The University of Leeds Ladies' Club
Spring 2026
University of Leeds Ladies’ Club
Monthly Newsletter - March 2026
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to the March edition of the monthly newsletter. Today is the first day of meteorological spring, the crocus and daffodils are out and for once the sun is shining. Can this be the start of better days?
Forthcoming Events and Dates for your Diary
Informal Coffee Morning. Tuesday 10th March 2026
The Golden Beam, Otley Road, Headingley.
from 10.30am through to lunchtime.
Feel free to pop in for a hot drink, brunch, lunch. Always well attended, these meet ups are a lovely chance to chat and catch up, together.
As this is an informal drop-in session no payment is required in advance, just pay for what you have on the day.
We meet usually in the Library area and, as this is a ‘drop-in’ session, there is no need to book in advance. There is a car park on site, to the rear of the restaurant. If parking in the pub car park, please remember to register your vehicle on the screen at the Bar. There is on street parking in the side roads and most of the buses on Headingley Lane stop close by.
Tuesday 31st March 2026.
The University of Leeds Ladies' Club invites all Members and Guests to a talk, entitled :
"Roman Trier - Fourth Century Capital of Empire"
to be given by Professor Joyce Hill,
who said, "Trier would be more of a surprise to most people."
Professor Hill was formerly Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, and is Emeritus Professor of Medieval Literature at the University of Leeds.
We are promised a fascinating exploration of this historical period, guided by a highly respected expert in this subject area.
The talk is to be held in the TV Lounge at The Headingley Golf Club, Back Church Lane, Adel, Leeds. LS16 8DW.
Arrive at 1.30 for the Talk at 2.15pm.
£9 per person payable on the door. To include Tea/Coffee and Pastries/Scones. Guests are welcome.
Bookings should be made with Mrs. Moira Wallace. You will find her email in your news letter.
(Please note that for catering purposes, attendance must be booked no later than Wednesday 25th March 2026).
In addition, I have had the following information from Gillian Roche that Professor Hill is to give another talk at St Michael’s Church on Monday 16th March.
Gillian writes, " I have been alerted to the fact that Professor Joyce Hill will be giving an illustrated lecture at St Michael's Church in Headingley on Monday 16 March. The subject is "In and under the Vatican."
Joyce has given this talk to the Ladies’ Club before but, as it was in 2014, there may well be current members who have not heard it and Joyce is always worth listening to.
The event will take place at St. Michael’s Parish Hall on Monday 16th March, 2-4pm
Tickets £8.00 (includes refreshments) available in church or through the parish office."
"Save the Date" reminder:
A Spring Lunch will be held at Weetwood Hall, Leeds, in the Jacobean Room, on Wednesday 22nd April.
Following the very positive feedback from the Centenary Afternoon Tea, which was held at Weetwood Hall, the Committee have booked this venue for our Spring lunch. We hope this event will prove as popular with Members, and Guests.
Booking details to be circulated later this week.
Recent Events
See last month's newsletter.
Wednesday 25th February at 1.30pm for 2.00pm at the Headingley Golf Club.
“In Praise of Women – A short history of the Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education (YLCE) and how it supports women’s education today”
The presentation was given by Gillie Andrews and Carol Gleisner, both members of YLCE, and also of the Ladies’ Club.
Gillie and Carol gave us all a very interesting history of the YLCE and the educational awards and bursaries. There were also several most interesting video contributions from some of the inspirational and talented young women who are current and former award holders, who explained how their award has enabled them to continue in their studies and to achieve their educational goals.
The meeting proved to be both informative and entertaining and our thanks go to Gillie and Carol for giving us such an interesting afternoon.
News of Members.
See last month's newsletter.
David Irving
Members will be aware from the January newsletter that Tina Irving’s husband, David, sadly passed away on 22nd January.
A celebration of David’s life was held at Lawnswood Crematorium on Friday 20th February.
A large number of ULLC Members were in attendance and we heard from David’s daughter, step-daughter and granddaughters, who each gave most interesting and poignant recollections of David, his life, and achievements. David was for several years the Director of Residential and Commercial Services at the University and, in his honour, the Flag on the Parkinson Building was flown at half-mast on the day of his funeral.
