Guild Newsletter
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Principals Welcome
It is hard to believe we have already reached the October half-term break. The first few weeks of the new academic year have flown by, once again highlighting what a vibrant and busy community we have here at the Guild.
I am delighted to welcome Mrs Fabiola Bonacci to our team as our new Chef Manager. Fabiola joins us with a truly impressive CV; her previous permanent role was Head Chef at Manchester’s Michelin-listed Tast Cuina Catalana. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on board, and I am sure you will all enjoy her wonderful culinary offerings.
I also want to send a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our recent "Wear It Pink" fundraising day in aid of the charity Breast Cancer Now. It was wonderful to see so many of you getting involved, and I am delighted to share that our pink cake sale raised a fantastic £90 for this very worthy cause.
As our courses and events continue to be so well-attended, I would just like to take a moment to ask those participants who park on local roads to please continue to park safely and considerately, mindful of our neighbours.
I hope you all have a wonderful and restful half-term break, and I look forward to welcoming you back to the Guild very soon.
With best wishes,
Paula
Our next exhibition in the Gallery@TheGuild is of work by Guild student Kate Barratt. Kate has been attending Art lessons with Anna for a number of years. She came with the aim of using her considerable skills as a fashion designer to start to make paintings. Over the years she has found ways to combine her fabulous observational drawing ability, sense for colour and eye for design to make wonderful paintings, many of which you will see in the exhibition. Recently she has been experimenting with ways to incorporate fabric and stitch into her work. Some of these pieces have been created specifically for this exhibition and are on show for the very first time.
All Guild students are invited to join Kate for a glass of wine (or soft drink) at the Private View on Friday 6th November 6-8pm. Work is for sale, with 20% of proceeds going to The Guild.
Centenary Celebration: Three Generations of the Brayshaw Family Return to Honour "Granny Brayshaw's" Legacy
As the Guild celebrates its landmark centenary, a deeply moving reunion recently brought the organisation's rich history full circle. The Guild had the privilege of welcoming three generations of the Brayshaw family, who travelled from across the country to pay homage to the enduring legacy of Maude Brayshaw, affectionately remembered by her family as "Granny Brayshaw."
The visiting family members included Maude’s grandson, Peter, alongside his wife, Linda. Together, they represented a living connection to Maude's foundational contributions, journeying to the Guild’s historic home on Bourne Street in Wilmslow to witness how her vision continues to thrive 100 years on.
Maude Brayshaw was a pioneering spirit in the early development of the Guild, playing an influential role throughout the transformative decades of the 1920's and 1930's. Her dedication to adult education, culture, and community growth established a standard of lifelong learning that sustained the organisation for generations, with her active connection to the Guild enduring as late as the 1970's.
During their visit, the family reconnected with archive materials, historical records, and the vibrant learning spaces where Granny Brayshaw devoted so many years of service. Browsing through the history, Peter remarked that one of the destinations for the Guild's Holiday Campers Club in 1929 was the Langdale Valley in the Lake District, the very place where Maude eventually retired. For Peter, Linda, Sophie, and Nicola, standing in the space where Maude left her mark provided an emotional link across four generations of family history.
The Guild for Lifelong Learning continues to build upon the dedicated foundation laid by trailblazers like Maude Brayshaw. As the charity marks a century of community education in Cheshire, welcoming the Brayshaw family served as a powerful reminder that the heart of the Guild has always been its people, its history, and a shared dedication to learning at every stage of life.
Enamelling workshop with Hannah
📅 Sunday 25th October
10am to 4pm
Come along and learn the art of enamelling in our superb, well equipped and friendly workshop lead by Hannah with many decades of jewellery making experience. You could enamel pieces of jewellery, Christmas decorations or a copper bowl, It is the perfect opportunity to see if a new hobby is for you.
Materials and consumables to suit all budgets are available to purchase in class or you can bring your own. There will be a small charge to Hannah for enamels used on the day.
Book your tickets for ....
