Who would have thought that an evening presented as a “Show and Tell” could have turned out to be a fascinating and enlightening meeting? Members had been asked to bring along an item which meant something special to them or which represented part of their lives.
The idea was that old and new members would have the chance to talk about themselves whilst introducing each other to the group. Members new and old rose to the challenge and we were treated to an entertaining series of talks.
Two members had qualified as solicitors and one spoke about the male-dominated profession as it was years ago posing in their gown. A member originally from Lancashire talked about her idyllic childhood growing up on the moors and being taught to read by her grandfather using the local newspaper. Her special item was a shuttle from the last mill to close given to her when she left the North to move down to London.
Another member had worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital and was involved with the hospital radio. She had photos of various famous celebrities who had visited back in the day. Various other members talked about a love of poppies, a vase belonging to parents and a childhood book. One member took a different slant on the brief and brought a bag of delights portraying all her favourite things: pictures of family, Reading, writing letters, gardening, sewing, colouring, blue and white china and all things Canadian!
Members talked about their different careers and the changes in their lives. Someone took up teaching in Hackney because it came with a flat and planned to stay for three months. Thirty years later they were still teaching but had now decided on a new career as a documentary photographer with some successful outcomes. One member brought in a gold half sovereign which had been given to an aunt when she emigrated to Australia many years ago in case she needed funds to return home but it was never used! A former teaching assistant at Wickhambrook Primary School had been given a a painting of the school building made up entirely of the children’s finger prints when she finally retired.
All in all the the evening proved to be a revelation in regards to the varied and fascinating lives of some of our members.