We send our most sincere condolences to Tina and all the family at this very sad and difficult time.
Marian Sawyer
I have received the following note from Judith.
"It is with great sadness that I write to pass on the news that I received on my return from a recent trip abroad. I was informed that Marian Sawyer had passed away, on the 17th February, in hospital, following a short period of illness.
I know that Marian had been a member of the Ladies' Club for many years, and that she has a good number of friends amongst the group. I only had the pleasure of knowing Marian for a short period of time, but have fond memories of her interest in travel, and the enjoyment she took from coming to the meetings, and the Drop-In sessions at the Golden Beam. "
(Judith would welcome more information from friends of Marian.)
I haven’t had any news of other members having suffered serious illness this month although I do know that several members are suffering from chronic health problems. I understand, also, that a number of member’s spouses are suffering from chronic symptoms. To all our members and their families, we send our sincere good wishes for better health in the coming months.
Reports from the Groups
Book Group 2
Book Group 2 met on 26th February when they discussed their ‘Book of the Month’ which was The Mistletoe Murder a collection of short stories by P. D. James.
Views on the book itself were mixed but an interesting discussion followed which covered short stories in general and specifically early 20th century detective fiction.
The book group will meet again at the end of March when the book of the month will be A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr.
Thanks were expressed to our hostess for her hospitality and the delicious cakes.
Book Group 1
Book Group 1 discussed The Party by Tessa Hadley in February.
The group will meet again in March, when the book of the month will be Clare Pooley's How to Age Dis-Gracefully.
And finally!
As you know, I am only able to include in the newsletter information I have received from members. I hope to send the next issue out on or around 31st March. If you have any items for inclusion, please let me have them by no later than 28th March.
My contact details are by email.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the newsletter.
With all good wishes,
Carole
Monthly Newsletter - February 2026
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to the February edition of the monthly newsletter. I hope you are all well despite the miserable weather.
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday 10th February from 10.30am, "Coffee Morning Drop In" at The Golden Beam, in Headingley.
This is a very relaxed session, members often stay on for lunch. The sessions are on the second Tuesday of every month as follows: Everyone is welcome.
Tuesday 10th March
Tuesday 14th April
Tuesday 12th May
Tuesday 9th June
Tuesday 14th July
Tuesday 11th August
Tuesday 8th September
Tuesday 13th October
Tuesday 10th November
Tuesday 8th December
Wednesday 25th February at 1.30pm for 2.00pm at the Headingley Golf Club.
“In Praise of Women – A short history of the Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education (YLCE) and how it supports women’s education today”
The presentation is by Gillie Andrews and Carol Gleisner, both members of YLCE, and also of the Ladies’ Club. Both Gillie and Carol are well known among ULLC members and I am certain that the afternoon will prove to be both informative and entertaining.
Tuesday 31st March at 1.30pm for 2.00pm at the Headingley Golf Club.
“Roman Trier – 4th Century Capital of an Empire”
The afternoon will take the form of an illustrated talk by Emeritus Professor Joyce Hill. Professor Hill is very well known to members of the Ladies’ Club and has spoken to us on a variety of subjects in the past. She is always a very knowledgeable, interesting and entertaining speaker and I am sure that the afternoon will prove to be both enlightening and enjoyable.
Booking details will be sent out in due course.
Reports of recent events.
President Judith has asked me to include her report of the talk by Alun Pugh which was held on 15th January (see last newsletter below) as follows:
Our 2026 events programme got successfully underway, on 15th January, when local Speaker, Alun Pugh, joined 40 Members and Guests, at the Headingley Golf Club, to deliver his Presentation: "A Journey Along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal...A poor man's Michael Palin".
There followed a most entertaining 45 minutes, as Alun used a series of photographs, taken in 1980, to share with us his experience of attempting to cycle the length of the canal (127 miles), with his friend, Martin.
We were immediately transported back, in time and place, to a Summer's day, in Liverpool, and a sequence of photographs which perfectly encapsulated the then faded glory of the city - the Three Graces, on the Pier Head, gleaming in the bright light, the Cavern Club, and memories of the Fab Four, the "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey" (accompanied by that iconic soundtrack), and still, Alun and Martin searching for the elusive start of the canal!
