Social Butterflies
Convenor : Pat Braden Tel: 07984714911
Day/Time: Twice a month
Numbers are restricted to 12 for outings to keep it manageable so it will be on a first come first served basis. All events which cost money have to be paid up front with no refunds given although another member can take the place. To ensure all member’s needs are met they are expected to organise at least one get together a year – this can be a picnic in the park, a trip to Dublin/Newcastle, going to a live show/cinema/theatre, a scenic walk, a quiz, a tasty lunch, a trip to Stormont Castle – the sky is the limit!
In 2024 the Social Butterflies will meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. One meeting will be a lunch organised by the members as this appears to be the most popular gathering and the other will be an event, decided on by the members but usually organised by Pat. There will be other outings arranged throughout the year not necessarily on a Saturday. All upcoming events will be posted on the Web page and members should all be on the WhatsApp group so that communications are made easily. Members who do not have WhatsApp should keep updated by the website, talking to other members or ringing Pat.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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31st July – Bohemian Rhapsody Sing along – Grand Opera House £13.95
Organiser- Adean McKay
9th August – Trip to Rathlin Island
Organiser – Pat Braden
23rd August – Visit to Sentry Hill £3.50
Organiser- Pat Braden
30th August – Andre Rieu Omniplex Carrickfergus- £16.66
Organiser – Roberta Evans
6th September- Trip to L/Derry by train
Organiser- Pat Braden
20th September- Country comes to Town, Portadown
Organiser – Pat Braden
28th November – A Christmas Carol Lyric
Organiser- Bea McQuitty
PAST EVENTS
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On 9th July we finally got going on the Hop On Hop Off bus around Belfast. While it wasn’t raining neither was it sunny. While our host Gerry was relatively amusing he was hard to hear at times with the noise of the traffic and he did tend to dwell on the troubles a fair bit but it was nice to relax and see our city as a tourist. Some of our members then enjoyed a coffee after. A very pleasant morning and it was great meeting our new member Ethel.
On Sunday 15th I visited Garden Ireland which is always interesting & entertaining and at least this year the weather was kind to us. These are just a few of the sights.
On Saturday 14th June a few of us braved the weather to go to Bangor to see the Sculpture Exhibition in the walled garden. Due to a member missing the train we decided to go for lunch first in the Ava which Roberta had organised for us. A very good choice with excellent food, great service and good value for money. We then headed to the Exhibition which was good but we decided that’s nature’s Sculptures were better than the man made ones. A very enjoyable day despite the rain!
On Saturday 31st May we enjoyed another great lunch at Whitehead Golf Club organised by Sharon. We are never disappointed there as portions are a good size, it is reasonably priced and there is a great selection. It was good to see so many people and great that Lorna could join us.
Had a fabulous trip to Glenarm Castle on Saturday 17th May. Had a tour of the Castle (after coffee) by George & William who think they are the new Ant and Dec so not only was it educational but very entertaining as well. We then had lunch in the Tea Room & although it was busy they handled the crowd very well & we were delighted that Martin & Moira could join us. Then we visited the Walled gardens and although the tulips were slightly past their best (the festival was last weekend) they were still magnificent. After that we visited the Heritage Centre and then the shops – hats, dresses, jewellery was bought! Weather just made the whole experience tremendous.
On 3rd May we made our way to Seamus Heaney’s Homeplace in Bellaghy (thanx Jim & Margaret for the lift) What an afternoon – if you haven’t been put it on your list. Centre is very well organised with a very pleasant cafe upstairs (but there is a lift & a wheelchair if needed) Even if you had never heard of Seamus you can’t help being inspired by his down to earth poetry which brings back our own childhood memories. Afterwards we went to the pub next door for a meal which was delicious- a very enjoyable and educational experience.
On 19th April Evie and I went to see ‘Our New Girl’ a psychological thriller about a ‘Damian child’, a pregnant mother, a never at home Dad and a black nanny from Sligo??? Well there was everything in this play from post natal depression, child abuse, racism, infidelity etc etc. While the acting was excellent and the production very good – the ending wasn’t – so much so you would think there was going to be a sequel! A very pleasant afternoon nonetheless. As Anita wasn’t there no photos were taken
On 12th April 3 of us headed to the Grand Opera House to see ‘Thursday’s with Elvis’. This was a musical about a single mother from Northern Ireland struggling with the realities of life and yet managed to achieve her dream of becoming a singer with the help of ‘Elvis’. The singing was good as it was 60s music and by the end we were on our feet singing with everyone else. However I am tired of Northern Ireland being depicted as a foul speaking, sacrilegious, crude, rude race and I think motherhood is difficult for all mothers not just single parents (and I am one) so it wasn’t my favourite outing. However it was great to see Christine able to join us and the play gave us lots of material to discuss. Again no photos taken
On 5th April we decided to lunch in Carrickfergus Cricket Club as it had been highly recommended to us as the place to eat in Carrickfergus. It was a beautiful day and we had booked 2 small tables so we could chat better and some of us changed tables after the main course. Although the craic was mighty unfortunately the food wasn’t. Stephen who runs it was very pleasant and attentive and apart from Christine & Anita not being able to join us we had a great time catching up.
On 28th March we went to Belvoir Studio to see ‘A Murder is Announced’ by Agatha Christie and performed by the Belvoir Players. There was a bottle of Proseco for the person who guessed whodunnit and needless to say none of us won it! A very enjoyable evening which had more red herings than a school of fish and kept us guessing right up to the end. Acting was excellent – a good night out.
