Events this year

Membership subs are now £40 per year which covers the cost of the venue and guest speakers Meals are now £22 for members and £23 for visitors/guests. 

Please book in advance and let us know any dietary requirements by the Friday before each meeting at the latest. New members are very welcome to join us for one taster session without payment of the subscription fee.  

• 22 February: Melanie King How the British fell in love with  tea, coffee, & chocolate
  
  
• 29 March: Kate Round  The history of Stourbridge glass
  
  
• 26 April: Kath Reynolds Watching with mother. Children’s TV favourites
  
  
• 24 May: Max Keen King Henry V & Agincourt. England’s finest three hours?
  
  
• 28 June: Neil Hurst  Britain had talent. The golden era of music hall
  
  
• 27 September: Andy Street The role of the Mayor of the West Midlands
  
  
• 25 October: Christine Cox MBE Behind the scenes of The Pride of Britain Awards
  
  
• 29 November: Eliza McCelland It’s Christmas party time! Seasonal entertainment and Christmas dinner. Male partners/companions are welcome to join us for this session only.
  
  
• 31 January 2024:  AGM – (Members only )

 

Getting back to normal!

Thankfully, things seem to be starting to get back to normal and spring is just around the corner. That means that our monthly lunches, with informative and entertaining speakers, are back on. Just in case you haven't heard of us before, The Wolverhampton Women's Luncheon Club was started in 1932 for local women to enjoy lunch and have interesting talks on a wide variety of subjects. We meet meet 9 times a year, usually on the last Wednesday of the month, at Linden House, Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton.

There is an annual subscription which is £30, to cover the cost of the speakers. Lunch is currently £18 and lunch is served at 12.45pm although members usually arrive before that time for a chat and a drink. Meetings generally end by 3.30pm. Please do feel free to contact us for more information, or to book your place at our next lunch. New members are always welcome.

Upcoming Events:

• 23 February 2022 - Amanda Bryett- "The Perils and Pleasures of a Blue Badge Tourist Guide"- A look at guiding tourists from around the world through the major London and Windsor tourist sights including the rigorous training required and the tools of the trade.
  
  
• 30 March 2022 - Judith Holder- "The Baby Bloomers Guide to Growing Old" - A light-hearted look at how age is changing, pensioners are living longer and aren't going quietly - laughter all the way.
  
  
• 27 April 2022 - Jo Hampson- "It's a Fair Cop" - A former Chief Superintendent will talk about her career.

• 25 May 2022 - Alan Mason- "It's a Gardener's Life" - A humorous look at Alan's 30 years of gardening from student to TV presenter and garden designer.

• 29 June 2022 - Hugo Vickers- "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee".

• 28 September 2022 -Paula Cornwell- "Mind Your Motor Matters" - Travel back to 1928 with an upbeat interactive talk based on the writing of the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce as she encourages women to "Get behind the wheel".

• 26 October 2022 - To be confirmed.
  
  
• 30 November 2022 - Chris Knight- "I am what I am" - Part of British tradition and no pantomime would be complete without a Panto Dame

• 25 January 2023 - AGM - Members only.

Prospective new members are very welcome to undertake a taster meeting without payment of a subscription - the lunch must be paid for.

Any dietary requirements can be accommodated if notified to the luncheon secretary by the Friday before the meeting.

Men may be invited by members to the November meeting only.

For further information, please do get in touch with us.

Wolcome back!

Finally, after many months of uncertainty, we are pleased to resume our lunches with speakers, as before. We always welcome new members, but request that you contact us beforehand so that we can book you a place. Of course, it will be lovely to welcome back our existing members too. 

29^th September 2021 

Speaker: Antonia Keaney
Subject:  Ladies of Blenheim - an entertaining look at the ladies of Malborough/Churchill family.

29^th October

Speaker: Max Keen
Subject: The English Civil War in our local area. 

24^th November

Speaker: Jeremey Mainwearing Burton
Subject:  The Castle of Mey - a former Equerry to the Queen Mother at Castle Mey
(Guests are invited to this meal)

Jamie Sutherland: Comedian

Photograph © Jamie Sutherland

Although it seemed a little premature, we held our Christmas Lunch on 28^th November. There were many compliments about the festive air as we walked into the dining room: the tables were laid out with a red and green theme with crackers and an evergreen table decoration in the centre, which had been made by Committee members. The candles were lit, crackers were pulled and the party began...

Our honoured guests included the Mayoress and the Deputy Mayor plus some men who enjoyed the once a year privilege of joining their partners for lunch. Simon Bott, proprietor of Linden House, provided some musical entertainment by playing the piano whilst we enjoyed a delicious and traditional Christmas lunch.

Following the meal, we were entertained by Jamie Sutherland, a rising young comedian from Liverpool. He opened by saying how amazed and delighted he was to perform in front of an audience where there was not a single mobile phone, camera or other electronic device in sight! He had noted that his audience had been talking to each other whilst eating, rather than silently glued to some machine.

