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.
Our wonderfully generous members have donated a truly magnificent total of £162 to the
Scottish military charity poppyScotland.
The excellent charity provides vital support to military personnel who are in need. This is in fulfilment of our debt to them for their service.
Many thanks to all who donated. This photo shows one part of the Lady Haig factory in Edinburgh.
Poppy Scotland
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
Arts Group – February 2018
On a dreich February evening, Past President Sheila Dunstan delivered an absolutely riveting presentation on the Great Tapestry of Scotland to nearly forty members. A presentation packed with totally absorbing facts and information. All superbly prepared and presented. Past President Anne Mould gave the Vote of Thanks, perceptively observing that the Great Tapestry almost replicated the experiences we so enjoyed on Margaret’s Holidays. There followed thunderous appreciative applause. Then on to an absolutely superb extensive tea. Eventually The Usual Suspects were able to clear and tidy away. It had been a big evening, and these girls must have been tired, but they worked with their usual quiet efficiency and good humour.
Arts Group - March 2018
Glinis Denial gave us a very interesting talk about well dressing in Derbyshire. She took us through the process of preparing the clay in the frame – different in differing villages. She described how the pattern was pricked out and the build up of the picture. Not all were religious and there were some delightful frames of children’s stories and characters. There were also smaller boards done by children. This was an excellent and well illustrated talk about a long standing tradition in our surrounding area.
Sheila Dunstan
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