News & Events
News
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Events happening soon!
Chilli Banana Lunch, Sunday, 26 April 2026, 12.00 to 2.00 pm
We had so many members and guests who wanted to go for the Sunday Buffet Lunch here that the March one was quickly booked up!
(See the report of the outing below.) As such, we are having another visit in April.
A reminder that the cost is £20 for members and £25 for guests. Again, please pay via BACS with your name and Chilli as the reference,
or with cash at the April meeting. Notify Kay of any dietary requirements.
AGM, Monday 11 May, from 12:30 onwards
A reminder that our AGM at Macclesfield Tennis Club will be held on Monday, 11 May. Entry to the Club is from 12.30 pm onwards,
which will give members time to get a drink and find a seat. The business section of the meeting itself will start at 1.00 pm.
For personal reasons, Kay Kennedy has sadly decided to leave the Committee, so we now have three vacancies that need to be filled as soon as possible.
If you would like to contribute to the future of MADYSS, please talk to any member of the Committee for more information.
It will be nothing too onerous, promise!
The meeting will include a Review of the Year, the Treasurer’s Report, a Vote for the Members of the Committee and consider Any Other Business. Member.
After a buffet lunch, enjoy a very delightful talk from our secret guest speaker.
Please note that membership subscriptions for 2026-27 will be due. The cost has not increased for many years and will remain at £20 per member for the next year.
However, it will be necessary to increase the subscription to £25 for 2027-28 as our costs continue to increase.
BACS payment is preferred, but cash payable at the AGM is another option.
Knowsley Safari Park, Wednesday 24 June
A coach outing to Knowsley Safari Park has been arranged for 24 June. The coach will leave the Flower Pot at 10.00 am. On arrival after a short break,
we will reboard the coach to drive around the park. Following this, we will have opportunity for a light lunch.
We plan to depart the Safari Park at 4.00 pm for the return journey. The cost is £30 for members and £35 for non-members.
Reports on Past Events
Museum of Liverpool and Albert Dock Coach Trip, Wednesday 22 April
It was a beautiful, sunny day for the 28 members and friends who embarked on a trip to Liverpool in April. After the coach dropped us off in the
Albert Dock area we went our separate ways, with early refreshments on the menu for many.
Several in the group took the opportunity to visit the Museum of Liverpool, which contains sections covering many aspects of the city’s life,
including its famous entertainers: Cilla Black, Ken Dodd, Paul O’Grady, and of course The Beatles.
Sport forms an important element of the Museum. The Wondrous Place gallery has running shoes worn by the 2019 World Champion heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson,
the jockey silks worn by Rachael Blackmore from her 2019 win of the Aintree Grand National (the only woman to have done so), and also here is the costume of Mel C
from the Spice Girls.
Unfortunately, the lift was out of order in the Royal Institute of British Architects where some of the Tate Liverpool exhibits were on display while the
Tate itself undergoes extensive modifications. One of the rooms where exhibits had been on display wasn’t open as the items were in the process of being replaced with new ones.
The lift was also not working at The Beatles Story – not an ideal situation for many, so the writer is unsure whether any of our party went here.
A ride on the 60 metre high Wheel of Liverpool offers spectacular views of the skyline, water front and river Mersey, but it isn’t really for those who suffer
from vertigo as Jim Borggren will testify, particularly on a very windy day, which it was when we visited the city! There is also a Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour
that visits the city’s main attractions.
Albert Dock has a variety of cafes and restaurants to enjoy lunch, including Greek, Italian, American and Indian. We had an enjoyable day and couldn’t have
asked for better weather. Sincere thanks must go to Kay Evans for organising the outing and arranging for the almost (with the exception of the wind) perfect weather.
Chilli Banana Lunch, Sunday,29 March 2026
On Sunday, 29 March 2026, 27 members and guests braved the very wet weather to enjoy a trip to the Chilli Banana in Macclesfield.
