SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY
WOMEN’S CLUB
NEWSLETTER No. 49
January 2017
www.sheffield.ac.uk/suwc
Lady Mary Wortley Montague
1
Dear Members and Friends,
Welcome to 2017 and a new programme of events taking us through
to the spring and summer and featuring local history, conservation
and scientific research. We have visits to the village of Wortley
where we’ll be hearing about the history of the family who owned
the local stately home, including the remarkable writer and smallpox
campaigner Lady Mary Montague, and to Sheffield’s Manor Lodge
to learn about the building’s place in Tudor history. There’s a talk
about a family whose carvings adorn many of Sheffield’s best known
buildings and another on the activities of the Friends of the Porter
Valley, the group that’s doing much to preserve this well loved and
very special part of the city. We’re also offering an opportunity to
visit the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on the Parkway
at Catcliffe, a world class facility which brings together academia
and manufacturing.
I hope you will join us for these events and bring along your friends
too. Please remember to book your places using the booking forms
included with the Newsletter. New members are always welcome
and our Membership Secretary Shirley Newman can provide details
of how to sign up.
Alison Allen-Booth
2
RECENT EVENTS
26th September: Coffee Morning
A new academic year, and another year for the SUWC, beginning
with the traditional custom of a coffee morning. The buzz of
conversation was a clear indication that this format is successful.
Such an ideal opportunity to catch up with friends after the summer
and to discuss the interesting events on offer for 2016-2017. We
welcomed young friends from Overseas Wives and look forward to
meeting them again later in the year.
Amanda (Chairperson) welcomed us and spoke about the need for
more support for the committee, encouraging possible volunteers to
come forward.
The venue was very comfortable - big tables to display books for sale
and a pleasant room for coffee and chat. Another bonus here is the
spacious car park and a lift to the 1st floor.
Vivienne Falshaw
12th October Theatre Visit: Pride and Prejudice at the Lowry
Theatre, Salford Quays
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in
possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”…the
opening lines of the book, and the opening and closing lines of this
touring production by Regents Park Theatre. The tale of the Bennett
sisters’ search for love and how the proud Mr. Darcy met his match
is one of Jane Austen’s best loved and most adapted novels. So it
was something of a challenge to come up with a fresh take on this
romantic comedy, and on the whole, writer Simon Reade succeeded,
as did the actors who provided interesting and lively interpretations
of the characters that we feel we know so well. Tafline Steen made
the part of Elizabeth Bennett her own, fearlessly standing-up to those
who wanted to patronise or denigrate her or her family. This
particularly came across in the scene at the end of the second act
when she faces the pompous Lady Catherine De Bourgh, played
3
excellently by Dona Croll. Benjamin Dilloway's Darcy exuded
haughtiness and aloofness, accentuated by his height which meant
that he physically towered over the most of the cast. But perhaps he
came over as rather too strong and silent, even after he professed his
love for Elizabeth.
The other couple at the centre of the play are of course Mr. and Mrs.
Bennett. Felicity Montagu as Mrs. Bennett struck the right notes of
vulgarity and ambition as she tries to marry off her daughters. For
most of the play her husband, played by Matthew Kelly, appeared to
be standing back while the action went on around him, but he came
out strongly towards the end of the play to deliver a remarkably
poignant speech to Elizabeth about how married life can fail even the
most reasonable of men. Other performances of particular note were
Steven Meo as the fawning Mr. Collins, and Kirsty Rider who was
making her professional debut as the snobbish Miss Caroline
Bingley.
The impressive stage set – a revolving two tier structure - enabled the
scene changes to be made very smoothly and worked well on the
Lowry stage. The delightful costumes gave a real Regency feel to the
production and contributed towards a very enjoyable afternoon at the
theatre. What would Jane Austen have made of it? I think she’d
probably have approved!
Alison Allen-Booth
19th October: AGM and talk by Gill MacLaine on button
making in Sheffield.
