Saturday Club
Convenor : Pat Braden Tel: 07984714911
Day/Time: 2nd and 4th Saturday of the 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 Saturday Club 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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17th January – The Ivy @ 14.15 p.m. £20 – £50
Organiser Pat Braden
1st February – G.O.H – in the studio – The Comedians £23
Organiser Roberta Evans
8th February – the Lyric – The Gap Year £35
Organiser Bea McQuitty
PAST EVENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Unfortunately our Christmas party organised for the Cabaret Supper Club on 23rd December was cancelled by the Centre and although we were offered an alternative date it did not suit the majority of the members. At least we got our deposit back.
Happy New Year to all our members and wishing everyone good health for 2025.
Pat
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.
On Saturday 24th August, Christine and Pat went to see ‘Fly me to the Moon’ Marie Jones latest play in the Lyric Theatre. We didn’t take any photos as we were too busy enjoying ourselves. Play was about 2 care workers who found one of their clients dead in the bathroom only to discover he had won £500 in the bookies – should they lift the money and run?? It was hilarious and questions our honesty and morals with humour. Then we had a very enjoyable tea in the Streethawker. Lovely day.
On Thursday 15th August we had planned to go to Ballyrobert Gardens but the weather was terrible so we took a leaf out of Anita’s book and went to Ashers for coffee unfortunately we didn’t tell Brenda! Anyway after a lively discussion we headed to Coleman’s we’re I think without exception all managed to buy something before heading to Barnaby’s for lunch.The menu was basic and the service bad but then the sun came out so we headed to the Gardens where we spent a most enjoyable afternoon even meeting the owner along our journey. Well worth a visit ladies if you haven’t been
On Saturday 3rd August the Saturday Club discovered the secret harbour at Whitehead thanks to Steve Diamond and enjoyed a most enjoyable boat trip round the Lighthouse. The sun shone and some members retired to Mauds for lunch after. As always captured on camera by Anita.
On Tuesday 9th July our 3 musketeers set off to Montalto House determined to get there despite the weather. Stopping at Woodlawn Garden Cente for coffee on the way they arrived to a very wet estate and on reflection decided to visit the cafe & the shop rather than the gardens. The Senior £10 deal was really good seeing it costs £8.40 to get in and we had soup & wheaten bread or a bacon butty + tea/coffee. A very enjoyable day despite the fact that we didn’t get seeing Montalto again! One of these days we will manage it!
On Sunday 7th July (I know its the Saturday Club but we can meet any day of the week!) we went on the Historic Pubs in Belfast Tour – what a fascinating day I think we all learnt something we didn’t know – yes even Joy! We discovered that all the old pubs in Belfast claimed to be the oldest but we started at Kelly’s Cellars, then Whites Tavern, The Duke of York, the Dirty Onion (where we stopped for a drink – thirsty work walking around Belfast),the Northern Whig, the Morning Star and finally ending at McHughs. The weather was very kind to us considering how awful it had been. We saw murals, poems, learnt interesting historic facts and I know I saw places I had never been before & I worked in Belfast for years. Our guide Susan was excellent and we had her all to ourselves. Would highly recommend and all agreed was worth the £18 we paid. Think we all want to go on more tours like it.
On Saturday 6th July Sharon organised a lunch in Street Hawker in Carrickfergus- it was my first time there and I was suitably impressed. Food was excellent, portion sizes generous, staff very helpful & willing to accommodate our every need – oh and the wine was good too! It was lovely to see 10 of us all together and to welcome Irene to the Saturday Club.
The Saturday Club had another great night at the Dander & Dine organised by Dobbins Inn & the Historic Society. Although it didn’t rain it was quite windy but Adrian kept us enthralled with his stories of hangings and witches trials. The food tasted better than it looked but wasn’t to everyone’s liking but the company and the drink more than made up for it and the poor chef was coping on his own! Some of our members made a lot of effort with the costumes – a good evening.
On 22nd June we headed to Brownlow House by the scenic route as the Shore Road was closed because of Armed Forces Day. A very interesting tour and with 2 museums to visit, plenty to do. We then enjoyed a splendid Afternoon Tea before heading home. Thanx Bea for driving and organising and it was great to see Christine back with us again.
The Saturday Club had a lovely although damp day at Antrim Castle at Garden Ireland on Sunday 16th June. We got the train at Mossley West so we wouldn’t have the fun of parking in Antrim unfortunately it did mean a bit of a walk for our members with one of them getting caught in one of the heavy downpours. Otherwise there was lots to see with all the crafts, food and flower stalls we also enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the cafe while it was raining The scarecrows made by local school children are always a winning attraction as are the floral arrangements.
The Saturday Club went to see ‘Radium Girls’ in the Lyric Theatre on 1st June. This true and disturbing story was about the Girls who died working in a Radium factory in America while Marie Curie was discovering the healing properties of radiation and how big corporations hide the dangerous side effects from their employees for their own gains. A long performance but thought provoking and acting was quite brilliant.
On Sunday 12th May we went to QFT to see the National Theatre Live performance of Nye which is the story of how Nye Bevan introduced the National Health Service in the UK. To quote one of our members ‘ the play was brilliant, very powerful and Michael Sheen was awesome! We followed it with meal in Villa Italia. A fantastic day out’ Anita’s first time at QFT – think she liked it. Missed you Christine.
All members should be on The Saturday Club’s 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