RIPPONDEN

Grace Roberts

Rev Jane Powell, of Steep Lane Baptist church, was the speaker at the Ryburn 2000 Coffee Club. Rev Powell gave a light hearted look back on her life as a nurse, and midwife, and later in life in the church. Angela Thaxter thanked her. Norma Vietch presided, and Susan Bell won the raffle. The next meeting is on Wednesday, September 10, at 10am, in the Victoria Hall. Bill Tetlow, of the Donkey Sanctuary, will be the speaker. At the Ryburn Valley History Society Ruth Beasley, of the Mill Bank group, gave notice of an exhibition at Sowerby Bridge Library, about the Triangle Mill Sisters, girls recruited from the North East to work in the mill, who lived at a hostel in Stansfield Mill Lane . There will be a walk for members on Wednesday, August 27. Alan Watson will lead a walk in Barkisland following the leaflet recently published by the Parish Council. John Billingsley gave a talk entitled “Tales along the way, some lore from the Calder Valley pack horse route”. Mr Billingsley described the many standing stones, interesting buildings, and legends encountered on this ancient route. The next meeting is on Monday, September 8, at 7.30pm at the Conservative Club. Pat Ashborne is the speaker on “The Brontes behind closed doors - all the scandal”. Visitors are welcome. There is a charge of £3. speaker John Wheelwright who presented anecdotal tales from his life in the ‘stage drapes’ world. John’s talk centred mostly on his experiences in China and the Far East during the 80s. Roy Coble thanked John on behalf of the members. Refreshments were provided by June Thornton and Jean Trickett. Our next meeting will take place at 10am on Tuesday, August 26, at St Jude’s Church Hall when member Geoff Green will present ‘Harry Lloyd’. Visitors are most welcome. Membership enquiries to Ron Bull on 01422 355029.