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Nottingham, with the Dickens Fellowship, in 2012
The weekend began on the Friday afternoon with the opportunity to visit the Bromley House Subscription Library in
Angel Row. One member was heard to say 'I think I've died and gone to heaven!'. The Library is housed
in an 18th c town house, full of books, over different levels. It really is a gem. And in the evening a group of us
met up for a meal.
The AGM itself, and the events on Saturday, centred on the Mechanics Institute,
with talks on Dickens and on Lawrence. We also stayed there for the evening meal - with entertainment provided by the
diners, with no shortage of volunteers to read from their favourite writers.
On the Sunday,
there were optional walking tours of Nottingham, and visits to D H Lawrence's birthplace and to Lord Byron's home
at Newstead Abbey. It was a great way to round off a very interesting weekend.
The ALS
weekend in Lichfield 2011
This year, the event was hosted by the Johnson Society and began on the
Saturday morning in the spectacular Guild Hall in the centre of Lichfield. We were able to welcome our new President,
Jenny Uglow, to her first ALS AGM, the Mayor officially opened proceedings, and the Chairman of the Johnson Society
gave a very interesting talk on the history of the Guild Hall. Lunch was followed by more talks and then free time in
the city (or a guided walk to look at Larkin connections with Lichfield. The Saturday evening dinner was well
attended, with people bringing lots of readings - and Jenny giving a talk on the importance of bringing societies together.
On Sunday, there was a guided tour of the Birthplace museum, followed by a talk on Anna Seward at the Bishop's
Palace. The weekend was wound up with cream teas in Chapters.
Knutford 2010, hosted by the Gaskell Society
The
'advance guard' arrived on the Friday afternoon and were treated to a guided visit to Tabley House, followed by tea
and cake in the tea rooms.
On the Saturday, we all met up in the Methodist Church Hall - with 28 member societies
being represented. Second hand books were on sale and the AGM was followed by an informal buffet lunch, before the talks
and walks began. Elizabeth Williams gave a fascinating talk on Elizabeth Gaskell, leading us through the time line of
her writings. This was followed by pre-walk talk by the late Joan Leach who led the walk through Knutsford, pointing
out the Gaskell connections at various points of interest. The tour ended at Brook Street Chapel, where Mrs Gaskell
is buried. The formal dinner on the Saturday evening took place at Cottons Hotel, with the after dinner readings which
have now become somewhat of a tradition at ALS dinners! There was certainly no shortage of readers.
On Sunday,
we had an informal and light hearted by Joan on Mrs Gaskell's Cheshire, after which we split into two groups (one attending
morning service at Brook Street Chapel, and the other taking a coach to Plymouth Grove in Manchester, the former home of the
Gaskells). At Plymouth Grove, we were told about the Gaskell's life there, and the enormous restoration project
which is being undertaken - followed by more refreshments and books for sale.
It really was a good weekend.
Review of the ALS weekend in Dublin 2009
Back in January, I’d never even heard of the ALS. Six months on I’m
sat in a Dublin bar laughing my head off at a story about Joyce surrounded by more literary societies than I can ever begin
to remember at the ALS AGM. How, I hear you ask?
Well, it all started
when my brother, who lives in America and is fond of finding gifts of an unusual nature, was searching the web when he found
a present for my sister, Kathy. Aware that Kathy and I both have a penchant for Elizabethan literature, he enrolled Kathy
as a member of the Marlowe Society.
I’m not sure what Frieda, the Marlowe Membership Secretary, made of
it all but before too long Kathy and I attended and were welcomed at the Marlowe AGM at a wonderful London pub and as a result
I also became a member.
At the Marlowe Society AGM, Frieda spoke of the ALS and the planned weekend in Dublin
and made it clear that all members were welcome to attend. At the time, I don’t really believe that we had any intention
of going ourselves, but somehow over the following months it seemed like a really good idea and so all of a sudden we were
off. And once we were there, with the help of the Dubliners Literary Circle we were made exceptionally welcome from the start,
met people from all over the place and had a really fantastic time.
With
the AGM planned for the Saturday morning, we headed to Dublin on the Friday night to make the most of the weekend. We knew
there was an informal evening planned but on arrival, realised that we were to be wined and dined in Temple Bar at Gogarty’s
restaurant (a friend, and then not such a friend of Joyce, you know) complemented by an impromptu sightseeing tour along the
route. The food was superb (a strong recommendation from Kathy for the Seafood Anna Livia) and not only were we in a marvellous
setting, we also happened to be dining at the same time as a sensational Swedish choir who entertained the whole restaurant
for the evening.
A stroll back to the Hotel and a nightcap with the Tolkien Society (thanks to Pat and Trevor!)
it was time to retire.
Saturday morning brought the AGM and such a range of societies
I can’t begin to list them. All I will say is that everyone was welcoming and I’ve learnt far more than I ever
thought I would about people I’ve never heard of before. There’s not many AGM’s
you would describe as fun but when one includes a re-enactment of a scene from one of Joyce’s works in all its Irish
glory then I think you’d agree that it would be different. Hard to follow, but the Committee managed it with talk of
the year’s events and next year’s plans. Once all the points were covered, it was on to a fantastic Yeats exhibition
at the library (Breda, you’ve been ten times, it’s time to stop.)
After that, Kathy and I made our
escape to the local jail and did a little sightseeing, with lots of ground to cover until it was time for the annual dinner.
The food was excellent and along with great company and innovative entertainment it was a really good night. Even if a late
night for those who chose to stay in the bar! And it wasn’t over then!
Sunday
morning we had the pleasure of Des, Paul and Breda taking us for a literary walk around Dublin ending up at the Dublin Writers
museum where we learnt that during a particular period of censorship Kavanagh (having had wording removed from his book in
print) went to the bookshop and wrote his line about “dangly bits” back into every single one! With still
time to see more sights and maybe even partake in a refreshing pint of the black stuff there was plenty more to do before
it was time to come home.
Already next year is being planned, this time the turn of
the Gaskell society and we’d love to be there. I just need to work out how to explain to my husband that I’ve
somehow booked us in at a Gaskell weekend for our wedding anniversary…
Thanks
to everyone who made the weekend what it was – all of the DLC including Des (we haven’t read your book yet –
we haven’t had time!), Michael (how do you remember all those words?!), Paul (we still like your t-shirt!) and to everyone
that I haven’t mentioned I do apologise.
The message from
this year’s AGM – endorsed by Janet from the Gaskell Society as next year’s host –
is that you don’t need to be a representative to attend the ALS AGM, and it’s not only one person that has to
go from each society. If you joined a society, you want to learn about others, you want to get involved and you want to be
entertained then in my limited experience I would say this is definitely worth a try. For all the other societies out there
- get your members involved!
Thanks to Frieda for encouraging us to go and for Janet who’s trying to get
everyone to do the same and good luck to the Gaskell Society for next year!
PS
Do they drink Guinness in Knutsford?!
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