Red Hat Belles of St Trinians
the 5th Annual South West Regional International Red Hat Day Gathering at The Pier House Hotel, Westward Ho! on Saturday, 28th April this year, the ‘Cotswold Gems’ were awarded a lovely Hamper for being the best dressed group with the theme ‘St.Trinians’. Most of our group took the ‘lateral’ approach and dressed as teachers, but a few naughty school girls managed to infiltrate!! The Devonshire Dumplings hosted this event and they will be a hard act to follow. Such attention to detail - even down to little brown envelopes containing ‘pocket money’ and individual boxes containing sweets, bringing back memories of school days! Well done girls – we had a wonderful time. Margo – First Lady, Cotswold Gems, Yate.
Norfolk Broads celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee along with bunting, bubbly and bears - dressed for the occasion of course!
Scarlet Sparkles, Milton Keynes had a Hen Party for the Royal Wedding
The Wild Cherries of Gloucester celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at the Party in the Park, Gloucester
Diamond Jubilee celebrations Bardwell Batty Bees style
Pearls of Poole had a mystery celebrity at their Jubilee Celebration - "Cousin Itt" from the Addams Family!
Photos from Downham Market Festival Bank Holiday Monday 4th June 2012 . Sluice Women were joined by ladies from Wacky Women of Wisbech, Fens Fatales and Swaffham Sparklers.
Oh what fun we all had.
London Red Hatters celebrated the Jubilee
at the Tower of London
Meeting and greeting - Queens Maur and Dorry, with Jules (Lady Airey Fairy from the Bees) and Barbeara (Cambridge Razzleberries) met an American visitor from California today, 11/06/2012. They took Queen Nori to Browns for a lovely lunch and a good giggle. "The rain did not dampen our spirits and the waiter said we brightened his day," said Dorry.
Knitting and nattering in Gloucester
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Knitting-nattering-Gloucester/story-16345905-detail/story.html
Gloucester Wild Cherries' own Duchess of Dizzyness, Dizzy-Ann Pedrick helped organise the Gloucester event for World Knit in Public Day last Saturday, 11/06/2012. Not only did the ladies get their picture in the paper, but Dizzy was also up at the crack of dawn to get to the BBC studio with Queen Purple Sue to be interviewed about the event, and about Red Hatting!
Diss Carnival - Sunday 17th June 2012
The Vermilion Vixens were joined by a bevy of Norfolk Broads, a London Hatter and a Batty Bee for the Diss Carnival parade. We WON the Best Walking Group Trophy for the Parade. A huge thank you to everyone who made the effort to put on their very best Regalia and helped the Vixens paint the town Vermilion. xx
The Ladies of Lakeland braved the elements to show off their colours (and umbrellas!) welcoming the Olympic Torch to Whitehaven on 21st June 2012.
Arrrhhhh - shiver me timbers!
Pearls of Poole celebrate Harry Paye Day
Henry Paye (died 1419), also known as Harry, Page or Arripaye (to the Spanish), was a privateer and smuggler from Poole, Dorset in the late 14th and early 15th century, who became a commander in the Cinque Ports fleet.
Says Queen Kes "He was a pirate who saved the people of Poole from starvation."
Paye is celebrated in the annual Harry Paye Charity Fun Day parade held in Poole every June. Rosemary Manning wrote a children's novel entitled Arripay based on his life.
Says Queen Kes "He was a pirate who saved the people of Poole from starvation."
Paye is celebrated in the annual Harry Paye Charity Fun Day parade held in Poole every June. Rosemary Manning wrote a children's novel entitled Arripay based on his life.
Waterside Red Devils of Holbury, near Southampton, at play
Olympic Torch Relay at Hadleigh
The Rose Madder Reds of Benfleet were there!
More pictures on our website:
Our own Lady of the Torch
Anne Godwin of the Daft Old Bats, Bedford was chosen to be one of the torch bearers for the Olympic Torch Relay. No problem if the flame went out - Anne would have re-ignited it with her beaming smile!
