Introducing the Team at Baslow WI
Our Team of nine Baslow WI members meet monthly usually a week before the WI meeting to plan future events, share out the work and enjoy some social time too!
During the lockdowns we were unable to hold our monthly meetings in Baslow Village Hall due to the coronavirus but we communicated with members via email, Facebook, Zoom and this website. Our then Membership Secretary, Caroline, had been emailing members often and held online interviews with Team Members. Here are some of them in date order.
13 June 2022 - Karon
What would be your ‘perfect day’?
I’m very lucky and love spending time with my family. I have the three most amazing grandchildren who I see every weekend and have twice monthly sleepovers. We are often out either swimming, at the cable cars, the zoo, on a train or just at the park all with their picnic bags and bees wax wraps made at WI a couple of years ago. Tell us something about yourself that most members won't know about you. I have a bus license! Many years ago I worked at a mental health day centre as an administrator and one of the activities I arranged was taking out trips. I decided that I’d like to go on a few myself and so I took up driving the mini bus practising after hours. After some practice I went to take my test at the bus depot at Ascot Drive in Derby and passed. I offered to take the gardening group and the womens group out (as they seemed to go on the best trips) and visited the Botanical garden in Birmingham, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and lots of shopping centres! |
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
My second job was working for a music company that manufactured mixing consoles for studios and outside broadcasts. Our director had a separate PA company and I was very fortunate (or so it seemed at the time) to be put on the guest list for U2, Simply Red, T’pau, UB40, Housemartins, Beautiful South and Cameo amongst others. However a few years back I went to see Bon Jovi at the Etihad Stadium and I can say he’s one heck of a showman and was deafened by the sound of the crowd joining in!
Who was your favourite cartoon character as a child?
Speedy Gonzales, I’d drive my mum and dad mad running everywhere claiming to be the fastest mouse in all of Mexico!
Which famous person would you like to be best friends with?
Dawn French. I love her as an actress and comedienne and I’m sure there would never be an awkward silence.
What is the best book you have ever read?
I love all the Agatha Raisinbooks by MC Beaton. I have all of them both soft back (to travel with) and hardback (for the bookshelf). I also am a huge chick lit reader but only on holiday and usually read a book a day
My second job was working for a music company that manufactured mixing consoles for studios and outside broadcasts. Our director had a separate PA company and I was very fortunate (or so it seemed at the time) to be put on the guest list for U2, Simply Red, T’pau, UB40, Housemartins, Beautiful South and Cameo amongst others. However a few years back I went to see Bon Jovi at the Etihad Stadium and I can say he’s one heck of a showman and was deafened by the sound of the crowd joining in!
Who was your favourite cartoon character as a child?
Speedy Gonzales, I’d drive my mum and dad mad running everywhere claiming to be the fastest mouse in all of Mexico!
Which famous person would you like to be best friends with?
Dawn French. I love her as an actress and comedienne and I’m sure there would never be an awkward silence.
What is the best book you have ever read?
I love all the Agatha Raisinbooks by MC Beaton. I have all of them both soft back (to travel with) and hardback (for the bookshelf). I also am a huge chick lit reader but only on holiday and usually read a book a day
10 March 2021 - Janette
What would be your perfect day?
A day when we can meet, hug, and have a laugh over coffee in cafés. When we can relax and enjoy each other’s company again. A time remembered of love and loss; and of being grateful that everyone in this world who can, has had a vaccine. Which of your achievements make you most proud? I have two! I love being a WI member of Baslow. I’m on two sub-committees – The DFWI Show Committee and the Denman Legacy Committee. I was also a DFWI Trustee for two years. On a personal note I’m proud to have been Paul’s Consort for the year in his role as Mayor of 'Ripley & Township'. |
Tell us something about yourself that most members won't know about you!
As a Trustee I volunteered to place a wreath at the Cenotaph at Derby Market place representing DFWI. On the day I parked near Derby Cathedral with a little change to pay for parking and a twenty pound note in one of the pockets in my bag.
Wearing my black coat and hat, wreath in hand, I started to walk to the market place. Outside the Cathedral a vagrant approached and asked for change (there was no one else around). I refused. He asked again and again, blocking my path. I felt flustered and thrust the wreath into his hands. 'Hold this!', I said, commandingly! I took the twenty out of my bag. 'Promise me, before God, you wont spend it on drugs or drink'. 'I promise!' he said. His face lit up, he jumped in the air and ran off!