We learnt about the building of the canal, which started in 1770, and was finally completed in 1816, the challenging geography of the Pennines, which resulted in the canal's immense length ("going around, not over"), and the important part it played in the great Industrial Revolution, transporting coal, textiles, and other goods, the length of the Pennines.
We will remember more clearly, however, the colourful patchwork of landscapes, and characters, encountered along the route. The kindness shown to mend a puncture, to keep the pair on the right route, to offer a welcome cuppa, and hospitality overnight. The little "disasters" that were the bumps in the road, minor injuries, the wallet, lost, then found, and the close shave, almost literally, with the duck that hit the wheel of the bike!
Finally, the unexpected end to the journey, cut short so far from their final destination...
What a perfect way to start the New Year. Thank you, Alun.
News of Groups
Book Group 2
Book Group 2 met on Thursday 29th January. It had been decided previously not to read a specific book for this month’s meeting but for each member of the group to read a favourite poem. This brought an eclectic mix of poems and proved to be a most entertaining afternoon. It was so enjoyable that consideration is being given by the group to holding a similar session once every year.
The book chosen for the February meeting of the group is The Mistletoe Murder, a set of short stories by P. D. James.
Special thanks go to Christine for providing everyone with such a delicious lunch.
Book Group 1
Book Group 1 discussed Night Waking by Sarah Moss and will be discussing The Party by Tessa Hadley in February.
News of Members
R.I.P. Marian Sawyer, who we were saddened to learn died on the 17th of February, following a short illness. Many of us will have happy memories of her, as she attended all our talks and many of our outings, teas and lunches.
Rev Dr Elizabeth Jean Brown 'Liz' 6.11.1934 - 13.12.2025
From 1961 - 1989 Liz worked in Taiwan, first at the University Christian Service Centre Tainan (1961-1976) then as the Assistant General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) 1976-1984 then as Chaplain at Taiwan Theological Seminary from 1984-1989. Her time as Assistant General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church coincided with one of the most turbulent political periods in Taiwan's history and the church was under immense political pressure culminating in the arrest and imprisonment of the then General Secretary in 1979. She spoke fluent mandarin and courageously took on the responsibility of translating into English the Churches Declaration on Human Rights in 1977 which called for Taiwan to become a 'new and independent country'.
During her time as Chaplain, she supported students and completed her M.Divinity degree. In 2005, the Taiwan Theological Seminary awarded her a D.D. degree.
In 1989 Liz came back to the UK and served as the United Reformed Chaplain at Leeds University. She was a great ecumenist and her area of expertise was supporting international students. In retirement Liz travelled widely including to Asia, Australia and Taiwan and she served as a long-term bridge between the United Reformed Church and the Church in Taiwan. She was also a great walker and over two years walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Her love for Taiwan never dimmed - her Taiwanese name in Mandarin means 'a piece of precious jade ornament'
Sheilagh Ogden:
I have received the following email from Sheilagh Ogden:
“Could you include in the next newsletter a message from me thanking the Ladies’ Club for two get well cards sent to me while I was recovering from my hip replacement operation. One was from Judith on behalf of everyone and the other had lots of signatures in it. I was very touched to know so many of you sent your good wishes. I am able to walk again and it’s a wonderful feeling. I hope I never take it for granted.
My thanks and best wishes to everyone.
Sheilagh”
R.I.P. David Irving
I have received the following email from Tina Irving who has asked me to pass on the following message,
"It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that David gave up his struggle against cancer and passed peacefully away yesterday, Wednesday 22nd January 2026 with both his daughter and I beside him. He had spent the last week in St. Gemma's Hospice.”
I am certain that all of us who have known Tina, and David, for many years, and have seen his fight to overcome his illness, supported always by Tina, will wish to send our most sincere sympathy to her and to all their family at this sad and difficult time.
I am pleased to say that I have not heard of any other members being taken ill this month although I do know that several members, or their spouses, have on-going chronic health issues and to them we send our very best wishes.
I will be sending out next month’s issue on the 1st March. If you have any items for inclusion, please could you let me have them by no later than 27th February.
My contact details are by email and in your last email.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the newsletter and send all my good wishes to you and your families,
Carole
