With the holiday closure at the Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Street, in August, there was no meeting of the Saturday Morning Group. This recess made a very welcome gathering of members the following month, but no one could have prepared us for the speaker at our September meeting. Brenda Dawe is a remarkable person, having been treated for breast cancer she decided to raise funds for cancer charities and so commenced the subject for her talk, ‘A Drive of her Life’. Brenda planned to drive a J.C.B. from John O’Groats to Lands End, having never driven anything larger than the family car. Writing to several haulage companies asking for assistance and being refused the loan of a J.C.B., Brenda persevered and wrote to Ed. Balls of Matlock, Derbyshire. He agreed to sponsor her as his mother had also suffered from cancer and even purchased a new J.C.B. for Brenda to train in. After finally completing her training Ed. transported another new J.C.B. to John O’Groats for Brenda - he also paid the insurance and fuel costs - so started this epic fundraising journey. Having previously contacted the ASDA shopping stores of her plans Brenda, her husband Nigel and support team were warmly welcomed at the individual stores and other venues along the route. With a speed limit of 20 mph. Brenda finally reached Lands End having driven 1307 miles and collected £25,000., a remarkable achievement.

Entertainment at the October meeting was provided by John and Anne Cox with Kate Bramley, members of the Dickens Fellowship, Nottingham Branch. The players gave realistic interpretations from the Dickens era, relating stories through their well performed readings, with recitals from the novels by Charles Dickens, (David Copperfield, Martin Chuzzlewitt, Oliver Twist and Pickwick Papers). The performance was well received by members.

An outing on Saturday, 1st December is planned to Shugborough. This historic estate is home to the Earls of Lichfield. A full day’s itinerary is organised including a traditional Christmas lunch.

Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, on the second Saturday of each month. Coffee is served at 10.00 am and the meeting commences at 10.30 am followed by a guest speaker.

For further information on any of the above email Chairman Aileen Wright at ladies.saturdaygroup@tiscali.co.uk