In the market place I joined the Armed Forces, RBL, other Charities and a gathering crowd.
Following a quick drill of the procedure (by a very loud person of army rank!); we set off into the square, in rows, with the cadets. My turn came with a female cadet. I placed the DFWI wreath at the cenotaph, paused, followed her back - but we missed our row! We found ourselves at the front; not where we were supposed to be, third row back! I found the day very moving and something I shall never forget for all sorts of reasons.
Do you prefer a city break or a beach holiday?
City! I couldn’t just lie on the sand or by the pool all day. We like to explore when on holiday. Rome was superb, so much to see.
We love Jersey. We like to walk everywhere. Visiting galleries, shopping, exploring castles and enjoying entertainment in the evenings.
Choose a famous person to be friends with!
Jacinda Ardern – the New Zealand Prime Minister
If you could invite 3 famous people to a dinner party, who would they be?
Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith and Dawn French.
As a Trustee I volunteered to place a wreath at the Cenotaph at Derby Market place representing DFWI. On the day I parked near Derby Cathedral with a little change to pay for parking and a twenty pound note in one of the pockets in my bag.
Wearing my black coat and hat, wreath in hand, I started to walk to the market place. Outside the Cathedral a vagrant approached and asked for change (there was no one else around). I refused. He asked again and again, blocking my path. I felt flustered and thrust the wreath into his hands. 'Hold this!', I said, commandingly! I took the twenty out of my bag. 'Promise me, before God, you wont spend it on drugs or drink'. 'I promise!' he said. His face lit up, he jumped in the air and ran off!
In the market place I joined the Armed Forces, RBL, other Charities and a gathering crowd.
Following a quick drill of the procedure (by a very loud person of army rank!); we set off into the square, in rows, with the cadets. My turn came with a female cadet. I placed the DFWI wreath at the cenotaph, paused, followed her back - but we missed our row! We found ourselves at the front; not where we were supposed to be, third row back! I found the day very moving and something I shall never forget for all sorts of reasons.
Do you prefer a city break or a beach holiday?
City! I couldn’t just lie on the sand or by the pool all day. We like to explore when on holiday. Rome was superb, so much to see.
We love Jersey. We like to walk everywhere. Visiting galleries, shopping, exploring castles and enjoying entertainment in the evenings.
Choose a famous person to be friends with!
Jacinda Ardern – the New Zealand Prime Minister
If you could invite 3 famous people to a dinner party, who would they be?
Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith and Dawn French.
14 October 2020 - Judith
Tell us a bit about you and your role in the team?
I’m Judith and I am your President. I live in Totley with my husband, keeping very busy with family and of course WI activities! Why did you join the WI? When I was working I always told people that when I retired and had some spare time I would join the WI because I liked baking cakes, learning new crafts, making jam AND I know all the words to Jerusalem. I obviously knew very little about the WI !! and it has far exceeded all my expectations. What is the best concert you have ever been to? A performance by Jose Carreras at Sheffield Arena. It had been snowing heavily and I had struggled to get into work (the Children’s Hospital in Sheffield). Whilst listening to Carreras, the cameras panned outside to show the snow, still falling heavily on an already white world. It was spine tingling and magical. We had a very long walk home to Totley but it was worth it. |
If you could invite 3 famous people to a dinner party who would they be?
Julie Walters
Mary Seacole
Clementine Churchill
What three things are you most passionate about?
Education - in all its forms changes the world
Clean water - for me it the basic in life, wherever you are in the world. I cannot and never want to experience, life without clean water.
Justice - I like things to be right and find injustice in all walks of life abhorrent.
Julie Walters
Mary Seacole
Clementine Churchill
What three things are you most passionate about?
Education - in all its forms changes the world
Clean water - for me it the basic in life, wherever you are in the world. I cannot and never want to experience, life without clean water.
Justice - I like things to be right and find injustice in all walks of life abhorrent.
28 October 2020 - Jane
Who am I? Your Roving Reporter! Jane...
