Mad, Bad and Dangerous

"MAD, Bad and Dangerous" was the theme for the literary afternoon event organised by members of the Maghull and Lydiate National Women's Register (NWR) and held in Southport's Royal Clifton hotel. Of the two guest speakers, first was Nikki Sofia from Liverpool who gave an interesting talk and fascinating insight into the Merseyside Probation Services run by women for women. Nikki described the currently evolving funding allocations and the challenges faced by those who provide the services and those who use it.

The main speaker was Jan Long MBE who had travelled from Herefordshire to address 130 members of the audience on the subject of Gertrude Bell, born in 1868 of a wealthy Victorian family and a real prodigy. Educated at oxford, she worked alongside T E Lawrence (of Arabia), Winston Churchill and many other leading figures of the day, Gertrude Bell is credited with mapping out the boundaries of modern day Iraq and the scope of her adventures, passionate love affair with a married man, with a reputation for travelling over dangerous terrain and encountering bandits, reputedly spying she certainly fitted the bill the topic of the day.

During Jan's presentation, she was able to reveal that the film, entitled "Queen of the Desert" by German Director, Werner Herzog and starring Nicole Kidman as Gertrude Bell, had been released having its premiere in Berlin and is to be shown in the UK, on 24 April 2015 and Jan has secured tickets to see the film!

A leading authority on Gertrude Bell, who has also met many members of the Bell descendants, Jan passed round a silver engraved cigarette case that had been given to her and was a prized possession since it had belonged to Miss Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, (her full name) who had been a heavy smoker, particularly when she was oriental Secretary in Iraq.

In thanking Jan Long, the event organiser Collette Dickson, said that her talk had been utterly mesmerising and there would certainly be a group outing to the cinema once the film went on general release!

Jan commented;- "The ethos of the NWR is connecting women and their dialogue and discussions are for anyone interested in everything and talking about anything. This is indeed something of which Gertrude Bell would have approved, as she was a brilliant communicator! I have thoroughly enjoyed my very 1st to the fine Town of Southport, where the people have been extraordinarily friendly and welcoming. After a lovely coastal walk, I added to Southport's economy by exploring Lord Street."

Afternoon tea comprised delicious sandwiches and scrumptious cakes followed by a raffle and ended with a hilarious rendition of "Sisters are doing it for themselves" with a backdrop video of the song sung by Aretha Franklin and Annie lennox.

Letter to the Editor:- "Is Southport a City?"

"I keep hearing Southport mentioned as a City all of a sudden. When did this happen? Also why do some of the media class Formby and Freshfield as a Town? This is extremely puzzling and I would love to know if any of your other readers have spotted or heard this." John - Southport.

Editors comment:- "Good question John. Yes it has suddenly over the last 2 years become more common, as to our areas suddenly becoming marked as Preston or Liverpool and our Village or Town names removed!"