He quickly had our full attention with amusing jokes and stories with some audience participation. Looking around, he summarised our average age by referring to SAGA which he translated as Some Awake – Some Asleep! He mentioned his working background which has included being a cruise ship entertainer which he really enjoyed. In an endearing way, he joked about his own family and friends, particularly his son who seems to be taking after him. He provided much amusement, leaving his audience clutching their sides from the continuous laughter. It was an excellent way to bring our lunches for 2018 to a happy conclusion at the end of another successful year.

Ken Knowles: Lichfield's Town Crier

Photograph © Ken Knowles

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! With a resounding voice and ringing his bell Ken Knowles, the Lichfield Town Crier, made a dramatic entrance and announced himself as our guest speaker.

Ken was a teacher for 37 years and, after retirement in 2009, he applied for the post and was appointed town crier. He looked resplendent in his uniform with his black tricorn hat, red embroidered jacket and black leggings with silver buttons each side from knee to ankle. His wife, Marilyn, who accompanied him, helped to design and make his costume.

Repeatedly ringing his bell, he made us want to listen to his proclamation...

We learnt that town criers seem to have originated in around 1066, when people would gather in town squares to hear news and proclamations. The word Oyez dates back to Norman times and means listen to this. Ken also told us of the history of Lichfield, which is regarded as a city of philosophers and has the motto Hail Great Mother. Lichfieldians are proud of their most famous resident Dr Samuel Johnson (born in 1709) and the magnificent St Chad's cathedral and the city's many other listed buildings.

Ken acts as sword bearer and Master of Ceremonies at official events and has travelled the world entering, and sometimes winning, town crier competitions. He usually has to compose verses for these events and he concluded his talk with one of his winning entries...it is obviously something he enjoys.

Amongst other stories, he made us laugh when he related the time he posed in full regalia for a local art group. We couldn’t imagine him sitting still for hours without telling stories and entertaining his audience. He is such a character, dedicated to his duties but full of fun, and we much enjoyed his informative, yet light hearted, talk.

The AGM

It was a bright and sunny winter's day for our Annual General Meeting, which marked the 86th year of the club's existence. The WWLC was founded on 27th January 1932 by Mrs Orme and, no doubt, she would have been delighted to know that it's still flourishing.

The first official part of the meeting was quickly dealt with and then it was time for lunch. As this was our first meeting after the Christmas break, we all seemed to have a lot to say to each other and there was a friendly atmosphere throughout the meal.

Following lunch, we were entertained with a medley of songs from the Compton Hospice Choir. Then, to our surprise, the conductor, Mrs. Whiting, head of music at Newbridge Preparatory School, ushered in a choir of prep. school girls who sang beautifully. First, they sang on their own and then joined in with the hospice choir. It was a particular delight, not only to hear their clear, young voices, but also to see the members' smiling faces; the children were loudly applauded as they left the hall.

I then thanked the hospice choir and presented them with a cheque for £400 as Compton Hospice was my chosen charity for my year of office and we had raised funds for them during the year. In turn, I was thanked by the conductor (for our donation) who mentioned that the choir had raised an amazing £2,500 for the hospice over the Christmas period.

It was then time to return to official business and I stepped down after 2 years in office and was presented with chocolates and flowers before installing Val Billings as chairman for 2018. Scilla Hudson also retired from her long held position as treasurer and was thanked for her services and also presented with chocolates and flowers. Jenifer Handley was elected as the new treasurer; all remaining members of the committee were re-elected.

With the end of formalities we are now looking forward to the coming year meeting and greeting both old and new friends.

If you'd like to join us (or know anyone else who might), do take a look at our What's On page for details of forthcoming talks and meetings.

Jonathan Briggs: Mistletoe Matters

Photograph © Jonathan Briggs

There was a feeling of warmth and friendship as 89 members and guests arrived at Linden House for our Christmas lunch. We were welcomed by seasonal music, played on the piano by Simon Bott, the Linden House manager. The hall was seasonally decorated in red and green and there were fresh, evergreen arrangements on the tables, made by committee members. Candles were lit, crackers were pulled and everyone was served a delicious Christmas meal.

 

Feeling replete and mellow after a glass of wine, the audience sat back to listen to the guest speaker, Jonathan Briggs, talking about mistletoe. He was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable expert on the subject and told us about the mysteries of mistletoe, illustrated by a presentation showing its cultivation and harvest. It is found growing widespread in the Midlands, as there are still many apple orchards here.The simplistic shape of the leaves and the white berries have sometimes inspired Art Nouveau artists; Lalique is a good example.

In the past, druids and pagans believed mistletoe to have magical properties involving life and fertility as well as healing powers, hence the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe!Although many viewed it suspiciously, perhaps because the plant grows parasitically upon apple and oak trees, the tradition of bringing mistletoe into the house at Christmas has continued.

Jonathan was thanked for his informative talk as were the Linden House staff for an excellent lunch which was enjoyed by all.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Cameron Addicott: My life as an Undercover Agent

Photograph © Cameron Addicott

We restarted our meetings after the summer break with 75 members present. We all had a lot to talk about and there was much catching up to do over lunch. 

Our speaker this month was Cameron Addicott, who spoke to us about his exciting and sometimes dangerous life as an undercover agent. He told us tales of his former career as a criminal investigator with HM Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency and described how devious criminals have become when motivated by greed. Unsurprisingly, crime has now spread out to smaller towns and villages in order for them to target unsuspecting victims.

