TREFOIL GUILD MATLOCK

On a hot day on June we joined with members from across the county at Pax Hoh, Derbyshire Girlguiding’s lovely camp site for a day full of activity. The event was themed around the 80th anniversary of VE day. We were invited to wear red, white and blue or dress in 1940s fashion. There were several land girls, housewives in head scarves and curlers, and lots of red, white and blue.

Each guild arranged its own meal, based on war time rations and things that would have been available then! Quite a challenge, but fortunately a couple of our members had actually lived through the war and could remember how they ate at the time. Matlock’s menu was a hearty vegetable soup, a baked potato followed by rhubarb and custard. Each member brought a teaspoon of sugar, a cupful of milk, a potato and a couple of vegetables for the soup, plus a bit of grated cheese – if their rations stretched to it! Once the camp fire was going everything was prepared, chopped, and cooked and the results deemed delicious.

In the afternoon there was a range of 40s type activities to enjoy, and plenty of time to sit and share personal memories of the war years, and stories of family members who had been in the forces or other war time occupations.

The washing up done and gazebo and tents packed away, the day ended with a sing song of 40s favourites, but perhaps our rendering of ‘Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover’, was not up to Vera Lynn’s standard. An enjoyable and memorable day.

Later in the month a group of our members visited The Secret Diner at Sudbury Prison. The restaurant is in an old Nissen hut, that is clean and attractively decorated and the offenders learn the art and skills of how to run a restaurant by working as chefs, waiters and serving the customers. Our group thoroughly enjoyed a delicious three course lunch with coffee and declared it well worth the trip. They then moved on to spend the afternoon with some retail therapy and relaxation at the Mercia Marina, near Findern. A great summer day out.

To end the month three members travelled to Staffordshire to take part in the Midlands Trefoil weekend and we look forward to hearing all about it at our next meeting.

Do come and join us – new members are always welcome, to find out more about the Trefoil Guild visit www.trefoilguild.co.uk or call Ann on 07790 123429.