Our Chairperson, Amanda Wade, welcomed 31 people to the
meeting, with apologies received from another 10 members. The
minutes of the 2015 AGM were approved, and Amanda then gave a
brief summary of the year’s highlights. Membership of the Club
remains stable, with a modest increase to 94 this year as compared
with 92 in 2014-15. As ever, we have had an enjoyable and
stimulating programme. Of particular interest was our visit to
SiTRAN, hosted by Dame Professor Pamela Shaw, which attracted
the largest audience of any meeting this year. This was closely
4
matched by attendance at the annual garden party, despite the
indifferent weather. We are especially grateful to Martin Steiner for
kindly hosting this latter event at his home.
Rosemary Hannon presented the annual accounts and paid tribute to
Chris Roe, her predecessor, and to Hilary Shenton, the auditor.
While still having capital in the bank, the society has made a loss two
years running and a rise in subscriptions of fifty per cent is needed to
balance the books. An increase in the annual subscription to £18
from September 2017 was proposed by Amanda Wade, seconded by
Rosemary Hannon, and agreed unanimously by the members present.
Reports from sub-groups followed. The Gardens Visiting Group
continues to thrive under Eve Fawcett’s care, visiting gardens from
the grandest to the more modest, and picking up a range of valuable
tips in the process. Helen Lloyd reported that the Walking Group
remains active although the walks are becoming shorter. Helen also
co-ordinates the Theatre Group; this year we have had visits to
Nottingham Playhouse and to the Lowry in Salford. Administering
this group is quite complex and it is becoming increasingly difficult
to organise and sell sufficient tickets to attract a discount. We will
be reviewing this situation.
Mary Ward and Helen Lloyd then stepped down from the Committee
and were warmly thanked for their long-standing commitment and
contributions to the Club. No nominations had been received for
new members of the committee. Amanda encouraged everyone to
consider volunteering to help.
The meeting concluded with a moving and honest account by Gill
MacLaine of her progress to a degree in Archaeology, which
included the discovery of the manufacture of pearl buttons at a site in
Heeley.
Amanda Wade
5
7th November: Talk “Knickers a Brief History” by Janet Stain
It was clear at the start of the afternoon that Janet has a mastery of
her subject, some marvellous props and an entertaining way of
presenting her extensive knowledge. She introduced herself wearing
a ‘red hat and no knickers’ and progressed through history, from the
time when knickers were unknown, to their beginning in the 18th
Century when Josephine Bonaparte owned five hundred dresses , six
chemises and two pairs of drawers (never worn). Josephine however
pioneered the ‘Grecian look,’ bare breasted, transparent muslin
garments, worn with stockings.
In the 1800s, despite being thought of as the preserve of the wrong
sort of lady, knickers began to be worn more popularly. They were
only the privilege of the rich, being very expensive, made of two leg
coverings, worn under a crinoline, they allowed natural functions
without the need to even bend, however they did preserve some
modesty, particularly in the large amount of material allowed for the
rear, which enabled a young lady to sit without soiling her dress.
Early knickers were hand made to the same crotchless design, but
with beautifully embroidered or lace cuffs. The invention of the
sewing machine made for cheaper and speedier construction and
brought the price down. Knickers began to be sold by the dozen. As
boiling was the preferred method of washing, they were made from
white cotton and linen. Knickers of this period survive, selling for
many thousands of pounds, particularly those of Queen Victoria. She
was apparently convinced of their desirability by a maid’s
unfortunate tumble down some steps. Sports in which ladies took
part, such as croquet, archery and mountain climbing made the
sewing of the back seam a necessity, and by 1880 most of the middle
classes were wearing knickers. The poor still went without or made
their own using ‘free’ fabric such as flour bags. A small revolution
occurred in the 1890s; journals began to advertise pretty knickers of
lawn, cotton and lace. Princess Alexandra helped to drive their
popularity.
6
The first man-made fibre, celanese, enabled flappers in the 20s to
shorten their skirts and dance with complete modesty whilst wearing
bloomers. But wartime brought austerity. With a lack of fabric and
elastic, french knickers with buttoned waistbands became popular, as
did hand knitted ones. Nylon, invented in the late 30s, was greatly
exploited in all its garish colours in the 50s and 60s, but modern
times have brought new fibres enabling underwear to comfortably
follow the contours of the body, fortunately consigning nylon to the
past. Today knickers don’t seem to be half as much fun as in earlier
times. Or perhaps it was just the way Janet told the story.