Indubitably indigenous- as my great grandparents kept The Devonshire Arms at Pilsley and my grand father, Harry Blagden, was born there - so I'm a bit of a “local”. I even live within sight of Pilsley village and often wonder if my ancestors ever travelled to Sheffield using the Toll Bar Road; did they pay their “dues” at the Toll Bar where I now live? If you could travel in time would you go to the future or the past? Yes, I'd definitely go back in time; local history intrigues me, from the tantalising evidence of pre-historic life on Gardoms Edge to the reinstatement of the Stockdale Institute Clock (Baslow Village Hall) which, of course, is how I met Nell Hall - Kate's mum. Those high intensity Resident Association Meetings required sustenance - Sherry, just the odd glass or two. Sherry and Nell- a formidable combination - was undoubtedly the catalyst to my Membership of Baslow WI. It's never failed to amaze me how the power of the WI can be harnessed to improve our environment, our locality, our well being and self-status. It also taught me never to miss an AGM because, in my absence, I was allocated the WI reporting role! My IT skills were negligible, so it was a challenge, I was forced to “up” my game. |
Yet, here I am - your Roving Reporter picking up on all your indiscretions and embarrassing moments, weaving them into my reports, I'm fearless! Ideas, for reports usually pop up whilst I'm gardening, the love of which I inherited from my mother. I like nothing better than a trip to Chatsworth Gardens, a Flower Show or a Garden Centre. Fifty years ago I went in search of Rafflesia arnoldi - the largest flower in the world, travelling with local guides, staying in a Long House and climbing half way up Kota Kinabalu in Borneo.
Has that surprised you?
Looking around our WI Members I often wonder what surprising adventures they have had and would they be willing to share them with us?
Has that surprised you?
Looking around our WI Members I often wonder what surprising adventures they have had and would they be willing to share them with us?
28 October 2020 - Jane moved from Derbyshire in December 2022.
Tell us a bit about you and your role in the team.
I am the new Jane on the team and I am the Walks Coordinator. My husband and I, together with our two children and a lively cairn terrier, moved to Hathersage 40 years ago. Some of you may remember my late husband's talk on The Great Escape at the Village Hall in April 2012 to raise funds for Helen's Trust, which was Lorna's President's Charity that year. Why did you join the WI? My mother was a WI member and I first thought about joining the WI when we were living in London prior to our move to Hathersage. I dreamt of living in a village and getting to know people through joining a local WI. I joined Abney in the early 1980s and thoroughly enjoyed all our activities. I came to a meeting at Baslow in 2010 because the speaker was someone I was considering for Hathersage Historical Society and I was made to feel so welcome that I came again, and subsequently became a member. |
Which is your favourite season?
Spring is my favourite season because everything is so new and fresh and it is followed by Summer. I like Autumn also, but not as much because it leads to Winter which I usually dread.
What was your dream job growing up?
When I was in my early teens I wanted to become an actress, but in my late teens I realised what a precarious profession it is.
What are your interests?
One of my interests is acting and play reading. I took part in amateur dramatics from my early twenties and was fortunate enough to play many fascinating parts. Now I prefer to watch professionals acting! I also love history and Nordic walking.
What is your favourite town?
This has to be Harrogate. My husband and I used to stay in Harrogate for a week in July every year in order to spend three days at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Spring is my favourite season because everything is so new and fresh and it is followed by Summer. I like Autumn also, but not as much because it leads to Winter which I usually dread.
What was your dream job growing up?
When I was in my early teens I wanted to become an actress, but in my late teens I realised what a precarious profession it is.
What are your interests?
One of my interests is acting and play reading. I took part in amateur dramatics from my early twenties and was fortunate enough to play many fascinating parts. Now I prefer to watch professionals acting! I also love history and Nordic walking.
What is your favourite town?
This has to be Harrogate. My husband and I used to stay in Harrogate for a week in July every year in order to spend three days at the Great Yorkshire Show.
12 November 2020 - Lorna left the Team in May 2023.
What is your role in the team at Baslow?