Sixty and Oh So Debonaire!
Yesterday (10/07/2012) “The Debonaires of Weston super Mare” had a little celebration. Our newest member Lady Ruby Red, Denise, celebrated her 60th birthday on Monday and we all met the day after for tea, coffee, cake and ice cream. We had a lovely afternoon!
In the photo from left: Lady Love, Lady Camellia, Lady Ruby Red, Queen Emerald Taffeta and Lady Lighthouse Pearl.
Now we are planning for the Festival in the Forest. So our next meeting will be a sewing meet to make sure all the dresses and petticoats are ready and fit! Can’t wait to have our first outing as a group and to meet lots of other Red Hat Ladies!
In the photo from left: Lady Love, Lady Camellia, Lady Ruby Red, Queen Emerald Taffeta and Lady Lighthouse Pearl.
Now we are planning for the Festival in the Forest. So our next meeting will be a sewing meet to make sure all the dresses and petticoats are ready and fit! Can’t wait to have our first outing as a group and to meet lots of other Red Hat Ladies!
London Red Hatters at Portobello Road Market 13/07/2012
A sunny day in Manchester - yes, honestly!
Silktown Red Hatters from Macclesfield and one Liver Bird at the Hat Works - the UK's only museum dedicated solely to the hat-making industry, located in an old mill near Stockport railway station (14/07/2012)
Then across the road to the Air Raid Shelter Museum
- and the 16 seater toilets!
- and the 16 seater toilets!
Red Hat Ladies Day at Newmarket
12th July 2012
The Gadabout Girls of Wisbech were joined for the first time by their lovely "Pinkies"
The Fiery Fascinators (Hitchin) and My Fair Ladies (Stotfold) were there too
Ruby Belles Olympic Dinner - Crofters Wine Bar, Witham
31/07/2012
Twelve Ruby Belles and one interloper (Liver Bird) celebrated the Olympics in red, white and blue with a fab meal, a quiz and raffle. Everyone went home with something - and it wasn't indigestion!
London Red Hatters challenge Usain Bolt
"You'd be amazed what we can do in 9.63 seconds" said Queen Lorna!
They interrupted their training yesterday (16/08/2012) to admire the Cutty Sark.
Remember our "Daft Old Bat" Anne, the Olympic Torchbearer?
If you need a reminder, here she is carrying the torch through Bedford Town Centre. Said Anne - "Ladies from Daft Old Bats stoically braved the awful rain on the morning of My Moment To Shine whilst I managed to stay dry on the bus until just after the rain stopped! Although I managed to not see many folk who were there to support me, I couldn't miss the Red Hatters grouped together.
"My torch experience continues as I take the torch to retirement homes, garden parties, schools and children's holiday clubs. So far I have raised over £700 for the local MS Therapy centre here in Bedford."
"My torch experience continues as I take the torch to retirement homes, garden parties, schools and children's holiday clubs. So far I have raised over £700 for the local MS Therapy centre here in Bedford."
The Sunday before the torch relay, Anne also did the London Sun Walk and this picture was actually used on Walk the Walk's own blog for that event. Go Anne!
Who says we don't get a summer in the UK?
Indisputable proof, wouldn't you say, as Queen Mum Duchess Dottie Darling and Vice Queen Lady Luvit soak up the sun at the Mulberry Divas first Saturday coffee morning at the Verandah in Goring by Sea, 18/08/2012.
"Nothing mega special really but I think they look lovely and I would like them to have similar billing to me as all 3 of us set this chapter up, they just insisted I take charge!!!" wrote Queen Suzie.
"Nothing mega special really but I think they look lovely and I would like them to have similar billing to me as all 3 of us set this chapter up, they just insisted I take charge!!!" wrote Queen Suzie.
That's Settle'd then!
