Archive for January 2017

It’s Hip to be Granny Square - September Workshop

Wednesday 18 January 2017 § 0

Our hotly anticipated September workshop was an absolute blast - with everyone learning the new skill of crocheting a granny square.


The room was beautifully set up by our very own Lauren and Stephanie with instruction booklets, wool and crochet hooks. Each beginner got a starter square to practice their first stitches. There were also magazines to take away which were donated by the lovely Susan.




Lauren and Stephanie expertly guided the beginners through their first stitches



There was lots of chatter and a bit of wine thrown in for good measure. Once everyone had got the hang of the basic stitch and the pattern that made the square, we were then shown how to start the square itself. 







Interestingly the square starts with a circle! A slip knot is formed and then slip stitches for the base of the square.








Lauren demonstrated to us all that beautiful and elaborate patterns can be worked up using just a simple 'single crochet'.

If you like it then you shoulda put a Bling on it - August Meeting

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Our highly anticipated August meeting saw our lovely roses blingin' up some ordinary items - who doesn't love a bit of sparkle!




There was a choice of wine glasses, tea lights and hair clips with some guests and members bringing their own items to bling up.








Sparky Stephanie showed us the correct technique to apply the crystals and we were off.



While we applied the crystals we also applied our minds to the fiendish Disney quiz which was set by our very own Julie-Anne. 














Half of the money raised went to the worthy winners Laura and Layla whilst the rest went to the Denman Appeal. To find our more about this extraordianry appeal and to donate, please visit http://www.denman.org.uk/experience/saving-denman-appeal/15 





Crazy for (U)kulele - August Workshop

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For our August workshop, 18 bopping bunnies and rocking roses, along with a couple of guests, joined together for a beginners ukulele class led by the fabulous tutor and performer Jessica Bowie. 



Jessica came equipped with a variety of ukuleles for the group to use, and started by telling us all about the four most common sizes of instruments and how to number our fingers, strings and frets. 



Playing in two teams to start with and then as a whole ensemble, Jessica's enthusiasm had us al, strumming away and singing along to (all together now!): Achy Breaky Heart, On the Bayoux (me oh my oh), Alice the Camel (favourite of Brownie packs the world over), La Cucaracha (for some very enthusiastic strumming!), and a magic chord medley.






















It was a fantastic class where we all had a great time. Jessica's knowledge and experience of the ukulele, and how she got into teaching and performing was great to hear. Jessica teaches classes in Bramley Lawn and full details can be found at her website: www.yourukuleletutor.com




Simply the Breast - July Meeting

Tuesday 17 January 2017 § 0

July was a lively meeting of two halves. To start we we joined by the lovely Sally and Karine from 'Fit to Bust'. As well as sharing their knowledge on bra fitting, and telling us that the straps are not meant to be the main support (who knew!) The ladies also told us about the best way to actually put your bra on which is: 1. put arms in the strap, 2. bend forwards, 3. fasten the bra at the back 4. pull the wire away, 5. move breasts in to position within the cups.

They gave us a marvellous demonstration of this technique. If you fasten your bra at the front and then twist it around, you risk damaging the bra.

Fit to Bust also hold fitting parties for a minimum of 6 people, contact Sally or Karine at fittobust for more details.

Our next guest was Breast Care Nurse, Belinda Archer who talked us through some breast cancer facts.

The cause of breast cancer is not known but is understood to be multi-factorial including; genes, lifestyle and diet. Belinda advised us to all get ourselves into a position to lower our risk of breast cancer - keep healthy, eat healthy, be breast aware. 

Self-examination is good but you may just as easily find something in the shower whilst washing or during sex. 76% of women experience breast pain during their lifetime - this is not a typical symptom of cancer. Know the signs. NHS symptoms checker

There are many treatments for breast cancer and the size of the cancer relative to the breast will determine is a mastectomy or lumpectomy is required. Radiotherapy is used to kill cancer cells in the remaining tissue and Chemotherapy will most likely be used if the cancer has reached the lymph nodes.

In 25 years the survival rate from breast cancer has increased from 50% to 80% which is an amazing statistic. 

NB to verify the accuracy of this information please check with your GP or use other resources such as: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttps://www.macmillan.org.uk/http://breastcancernow.org/


Yes WI Can Can - July Workshop

Friday 13 January 2017 § 0

On Thursday 7 July 2016 Buns & Roses hosted a burlesque inspired dance workshop called Yes WI Can Can.  

On arrival at the Cosmopolitan Hotel the attendees were greeted by the dance teacher, to be known as Madam Vivalicious (who runs a Wiggle and Giggle group) and a glass of prosecco with a strawberry and given a chocolate treat and an all important feather boa (colour of their choice). 

The workshop began with all the attendees sat in a semi circle while Madame Viv explained how she came about Wiggle and Giggle.  Burlesque is often seen as very extravagant and risqué but Viv wanted to make it fun and accessible to all (even shy people!). 