I’m Lorna and I’m the Joint Vice President of Baslow WI, previously President for three years. I joined Baslow in 2008 when I moved from Bamford, nine miles up the Hope Valley. Why did you join Baslow WI? My husbands career in mining and oil industries meant that we lived in many countries around the world and lived in London for a time. In 1993 we returned home to the Peak District and I joined the WI to get to know more people. I was a member of the committee and minutes secretary at Bamford. When in London I was a member of the Petroleum Wives Club, programme secretary and finally President. My experience meant that in no time I was asked to join Baslow’s Team. What a joy, this Team is the most positive and friendly group I have ever worked with. I am a joint administrator for our Facebook page and a member of the DFWI Denman Legacy Committee. I do keep busy! |
Which season is your favourite?
I love the Spring season with its vibrant green colours in the trees and the colourful spring bulbs. Walking in Chatsworth Park is where I get to see all nature has to offer in the Spring.
What hobbies do you have?
My hobbies are goldwork embroidery, Nordic walking, swimming and reading.
Which is your favourite town or city?
My favourite is where I live now. I have lived and stayed in many places but for me home is best now. My longest stay was in Melbourne where our son went to school.
I love the Spring season with its vibrant green colours in the trees and the colourful spring bulbs. Walking in Chatsworth Park is where I get to see all nature has to offer in the Spring.
What hobbies do you have?
My hobbies are goldwork embroidery, Nordic walking, swimming and reading.
Which is your favourite town or city?
My favourite is where I live now. I have lived and stayed in many places but for me home is best now. My longest stay was in Melbourne where our son went to school.
12 November 2020 - Vikki
Tell us a something about you that members might not know!
My full name is Frances Mary Victoria. Frances after my Auntie, Mary my British grandmother, Victoria after my Polish grandmother. BUT I have only ever been called Vikki. What a waste of names. What is your role in the team? I have been Treasurer at Baslow WI for 7 years. I enjoy anything to do with figures, loved maths at school. Why did you join the WI? I was looking to join a WI with an afternoon meeting once I had retired, I found Baslow via Ann McPhie. I had been recommended the WI by a friend and it has certainly filled my time over the past 11 years. |
Your favourite season (and why?)
I think this has to be Spring, everything is fresh and green and hopefully there is plenty of good weather to look forward to. Lots to do in the garden and the nights are drawing out.
City break or beach (or pool) holiday?
Obviously I have to say Cyprus at my favourite hotel Odessa. I have been going there since 1993 and this is the first year I have missed. It’s like going home, if I go for a walk I’m bound to meet someone I know. I always feel safe there and have been many times on my own, even renting a house.
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
I have seen many bands live so this is a difficult question. Maybe Rod Stewart in 1972 at Sheffield City Hall, no big arenas then. Simple Minds I’ve seen 5 times but a really memorable one was Tom Jones at Chatsworth on a fabulous summer evening.
I think this has to be Spring, everything is fresh and green and hopefully there is plenty of good weather to look forward to. Lots to do in the garden and the nights are drawing out.
City break or beach (or pool) holiday?
Obviously I have to say Cyprus at my favourite hotel Odessa. I have been going there since 1993 and this is the first year I have missed. It’s like going home, if I go for a walk I’m bound to meet someone I know. I always feel safe there and have been many times on my own, even renting a house.
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
I have seen many bands live so this is a difficult question. Maybe Rod Stewart in 1972 at Sheffield City Hall, no big arenas then. Simple Minds I’ve seen 5 times but a really memorable one was Tom Jones at Chatsworth on a fabulous summer evening.
25 November 2020 - Caroline moved from Baslow in April 2023.
Caroline is our membership and minute secretary at Baslow WI
Why did I join?
Recruited by a neighbour! We had moved to Baslow, I had just retired and think I did need something to get me embedded into village life. Having spent my working life as someone's 'reportee', manager, or trainer it was great to be Caroline and just be me rather than fulfilling a role. I loved work but it was time to embrace a new life. If I could invite 4 people to a dinner party it would be: George Michael - to try and understand how someone can be a genius yet so insecure... Aristophanes - how amusing and bizarre his life must have been! Doris Day - was the film and music industry as glamorous as it seemed? Jack Savoretti - those smouldering looks! My dream job growing up was to work in a 'Cadbury's Creme Egg Factory'. I probably could have followed this one up as I grew up in Kenilworth, not that far from Birmingham and Bourneville! Instead I did a History degree (when I read some Greek Literature) and then fully utilised my skills as a Trainee Manager with British Shoe Corporation! After 5 exhausting years in retail I joined Johnson and Johnson and that is when my career (and the fun) started! |
My favourite season?