On Friday 14th March we had the pleasure of experiencing Vietnamese cuisine in Madame Pho’s in St Anne’s Square courtesy of Anita. The food was interesting and noone left hungry due to the generous portions. Unfortunately one of the drivers had car problems so we had the unpected pleasure of the company of Anita’s husband who not only saved the day by taxiing the stranded members but also fixed the car! Well Done Raymond I wish you would join our group. Thanx to Anita for organising so efficiently and I hope we can experience more Asian events in the future.
On 22nd February we decided to try out the newly refurbished Whitecliff Inn in Whitehead for lunch – unfortunately there was a rugby match on so on the downside it was very noisy and busy and on the positive side the atmosphere was brilliant as there was a meet & greet from 2 Irish players so the place was buzzing. Despite all this we all got our meals together and the food was good and the craic mighty. Well done Martin for organising it.
On 8th February we visited the Lyric Theatre and then had a meal in Scalinis. The Gap Year was about 3 ladies who bought a camper van and took a tear out yo travel all the counties in Ireland. One has just lost her husband through death, one had just discovered she had Alzeimers and the other’s husband had left her for another woman! There was humour along the way but the storyline affected most people in the audience in a negative way so it ended up being quite sad rather than uplifting. Fortunately the meal after was jolly and everyone had a really good time. Thanks Bea for organising and again Roberta was missed.
On 1st February we went out to the Teal Monkey for lunch before going to see the Comedians in the Grand Opera House, unfortunately Roberta & Eddie didn’t make it due to illness. The food was good and the show was brilliant – just what we needed – a trip down memory lane. Roy Walker, Adrian Walsh, Jimmy Cricket & Gene Fitzpatrick – all local comedians backed by the Club Sound – average age was 80 but the craic was mighty even though some of them through ill health were slightly past their sell by date. Great afternoon’s entertainment.
On 17th January we had our first Saturday Club meeting of 2025 – Lunch in the Ivy. There were 8 of us and unfortunately the Ivy won’t do tables of more than 6 so we had 2 tables of 4 booked in different parts of the restaurant. We were both kept waiting for our tables bit one quartet got theirs first – and that’s when the trouble started – they waited and waited for their food- when it finally arrived the food was cold & orders wrong – the management ended up adjusting the bill considerably but 4 very unhappy customers who said they would never be back. The other 4 had to wait even longer for their table but ordered nibbles so they wouldn’t notice if food took a while to come. While the service wasn’t brilliant the food was fabulous and a great time was had generally with everyone happy to pay the 12.5% service charge. So 2 very different stories at the same time in the same restaurant – just shows you!
On 17th December some members made it to the Jingle & Jazz event organised by Belfast City Council. A very entertaining afternoon was had by all and we even saw Eddie strutting his stuff!
On 14th December we went to St George’s Market, the Christmas Markets & had lunch in Actons afterwards. Our convenor slept in but made it for lunch!
On 30th November some members went to the Victorian Fair in Whitehead and enjoyed the usual festive stalls and lunch in the Fuzzy Beak after. Others went to the Georgian Festival in Armagh where they enjoyed afternoon tea in the City Hotel, following by Rapunzel Pantomime at the theatre before meeting reindeer, coach & horses, stalls full of locally grown products & dressed up characters on the way to add to the atmosphere.
On 20th October Bea & Pat set of on a wintry afternoon to Derry, after checking into their hotel they went for a roam round the streets & shops bumping into a very famous character on their way – no not Father Damian (who we met in the City Hotel) but Father Christmas who was happy to stop for a photo. Lovely meal in El Tapas Gra and then to the Millennium to see Mrs Brown the musical. Language was a bit colourful but it was hilarious and just what we needed to start the Christmas festivities.
On Saturday 26th October we had a super lunch in the Dairy in Gleno followed by a roam about their shop. It was great to welcome new members Jim and Margaret to the group. Unfortunately Christine wasn’t well enough to join us and we all wish her a speedy recovery.
On Saturday 12th October as part of Belfast Restaurant week we went to Mourne Seafood restaurant where we could get 2 courses for £20. Some members visited St Mary’s in Chapel Lane before lunch. Food was delicious but unfortunately Elizabeth wasn’t well and couldn’t join us. Food was delicious and we got the chance to discuss what activities we would have between now and end of the year. As always the craic was good and even the weather was kind to us.
On Saturday 21st September we had another great lunch in Ownies unfortunately Eddie & Roberta couldn’t make it. It was nice just having the time to get to know each other over good food & drink and bounce ideas of one another.
On Saturday 14th September at our outing to St George’s Market we welcomed 3 new members to the group – Adean, Kate & Norma – unfortunately Marilyn was sick so the group had to fend for themselves. Some people had breakfast in Stock the restaurant at the Markets followed by leisurely shopping spree. The rest of the group wandered round the markets and then dandered over to Actons where they had a leisurely lunch. The Saturday Club is about enjoyment and having company to do what you want to do we now have 29 members (some more active than others) and that doesn’t mean always sticking together. Always looking for more ideas – the club is only as good as it’s members.
On Saturday 7th September we headed to Armagh by train & bus. Fortunately it was a fabulous day so even getting delayed with road works on the M1 didn’t annoy us. The Cider Festival however was very disappointing as the cider tasting didn’t start until 4.00 p.m. There were a few stalls about and plenty of shops to keep us amused until we could get lunch and have a real cider (which was very nice). Afterwards we sat in the sun listening to the live music before our journey home. A lovely day enhanced by the late summer.
All members should be on The Social Butterflies WhatsApp group – all they have to do is say what they would like to do, see how many other members are interested and then together we will make it happen. The Club is only as good as it’s members we need to know what people want to do, what they want to see, where they want to go.
Anyone interested in joining should contact Pat