Anne Mitchell
8th December: Christmas at Haddon Hall
The year ended on a high note when over 30 members visited
Haddon Hall on 8 December. They found the house in a Christmas
mood with many rooms adorned with attractive seasonal decorations
that counterbalanced the rather dismal weather outside. Somewhat
overshadowed by Chatsworth House as a visitor destination, Haddon
Hall is one of the most romantic English houses to survive from the
Middle Ages. The very
first building on the site
overlooking the River
Wye dates back to the
11th century, with many
additions being made
between the 13th and
17th centuries, including
the Long Gallery and the
Elizabethan gardens.
From about 1200 it was
the home of the Vernon
family, one of whom played an important part in Henry Tudor’s
victory at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Since Dorothy Vernon
married Sir John Manners in the late 15th century the house has been
the home of the Manners family. Externally, the house looked
7
wonderfully mediaeval with its turrets, crenelated walls and many
tall chimneys combining to create a fairy-tale effect. Inside, there
were many attractive features, including original tapestries and
furniture, and the mediaeval-feeling chapel and kitchens. The family
vacated the house for some 200 years from 1700 until the 1920s,
preferring their other home, Belvoir Castle. Then the 9th Duke and
Duchess of Rutland restored the house and gardens and once again
made it habitable. It is now occupied by Lord Edward Manners and
his family.
Ann Pickering
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, 19th January at 2.00pm in Tapton Masonic Hall,
Shore Lane, Sheffield, S10. Talk “How Music Impacts on our
Behaviour” by Victoria Williamson.
More information and booking form in the September 2016
newsletter
Friday, 17th February at 2.00 in Tapton Masonic Hall. Talk
“Artistry in stone, wood and bronze: the work of Frank Tory &
Sons in Sheffield and beyond” by Sylvia Dunkley.
For eighty years from 1880 to 1960 Frank Tory and then his twin
sons, Alfred and Frank, adorned many Sheffield buildings with their
wonderful carvings. Their fine craftmanship can still be seen today
from the interior of St John's Church in Ranmoor to the arts and
crafts font and pulpit in St Matthew's on Carver Street, from the
White Building in Fitzalan Square to the splendour of Sheffield City
Hall. It is also their work that decorates the facade of the Central
Library, whilst Frank Jnr was responsible for the Sterndale Bennett
memorial tablet in Sheffield Cathedral. Their work can also be
admired on Leeds Civic Hall, Chesterfield Town Hall and in
churches in South Yorkshire and further afield.
8
Tuesday 14th March: 10.30am Visit to Advanced Manufacturing
Research Centre, Catcliffe, S60 5TZ.
Since its earliest days the University of Sheffield has been a world
leader in metallurgy and engineering research. In 2001 the Advanced
Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) was established as a £15
million collaboration between the University and the aerospace giant
Boeing to research and resolve advanced manufacturing problems.
The facility is based on the Parkway at Catcliffe.
Since 2001 the AMRC has grown and diversified and is regarded as
a world class facility which brings together academia and
manufacturing. There are now over 80 member companies which
access the research programme. In 2011 it became part of the first of
a new generation of government-backed Technology Innovation
Centres, later branded as the Catapults. The latest expansion was the
opening, in 2016, of the 2050 factory. This is a revolutionary glasswalled “reconfigurable factory” and home to Integrated
Manufacturing Group, which is installing the cutting edge
manufacturing and assembly technologies, advanced robotics,
flexible automation, next generation man-machine interfaces and
new programming and training tools to drive its research.
The AMRC also has a centre which provides training in the practical
and academic skills that engineering/manufacturing companies need
to compete globally, from apprenticeship through to doctorate and
MBA level. Currently there are several hundred students enrolled.
