This year Harewood House was the venue for the autumn social – with the bonus of a visit to the Austen/Turner exhibition on the State Floor.
So, on one of those lovely last days of summer, some fifteen of us gathered for coffee and a chat at 10.30 in the Courtyard. For some the visit was a bit of trip down Memory Lane – with recollections of bringing children (and grandchildren) to have fun in the playground and to inspect the birds. (Sadly, for economic reasons the bird garden closed in February 2022, with the birds being re-homed and the penguins now apparently happy in Cornwall. The playground is still there but has now been sympathetically redeveloped as part of the large-scale ‘Reimagining our Landscape’ which aims to restore the landscape to its 18th century glory)
There was no fixed programme for the day – with members able to visit the house, the terrace gardens, All Saints’ Church (the alabaster effigies are stunning) and have lunch as and when they wished. The shuttle bus and friendly volunteer guides were generally on hand to assist! Unfortunately, the ferry was not running so a visit the Walled Garden and Stupa would have to wait until another time.
The ‘main event’ was the Harewood House/University of York exhibition which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the births of Jane Austen and JMW Turner. It examines their parallel lives, particularly within the context of the country house. Highlights of the exhibition include early Turner watercolours (and the very paintbox he used when he was painting Harewood) and the original manuscript of Austen’s unfinished novel ‘Sanditon’. (The exhibition continues until Sunday 19th October)
Many thanks to Judith for organising the visit. The consensus seemed to be that it had been a very enjoyable, relaxed and friendly day out – and a good start to the year.
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News of Members
Sheilagh Ogden tells me that she has at last been able to have her hip replacement operation after much delay and that she is recovering well. She is currently staying with her family, in Nottinghamshire, whilst she recuperates. She is sorry to have missed all the Autumn events and sends her best wishes to everyone.
Jane Buckler had a knee operation on 24 October. We hope she is progressing well and wish her a very speedy recovery.
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I have received an interesting item from Gillian Roche about a lady who, although never a member of the Club, was well known in the University environs.
Gillian Roche writes:
Passing the Oxfam bookshop in Headingley recently I spotted in the window a copy of Vanessa Rosenthal’s biography Inside Out: a Life in Stages (she had been an actress and playwright).
The name may be unfamiliar to you but, as I had found out from Carole Tabbron a couple of years ago, she had been the wife of Jim Walsh, who had been University Deputy Registrar from 1971 and then Registrar from 1979-1992. We had intended to invite her to talk to the Club but sadly she died in 2022.
As I suspected the book does feature the Club, but in a rather negative way:
” I never joined the university wives, or the university ladies club, but found my own place and style in which to support [Jim].”
However, one of our late members, not named, is even quoted:
“… the professor of dentistry’s wife, who was a Norwegian, lamented the passing of standards in the university in a doleful sing-song voice. ‘When I came to this university all the ladies wore white gloves up to their elbows if the Princess Royal, our chancellor, was visiting. We lined up on the Parkinson steps and curtsied low as her car drew up.’ ”
Some of you will remember the lady in question and indeed the time when hats and gloves were worn, even on less formal occasions.
Editor: If any of you recall Vanessa perhaps you could please let us know.
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News of Groups
Book Group 2 met on Thursday 30th October 2025 and I have received this note from Christine Roy
The October book was Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift and many thanks go to Jennifer for her interesting and insightful introduction.
The group met at Candy's and thanks go to her too for her warm hospitality…and the pre-Christmas treats of mince pies and stollen.
Apologies from Anne who had passed on her comments that she had enjoyed the book, especially the second half.
I gave apologies for no longer being able to host the Christmas buffet due to an unexpected Christmas trip to the US.
The November book will be the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith which will be introduced by Carole.
Christine Roy
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And Finally…
I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. The next newsletter will be sent out on 1st December. If you have any items for inclusion, please let me have them by November 28th.
My contact details are in your email.
Take care and keep safe
Carole
Monthly Newsletter - September 2025
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to the September edition of the monthly newsletter which I hope you will enjoy reading.
HRH The Duchess of Kent
It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent death of HRH the Duchess of Kent at the age of 92.
Her Royal Highness was the fifth and longest serving Chancellor of the University of Leeds from 1966 – 1999 and during her Chancellorship she spent several years as Patron of the University of Leeds Ladies’ Club. In addition, from 1975. she was Patron of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, ‘The Friends’ of which a number of members of the Ladies’ Club are also members.
She was a much loved and highly respected Chancellor of the University and for those of us who had the privilege of seeing her at various events on the campus, and in Leeds, and of meeting her in person, however briefly, her death has cast a shadow.
The members of the University of Leeds Ladies’ Club send their sincere condolences to HRH the Duke of Kent, and to all the Kent family, in the loss of such a charming and most gracious lady.
Subscription
As we are starting a new academic session and therefore a new year for the Ladies’ Club, I have to inform all members that subscriptions are now due.
The subscription this year will be £10, as before, to cover the administrative costs of the Club.