New Queen Barbara writes: "We decided to have a chapter in Settle as we had met a group of Hatters when we went on a cruise off the Norwegian coast earlier this year. They were having a good time! Most of us attend a gym locally and we thought the red hat would distance us from it for social occasions. Because some of us work full time we can't all always manage to get to each "bit of a do". But the Hatters on the cruise told us that wouldn't matter.....so..... I contacted you and here we are. We are Red Hat 3Peakers because of our geography, amongst the 3 peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Penyghent."
King's Lynn becomes "Red Hat Queen's" Lynn
This was taken last night (12/09/2012) at first meeting of 50 Shades of Red and Purple Women of King's Lynn. I am the newly crowned queen with the feather sceptre. The coronation was presided over by Queen Ros of the Sluice Women of Downham Market. As you can see we were having a good time.
Hatty best wishes,
Queen Sharman aka Lady Crochet-Hook
AND - three weeks after the event they made the local paper!
Hatty best wishes,
Queen Sharman aka Lady Crochet-Hook
AND - three weeks after the event they made the local paper!
News from Bonnie Scotland
Welcome to the Dolly Mixtures from Dumfries and their Queen Pamela, Queen Bee n Bee. The Dolly Mixtures are the first chapter from north of the border to contact this British Red Hatters website.
Welcome to the Dolly Mixtures from Dumfries and their Queen Pamela, Queen Bee n Bee. The Dolly Mixtures are the first chapter from north of the border to contact this British Red Hatters website.
Queen Bee n Bee writes: "I have attached a photo of our very first gathering, I am the elegant lady sitting!! (as Queen!!) It was taken at The Laurie Arms at the Haugh of Urr 3 years ago.
A couple of photos for the website - the first one is our day out at Carlisle races. We didn't win but had a great day. The second photo is a day at Dumfries House that was very interesting. It's the house that Prince Charles rescued, well worth a visit.
We are now up to 15 members and still hoping for a few more."
We are now up to 15 members and still hoping for a few more."
Waterside Red Devils are Bloomin' Lovely!
The Southampton (Holbury) chapter recently spent a lovely day at Gilbert's Dahlia Nursery at Sherfield English near Romsey.
Queen Jean writes: "Beautiful areas of every colour and style of dahlias, and the showers stayed away while we toured the site.
Finished of course, with what do we do best - tea and cake."
A Right Royal Day Out
The Crimson Coasters of Arundel were joined by Queens Maur (A1
Hattractions), Cyndie (Blueberry Muffins) and Jay (Sussex Sisters) for a
visit to the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace on Monday 17.09.2012.
Hattractions), Cyndie (Blueberry Muffins) and Jay (Sussex Sisters) for a
visit to the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace on Monday 17.09.2012.
Did those net curtains just twitch???
Ferry cross the Mersey
The Liver Birds with some "luvvies" after a performance of "Nobody's Perfect" - a brilliantly written comedy by Simon Williams (he of Upstairs Downstairs James Bellamy fame!) at the Birkenhead Little Theatre 27.09.2012.
The Liver Birds with some "luvvies" after a performance of "Nobody's Perfect" - a brilliantly written comedy by Simon Williams (he of Upstairs Downstairs James Bellamy fame!) at the Birkenhead Little Theatre 27.09.2012.
Our Fair Lady Paralympics Gamesmaker
Jean Lady Chattery of My Fair Ladies, Stotfold writes:
I was a Games Maker and went to lots of events and also the parade but not as a Red Hatter unfortunately. Our uniform as you probably saw, was red and purple (excellent choice). We were not allowed to modify any of the uniform so I couldn't wear my red hat, in fact I managed not to wear the purple cap either as I looked awful in it. I did spread the word about the Red Hat Society far and wide though so there may be some new recruits all round the world!
