The University of Leeds Ladies' Club

Summer 2026

 From last month's March Newsletter and pertaining to Summer Semester:

Book Group One

A message from Gillie Andrews – ‘A catch-up from Book Group One’

Note from admin: to see the books we have read look in Gallery below Spring Lunch 2026

Perhaps it’s time that Book Group One let you know that it’s still thriving. We meet in the afternoons with much mirth, cake and, yes, we discuss books, some great, some not so great, some challenging, some easier reads.

You’d probably like to know which are these books we’ve chosen to mull over during the past season.

Going back to last August, we read Beryl Bainbridge’s Sweet William; 

in September, Katherine Rundell’s Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne; 

in late October, Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperfield; 

in early December, Penelope Liveley’s Moon Tiger; 

in January, Sarah Moss’s Night Waking; 

in February, Tessa Hadley’s The Party. 

And we’ve just met to joyfully talk about Clare Pooley’s How to Age Disgracefully. We all agreed it’s a ‘must read’ to cheer everyone up in these miserable times.

We promise to keep you up to date from now on!

Book Group Two

Thursday 26^th March 2026

Another lovely gathering to discuss A Month in the Country by J E Carr.  

After an informative and succinct introduction. The ensuing discussion indicated that all we had found this an interesting and beautifully written book which dealt with many meaningful themes and ideas.

Thanks to our hostess for her hospitality and for the wonderful simnel cake. 

We decided on the books for April and May and they are as follows: -

April - The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell 

May - The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

University of Leeds Ladies’ Club

Monthly Newsletter     -    April 2026

Dear Ladies,

I hope that you are keeping well, that you all had an enjoyable Easter holiday despite the weather and are looking forward to the summer, when hopefully we may see some more sunshine and warmth.

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As we enter May we have the following events arranged:

Forthcoming Events

Tuesday 12th May from 10.30am onwards, we have our usual Informal Coffee Morning. 

This will be held in the Library at The Golden Beam on the Otley Road.  The Golden Beam is situated in the former Elinor Lupton building on Otley Road and there is a car park at the rear plus on street parking in the area.  The buses travelling on the Otley Road/Headingley Lane all stop outside. Please note that if using the limited stop X84, do check with the driver that he/she will allow you to alight outside the Golden Beam. 

If you park in the car park, please note that you should register your car number plate at the Bar to avoid any possible parking fines. 

Please note also that the June coffee morning will be held at The Golden Beam on Tuesday 9^th June at 10.30am

We hope as many members as possible will be able to attend.  As this is a drop-in session no payment is required in advance, just pay for what you have on the day.

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Thursday 21st May - "A Celebration of Books and Reading" 

This meeting will be held in the Main Lounge area, at the Headingley Golf Club and NOT in the TV lounge as usual.   Arrive from 1.30pm.  £9 payable on the door, to include refreshments. Tea/coffee, and scone/pastries."

This will be a relaxing and informal event, to show our support for 2026 as the National Year of Reading.  Everyone is invited to bring along a book, to take part in our "Swap A Book for Summer" book swap, with voluntary donations collected in aid of St. Gemma's Hospice.

Please reserve your place by notifying Moira Wallace,  by the end of Thursday 14th May.

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Recent Events:

Spring Lunch – Wednesday 2nd April. 

You can seen Joanne's photos, on this website, which give a very good idea of the happy time we shared together, at our Spring Lunch. We were so fortunate to have a beautiful sunny day, for our event. A real taste of Spring, indeed.

Forty Members, and Guests enjoyed this relaxing occasion, which was held in the Jacobean Suite, at Weetwood Hall.

Judging by the animated conversations around the tables, everyone appreciated this opportunity to get together with friends, and it was agreed that the afternoon had proved a welcome treat"

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News of Members.

Diamond Wedding Congratulations

Congratulations to Mary Lance, and her husband, Chris, who celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in April. 