International Language Social Evening
📅 Friday 27 November
Guild language learners celebrate the centenary
As part of the centenary, the Guild's languages team will also be offering another International evening on Friday 27th November from 7 pm until 9 pm. All linguists and wanna-be linguists are welcome to come along for an evening of conversation (in as many languages as possible), interspersed with a quiz, some dancing and maybe the traditional Christmas carols in French, Spanish, Italian and German.
The international evening is a free, bring your own drinks event. Nibbles will be provided. Please save the date and come along. We will be looking forward to welcoming you.
Coach Trip , Christmas Creativity & Carols
📅 Sunday, 29th November
Join Us for a Festive Day Out ❄️
We're taking a day trip to Hazelwood (private garden and hardy plant nursery) for a relaxed afternoon of good food, creative ideas, and seasonal treats.
What's Included (£45 per person):
🌲Return coach travel from Wilmslow
🌲Seasonal lunch
🌲Christmas decoration demonstration with Jacqueline Iddon
🌲Live music, mulled wine, and mince pies
Christmas textile wall hanging workshop
Craft a beautiful textile wall hanging using traditional Bobbin Lace techniques in this hands-on workshop. Personalise your piece using festive Christmas colors and embellishments, with all equipment and materials fully supplied on the day. Class size is capped at a maximum of 10 participants to guarantee one-on-one support, suitable for all skill levels.
Coach Trip to York Christmas Festival
📅 17 December
Take a stress-free break from the pre-Christmas hustle. Forget the driving and parking hassles, our comfortable coach will whisk you straight to York’s award-winning St Nicholas Fair so you can save your energy for shopping and festive fun!
The Guild Players Pantomime, Cinderella
📅 10–12 December
Polish your glass slippers! Get ready for a fun-packed, fast-paced family adventure as we bring the world’s favourite fairy tale to life.
Tickets: On sale soon!
Get Involved: There's still time to get involved on stage or join our backstage team.
📅 25 December
Do you know of someone who would be spending Christmas day alone this year? We would like to invite them to join us on 25 December from midday for a traditional lunch.
Call 01625 523903 to let us know
Join a Club or Group
Spotlight on the Walking Group 🚶🏼♀️➡️🚶🏼♂️➡️🚶🏼➡️🚶🏼♀️🚶🏼♂️🚶🏼
Whether you're looking for a brisk moorland challenge or a sociable midweek stroll, The Guild Walking Group has a full programme of member-led walks ranging from 5 to 13 miles designed to suit all abilities. Our goal is simple: friendly, accessible, and enjoyable walking in fantastic company. With walks nearly every week, generally alternating between Sundays and mid-week outings, there are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, recharge, and explore.
New course for spring term✨
The Life And Music Of The Beatles- Uncover the Beatles Story with Historian Steve
The Beatles are as woven into the fabric of British heritage as Shakespeare and Dickens, continuing to bridge generations through their timeless music. But how did four Liverpool lads permanently reshape global culture?
Join Beatles Historian Steve for an immersive, thematic deep dive into the Fab Four’s extraordinary journey. Moving beyond the basic history, this course explores not just what happened, but why and how. Key topics include:
Origins & Influence: From early Liverpool roots to global Beatlemania.
Art & Media: Iconic album covers, famous photography, films, and TV appearances.
Behind the Scenes: The key people who shaped their career and their groundbreaking recording techniques.
Modern Impact: Their commitment to inclusivity and their 21st-century legacy.
Each session features rich audio and video clips, engaging group discussions, and displays of rare exhibits and memorabilia. Perfect for music fans looking to understand the full story behind the legend.
🚨 Gain Lifesaving Skills & Confidence! 🚨
Looking to learn essential Emergency First Aid skills or refresh your knowledge? Join us for our next Emergency First Aid at Work training day.
