News & Events
News
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Events happening soon!
World of Glass Coach Trip, St Helens - Tuesday 23rd April
Everyone should be at the Flower Pot by 9.45 am for a prompt 10.00 am departure. On arrival we will be met by a Guide, after which we will have tea and coffee.
This will be followed by a guided tour of the Museum, the Galleries and a glass- blowing demonstration.
After a light lunch, there will a tour of the Tank House and tunnels, then a visit to the gift shop and we will depart at 3.30 pm.
The cost is £30 for members and £40 for guests. A deposit of £10 per person to be paid at February Flower Pot meeting (or by BACS in advance).
Please note that this coach trip is dependent on a minimum of 20 participants to be viable.
AGM, Macclesfield Tennis Club - Monday 13th May
This year’s AGM will mark the 20th anniversary for MADYSS. The meeting will be held on Monday, 13 May at Macclesfield Tennis Club.
We will be having some special events as part of the AGM for our anniversary year.
Do please make every effort to be there to vote for members of the Committee. All members are up for re-election apart from Diane Thomas,
so there will be a vacancy for Fundraiser. The Assistant Treasurer role also still needs to be filled.
Coffee Morning, Gawsworth Methodist Hall Dark Lane, SK11 9QZ - Thursday, 30 May 10.00 – 11.30 am
MADYSS is the chosen charity for Gawsworth’s late May coffee morning. We are planning to have a tombola, cake stall, raffle, and a bric a brac stall.
We need food cupboard prizes for the tombola, plus any donations you can make for raffle prizes, but NO ALCOHOL, would be appreciated.
For the bric a brac stall in particular, we seek scarves, both dress scarves and outdoor scarves, and hats. Please ensure that these are clean or have been washed before donating.
Would all those who like to bake, please make your favourite cakes, biscuits or preserves. These are always popular items and should be passed to Diane Thomas on the day itself.
Reports on Past Events
Bingo, Macclesfield Tennios Club - Saturday 23rd March
An enjoyable evening of bingo took place when 33 members and friends gathered for ten hard-fought rounds of this traditional game. Tracey Higgins was our proficient caller
who came equipped with what appeared to be some very professional bingo paraphernalia. Generally, she managed to keep our rowdy rabble under control, which was in itself
a remarkable achievement!
Two rounds for each bingo game involved first getting a winning row of numbers (shout “line”) and then a whole set of numbers (shout “house” or “bingo”).
Simple enough, but some of us with a short-term memory had difficulty recalling whether we were on “line” or “house”. Other miscreants who had thought they’d won had to suffer the
ignominy of Tracey’s able assistant Mandy returning checked sheets to these offenders.
Genuine winners were awarded with a variety of prizes including wine, gin, and given the time of year, Easter eggs naturally. At half-way we tucked into a
tasty supper of meat and potato pie with mushy peas and red cabbage, or for the attendees seeking a healthier alternative, quiche with salad.
Sincere thanks go to the organisers of the evening, Anne Swindell and Kay Evans, and also to the kitchen serving staff and washing up helpers:
Sue, Kay Kennedy, Sheila, and Anne. We would like to thank the Tennis Club and notably Margaret Jordan and Mike Beresford who acted as bartenders.
Pens and bingo sheets at the ready for MADYSS members and friends
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Chilli Banana, Macclesfield - Saturday 25th February - Sue Stephenson
On a frosty but sunny day, 33 members and friends enjoyed a special Sunday banquet at the Chilli Banana in Macclesfield. All the usual starters were there: satay sticks, spring rolls,
fish cakes, prawn and pork rolls, which were followed by a variety of Thai main dishes. All dietary needs were catered for, and we finished off with ice cream and coffee.
It was lovely to catch up with Roger Snelling and his daughter Heather, and with Margaret Barry who had travelled from Sheffield to join us.
Most of us retired home afterwards to rest, except for Monica who was off to a party. Don’t know where she got the energy from!
Bowling at the Macclesfield Superbowl Lyme Green - Wednesday 24 January
The Superbowl UK at Lyme Green Business Park was ready for us and well organised so a big thank you to Lisa, Nathan and the team.
