The brass band played, stalls were decorated, refreshments set up, Victorian attired servants were in attendance in the hall and Father Christmas arrived to sit in his spectacular grotto. The band was the Kirklees Youth Brass Band led by their conductor Alex Kenyon. The Grotto was lit with eight sparkling Christmas trees. In the snow, were an animated lovely to stroke reindeer, a pair of baby rabbits and several animated figures and a throne for Father Christmas. These were all supplied and installed by KD Decoratives.
In other rooms, you could have your face painted or have a sparkling tattoo. You could purchase your Christmas cake, choose presents from a wide range of stalls and when exhausted, sample our home made refreshments. There was even a book stall where you could pick up the latest paperback to enjoy whilst having a rest. This was our most successful Victorian Christmas Fair with over 1100 people coming along to enjoy the event.
Friday 13th November, was the day chosen to hold our first ‘Murder Mystery Dinner’. The scene was set in the 1920’s so most dressed accordingly. In this ‘play’ we were attending a dinner to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary. The story unfolds during the dinner, a murder is committed and at the end the ‘Inspector’ comes in to resolve what has happened and to see which of the guests, that is we dinners, have guessed the scenario. It was great fun and a couple did guess who had done it. Bizarrely the police did call at the start of this event, but only to see why the lights were on in the Woodhead Room in the Museum!
The series of lectures with Huddersfield University has once again been very successful and the followers, who join us are growing in numbers. There was a slight hiccup at the lecture on Emile Zola, we are not meant to have this lecture! However the other lectures have been fascinating. One was about Christmas Spirits and we heard a story about unexplained happenings. This was held in the Victorian classroom with dimmed lights which was very spooky. We then took part in some sleight of hand tricks, or were they?
ParkRun in Ravensknowle Park
The Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle bid for £500 to set up a ParkRun in Ravensknowle Park. Thanks to support from the local community we were successful.
ParkRun is a national organisation to encourage the fun of regular running. There is a ParkRun for all ages in Greenhead Park at 9am every Saturday morning and one for children aged 4—14. every Sunday morning. These are over subscribed with over 600 people taking part on the Saturday and 70 or 80 children taking part on the Sunday morning.
We plan to organise a ParkRun for children in Ravensknowle and have mapped out the route. To get started we need a group of committed enthusiasts led by a Run Director. I am delighted to say that Louise Galvin, who has been a Run Director in Greenhead, is keen to take on this role. We also have some people who are willing to join the organising committee. We have support from Kirklees, from local schools and others who are keen to promote running for children. The actual cost of starting a Parkrun is £3,000 and the shortfall is being paid by Kirklees.
If you run or know someone who is keen on running, we are still looking for helpers, such as marshals, at this weekly event. The commitment will not be weekly but to be on a rota of helpers. The Friends plan to organise a café at the time of the run. We would welcome any help with this. At the moment we are hoping to serve refreshments from the hut on the bowling green. The ParkRun is an exciting new activity initiated by the ‘Friends’ and we hope to see the first ‘run’ on a Sunday in March.
Tea & Cake in the Museum
2nd Wednesday every month. 2.00 – 3.30 at the Tolson Museum
13th January. Tour of the Museum Part 2.
10th February. Valentines Day Tales.
9th March. Decorating Eggs.
Bowling green to the rear of Tolson available at all these meetings.
Traditional Cream Teas
Treat you wife, partner, the love of your life, the family to a cream tea on Valentines Day.
Sunday 14th February. 2.00 – 3.30
And once again we invite you to bring your Mum along for a cream tea to celebrate Mothering Sunday.
Sunday 6th March. 2.00 – 3.30
£5.00 per person.
About Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle
The Committee of Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle meet once a month to plan the programme for the local community and support the work of the Museum. We look after the Heritage Memorial Garden. We would welcome any one who is interested in working with us.
For more information please contact Volunteer Ann, Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle. m: 07803159506 email: secretary@friendsoftolson.org