MORE than 60 people attended a celebratory dinner at Headlam Hall Hotel to mark the 20th anniversary of Teesdale Ladies Lunch Club.
The lunch club was started by a group of friends who met up regularly for lunch at the hotel. They then invited more friends, who invited other people and before long the lunch club was formed and has gone from strength to strength.
The club, which meets up every second Wednesday of each month, has a working committee of six members who organise the lunches and speakers. Members continue to meet at Headlam Hall in the coachhouse for drinks, a chat and lunch.
Freda Billson, speaker secretary, said: “Our membership has been higher in the past and I think the most we have had is 80 people and it would be lovely to have new members join.
“Normally the club is just ladies but for the birthday luncheon we have partners, friends and husbands as well.”
The club organises a variety of speakers and in the past they have had tiller girls, flower arrangers, guides from neighbouring castles, jewellery makers as well as the retired head housekeeper from Chatsworth House.
Mrs Billson added: “We’ve also had talks from a local vet and this season we are looking forward to a variety of speakers including an assistant curator of fine arts from The Bowes Museum who will be speaking on spiritual narrative and education.”
Anyone who is interested in joining can contact club president Gaynor Taffurelli on 01833 640100.