Even if you have no background in engineering or manufacturing
this promises to be a fascinating visit to see how the latest
technologies and IT are being used to take traditional skills into the
21st century. Our visit will start at 10.30 am but we will meet at the
bottom of Snaithing Lane at 9.45 am for car sharing. The visit will
last for about 1 hour and will be followed by lunch at Whitby’s Fish
and Chip Restaurant (optional).
Please note that the AMRC is a large manufacturing research facility
and we will be walking through what is in effect a large factory for
an hour. Comfortable flat shoes are essential.
9
Friday, 31st March: Theatre Visit “The Grapes of Wrath” at
Nottingham Playhouse, 1.30pm matinee
Frank Galati’s ground-breaking adaptation of John Steinbeck’s
Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. “The Grapes of Wrath” is an epic story
of unity, community and survival against the odds. It is the height of
the Great Depression and the Joad family are desperate. Along with
thousands of others, they leave the Oklahoma Dust Bowl travelling
West to California in search of work and a new life. Investing
everything in the journey, driven as much by fear as by hope, will
California really be their Promised Land?
Closing date for applications will be 13th February 2017
Refreshments are available locally but you are advised to book if you
wish to eat at Cast, the theatre restaurant, as it is very popular.
Tuesday 4th April: Spring Lunch at Girlguiding Outdoor
Activities Centre, Common Lane, S11 7TG preceded by a Talk
from Ann Le Sage, Chair of Friends of the Porter Valley. 10.30
for 11 am.
For our spring lunch this year we are meeting at the Girlguiding
Outdoor Activities Centre, Common Lane and having a combined
meeting with the walking group. We will meet at 10.30 am for coffee
at 11am and this will be followed by an illustrated talk on the work
of the Friends of the Porter Valley by their chair Ann le Sage.
As many of you are aware the work of the Friends of the Porter
Valley has had a huge impact on the preservation of the valley over
the last 20 years. Many of you may indeed be involved as volunteers,
in one way or another. The FoPV never rest on their laurels, once one
project is finished, such as the Shepherd Wheel, there is always
another starting; currently the Forge Dam restoration. Beyond the
fundraising and work days in the valley FoPV has always taken a
close interest in any developments which may affect the valley.
Currently they are concerned about the council's latest consultations
for potential flood defences within the Porter Valley. As chair, Ann
le Sage works tirelessly for FoPV and will give us a talk about their
10
achievements, future plans and of course bring us up-to-date with the
flood defences proposals.
Following Ann’s talk we will have a “Soup and Sandwich” lunch.
After lunch Ann has kindly agreed to lead a walk (optional) through
the valley to show us the projects which FoPV has done over the
years and the projects which are currently underway or being
planned.
We hope that you will join us for what promises to be a very
enjoyable event and that the weather is good to us.
Wednesday, 17th May 11.00 Visit to Manor Lodge, 389 Manor
Lane, Sheffield S2 1UL. Meet at 10.15am for prompt departure
of cars at lower end of Snaithing Lane at 10.30am.
Sheffield Manor, also known as the Manor Lodge or Manor Castle,
was built about 1516 in a large deer park in what was then the
outskirts of the city, to provide a country retreat for George Talbot,
the 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, and his large family. We’ll be hearing
about the history of the Lodge and the part it played in the story of
Mary, Queen of Scots. We’ll also have a tour of the Tudor remains
which include parts of the kitchens, long gallery, and the Grade II*
listed Turret House (also called "Queen Mary's Tower"), which
contains fine
seventeenth-century
ceilings. In 2004, the
building featured on the
BBC TV programme
Restoration and was the
subject of a National
Lottery funding bid to
convert it to a heritage
centre and traditional
farm. After the talk and
tour you’re free to view the rest of the site, including the wildflower
meadows, and have lunch in the café if you wish.
11
Thursday, 29th June: 2.00 Garden Party
The Garden Party is always one of our most popular events,
whatever the weather. It’s an opportunity to catch up with old
friends and perhaps meet new ones over a cup of tea and
delicious home baking. Guests will be also very welcome to join
us on this friendly relaxed occasion.