Sixteen people took part in our fun afternoon and then 18 of us enjoyed a very relaxing time plus nice food at The Rising Sun afterwards, where we were very well looked after
by the lovely and cheerful Shelley.
John and Val were able to join us for our meal and once we were all full and comfy, John informed us of our winner for this year.
Paul had hoped to defend his win from last year but was more than happy to be beaten into second place by a small margin by Mark Stansfield.
I'm sure that Mark, Alan and Barbara will not mind MADYSS members being reminded that last year Mark was very seriously ill in hospital after having suffered a severe stroke
on New Year's Day 2023. This meant that although Alan and Barbara joined us for our meal last year where they were able to rest a little,
they had been unable to join us for the bowling as they were spending many hours at the hospital hoping against hope for Mark’s recovery.
Huge congratulations must go to Mark for his win. It was lovely to see you on top form, enjoying your games and spending a lovely afternoon with your parents.
It was so rewarding for us all to see you happily together again and, of course, it is what MADYSS is all about. Thank you to everyone who participated and for
making it, once again, a very good event. A fun time was had by all and here's to next year.
Enjoying meals at The Rising Sun 
Alan, Mark (the winner), and
Sylvia using the chute, ideal for those
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Christmas Meal - Monday 11th December
Forty members gathered for MADYSS’ Christmas meal at The Plough, Eaton on 11 December. Unfortunately, five members had to cancel due to scheduled
medical appointments, one of which the member had been waiting for since Covid!
Attendees were seated at four tables in the old timbered barn area where we tucked into a three- course meal. Some members had chosen traditional
turkey with the usual accompaniments and then Christmas pudding. Others may have been considered a little more adventurous and selections ranged
from sea bass, pork or the vegetarian offering for main courses.
The food was well presented and served by several pleasant waiting staff. We all pulled crackers and exchanged the usual corny jokes.
The party hats were not universally worn and several were swapped so that the colours better matched the ladies’ outfits!
The Plough’s old timbered barn area, venue for our Christmas meal 
Judy and Aicha, Sue and Kay
Jean and David, Yvonne and Roger
Alan and Carol, Chris and Maria, and Jean
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Tatton Park Coach Trip - Sunday 3rd December - Monica Meah
Sixteen people braved the ice and snow to spend the afternoon at Tatton Park. Knutsford. The majority of the group went on the accessible coach.
It was good to meet up with the driver Patrick who we hadn’t met since our holiday to the Isle of Wight in 2018.
Patrick dropped us off near the ‘stables’ (not used for horses anymore) where we had our lunch. We had a lovely pumpkin soup, warm roll and butter, followed by a warm mince pie and coffee or tea.
We then visited the house. The theme of the decorations was ‘Wonderland’ based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
Different rooms were decorated in different themes from the story. Following in Alice’s footsteps, we went through the Duchess Garden, the Queen of Hearts grand palace and on through the
amazing Magic Forest. We then saw the fantastic Mad Hatter’s Tea Party before entering the Queen of Hearts kitchen.
The route was decorated with beautiful Christmas trees and Christmas decorations.
After the house tour we visited the Christmas Market; this was indoors, for which everyone was grateful. There were a lot of stalls with a variety of wares:
woolly hats and scarves, jewellery, art work, whisky gifts and tasters, crafts, Christmas decorations, and ladies and children’s clothes.
Our final stop was for mulled wine or a Bailey’s coffee, which were eagerly drunk by some of us. We enjoyed the afternoon, and it got us into the Christmas spirit.
Thanks to the Committee for organising an enjoyable outing.
Viceroy Indian Meal, Bollington - Sunday, 29th October
Twenty members went along to the Viceroy restaurant in Bollington for an Indian meal on Sunday, 29 October. We were seated at two tables of ten and,
following the usual poppadoms with various dips, the group had plates of mixed starters.
Each of us had selected our main course from a wide range of dishes, according to our desire for the level of spiciness.
These were served with pilau rice and nan bread. Those who still had room afterwards, were rewarded with a dessert of ice cream.
