The University of Leeds Ladies' Club
Spring 2026
Monthly Newsletter - January 2026
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to the January 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.
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.
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 will be given 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.
Details of booking arrangements will be sent out shortly.
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 this month.
News of Members
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”
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
