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Gadebridge Townswomens (Evening) Guild June 18
PJ Smith opened the June meeting by welcoming everyone.
We now have 37 members, PJ announced.
Pat Smith gave final details for those going on the guild holiday to Torquay on July 7.
PJ then introduced the speaker of the evening Wendy Salter, she was accompanied by her husband.
Wendy told the history of the Lyons Tea Shops. She has family connections, via her great uncle and aunt.
Wendy said that Joseph Lyons, the founder of the tea shops, was a very talented man. He was an accomplished painter in watercolour.
Wendy brought one of his paintings to show members.
He was connected to the theatre and he wrote songs which were sung in the First World War.
He opened the first shop in Piccadilly Leicester Square 1888. He was involved with The Star and Garter. He was knighted in 1911.
Wendy told about the waitresses known as 'Nippys' originally known as Gladys. She told how they were expected to be always clean and smart. They had to be quick serving the customers and always polite. Lyons were the largest catering firm in the 1930's
PJ thanked Wendy for her very interesting talk and for all the information on Lyons Tea Shops. Which most of us had been to at some time in our younger days. Questions were answered.
The refreshments were served, the sales table held.
Then Heather our federation representative read out the mandate to be discussed at the National Council Meeting in Torquay and voted on.
A show of hands was taken on the motions so that Heather would have some idea how the members would like her to vote.
PJ chairman said the next guild will be our birthday party it will be on July 15 instead of July 8 because of the holiday.
The committee will do the catering of the food but please bring your own drink.
The meeting closed with the raffle being drawn and won and PJ wishing everyone goodnight.
The guild meets in Gadebridge Community Centre at 7.30pm upstairs (there is a lift). Visitors always welcome.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
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