Throughout the meal, the Viceroy staff were extremely pleasant and helpful, and before our arrival had put a ramp in place over the few steps
into the restaurant to aid access for our wheelchair users. All in all, an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
MADYSS attendees at the Viceroy making their selections from the menu 
Drinks at the ready and waiting for the food to arrive
Enjoying the poppadoms and dips
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Coach to British Iron Works Centre, Oswestry - Wednesday, 27th September
It was a little concerning when we went to The British Ironworks as Storm Agnes was forecast. We were very lucky and although the weather could have been kinder
to us it wasn't too bad. Cool and a little rain now and again. Of course, the sun shone on the way home! Having originally had our highest number of 29 booked
for the coach trip, on the day we were a small select group of 13! For some people it was unavoidable health issues that prevented them going.
On arrival we all set off for the Café and enjoyed lunch before exploring. It wasn't as busy as it usually is, which was good. Everyone went their own way
afterwards and some of us (after finding the recycling bins of which there are now 10) went to visit Ned in his shed where we watched him create a lovely
little decorative piece from a plain block of wood. He demonstrated how he looks at, treats, and creates with his wood. It was extremely interesting.
We then looked at some of the metal creations that were amazingly realistic. Once back on the coach and before we set sail for home, we were given free
ice cream and free passes for a future visit which was lovely.
Our driver, Stuart, was then allowed to drive around the area that we had not seen before we left. He was given ice cream too and deserved it.
He was very thoughtful and helpful to us all and the route he chose was easy with no holdups so we were earlier than expected in both directions.
When we arrived back in Macclesfield, Agnes was waiting for us!
The Poachers Quiz Night - Sunday, 24th September
The quiz was held on Sunday, 24 September and as is usual at The Poachers, there was a very good turnout. We’d like to say a huge thank you once again to
the local Community for their very generous support. A total of £135 was raised from our raffle; thank you to those who donated prizes.
Our MADYSS quiz team was given the name Madyssation, and we came a very respectable third. The team members were: Sue Stephenson and daughter Emma,
Kay Kennedy, Tracey Higgins, Kay Evans, and Debbie and Mike (who were representing Anne and John Swindell in their enforced absence).
Wilmslow Garden Centre, Wilmslow - Thursday, 24th August
There was a good turn out on Thursday, 24 August at Wilmslow Garden Centre with 16 hungry souls looking forward to a hot meal.
The menu offered a selection of five items to choose from. Everyone seemed to be happy with the choices available.
Mixing a meal with good conversation and a wander around the garden centre made for a very pleasant afternoon.
Jodrell Bank Observatory - Thursday 13th July 2023
Twenty-two members and friends met up at Jodrell Bank for our day out. We were so lucky with the weather as it had been a wet week, but Thursday was dry,
warm and sunny. This meant wandering around the Observatory was a more pleasant experience than it would have been otherwise!
At noon we attended the Through the Night Sky show held in the Space Dome. The one-hour presentation, which was given by a very knowledgeable lady,
gave lots of interesting data on the Sun, Moon, and planets. As the night sky changed, she was able to point out the different constellations
and drew our attention to familiar Star Signs such as Virgo and Cancer and to other less familiar Signs. The writer learned that it takes 8 minutes
for the light from the Sun to reach Earth, that Saturn’s rings are made of ice, and that the Apollo moon landing in 1969 was on the Sea of Tranquility.
The Observatory’s café was conveniently located in the same building and many of us repaired there after the show for sustenance. As it was warm and sunny,
some members chose to eat outside.
There are plenty of different areas to explore. A walk down the Exhibition Pathway, which has a number of poster stands, proved both interesting and educational,
as did the Space Pavilion with stands about the Lovell telescope and various other telescopes and equipment, which included a space debris tracker.
A visit to Jodrell Bank wouldn’t be complete without going down to the Lovell Telescope; at 76 metres in diameter, it is the world’s third largest telescope.
Bev, Colin, Don, Sylvia, Sue & Keith relaxing post-lunch 
The Exhibition Pathway with poster boards
The Lovell Telescope
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RHS Garden Bridgewater - Tuesday 27th June 2023
We had a really good and very informative day at RHS Bridgewater on Tuesday. The 156-acre garden has been constructed on the former estate of the
Duke of Bridgewater and opened in May 2021. We were split into two groups for our guided tour of the Walled Garden. The RHS volunteer guides,
Gordon and Ashley, were excellent: providing an historical context to the garden, explaining about its development, then describing the different
garden areas within the Walled Garden.