Thursday, 13th July: Visit to Wortley, 3.30pm for a talk on the
history of Wortley Hall and its owners at the Countess
Tearooms, Park Avenue, Wortley Village, South Yorkshire, S35
7DB. Meet at 2.25 for prompt departure of cars at lower end of
Snaithing Lane at 2.40pm
Our summer outing is slightly different this year. We’re visiting the
village of Wortley to learn more about the 500 year old history of the
Hall and the family who lived there. Until the Second World War
Wortley Hall was the ancestral home of the Earls of Wharncliffe –
the Lords of the Manor of Wortley – and is now a hotel. We’ll hear a
talk about some of the colourful and fascinating members of the
family over the centuries, including the writer Lady Mary Wortley
Montague who travelled to Turkey as the wife of the British
ambassador in the 18th century and is credited with introducing
smallpox inoculation to Britain. We’ll hear recordings of the last
family member to live at the Hall and also hope to meet one of the
former members of staff. After the talk we’ll go over to the church to
look at the family connections there, followed by afternoon tea at the
café.
The visit and afternoon tea will last around three hours. The gardens
at the Hall are open to visitors but they are quite a walk from the
village itself.
12
Monday 25th September: 10am to 12 noon. Coffee morning to be
held at Tapton Masonic Lodge.
This ever-popular informal event provides a good opportunity to
meet up and exchange news after the summer. Guests are very
welcome to join us and you undertake to pay £2 for each guest. As
on previous occasions, the committee will provide biscuits to go with
the coffee and we will have a stall for books in very good condition.
You will also be able to renew your membership, saving us £££s in
postage; what a bargain!
OUR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Gardens Group: We meet to share lifts at the lower end of
Snaithing Lane and with three seasons of visits successfully over,
we’ll be planning our 2017 programme early in the New Year. We
hope to start in February with some snowdrops and run through to
September. The diary will be e-mailed to you in good time to get the
dates in your diary. Ideas for visits from members are very welcome.
Walking Group: The walking group meets on the first Tuesday of
every month at the bottom end of Snaithing Lane to share lifts to the
start of the walk. Members take it in turns to lead a walk of about 45 miles long which usually finishes near a pub where lunch is
available. The group is very friendly and help can be given for
members who are uncertain about leading a walk. Visitors and new
members are always welcome.
For those who prefer a less strenuous walk there is the Shorter Walks
Group
Theatre Outings: Twice a year in Spring and Autumn members of
travel to another city to enjoy a matinee performance of an
interesting or amusing play.
13
Rhiannon Clayton: Rhiannon, a long standing member of SUWC,
sadly passed away at the end of December. She was a very active
member of the club, serving as Vice-Chair between 1987 and 1988,
and then Chair from 1988 to1991, and she was also on the
Committee during 1980 to1983. She was closely involved in the
planning and organisation of the 1988 50th Anniversary celebrations
which included a celebratory dinner in University House and the
planting of five trees in Firth Court, one for each decade of the Club's
existence. Fellow club members describe her as very sociable, an
excellent hostess, and a supportive friend. She was an enthusiastic
bridge player and much involved with the former Sorby Hall of
Residence, where her late husband, Professor George Clayton, was
the warden. She was particularly noted for her fashion sense and was
always immaculately dressed, even in the days of her last illness.
She’ll be much missed by her family and friends.
Alison Allen-Booth
80th Anniversary of the Club
The Women’s Club was founded in 1938 as the Ladies Tea Club, so
will reach its 80th anniversary in 2018. This is certainly something
worth celebrating! One idea that members of the Committee are
considering is a supplement to the Newsletter based on members’
reminiscences. The University holds the official records of the
SUWC in its archive, but we think it is just as important to record
what the Club has meant to its members, and how it has adapted and
changed over the years. We would love you to share some of your
memories with us, especially if you have been a member for a long
time. If you would be happy to talk to one of us over a cup of tea,
either at a Club event or in your home, do please let us know
Written contributions and photographs are equally welcome!
Amanda Wade
14
15