The main focus of this talk was on drug dealers and how in these circumstances, the investigators' work is often like cat and mouse: waiting, watching and then pouncing at just the right moment to catch their prey. The dealers have become very clever in trying to disguise the drugs, using different ways of transporting them from where they're grown and doing their best to try outwit the authorities.

We learnt that undercover agents, like Cameron, spend months of intelligence planning using three main methods: interception of all communications including texts, emails and phone calls; surveillance watching suspects from unmarked vehicles and neighbouring buildings and infiltration using informants with access to information. At times we felt we were in the middle of a TV thriller, as much of what he said reminded us of programmes we have watched. It's certainly reassuring to know that there are people like him who are endeavouring to keep the public safe.

Cameron left SOCA in 2008 and has written several books on the subject of crime. He is currently working on two others and also acts as a consultant or on-screen expert on various crime-based TV programmes.

All of our members were intrigued by his stories and an interesting time was had by all.

Alison Snowdon: Life on the Auction Floor

Photograph © Alison Snowdon

It was a cold, damp, mid-summer's day when we lunched at Linden House on 28^th June, but it was lovely to meet up with friends again. There were 63 members and 6 guests present; we were pleased to have so many as sometimes, at this time of the year, people are away on holiday.

Our speaker was auctioneer and valuer, Alison Snowdon, who told us about her life on the auction floor. Alison first became interested in antiques as a child when she lived in London and often visited museums and art galleries as her interest grew. She is now based at a small, local salesroom in Stourbridge and is passionate about her work.

Her enthusiasm showed as she shared her stories about some of her finds. It was rather like having our own Antiques Road Show as she explained how fashions change, which inevitably alters the value of certain items; Lalique glassware, Rolex watches and certain toys in their original boxes still hold their value, yet Royal Doulton figurines, Imari-ware and solid wooden brown furniture are currently worth very little.  Lowry paintings are renowned for their fakery but if there is provenance which can be proven, their value obviously rises - a small Lowry sketch in a note book recently sold for £26,000.

Alison told of the excitement in the auction room before a sale as no one really knows how the punters will bid. Of course, the internet has changed things dramatically, as people now have instant access to information and online bidding.

We were all interested to hear how many items have been bought cheaply at car boot sales and then found to be worth far more once they have been cleaned up. Alison's best finds were two sauce boats, made in 1746 (pictured above), which were found in the back of a cabinet covered in dust and dirt and fetched £34,000 at auction. She was thrilled with these and so were we, as we shared her enthusiasm. We all vowed that we would look in our attics, cupboards and drawers as we must have something of value hidden somewhere!

Julie Peasgood: From the RSC to Birds Eye Peas

Photograph © Julie Peasgood

This month saw four new members joining us, bringing the total membership to 103. After lunch, we enjoyed a rather brief - but nonetheless entertaining - talk by actress Julie Peasgood. Even if you don't recognise her name, you'd recognise her face and voice from numerous TV shows and voiceovers...

"Julie Peasgood is a versatile actress, TV presenter and journalist, with a career spanning 40 years of prestigious theatre and television. She spent five years with The Royal Shakespeare Company and her numerous TV credits include Casualty, Taggart, Doctors, September Song, First Born and Holby City, but she is probably best known for her roles in Brookside, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Good Turn Productions, (owned by Julie) is now producing the fourth series of Crafty Beggars In The House! on Community Channel, which Julie co-presents, and she has regular bi-monthly show on Create & Craft TV (on Tuesdays at 1pm)." 

Julie spoke about her childhood ambition to be on the stage and told us how she had loved dressing up and pretending to be different characters. She also showed us photos of her dressed in different costumes, which reminded many of us of our own children and grandchildren.

Gradually, as her career took off, she became well known actress, starring in the aforementioned programmes as well as doing voice overs for various advertisements, including one for Birds Eye peas. The talk finished with us putting our forefingers into our mouths and trying to make the sound of the peas going pop, as in the advert. As you can imagine, we all had a fit of the giggles!

Tricia Stewart: A Calendar Girl’s Story

We have just launched our brand new blog, which we hope will keep you up-to-date with all of our events and give you a taste of the range of speakers who we invite along to the Wolverhampton Women's Luncheon Club.

Our speaker in February was Tricia Stewart who entertained us with her story of the alternative Women's Institute calendar. You may have seen the film, Calendar Girls, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, which was based on the making of the calendar.

Tricia joined the Rylstone and District WI in 1985 and became friends with Angela Baker whose husband was later diagnosed with non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Sadly he died at the age of 54, so the women decided to launch a calendar to raise funds for research into blood-related cancers, in his memory.

She had us in fits of laughter when she described how they all reacted when they realised they would actually have to bare all and take off their clothes to be photographed! She also spoke of the many famous film stars and important people they have subsequently met. Little did they know that the story would become so well known, that they would be portrayed on both stage and screen. To date, they have raised £3.5 million for charity.

Her amusing, yet poignant talk was inspirational and enjoyed by all.