We have been to the restaurant on several previous occasions and, as before, we were treated to a veritable feast!
There was a good selection of starters and main courses finished off with ice-cream or sorbet. The staff looked after us very well
and topped up the buffet several times so that no one went hungry! There were a lot of happy faces at the end (and a good few “doggy bags”
for the food we couldn’t manage). The trip was oversubscribed and a second visit has been arranged for 26 April 2026.
Some of the MADYSS group 
Joyce and David Bailey enjoying the Chilli Banana food 
Another table of MADYSS folk |
Bingo Night, Macclesfield Tennis Club, 21 February
The bingo evening was very well attended with 47 members and guests present. In a change to the original plan, we had the meat and potato pie or quiche at
the start of the evening, setting us up nicely for the rounds of bingo that followed.
Our bingo caller, Tracey Higgins, handed out bingo booklets to everyone ready for her to call the numbers. We had ten rounds of bingo altogether with the
first to get a Line and then House for each round. Her friend, Mandy, assisted by collected the winning sheets and took each up to Tracey for checking.
This made it much more efficient than those of us with limited mobility trying to wend our way through the tables! Mandy’s husband had provided the bingo
machine that showed the number called.
Half way through the evening we took a short break when the raffle was drawn. After this, the bingo continued. At the end of the evening, each winner of either a
Line or House received a box of truffles or bottle of wine, respectively.
Anne, Sheila and Sue ready to serve out the supper 
Tracey calling the numbers, which were also displayed on the bingo machine 
A packed Tennis Club for the Bingo 
The bingo prizes awaiting collection by the winners |
Ten Pin Bowling Wednesday, 21 January 2026 - Kay Evans, Photos by Sue Stephenson
Another good outing to Superbowl UK at Lyme Green started the MADYSS events for 2026. It was enjoyed by 14 of us who were bowling,
with a few observing or supporting players.
We had two newcomers to the lanes join us this year. David Bailey, who enjoyed the event very much. David was supported by Claire and Joyce and he managed to achieve
third place. Well done David. Alan Gatley also joined us. He hadn't done any bowling for some time, although he used to bowl.
Alan was rather frustrated to begin with as it took him a while to get his mojo back and then, guess what, he managed to be our 2026 winner for this year's trophy.
Congratulations Alan.
The rest of us enjoyed trying to get Strikes, which some of us did. We had fun and lots of laughter.
The results were: first Alan Gatley 123, second Helen Pimlott 114, third David Bailey 105. After the bowling a pleasant evening was had at The Rising Sun where 19 of us
relaxed and enjoyed our meals. Here's looking forward to next year.
Our winner Alan showing good technique as he bowls 
Alan Stansfield preparing to use the bowling device 
John eyeing up the pins |
Christmas Meal, Pinewood Hotel, Handforth Monday 8 December
The Christmas meal was attended by forty-one of us, who sat around tables of eight (one had nine members) in the spacious room. We were very well looked after
by the attentive staff and enjoyed the high-quality food presented.
In addition to the crackers, the Pinewood also had party poppers and red Santa hats for each person. All those sat on the writer’s table had chosen arancini to start
with the exception of the writer who had decided on the tomato and basil soup. For the main course, turkey seemed popular with many diners, perhaps their first
turkey meal of the festive season. Desserts included ice cream, a cheesecake, and of course the ubiquitous Christmas pudding.
Members were asked to write down suggestions for events in 2026 and these were collected up after the meal. John said a few words at the end of the lunch,
and took out a couple of mini koalas from his red top hat!
Each of us received a Malteser box of white or milk chocolate truffles before we left, when we were greeted by torrential rain outside the Pinewood.
However, it was fine in Macclesfield and obviously hadn’t rained there. Thank you to Anne Swindell for arranging the meal in the first place and for
being able to organise its final preparations from her sick bed!
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Curry Meal, Sunday 23 November
We had an enjoyable curry meal in Bollington on Sunday 23 November at the Bay Leaf Restaurant. Twenty-one members went and had poppadoms with the usual range of accompaniments
before tucking into the main courses.
