Author: Caroline Fisher

Lynda Lees, our President, welcomed 44 members and one guest to our luncheon and to listen to Andy Wilson speak.

Before lunch Lynda took the opportunity to remind members to book their lunch place by the Friday before the luncheon to secure their place, either online or by a lunch booking card at ‘Milner’s’, Leyburn. Carron, as Treasurer, informed members that they needed to complete a first name and surname box when booking online. Members were also requested not to add any other information to these boxes; dietary requirements need to be completed in the dietary boxes. Lynda also requested that members consider joining the committee as there would be changes in the coming year.

After a delicious lunch and raffle prize draw, Andy Wilson was invited to speak. Andy is a long serving charity employee for Yorkshire Cancer Research. Andy outlined through his PowerPoint presentation how different cells in the body were made up of different parts including the nucleus which contain 46 chromosomes. Members were amazed at how long these are. It was explained how mutations within genes can be passed from parents to children and that mutations can increase the risk an individual’s cancer risk. Andy informed the members that whilst there are over 200 different types of cancer, less that 10% are known to be caused by genetics.

The roles of the BRCA genes were explained; BRAC 1 investigates why a gene within the chromosomes break and BRAC2 binds the break together to mend the break. Breaks occur when genes replicate themselves. When a person’s BRAC genes malfunction then any damage can’t be mended. Over time the accumulation of damage leads to increased risks in four cancers: breast, ovaries, prostate and pancreatic. For example, a woman with malfunctioning BRACA gene has a 70% increased risk of breast cancer compared to a woman with fully functioning BRACA genes has a 11% increase in risk. Andy gave Angelina Jolie as an example of actions that an individual can take if they are aware of an increased risk of cancer.   

Andy then made members aware of what is available when an individual is aware of a history of the four cancers in a family. These actions include speaking to your GP who may then prescribe a genetic test; private testing is available if your GP is unwilling to book a test. Secondly having a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of the cancer you’re at higher risk from and checking yourself for these. People may also be able to access the national screening programmes at a younger age at more regular intervals.

Lifestyle choices were also highlighted as increasing an individual’s cancer risk such as smoking, being overweight, drinking alcohol, lack of healthy diet and lack of exercise.

Andy made members aware of Yorkshire Cancer Research’s ‘Project C’. The aim of Project C is to find women who have an increased risk of cancer due to genetic links. The project will be looking to sign up 3000 Yorkshire women to identify those with increased risk of genetically linked cancers. Relatively few women with breast cancer are aware that they have an increased risk. Once a woman knows she is at risks then steps can be taken to reduce the risks. Genetic testing can be done through a simple saliva test.

If you are interested, please follow the link to find out more and sign up for the newsletter: www.protect-c.co.uk

Andy also reminded members that people are entitled to request screening for cancers, once they are past the age of screening – please contact your GP or contact the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment: North Yorkshire Breast Screening Service on 01904 725591.

39 members and two guests came together to hear an interesting and engaging talk from Sharon Ferguson, The Queen of Green, at our February luncheon.

Sharon, accompanied by a verdant display of indoor plants, spoke of her journey to create her business of growing, selling and advising on house plants. Beginning as a teenager rescuing an aspidistra, Sharon now sells at local markets, agricultural shows and fairs as well as offering workshops and talks.

Members heard about the benefits that house plants can have on our physical health, for example the Peace Lily recycling harmful chemicals from the air, as well as our mental health through creating a calm environment that is good for learning.

Top tips for providing the optimum environment for house plants were also given. These considerations included the correct lighting, watering and drainage to ensure that a chosen house plant thrived. Advice around pest control was also offered.

Sharon shared with members the history of terrariums, from accidental plant growing on research expeditions to the amazing 64-year-old terrarium that still thrives today.  Members then watched as Sharon demonstrated how to plant up a terrarium, explaining the importance of the different layers of growing medium that contribute to a successful terrarium and advising on suitable tools for terrarium gardening.

At the end of the talk members asked questions about their own house plants, such as how to propagate a plant. Members also took the opportunity to treat themselves to a new house plant purchase.

Bright winter sunshine welcomed 36 members and one guest to our January luncheon, the first of 2026.

Members enjoyed a delicious lunch starting with smoked salmon, followed by chicken in a chorizo cream sauce and blackberry cheesecake for dessert. 

Hilary Jones, our speaker,  then gave us an interesting illustrated talk about the story of milestones.

A curiosity gained when cycling past milestones, Hilary discovered and joined the Milestone Society. Formed 25 years ago, it encourages everyone to look after milestones, which were becoming neglected, vandalised and damaged by vehicles.

Hilary talked about the history of milestones, boundary markers and finger posts, from the Roman times to the present day. Originally marking 1000 paces, they evolved to show distance for toll charges by local landowners who provided and maintained turnpike roads.  

Coming in many forms and materials, and some now being Grade II listed, volunteers restore them to their original form of white with black lettering, chosen to enable them to be seen in the dark before the days of streetlighting.

Lynda Lees, our President, welcomed 51 members and two guests to our November meeting.
We welcomed speaker Pat Burgess, a volunteer from The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who spoke about the wide range of work undertaken by the Commission. Members heard the history behind the Commission and the establishment of the first cemeteries to commemorate those who died in the First World War. Pat informed members about wide range of work undertaken by the Commission today, including holding archives which the public can access for research.
Pat also outlined how the graves within cemeteries differ and reflect the local geology of the grave, although the inscription on all headstones will follow a set criteria. For example, graves in Cornwall and Wales are made of slate, whilst graves in France are of Portland stone. The important role of garden volunteer was highlighted; these teams ensure that the cemeteries are maintained to a high standard, across the globe. Statistics shared by Pat revealed the extent of the Commission’s work.
You can find out more about The Commonwealth War Graves Commission here: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission | CWGC
Next month we meet on Thursday 18th December. Colin Bailey, from BlueBoxt Music, will be providing seasonal entertainment.
Please note the new deadline for members’ lunch bookings:
• online by midnight, 12th December
• by acceptance card at Milner’s, by 5pm, 12th December.

We’ve had our first luncheon of the 2025/2026 season at The Garden Rooms at Tennants! It was lovely to see everyone after the summer break and friends catching up with each other.

Our President, Lynda, welcomed 56 members and 9 guests. Lynda reminded everyone that paying for lunch online does not book a lunch place; members also need to book a place for lunch. Members were also signposted to a flyer promoting the ‘Breast Cancer Now’ coffee morning on 10^th October at Leyburn Methodist Hall.

A delicious lunch was followed by a lively talk by the Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP entitled ‘Tales from Westminster: My journey through politics’. Wendy gave us historical information about women’s presence in the Houses of Parliament since they were first allowed to stand as MPs in 1919 once some women were allowed to vote, for example, by July 2024 there were 263 women Members of Parliament.    

We heard about Wendy’s varying roles over the years, including as Chief Whip of the House of Commons, as well as insights into the quirks and traditions of the Houses of Parliament. Now we know why MPs bob up and down all the time…

Members raised interesting questions at the end of the talk, including asking Wendy who her hero was and whether she would ever like to be the Prime Minister.

Next month we meet on Thursday 16th October to hear Philip Metcalfe’s talk: ‘The Metcalfe Farms story’. If you’re interested in joining us, please visit our website www.leyburnlunchclub.co.uk or contact the Secretary, Caroline Fisher, at ladies@leyburnlunchclub.co.uk