After a few weeks off I re-entered the fray with “The Layer Ladies Talk” group last night. They were described to me as “a breakaway rebel group” disenchanted with the WI. I have encountered quite a few groups that started life as WIs and have then become independent; choosing not to pay the extra costs involved in maintaining an administrative hierarchy. The meeting was in a very pleasant village hall where other locals were playing bowls in an adjacent room. Well, after a few weeks off I completely forgot about taking a photo! But what a lovely bunch they were. A very receptive audience, laughed in all the right places, and nodded in agreement where they should too.
On the only wet day of the week we went out to West Mersea for an early dinner before the talk and parked on the Quayside just in time to see some paddle-boarders return. It must be an omen!
Next week I am talking to JACS Westcliff; booked by the delightfully named Monty Elkinson. I’m now on the JACS list of approved speakers but unfortunately had to turn down a gig in Sutton, Surrey as I know that the journey would be horrendous.
I have now had a booking in August, when it appears that many societies/clubs don’t meet because “so many members are on holiday.” Looking at the demographic of so many of the groups it’s surprising that this is still the case. However, I wonder if other speakers have noticed this changing. I am in an age group that no longer needs to take holidays in the height of the Summer or around school timetables and often have to turn down talks in June and September because that is my preferred time to go away. Makes the Summer months a bit lean!