Everyone chose from the extensive menu with chicken and lamb proving popular meat choices combined with a variety of sauces that ranged from very mild to medium spiciness.
Don’t think anyone was brave enough to tackle curry with hot or very hot sauces!
Members decide on what to eat 
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Quiz Night, Macclesfield Tennis Club: Saturday 25 October
Thirty members and friends participated in the Quiz Night at Macclesfield Tennis Club and split into five teams for the evening’s entertainment.
Tracey Higgins was again our experienced quiz setter and hurled a range of questions at us to get our little grey cells working overtime.
The quiz categories included General Knowledge, Sport, Geography, American Words, Music, Pot Luck, and Television.
Tracey also distributed sheets with advertising slogans and photographs of well- known people to each table, which teams filled in at their leisure.
Half-way through the evening we paused to enjoy a varied selection of pizzas provided by 73 and Pizza. Everyone was catered for with vegetarian and gluten-free options among the choices.
The teams’ finishing positions were, in reverse order, 5. No Chancers; 4. The Winners; 3. Only Cock in the Henhouse; 2. Young at Heart; and 1. The DC’s. The two Tennis Club bar staff,
Margaret and Siobhan, also took part. The ladies did very well quizzing and would have been the runners up!
Roll A Coin competitions were held to win a number of bottles and raised £77. Our thanks must go to Tracey for all of her time and not inconsiderable effort in arranging the evening’s
entertainment. Thank you also to Kay for ordering the pizza supper and organising the Quiz; and to Geoff, Sheila and Diane for their help. Last but not least we thank the
Tennis Club for allowing us to use the Club and the bar staff for their excellent service.
Quizzers await the second part of the quiz 
Attendees queue up for the pizzas |
Canal Boat Trips Monday, 23 October 2025
A full complement of MADYSS members filled the canal barge for the second of our canal trips. The weather was kind and we chatted to each other as the scenery went by.
We enjoyed eating a lovely packed lunch part way through the journey.
It was good to have Don and Sylvia with us who we hadn’t seen for some time. Don was suffering with a heavy cold but manage to make it through. Similarly,
it was great that Tina and Gary also were able to come along on the trip.
National Arboretum, Staffordshire Coach Trip Monday, 15 September 2025 - John Swindell, photos by Tina Yearsley
Members enjoyed a blustery day out in Staffordshire at the National Arboretum. It was a fine windy day, which began with a short service at the chapel starting with a bugle call symbolising ‘The Last Post’, then the two minutes silence before the ‘Reveille’ and the soldier’s blessing –
a moving beginning.
This was followed by a ride on a train around the site with a commentary describing memorials. Many of us were surprised at the range of commemorations, which include all aspects of those who participated in various conflicts from the early years onwards, from land girls, police and
firemen to other volunteers.
We then enjoyed a hot lunch before free time to look around the park and find memorials of personal interest. We particularly sought out the Cheshire Regiment site which is flanked by steel figures of soldiers from 17th century to 2007, when the regiment was incorporated into a larger group.
Did you know that horse chestnut wood was first used by police forces to make their truncheons because of the hardness of the wood? You learn something new every day!
Chapel altar at the 11.00 am service 
MADYSS members setting off on the train ride 
One of the striking memorials at the Arboretum 
Rearing horse made from tank parts. It’s estimated that 8 million horses died in WW1. |
Canal Boat Trips Monday, 18 August 2025
Initially, there was some concern that the trips might not go ahead when MADYSS was contacted by the canal boat company to warn that low water levels may prevent our excursions.
However, the day before the first outing we received the positive news that the water level was just high enough, hurrah! As we’ve had no rain since, the second one was cancelled.
With the help of the crew, 12 members and guests negotiated the steep slope at Lord Vernon’s Wharf, Higher Poynton on Monday 18 August to allow them to embark the Mary Sunley 2.
