Embroiderers' Christmas lunch

The South Cheshire Embroiderers' Guild had organized an early Christmas Lunch this year to avoid the worst of the weather and look what happened!

However, despite conditions, very few members did not make it and we were rewarded when our surprise speaker, Gabriela, the "Ukelele Lady", entertained us with songs and stories, which soon had all of us feeling in a festive mood – please click on the photos to enlarge.

She'd brought along a traditional braguinha, banjo and ukelele and we sang along to the old songs that these instruments conjure up – "You are my Sunshine", "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", "Leaning on a Lamp-post".

Gabriela did some very subtle "social networking" as members arrived and it was her clever use of incorporating named individuals into her stories that brought about a variety of emotions, as well as being truly impressed with her memory!

These ranged from interest, when being told how a ukelele got named – who would have thought that a dog scratching at fleas, Hawaiian language and Portuguese immigrants would all contribute – you had to be there! There was some rueful looks amongst the laughter when the discussion turned to "women of a certain age" buying a holiday swimsuit and having to enter the "chamber of horrors" (or changing-room for younger readers).

Grandmothers in the audience had a chance to practice their pantomime technique, when the never-ending story of the "Thrifty Tailor" was told and they were shouting out "My, don't I look dandy" with gusto!

But things got downright raucous when we started planning an opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics and for many of us there, whenever we see Robina at future meetings, we will only be able to visualize her flying high in the sky, having been shot from a cannon, shouting out a well-known George Formby catch phrase.

We finally settled down to a lovely lunch provided to the usual high standard by the Brookfield Golf Club and their wonderful staff. The day finished with an exchange of the scissor keeps, made by members, for members, and a well supported raffle.

There was no doubt that, in the words of George Formby, the day had most definitely "Turned out nice again"!

As a local society, we would like to take this opportunity of wishing the staff and readers of the Audlem Website a joyous and peaceful Christmas and wish everyone a Happy New Year.
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