The Club Treasurer, Angie Robinson, has asked me to let you know you can pay by bank transfer, BACS, to the Ladies’ Club account at Lloyds Bank - in the name of ‘The University of Leeds Ladies’ Club’
It would be very helpful if you could let the Membership Secretary, Margaret Bradbury, know if you have paid by BACS. by email
Because of the changes to the level of banking charges at Lloyds Bank, Angie has requested that you do not arrange to pay by cheque.
However, if you prefer not to pay by Bank Transfer, you may pay in cash to Margaret Bradbury at any of the regular Club meetings, including the monthly coffee mornings at The Golden Beam. For further details please contact Margaret or any other member of the committee.
Forthcoming Events:
‘Drop-In’ Coffee Morning
Tuesday 14th October at 10.30am onwards at the Golden Beam restaurant on the Otley Road in Headingley.
As usual, this will be a ‘drop-in’ session for which there is no charge. Coffee/Tea and other drinks are available to purchase and for those who wish to stay on and have lunch afterwards this also can be purchased, again at own cost.
For those who do not know the Golden Beam, it is a very friendly and welcoming Pub/Restaurant. There is free parking with a couple of blue badge spaces and all the buses up Headingley Lane stop outside (except the X84 to Otley and Ilkley which is a limited stop service and does not drop off until West Park). .
Thursday 9th October – Talk
The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW.
1.30pm for Talk at 2pm.
by Chris Madeley, author of The Cones Series of Books For Children.
This wonderful series of children’s books cover a wide range of topics in the construction industry, energy, and transport sectors, bringing these exciting projects to life, for children of Primary school age. Based in Leeds, local partners have included the Headingley Stadium and Leeds Children’s Hospital, and outside the region, extends to the new Everton Football Stadium, and the electrification of the Transpennine route. The titles are carefully researched, and beautifully illustrated, and Chris’s obvious passion for the work she does, provides the audience with an opportunity to enjoy a most informative, and entertaining presentation.
Report by Jeanne de Melo: "Our first meeting for the year was a talk by Chris Madeley on her children's books on Cones. Chris was a lively and enthusiastic speaker, but someone should have warned us we were in for a mammoth ride! 26 books in all, film rights for one and possibly another and still going.
The University Of Leeds Ladies’ Club
Invites all members and guests to a talk by Robert Gee (above) entitled
‘A History of Puddings’
To be held in the TV Lounge at
The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW
on
Thursday 6th November 2025at 1.30pm for 2.00pm
£7.00 cash per person payable on the door to include refreshments
Tea / coffee & a hot pudding with custard / cream
Bookings should be made with Mrs Moira Wallace.
(Please note that for catering purposes, attendance must be booked no later than
Wednesday 29th October)
Christmas Lunch
Thursday 11th December 12.30pm for lunch at 1.00pm
The annual Christmas Lunch will be held at the
Headingley Golf Club
on
Thursday 11th December at 12.30pm for lunch at 1.00pm,
Back Church Lane, Adel LS16 8DW
The cost will be £25 for a two-course lunch followed by tea or coffee and mince pies.
Flyers for booking will follow shortly.
News of Members
Jeanne Pritchard has sent me the following report of a visit to the ‘Wild Uplands as part of the current Bradford City of Culture Programme.
She writes….
Here's an idea for a fair-weather day. ' Wild Uplands' is part of The Bradford City of Culture Art programme. It is on till Oct 12th near Haworth at Penistone Park and it's free. Haworth is nearby for cafes and at least 2 Pubs for coffee and or lunch.
We recently spent the afternoon walking in the hills and moorlands enjoying these Art installations in the amazing Yorkshire countryside. Make sure you have a windproof jacket as it gets quite breezy out there on the moors. Takes about an hour to get round comfortably and there is plenty of parking available.
Jeanne sent me some photographs for inclusion but unfortunately, I have not been able to reproduce them in the newsletter but details of the programme are available on the Bradford City of Culture website at https://bradford2025.co.uk/programme/wild-uplands/
PS The Turner Prize finalists are exhibiting at the Cartwright Hall. I highly recommend. Free but book. There is a cafe. (Admin.)
News of Groups
Book Group 2 - September 2025
Book Group 2 met on 25th September. They discussed John Steinbeck’s book East of Eden. Numbers were somewhat depleted due to holidays and various medical and other appointments but the members enjoyed an interesting discussion about the merits, and demerits, of the book. Thanks go to Jean for her hospitality.
The book for October is Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift.
Garden Group - August &September 2025
August.
Those of us not undertaking the challenges of high season holidays in August shared a meeting indoors, the overcast world of a suburban garden in Leeds being somewhat uninviting. We spent several happy hours together exchanging reports on any summer growing successes we had enjoyed. As is often the case we wandered down unplanned routes to talk about a variety of garden related issues. It was surprising to discover that only one of us had come across the red lily beetle
and witnessed its dire effect on the plants from which it takes its name. Although no live specimen was to hand, laptop and iPhones were. Having looked at some images of this bright red beetle all would-be exterminators are now on the lookout.
September.
Golden Acre Park was our venue in September, and happily the weather was favourable for taking a circuitous route to the outdoor cafe for refreshments. It was clear that in many areas