The group then spent a few pleasant hours chatting and admiring the scenery, with the sighting of a heron and some curious young cattle among the highlights.
Part way through the trip, attendees enjoyed the delicious boxed lunches provided by Poynton Tea Rooms. Particular thanks must go to Colin Huck, who was instrumental in arranging and collecting the lunches, and also in sharing regular updates of the outing via WhatsApp.
Participants on canal outing 
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Coach Trip to Trentham Gardens Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Afternoon Tea at Shrigley Hall, Thursday, 17 July 2025 - Keith and Sue Pembery
Thirty-one of us met to enjoy afternoon tea on Thursday, 17 July. We had a slow start as the room was not ready, even though John and Anne had called in person on Tuesday
to check that all arrangements were in place.
The tea did not come up to expectations either, and a shortage of staff was noticeable. This did not detract from the enjoyment of good company! We were very pleased to see
Margaret Barry again. She was in very good spirits and enjoyed herself reminiscing with old friends.
The afternoon tea selection 
Lesley, Val and Mavis at Shrigley Hall |
Coffee Morning in aid of MADYSS Gawsworth Church Hall, Thursday, 22 May 2025
Annual General Meeting, Macclesfield Tennis Club, Monday 12 May 2025
The meeting was held on Monday 12 May at the Macclesfield Tennis Club as usual. Our Chair John Swindell welcomed members and followed on with a review of the year’s activities.
These included coach trips to Blackpool Zoo, Piece Hall and Llandudno. More local events were bowling, a quiz night and a bingo night, the latter two were held at the
Tennis Club.
Judy Fleming then gave the Treasurer’s Report and referred to the £500 recently received from the Co-op Community Fund; this was in addition to the more than £1800
previously granted to us. She also mentioned the generous In Memoriam donations received in relation to members who had sadly passed away. Judy highlighted the £1,590
that members donated to the MADYSS Support Fund following her husband’s death in January and thanked members for their donations.
While MADYSS is financially solvent, the cost of coach trips does impact the Society’s financial position considerably. Judy emphasised how vital it was to fill the coaches. She gave the example of the Blackpool Zoo trip,
which was subsidised to the tune of £645.50, but only a few members chose to participate. Unless coach trips are well supported in future, it may not be possible to continue
with them.
Two members were voted onto the Committee. These were Colin Huck and Jim Borggren, who is currently Assistant Treasurer but also will take on the role of Deputy Chair. Kay Evans was thanked for overseeing the production
and printing of the new MADYSS information leaflet. This is only the third leaflet created since the Group was established.
After the AGM business was concluded, members helped themselves to the buffet. The buffet came from the Windmill Café, which has previously catered for the AGM.
Our guest speaker this year was from the Cheshire AgeUK charity who gave a presentation on Scams Awareness and Aftercare. She covered a range of different scams and how to deal
with them. Telephone, door, internet and mobile phone scams were all addressed.
Members each received a goody bag that contained a scams awareness card and Scam Update newsletter, a booklet on how to protect yourself, stickers for putting inside and
outside your front door, and a useful pen.
As a final point, Kay has asked me to mention in this report that Ann, who did the bar for us at the AGM, said that we were one of the nicest if not the nicest group who
hire the Tennis Club! So, thank you for your friendliness to those behind the bar.
New Trophy
Paul Sutcliffe has come up with the idea of having a Ten-Pin Bowling Cup for each year’s champion bowler. It has been kindly donated by Paul and has been engraved with all
the winners’ names since Covid. As Kay was the winner of the bowling in 2025, she was presented with the Cup at the AGM. It turns out that Paul was a keen ten-pin bowler in
his day, played for a team and was in a league when he and Diane lived in France.>br>
Members listen attentively to the Chair, John Swindell
ime to eat!
Kay Evans, the proud winner of the inaugural Bowling Cup donated by Paul Sutcliffe
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Reports on Events in 2026
Reports on Events in 2025
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