This very special Anniversary was recognised, not only by family, and friends, but also with a card, sent by King Charles and Queen Camilla. I understand that this was organised by Mary and Chris's children. What a wonderful surprise, and unique keepsake, of your 60 happy years together.

We hope that your celebrations will continue throughout the year, Mary, as we add our warmest wishes to those you have already received. 

From all your friends, and fellow Members in the ULLC. 

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Happily, I have not heard of anyone who is acutely ill at present although I do know of several members with chronic illness and it is to them and to any other members who are il,l or recovering from illness, we send our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

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News from the Groups.

Book Group 2 were scheduled to meet on 30^th April, sadly too late for me to include even a short report in this edition of the newsletter.  However, I do know that they have been reading ‘The Marriage Portrait’ by Maggie O’Farrell during April and I hope that everyone enjoyed the book.

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GARDEN GROUP REPORT JANUARY - APRIL 2026

Apologies to all readers for this late summary of Garden Group meetings held since the start of 2026. I have clearly been losing the plot as far as monthly reports are concerned. I’ve also been losing the (garden) plot which after hours of onslaught by finger and fork is only now emerging from its almost full cover of winter weeds.

We have had a good meeting each month, starting with much New Year optimism. Perhaps this will be the year when we can each celebrate not only another birthday, but also the successful thriving of a nurtured plant or two.

Our discussions have covered a wide range of topics, including the following:

McCain Foods in collaboration with the University of Leeds National Pig Centre is to launch a new Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, which has been the home of McCain’s GB headquarters for 50 years. The aim is to develop a blueprint not only for potato growers

but for different aspects of agriculture. Declining soil health, unpredictable weather, waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and the need for farmers to diversify are all part of the picture.

Gene evidence that plants remember when it’s time to start new spring growth.

British apple orchards need little irrigation, unlike many in hotter, drier zones.

Our forest could benefit from the re-introduction of lynx as research in Germany showed that deer spend less time browsing in areas where they detect predators.

Decline in the number of Yorkshire rhubarb growers, largely due to the increase in heavy rainfall at division and planting time, and again at transference to forcing sheds. Harvesting by candlelight is hardly less arduous.

Stitching the Landscape is a programme supported by a grant from National Trails UK and the work of some 7,000 volunteers. Part of the work involves settling in wool ‘logs’ made of redundant fibre and fabric from local mills to repair blanket bog on Marsden Moor. The aim is to show that clean raw wool in recycled fabric bags works as well as imported coconut coir.

Thanks to so much effort being made by others we can all continue to enjoy oven chips and rhubarb and apple crumble while looking through the window at plants that know when to delight us with their flowers. We can then take a stroll either in the local woodland, or moorland, keeping to the designated paths, of course!

Heather Harrison

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A couple of items which may be of interest to members:

‘Botanically Beautiful’ - Art and Design Inspired by Nature. At Lotherton Hall. On now, until 18 October.

‘Harewood In Bloom’ 2-4 May. A focus on all things Floral, to link in with the current exhibition, by seasonal artist Sarah Verity. "

And finally!

I have had the following request from Tina Irving.

“Starting to clear my house readying it for sale and have found about two dozen jam jars, half of which are Bonne Maman style.  I am not making jam and marmalade anymore so wondered if any University ladies would find them useful.  I could deliver if required.”  

As I am not allowed to publish Tina’s email (Data protection rules!), if you are interested in the jars please let me know by email and I will pass it on to Tina for her to contact you.

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The next newsletter will be sent out on 1^st June.  If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than 28^th May. 

My contact details are in my email.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the newsletter and I hope to see you at some, if not all, of the forthcoming events.  

Carole

Wednesday 1st July - AGM. 11.00am – A date for your diary

Please note the date and earlier time for this event.

Further details and documentation will be distributed nearer the time so do please watch your inbox. 

The next newsletter will be distributed on 1^st May.  If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than 28^th April. 

My contact details are by email. See your email newsletter.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter and I send my best wishes to all for a very Happy Easter.

Carole