Scottish Arts Group
The Scottish Arts Group is for all members with an interest in Scottish history, folklore, literature, architecture, music, natural history, science and arts.
Group meetings take place on Saturday evenings at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Grove Road, Millhouses, Sheffield. The hall is open from 7.00 pm and meetings start at 7.30 pm, finishing at around 10.00 pm. All members of the Society are welcome.
Contributions towards supper are always welcome and are pooled, e.g. sandwiches, cakes, scones etc. There is a small charge per person of £3, payable on the night.
Convenor: Mrs Julia MacNamara 0114 266 4585
On Saturday October 14th nearly 40 members attended the ARTS GROUP and thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating presentation by Lesley Bilby on ‘Hardwick’s Lost Princess’: A totally absorbing story of Arbella Stuart. Lesley proved to be an excellent speaker. We ended with an outstanding tea when The Usual Suspects did a wonderful job for us, as they always do. An outstanding event for the Caledonian Society of Sheffield.
Arts Group – 11th November 2017
In recognition of Armistice Day, our Group began the evening with a minute’s solemn silence. The past Lord Mayor of the City of Sheffield, Sylvia Dunkley, then gave us a fascinating and very well illustrated talk on the decorative architecture of Sheffield which we all thoroughly enjoyed. We were given an insight into many treasures and hidden details which we pass by daily, unaware of their existence. We will now be more observant, better informed and appreciative of our built environment. Helen Clark and Sheila Dunstan delivered highly appreciative votes of thanks. We then went on to enjoy a most superb supper. The Usual Suspects cleared up after us in their customary helpful and efficient manner, then melted silently into the night, leaving everything in apple pie order.
Arts Group - December 2nd 2018
Our faithful members enjoyed a lovely friendly relaxed evening in the company of the outstanding speaker Steve Drinkall. Steve is a magical speaker – knowledgeable and passionate about his beloved subject – wildlife. He delighted us with an enthralling range of anecdotes and quite breathtaking photos all liberally sprinkled with hilarious quips. I defy anyone to produce more captivating photos of creatures great and small. He brought a range of his cards with him to sell. There was a relentless demand from his audience for these unique gifts. He mentioned in passing that he thinks nothing of standing half a day, motionless, camera ready, waiting for a photo. Only to be left with nothing! We learned about a ‘Yaffle’ a’ Murmur’ ,Daylight Bats and Pike-swallowing Bitterns and, above all, the beautiful area in which we live, so rich in wildlife.
Steve gave us invaluable tips on how to attract exotic birds right into our gardens. The evening ended with a delicious slap-up tea and a hardworking team cleared away. We all left feeling thoroughly uplifted having enjoyed and excellent evening in each other’s company.
Arts Group New Year Party 2018
Sixty-four members and guests packed into Holy Trinity Church Hall to enjoy a truly outstanding Arts Group New Year Party. We came to enjoy ourselves, and enjoy ourselves we did. We began in great style with a fine marched entry by our Hon Piper Tony Hindley. Tony sounded great and looked outstanding. We simply could not have had a better start. President Willy Coupar up next with some rattlin’ roarin’ songs; Enchanting duet by Alan Sandland and John ‘Super’ Cooper. Great fun Robert Beard said his pieces. Margaret Fall as always, the most rambunctious fun- President Willy was mercilessly conscripted as ‘Oor Wullie’ Popular sing-alongs; songs; Quizzes; Raffles; Good Prizes; and a magnificent meal ensured the Arts Group has started 2018 in fine style. Hard-working MC Chris Beardsell somehow held it all together and an extremely hard–working team of our ladies in the kitchen somehow made it all work: Thank You Girls! Thank you everyone!
Oor Wullie
PROGRAMME OF SPEAKERS
2018- 2019
13th October
Two 19th century Scottish travellers but worlds apart Terry and Julia MacNamara
3rd November
Armistice Centenary Commemoration Colonel Geoffrey Norton
1st December
James VI &I : not so foolish after all - the Stuarts revisited Lesley Bilby
2019
12th January New Year Party
"A Taste of Scotland"
Meal and Entertainment
2nd February
A history of the Botanical Gardens Alison Hunter
9th March
The true story of Burke and Hare Christopher Dorries OBE
ARTS GROUP October 13th 2018
Last night was the first meeting of the new season. All friends, both old and new met up. It was a great evening. Everyone was there for the same reason – to enjoy a right good evening. And we did – we all set off exactly where we left off. As though we had never been away. Just as it should be. And set off we did, from Balmoral to Sicily and from Fraserburgh to Nagasaki.
We were reminded yet again of the amazing adventures of the Scottish diaspora and the immeasurable contributions our ancestors made to the development of entire nations. A raffle with good prizes. A good quiz with outstanding results and a good prize. Then we settled down to an absolutely superb slap-up tea. Thank you ! The Usual Suspects worked tirelessly and left everything in absolutely
apple-pie order. Thank you !
NEXT MEETING; 3 NOVEMBER; COLONELGEOFFREY NORTON.
Col. Norton is a renowned speaker. We are privileged to welcome him.