It depends but I actually do like winter, or at least the romantic version of winter! Walks in winter sunshine, roaring log fires, twinkling lights in the darkness, the silence of fresh snow. When I was at school I worked at Warwick Castle, we had a staff Christmas party in the vaults, when we emerged at midnight it had been snowing! The image of the medieval castle in the moonlight and grounds covered in virgin snow will stay with me forever!
It depends but I actually do like winter, or at least the romantic version of winter! Walks in winter sunshine, roaring log fires, twinkling lights in the darkness, the silence of fresh snow. When I was at school I worked at Warwick Castle, we had a staff Christmas party in the vaults, when we emerged at midnight it had been snowing! The image of the medieval castle in the moonlight and grounds covered in virgin snow will stay with me forever!
9 December 2020 - Ann
Next our dedicated corresponence secretary Ann even her photos are themed in the WI colour palette!
Why did you join the WI?
I joined the WI when I first moved to Baslow in 1983, I didn’t know anyone and wanted to get out and meet people. The WI met in the evenings then and it soon became very important to me. My husband was working long hours and I was a stay-at-home Mum, Wednesday evenings were my escape! A group of us would go for drinks in the Rutland after the meetings, it was really something to look forward to on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. I quickly got more involved in WI activities at various levels. What are you looking forward to most when we return to 'normality'? When it’s safe to do so I am really looking forward to holidays with my friends and family. City breaks, cruising, cycling and beach holidays. It will be good to get into some holiday clothes… Ooooh I can’t wait! |
Which is your favourite Christmas film?
‘Love Actually’, the best bit is Hugh Grant acting as the Prime Minister dancing to The Pointer Sisters ‘Jump (For my Love)’ in Downing Street. I put the clip on the Baslow Facebook every Christmas and the followers adore it! Take a peep:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUm2K6eDuMU
What was your dream job growing up?
Kit manager for Chelsea Football Club - still is!
What’s your favourite town or city?
Well, it’s got to be London - maybe it’s because I am a Londoner, born within the sound of Bow Bells. I do love Derbyshire and wouldn’t choose to move back ‘down south’. Of all the cities I have visited I loved Sydney, it’s got it all, beaches, city life and fabulous country all within easy reach but not the wonderful history that London has.
What are your favourite hobbies?
Animals… Any equestrian sport; show jumping, racing, cross country but mainly three-day eventing. It’s an amazing sport, testing the elegance, stamina, bravery and skill of both horse and rider. They must work as a team, it’s a great sport where men and women of all ages compete against each other equally. I have loved all my dogs and they were always involved with the horses too, especially on Pony Club days when they were great company but did cause havoc sometimes! I have many good friends through this hobby. Nowadays it’s more about watching than taking part for me and cycling has taken over from horse riding since my lovely Arab horse Toby died aged 35, he lived with me for 30 years. Happy times.
‘Love Actually’, the best bit is Hugh Grant acting as the Prime Minister dancing to The Pointer Sisters ‘Jump (For my Love)’ in Downing Street. I put the clip on the Baslow Facebook every Christmas and the followers adore it! Take a peep:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUm2K6eDuMU
What was your dream job growing up?
Kit manager for Chelsea Football Club - still is!
What’s your favourite town or city?
Well, it’s got to be London - maybe it’s because I am a Londoner, born within the sound of Bow Bells. I do love Derbyshire and wouldn’t choose to move back ‘down south’. Of all the cities I have visited I loved Sydney, it’s got it all, beaches, city life and fabulous country all within easy reach but not the wonderful history that London has.
What are your favourite hobbies?
Animals… Any equestrian sport; show jumping, racing, cross country but mainly three-day eventing. It’s an amazing sport, testing the elegance, stamina, bravery and skill of both horse and rider. They must work as a team, it’s a great sport where men and women of all ages compete against each other equally. I have loved all my dogs and they were always involved with the horses too, especially on Pony Club days when they were great company but did cause havoc sometimes! I have many good friends through this hobby. Nowadays it’s more about watching than taking part for me and cycling has taken over from horse riding since my lovely Arab horse Toby died aged 35, he lived with me for 30 years. Happy times.
23 December 2020 - Kate
Why did you join the WI?
