Roving Reporters
Summer Event
Saturday 13th August 2011
It's 10.30 on Saturday morning and I am on the bus to Halifax to participate in the Summer Event. Bankfield Museum is a good fifteen minutes walk from the bus station. This Italian-style building was once a private residence but has been a museum for 100 years. The interior architecture and decorated ceilings are stunning. After a cappuccino and biscuits I visit the quilting exhibition with Jean and Kate. There are all sorts of different styles and colours, bed quilts, wall hangings, cushions, collages and pictures - demonstrating skills not only of quilting but also machine embroidery - all produced by the talented quilters of Calderdale and surrounding areas. It's very inspirational.
Bankfield is also home to the Duke of Wellington Regiment museum - you need to speak to Anthony for information on that exhibition.
… It is now 12.45 and I am collected by Dave and Phil and whisked off to Ogden Water where we join more of our IVC friends for a picnic lunch. It is definitely on the chilly side but at least it's not raining.
Treasure Hunt time - Jean gives us our clues, we divide into teams. Two teams dash off; we don't see them again 'til the pub! Dave, Phil and I are counting windmills, examining plaques on benches, etc. when we are joined by Wendy. Our team name was 'Triumvirate' - now we are the Triumvirate of Four.
We arrive at the lake - misinterpret a clue, venture on a path where we aren't supposed to be and look for clues that aren't there. The sun comes out, coats come off and, after two hours or so, we arrive at the finishing point having managed to answer every question. We even have some of the answers on camera, thanks to our team photographer. The adjudicators, Jean and Marian, check our paper. We argue with each other about the answers we have written down, we argue with the adjudicators (sorry Jean!). All to no avail - Jean stands firm - her decision is final. She won't even consider a bribe.
The last 'event' of the day is a meal at The Moorlands where 20 of us sit down to a very welcome dinner. The winners of the Treasure Hunt (not the Triumvirate of Four, I might add) are presented with a bottle of bubbly.
Many thanks to Jean for pulling it altogether, Marian for helping, and Phil for booking the meal - a very varied and enjoyable day.
Margaret L.