Viv explained that we should all have a burlesque name to get into the spirit of wiggling and giggling.  She had some examples from her previous classes and we all chuckled at some of them as Viv explained the origins behind people’s burlesque names of choice especially Orgasm Olive (an unassuming elderly lady from a quiet village) and Penis Grecio (one of her male burlesque workshop attendees who happened to like wine!).














Buns and Roses attendees then got into smaller groups as we came up with our own burlesque names, some of these included Curvy Cupcake, Bootylicious Betty, Lady Lulu, Cheeky Cha Cha and Cherry De Lush!  




















The workshop then got underway as we learnt various burlesque poses including the showgirl pose, Marilyn pose, how to bad girl walk (What are you looking at ?!?!) and various wiggles and shimmies!



We then learnt our routine and split into groups to perform it for each other.  The song we learnt the routine to was called “The Stripper” by David Rose… you would know it when you hear it! (we didn’t take our clothes off tho!!)  The feather boas proved to be interesting as we learnt that they could dye our skin as they were new!  We also learnt a couple of little dances including a little routine to a Meghan Trainor song.  


Fun and giggles were had by all and we learnt a few new moves to show off when next on the dancefloor!



The end of the night was marked by thanking Madame Viv and leaving the Cosmopolitan Hotel looking like lots of colourful chickens had been there!  Feathers everywhere!

You Reel-ly Got Me - June Meeting

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The lovely Susan introduced us to Wendy Cook, General Manager of the Hyde Park Picture House who entertained us with her talk on the history of the cinema. 

The first cinema opened in Pittsburgh in 1905. This new art form was very popular and films were toured around the country and shown in lots of temporary venues. At this stage the nitrate film stock was very flammable and a lot of heat was generated from the bright lights needed to project the picture so there were a lot of fatal fires. 

In the UK in 1909 the Cinematograph Act was passed – this stipulated building codes such as the projector being enclosed (there are metal shutters at Hyde Park). Some nitrate film stock still exists today but you need a licence and it needs to be kept in specific conditions. 

In cinema’s heyday in the 40’s Leeds had over 50 cinemas. Only Hyde Park and Cottage Road remain from this time and earlier. Some cinema building no longer exist others have been repurposed e.g. Majestic, Brotherhood of Pursuits & Pastimes, Mikes Carpets in Armley

Keep checking http://leedscivictrust.org.uk/?idno=1 as they do guided walks around the old cinema sites of Leeds

They incomplete records about the Hyde Park Picture House – they celebrated their 100th Birthday on 7thNovember 2014 but later found out it should have been on 2md November after the Log Book of the manager from 1914-1957 was found in a garage which was being cleared out. 

They now put any material found into the West Yorkshire Archive (see http://www.archives.wyjs.org.uk/archives-about-us.asp for more info) as well as submitting details of current events. 

When the cinema opened in 1914 there were just silent movies. A sound system was installed in the 1930’s.  Over the years there have been various other alterations to the cinema.

The décor on the balcony is original but the capacity today is smaller than when the cinema first opened. 
The tiling on the floor at the front of the building reflects the original design
There used to be a roaring fire where the kiosk is now 
There is a stained and painted glass window 
They still have working Gas Lamps and are the only cinema in the UK (possibly the world) to do so. 
The clock dates from the 60’s and originally came from the cinema that was housed in the site of the current O2 Academy. Lots of salvaging from skips took place as old cinemas closed down.
At one point there was a glass canopy down the side of building on Brudenell Road. 

The cinema played an important role in the wars – for general communications and keeping up people’s spirits

The cinema has had a colourful history and has nearly closed several times. The Friends of Hyde Park Picture House formed in 1984 and together with the manager in 1989 were instrumental in persuading Leeds City Council to buy the cinema from the Robbins chain under whom they feared for the cinema’s future. The cinema became part of Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Limited. This independent company (also a registered charity) within the council is dedicated to preserving, and securing the future of three of Leeds most historically and culturally significant venues, the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, The City Varieties and the Hyde Park Picture House. 

The cinema is a Grade II listed building. The lamppost outside is also Grade II listed but is no longer a gas lamp.  

Although representing a price of cinema history, the Picture House has kept up with the times and can show Digital films and 35mm.                       
The cinema shows around 330 films a year. Aim to have a varied programme which covers international releases as well as those with links to local events and community 

They have speakers in to give context to films e.g. Amnesty international 

The cinema is a popular topic for Leeds Academics and a popular tourist destination for viewers of ‘First of the Summer Wine’ 
They have had a proposal take place there with a private screening of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ as the backdrop
They have held a Humanist Wedding there 

There are exciting and ambitious plans afoot to keep the cinema going for the next 100 years - a submission has been made for a lottery grant to fund conversion of the basement to a second screen and a café. 

In the more immediate future, go and see a film. 
See http://www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk/index.php for details of the programme including special events.