Liver Birds illuminate Blackpool
The Liver Birds of Liverpool headed off for the bright lights of Blackpool Illuminations and a night out at the Sands Venue for the Swing Spectacular 12.10.2012
The Liver Birds of Liverpool headed off for the bright lights of Blackpool Illuminations and a night out at the Sands Venue for the Swing Spectacular 12.10.2012
Dame Dolly showed the band how it is done. If they keep up the practice they might become nearly as good!
Ruby Belles are Bewitching!
The Ruby Belles worked their magic on the patrons and staff at Crofters in Witham at their Halloween Dinner {31st Oct}. Entertainment was provided by "Dino" and Elvis who made a comeback from "the other side" perhaps?
Cambridge Razzleberries
Linda Balfour noticed we had several photos at Newmarket races in the gallery and thought perhaps we would like one of the Razzleberries The other two were taken on a day out to Felixstowe.
Please keep them coming, Razzleberries!
Please keep them coming, Razzleberries!
Being Regal, Unruly and Cheeky Old Tarts - the Halesowen way!
Queen of Tarts Sue writes: "We have had some great events during our time together such as a flight to see the Northern Lights, a trip on the Orient Express to Edinburgh where we saw the original Edinburgh Tattoo (on the bare bottom of a man under his kilt), hot air ballooning, chartering a canal boat for the day along with many more. We do have great times together as I am sure do all the other chapters."
"The caricature picture we had done for one of our members for her 80th birthday."
Bromley Red Hat Rebels at the V&A
The Bromley Red Hat Rebels visited the Victoria & Albert Museum to see an exhibition of Ball gowns from the 1920's - 2000's.
"Many of us remember the styles and the figures we had to get into them," commented Lady Snapper aka Lyn. Well of course we do, Lyn. It was only last year!!! LOL
Christmas as Chatsworth
Getting into the Christmas spirit (speaking figuratively of course) were the Liver Birds from Liverpool, the Dronfield Damsons, Derbyshire and Queen Maur the Merrier from Stamford, Lincolnshire. Too much to do and see in a few hours - countless market stalls and oompah bands outside, whilst inside the big house was decked out in the most splendid Christmas decorations with the ground floor rooms all lavishly depicting favourite fairy stories and pantomimes.
Sack the photographer!
The Lancashire Lasses had a great lunch today (26.11.2012) at M&C Steakhouse, Parbold - unfortunately the photographer cut one of the ladies off in her prime!
Draculaaaaaaaaagh!!!
The Liver Birds at the Little Theatre Birkenhead for the Carlton Players production of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" 28.11.2012. Pictured with the "vampire brides" are some of the stars. Act natural the photographer said ...
"Cantie Saunt Dandie's Day tae ye!"
That's Scots for Happy St. Andrew's Day to you and me!
That's Scots for Happy St. Andrew's Day to you and me!
Founding Queen LindyLou of the Ruby Belles of Witham writes:
What a lovely day I have had. It started with a delicious bacon butty, made by Wanda Queen Opal of the Liverpool Liverbirds who is staying with me a few days. You may be thinking I am over-enthusiastic about a bacon butty but not having had one for almost 12 months it was a real treat.
What a lovely day I have had. It started with a delicious bacon butty, made by Wanda Queen Opal of the Liverpool Liverbirds who is staying with me a few days. You may be thinking I am over-enthusiastic about a bacon butty but not having had one for almost 12 months it was a real treat.
At lunchtime 11 Ruby Belles joined me at my home for a St Andrew's Day Lunch. Co-Queen Carol Duchess of the Dance and Chris Duchess Vanilla'n'Spice served us all up a very tasty Ploughman's Lunch ...
We had a raffle, and a Scottish themed quiz which was won by Clare Lady Claret Velvet, the star prize being a pretty thistle brooch, while Shirley Red Angel won the booby prize - a very nice tartan-topped notebook & pen - and was duly told to revise! 30.11.2012
Caught On Camera!