My mother paid my membership for the WI when I had only just left college, because she needed an extra actress in the play she was putting on for the Federation (Isolation in Eyam). Since then I have been a member of two Institutes, Baslow and one in rural Kent ever since. What is your role on the team? My current role is a bit obscure as I was expecting to assist Vikki our treasurer, but with no face to face meetings that has been put on hold. Previously when I was on the team I helped plan the programme and then I was President. During our Centenary year I was a member of the planning team. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? My hobbies revolve around flowers and plants, happily spending time at the allotment trying to grow interesting things to eat, with mixed degrees of success and flower arranging with slightly more success. |
Best Christmas memories?
One of my more fun Christmas memories goes back to when we lived in South London. My brother’s birthday is just the week before Christmas so the custom was to decorate the house for his birthday. On this particular Christmas we purchased our tree in the local market, it took the combined efforts of four of us to carry it the mile home; it was both large and heavy! When we finally got it home it was too big to stand on the floor in our front room so an enormous amount of the tree was cut off, the branches were used as decorations, certainly not wasted.
Your Favourite Christmas Tip?
My best tip for Christmas dinner is to write down the timings when everything has to be cooked, then with luck the meal comes together all at the right time.
It just remains to wish everyone in Baslow WI a very happy Christmas and the hope for a much better New Year from Kate.
One of my more fun Christmas memories goes back to when we lived in South London. My brother’s birthday is just the week before Christmas so the custom was to decorate the house for his birthday. On this particular Christmas we purchased our tree in the local market, it took the combined efforts of four of us to carry it the mile home; it was both large and heavy! When we finally got it home it was too big to stand on the floor in our front room so an enormous amount of the tree was cut off, the branches were used as decorations, certainly not wasted.
Your Favourite Christmas Tip?
My best tip for Christmas dinner is to write down the timings when everything has to be cooked, then with luck the meal comes together all at the right time.
It just remains to wish everyone in Baslow WI a very happy Christmas and the hope for a much better New Year from Kate.
23 December 2020 - Julia
What is the background to you being so involved with the WI?
I had a very happy childhood even when war broke out when I was 21/2. At the age of 5 my Father decided I needed to learn to ride and also to play the violin. I gave up the violin by the time I was 17 and concentrated on my pony. I rode on and off when not working and then when my daughters arrived I gave up, it was their turn now and the eldest was in the saddle at a year old. Obviously the next step for them was the Pony Club, I became Secretary and met Ann for the first time with her daughter. I started riding again and becoming so involved had no time for anything else. Then illness struck I gave up riding and Ann made me join Baslow WI in which I have found so much friendship, interest in so many activities, a wonderful WI.
Who would you like to invite to a dinner party?
My favourite film star was Sean Connery (I saw first Bond film at the Abbeydale in 1963) also Maggie Smith she makes me laugh and I would have Russel Watson to sing to me.
What are you looking forward to after COVID?
I am most looking forward (now that after 83 years my life has changed) is being back to normal, meeting up again with all my friends in various activities in which I am involved, mainly WI.
Christmas is going to be different this year...
Christmas can never be what it was for me, the favourite time was when the children and grand children were young and now all are grown and the magic has gone.
I had a very happy childhood even when war broke out when I was 21/2. At the age of 5 my Father decided I needed to learn to ride and also to play the violin. I gave up the violin by the time I was 17 and concentrated on my pony. I rode on and off when not working and then when my daughters arrived I gave up, it was their turn now and the eldest was in the saddle at a year old. Obviously the next step for them was the Pony Club, I became Secretary and met Ann for the first time with her daughter. I started riding again and becoming so involved had no time for anything else. Then illness struck I gave up riding and Ann made me join Baslow WI in which I have found so much friendship, interest in so many activities, a wonderful WI.
Who would you like to invite to a dinner party?
My favourite film star was Sean Connery (I saw first Bond film at the Abbeydale in 1963) also Maggie Smith she makes me laugh and I would have Russel Watson to sing to me.
What are you looking forward to after COVID?
I am most looking forward (now that after 83 years my life has changed) is being back to normal, meeting up again with all my friends in various activities in which I am involved, mainly WI.
Christmas is going to be different this year...
Christmas can never be what it was for me, the favourite time was when the children and grand children were young and now all are grown and the magic has gone.