Out and About

It has been a while since the blog has been updated but we're back on track! So what has been happening lately? To name but a few things, there was the evening at the Red House and the skittles tournament at the Bickerton Poacher, which brought most NtC members together in February. Both events drew enthusiastic reviews from those who attended and we hope to organise more events like this soon.

Of course our regular events have been going on as before. We have our film enthusiasts who meet once a month and the next visit is tomorrow, when the film we'll go and see is 'Young Victoria'. The film starts at 7:50pm, at the Vue cinema in Cheshire Oaks. Filmgoers will meet up at Frankie and Bennies for a drink at 7:15pm.

From Time Out London:‘I will be good,’ Princess Victoria said on discovering she would be Queen. But, as things turned out, it was a touch more complicated. This sumptuous film has no interest in the ‘good’ dumpy adult Victoria, instead giving us a bildungsroman: after a stifling childhood, Victoria (Emily Blunt, above) must find maturity and independence – not easy with a controlling mother (Miranda Richardson), two scheming uncles and a snake-like prime minister (Paul Bettany). As in any traditional romance (and this, written by Julian Fellowes, is so trad its corsets creak), there are blips and the odd tear en route to a prince. That the prince, in this case, is Albert (Rupert Friend), her mother’s choice, just delays the inevitable.
Dignified and charismatic, Blunt gives great lip-wobble, and Friend pulls off the role of sidekick, but historical twiddling can’t render Victoria’s love life interesting and the only moving moment is the epilogue: 20 years’ happy marriage is more than most of us get, but 40 years of sorrowful widowhood is tragedy indeed.

More information tomorrow!

Book Club

A few loyal members of the book club met this past Monday to discuss The Slaves of Solitude. The first half of the book was discussed in particular depth! The date for the next book club has been changed from November 10th to November 17th. There we will be discussing The Twins by Tessa DeLoo. We hope to see current and new book club members! So come join us (reading the book is not necessary). :)

Pub Night - The Old Harker Arms

A group of us met for drinks and dinner at the Old Harker Arms in Chester on Thursday, October 2nd. Despite the torrential rain that soaked many of us on our way in, the evening was a good bit of fun for all. The next pub evening venue and date to be determined soon.

July Book Club Meeting

This month's book club met and discussed The Way the Crow Flies by Annmarie McDonald. The book was surprising enjoyed by all even though it was over 700 pages (small print)! We definitely recommend this read. At this meeting, we also decided which books we are going to read for the next four months and what dates we are going to meet.

For September we will be reading Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. This meeting will be held on Monday, September 8th.

For October, the book chosen is The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton and will be discussed on Monday, October 6th.

For November, we chose The Twins by Tessa DeLoo. This discussion will be held on Monday, November 10th.

For December, we decided to head back to the classics and read Tess of Dubervilles by Thomas Hardy. The date for this meeting is to be determined.

So, start reading and join us. You are also welcome to any meeting if you have not had a chance to finish (or even read) the book!