Reports on Events in 2026

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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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