HAPPENINGS AT HAMBLETON

Late last year a change of venue was precipitated by Solberge Hall, our home for over 13 years suddenly being sold to an up-market wedding specialist who immediately embarked on major renovations.

After a hurried search we decide to try Golden Lion on Northallerton High Street and have not been disappointed.  The staff could not have been more helpful in helping us set up un their spacious Yorkshire Suite.   The event was a great success and many positive responses have been received.  A few tweaks and we are sorted and settled!

The content was also excellent. Expert Ralph Hoyle delighted and informed us on rococo silver and its part in society.   He focused on an impressive rococo silver table kettle he acquired many years ago for making of the precious tea and told the story of his quest to find the owners of such a striking piece. With great panache and infectious humour, he took us through his lengthy quest whilst giving us an insight into the social mores of the day This story of his successful search matched ours for a new home!

This abrupt change was an immediate challenge faced by Michelle Wallace our recently appointed Chair at our AGM late last year when she took over from Norma Rodmell

At the AGM handover Michelle said ”I would like to say a huge thank you to Norma. After joining the society Norma became Membership Secretary in 2019, a role I know she very much enjoyed. She agreed to take over as Chair last year, for a one year term. This is very typical of Norma’s “can do and supportive” approach.

Post covid our society has had challenges and Norma’s legacy is that she didn’t shy away from this. She set in place a recruitment campaign including local Ambassadors, to promote the society, tokens for friends to be invited, and a Gift Voucher scheme to bring people to lectures. She also has left me an enthusiastic Committee with several new members.

So, thank you Norma for your hard work, support, and sense of humour. You will be very much missed. However, as we are neighbours, I will only need to call over the hedge should I need advice!”

Our President of many years, Lizzie Darbyshire also retired.  Lizzie,is an art historian and was an Arts Society accredited lecturer.  Having been our Chair she then chaired the Northeast area for several years.  Michelle thanked Lizzie for her many years of service and her wise counsel to us, Our new President is now Helen Proudley, also one-time Chair and until recently, in charge of Training and best Practice across the North East. See Pictures

Having made the changes and successfully found a new home the Committee past and present held a celebratory lunch including 5 chairs and two presidents. See Picture