The Taunton Red Hatters were snapped by one of the diners as they were enjoying a meal out at the Piano and Pitcher on 4th December. Sporting the Brunhilda look is their Queen, Mary. The ladies encouraged the photographer to make contact with the British Red Hatters which she duly did and has been referred to her local chapter at Ilminster. Well done ladies!
Red Hatters are the reason Santa has a "Naughty List"!
The creatively inspired Coomberries of Ilfracombe, Devon supported the local children's hospice with their "Twelve Knits of Christmas". Coomberry Sue writes:
"There were about 8 of us knitting.
Basically I made the suggestion. We copied the pages from the book
and left the ladies to take a page of the ones they wanted to do. They
have said if I get another "good" idea to keep it to myself!!! It wasn't so much the knitting that proved the challenge but the sewing up, stuffing and finishing off, 146 eyes to say the least. The money was for the Children's Hospice South West Little Bridge House. We raised £180 and the lady who won also donated the whole thing to the Hospice. They were thrilled."
The 12 Knits of Christmas by Fiona Goble: ISBN 9781908005106
Publisher: Ivy Press
"There were about 8 of us knitting.
Basically I made the suggestion. We copied the pages from the book
and left the ladies to take a page of the ones they wanted to do. They
have said if I get another "good" idea to keep it to myself!!! It wasn't so much the knitting that proved the challenge but the sewing up, stuffing and finishing off, 146 eyes to say the least. The money was for the Children's Hospice South West Little Bridge House. We raised £180 and the lady who won also donated the whole thing to the Hospice. They were thrilled."
The 12 Knits of Christmas by Fiona Goble: ISBN 9781908005106
Publisher: Ivy Press
Red Hat Christmas at the White Hart, Witham
The Ruby Belles were despatched to the White Hart by Queen LindyLou: "Ladies attending the Christmas Dinner at the White Hart - have a wonderful evening. Sorry I can't be with you. Enjoy your Secret Santa's. Love, Linda Queen LindyLou."
Orders obeyed Your Majesty, as you can see!
Orders obeyed Your Majesty, as you can see!
Spectacularly Fascinating!
The 'Fiery Fascinators' from Hitchin, Hertfordshire visited the Thursford Christmas Spectacular on Tuesday, 11th December. "It was a splendid day out and I recommend it as a special treat next year," writes Queen Mags.
The Debonaires of Weston super Mare have already celebrated their Christmas get-together.
Margret, Lady Lighthouse Pearl writes: "We always have a German Advent Tea for our Christmas celebration. And usually it has a topic. This year we met on the 6th of December, which in Germany is celebrated as “Nikolaustag” (St. Nicholas Day). Traditionally German children put out a plate or a slipper the night before and find sweets and fruit in it in the morning. “Nikolaus” brings those sweets in the night! That is of course, if they were good children. Well if that is the measure, the Debonaires were good girls, because every one found a plate of goodies here at my place. There were the traditional sweets and I made a “Stutenkerl” for everyone. Those are made from sweet bread, they have a clay pipe and they are traditional for this day.
For our Advent tea I had printed the traditions for this day and St. Nicholas for everyone, and we had a very enjoyable time catching up on gossip and talking about Christmas traditions."
From the left: Barbara – Lady Camelia, Denise – Lady Ruby Red, Eileen – Queen Emerald Taffeta, Margret – Lady Lighthouse Pearl (behind) and Sue – Lady Flossie Flauntit
And as you can see, we opened the bottle of Champagne Eileen won at the Festival in the Forest Convention Shame the chapter wasn't complete and two of our ladies had to be with us in spirit only.
Moby Dick anyone?
The Ladies of Lakeland, Egremont, Cumbria had their Christmas Party at Crosby's Fish and Chip Shop in Whitehaven.
Pass the salt and vinegar!
Pass the salt and vinegar!
A Crumbly Christmas to you!
Queen Red Mel and the Crimson Crumblies of Chelmsford enjoying their Christmas celebration.