They also highlighted the urban themes that had been incorporated, and explained about a garden area that was devoted to community wellbeing and
another where local communities had plots they could work on and develop.
At the end of the tour we split up and went our separate ways, some having lunch either at the Stables Café or the larger, main Bridgewater Café
before exploring the grounds further. A pleasant walk to Ellesmere Lake went through the Chinese Streamside Garden. Although it is still under
construction (pagodas will be built there), the winding path to the lake comprised various pretty and colourful plants, and water elements with
rocks and stones strategically placed along the route.
Our thanks go to Kay as main organiser and also to Bev for her able assistance, but we shouldn't forget Tony, our Belle Vue Coaches driver,
who did a sterling job loading/unloading scooters and wheelchairs.
Report on AGM at Macclesfield Tennis Club - Wednesday 10th May 2023
The 16th Annual General Meeting was well attended by members with 37 present including the Committee. John Swindell opened the meeting and paid tribute
to those members who sadly were no longer with us: Dave Barry, our former Chair Ike Karnon, and Ian Meah.
John then reviewed MADYSS social events over the past year, which included trips to Llandudno, Port Sunlight, and Cadbury World, as well as meals out at the
Chilli Banana and Viceroy Indian. Judy Fleming followed on and presented details from the Treasurer's Report.
The Committee was reappointed en bloc, and Bev Eccles also was elected as Activities Assistant to Kay Evans due to Monica Meah's stepping down from this role.
After an enjoyable buffet lunch, which was catered by the Windmill Sandwich Bar, our speaker for the AGM was Helen Howe of Just-Ice.
The charity helps survivors from modern slavery and supports victims of human trafficking.
Just-Ice has set up and runs a café in Poynton, which employs survivors to work in the café and gain useful skills and confidence.
The Poynton café specialises in ice cream, but it also offers breakfast, lunch, and afternoon teas to eat in or take away.
Helen gave an interesting presentation and provided examples of three case studies that illustrated how Just-Ice is aiming to positively
influenced individuals who have had very negative experiences in life.
Awaiting the start of the AGM 
Helen Howe from the Just-Ice charity
An attentive audience for our AGM speaker
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Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham - Thursday 27th April - Anne Swindell
Nineteen of us left the Flower Pot on time on Thursday, 28 April for the two-hour journey to Cadbury World.
On arrival the cafe was the first port of call before our self-guided tour around the facilities, starting with the
discovery of the origins of the cocoa bean, amidst trees and waterfalls deep in the ancient tropical rainforests.
As part of the tour, we watched a film where John Cadbury tells the inspiring story of his early struggles to establish the business
and which introduced his sons, Richard and George. Their Quaker beliefs led them to build a new and better kind of factory in a
Greenfield site away from the smoke and grime of the city.
The video also informed us how Dairy Milk chocolate got its name.
You will all know the old Cadbury's advertisement slogan about the chocolate bar that used to say "there's a glass and a half in every one."
There was a lot to see and learn as we walked around. We learnt how to thicken the chocolate and write with it.
Of course we also had to have a drink and saw some of the staff making and decorating various chocolate items.
One of the items that they had made recently and was on display during the tour was a massive copy of King Charles III Coronation chair!
At 2.30 pm we met up again for afternoon tea before taking a coach trip around the grounds and buildings which form Cadbury World.
One of the Cadbury guides accompanied us on the coach and gave an informative tour of the area as we went around.
A poster detailing the making and decorating skills required by the 'Cadbury Angels' 
Example of our writing skills in chocolate
The Coronation chair, sceptre and orb made from chocolate
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Reports on Events in 2024
Reports on Events in 2023
Reports on Events in 2022
Reports on Events in 2021
Reports on Events in 2020
Reports on Events in 2019
Reports on Events in 2018
Reports on Events in 2017
Reports on Events in 2016