Our previous learners spoke, and the results are in:
⭐ 100% Satisfaction Rate across all participants
⭐ 100% of learners gained boost in confidence and practical skill
⭐ 100% positive feedback on course delivery and instructor support
💬 "Great knowledge, enthusiasm & expertise. I feel I learnt a lot..." Previous Participant
📅 Date: Saturday, October 31st
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
👨🏫 Tutor: Mark Turner
Whether you need this for your workplace, community group, or personal peace of mind, this practical, hands-on day will leave you feeling fully prepared to handle emergencies with confidence.
🎟️ Spaces are limited
Join expert Alexandra for a fast-paced, playful romp through the history of clothing! We’re traveling from ancient civilizations, where your outfit was equal parts survival gear and ultimate status flex, all the way to today’s world of high-tech fabrics, fast fashion, and sustainable style.
Along the way, we’ll dive into both men’s and women’s wardrobes to reveal how massive social shifts, economic upheavals, and human drama shaped the way we dress. Come for the wild trends, stay for the historical gossip, and leave with a whole new appreciation for what's hanging in your closet.
🀄 Discover the Wonderful World of Mah Jong with The Green Dragon Mah Jong Club!
Whether you are an absolute beginner keen to learn from scratch or an experienced player who knows every twist and turn of the game, a warm welcome awaits you at our friendly, community-based weekly group!
✨ Why Join Us?
• Complete Beginners: Enjoy friendly, guided sessions using open hands. We guarantee you'll be playing in earnest before the end of your very first session!
• Experienced Players: Play at tables matched to your skill level with seasoned players always on hand for advice and encouragement.
• Open to All Adults: Welcoming players of all ages and abilities.
📅 When: Every Sunday starting 8 November 2026 ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Arrive from 12:45 PM)
📍 Location: The Guild for Lifelong Learning, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD (Ample free parking available on site!)
💰 Pricing & Tasters: • Taster Sessions: £10 cash at the door for 2 sessions (fully refunded when you take up full membership!) • Full Membership: £50 (valid through 31 August 2027)
Ready to shout 'Pung! Kong! Chow!' and spend a great afternoon making new friends? 📩 Get in touch or reserve your spot today: greendragonmahjong@guildlifelonglearning.org
Student Spotlight: Julie Conrad
We are thrilled to celebrate one of our talented students, Julie. Based in Cheshire, where she lives with her husband and three Pomeranian dogs, Julie is an accomplished acrylic artist and a member of the Altrincham Society of Artists. She has exhibited her artwork on numerous occasions, including holding solo exhibitions.
Julie is also a published author, and copies of her books are now available for sale at the Guild.
Discover Her Published Books
Sarah Jane Raymond: This novel follows eighteen-year-old Sarah Jane Raymond, who is seduced by multi-billionaire Horatio Kampen de Steen and moves to his Cape Fortress estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Treated as his priceless jewel, Sarah struggles with a dark dynamic regarding their firstborn daughter, Georgette, that leads to devastating consequences.
To Everything There Is a Season: Set early in 1990, this novel weaves together the interwoven lives of three women, Ivy, Clara, and Georgie, facing personal struggles, loan sharks, and unexpected guidance during weekly séances with a medium named Mrs Lamper.
You can support Julie and pick up copies of her novels from the Guild, or discover more about her work at www.julieconrad.co.uk
There will be an exhibition at Bollington Arts Centre of recent paintings by artists who attend Anna's Advanced Art class at The Guild. The class is for ambitious artists with a drive to explore their individual interests and to exhibit their work. The theme ‘Spirit of Place’ was set this term so that students could explore the variety of ways that painters capture the spirit of places. We organised the exhibition as an incentive to complete a piece of work that could be exhibited.
Guild staff and students are all invited to the private view on Sunday 15th November 2pm-4pm
Artists involved are:
Fiona Anderson, John Ardern, Paul Brook, Josephine Clancy, Jackie Dudley-Jones, Shirley Hampton, Andy Jeffrey, Bob MacDonald, Lynne Margolis, Stuart Mollison, Kathryn Moon, Alison Moore, Joan Ormrod, Andrew Pal, Jude Park, Clare Pinder, Laureen Roberts, Sue Whitmore and Ros Whittaker.