London Red Hatters in party mood
This could almost be an audition for "Chorus Line"! The London Red Hatters - all 54 of them - lining up before going into a restaurant to celebrate their 5th Anniversary. Some of the ladies well and truly got into the Christmas spirit by decorating their hats. The London Red Hatters are just girls who wanna have fun!
Banny Bags R Us!
From VQ Joy of Crawley Red Titfer Tats: Thought you might like to see this picture my son took of the little bags I knitted for my Red Hat Ladies on the occasion of our annual Christmas Bun Fight! My granddaughters named them “Banny Bags” because they call me “Banny” (don't ask!) It all started with me finding an outsize ball of sparkly purple wool in “Poundland”. I didn't know what I was going to do with it; it wasn't enough to knit a sweater, and I have more scarves than I need. It suddenly came into its own whilst I was looking for Christmas decorations and I decided to make these little bags which were obviously quick and simple. I filled them with little purple printed polyester neck scarves which folded nicely into them, put decorations on each one and lo and behold there they were. They were received with great delight.
Wisbech Christmas Fair sees red
(and purple!)
Queen Ros, aka Lady Stitchery-Pokery of the Downham Market Sluice Women writes: These photos were taken by a young man at the Wisbech Christmas Fair on Monday 17th December. There were ladies there from Sluice Women, Wacky Women of Wisbech, Fenland Fillies, 50 Shades of Red & Purple, Swaffham Sparklers and I believe Fens Fatales. If I have missed anybody out then I apologise. As you can see we had a very good time just checking out the wares on sale!!! hic!!
(Photos by Andrew Warren [email protected])
(Photos by Andrew Warren [email protected])
A Dickens of a day!
The Liver Birds of Liverpool were at Bistro Pierre for their Christmas lunch today (20/12/2012) and then went on the St.George's Hall where in the Small Concert Room, Charles Dickens' great great grandson, Gerald Dickens, performed "A Christmas Carol". Charles Dickens himself visited Liverpool on many occasions. He called it his "Northern refuge" and in fact gave readings on exactly the same stage.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from
Did someone say hot chocolate and Baileys?
Just follow those ladies in the Red Hats!
The above pic was taken at Wisbech Christmas Market when the Wacky Women invited the Fen Fatales, Sluice Women, Swaffham Sparklers and 50 Shades of Red and Purple to join them for a photo-shoot. "We had a lovely time browsing the stalls especially the hot chocolate and Baileys one!!" Queen Margaret tells us.
The above pic was taken at Wisbech Christmas Market when the Wacky Women invited the Fen Fatales, Sluice Women, Swaffham Sparklers and 50 Shades of Red and Purple to join them for a photo-shoot. "We had a lovely time browsing the stalls especially the hot chocolate and Baileys one!!" Queen Margaret tells us.
NORFOLK BROADS DO CHRISTMAS
The Christmas season saw The Norfolk Broads celebrate in Simply The Best style with a trip to the Lincoln Christmas Market, Cromer Pier Show. Fakenham Christmas Trees, Christmas Carol evening, Christmas Lunch and Turkey and Tinsel in Torquay We’ve had a wonderful year and wish all our Red Hatters wherever they are, a very Happy and Healthy 2013.
Forces Sweethearts - Turkey and Tinsel in Torquay. And the rest .......! "The photo of us on our way to Torquay for our Turkey & Tinsel weekend shows us raising the troops' morale (!) with the Queen's Colour Squadron (how apt is that?) from RAF Northolt. They were on their way somewhere and we met up at the Birchanger Services where we were waiting to change coaches. What a lovely bunch of guys they were - really cheered up a rather tedious journey" writes Queen Jude.
A Hatty Batty Christmas!
Photos from the (Bardwell Batty) Bees Christmas lunch today when we presented the cheques from the convention to East Anglian Childrens Hospice and The Starlight Foundation for Children. £600 each!!!