To Have and to Cherish: Local speaker delights Cannock Ladies Probus members

 Members were encouraged to share experiences, as their own wedding photos demonstrated both personal changes and development within society. Demure dresses from 1950s moved to mini-skirts in 1970s when floppy hats were fashionable, contrasting with the earlier veil and fabric choices, shaped by the times and changes within society.

Several memories were evoked, of the 'bottom drawer' tradition where brides to be saved 'household items' to prepare for married life - including Tupperware, Pyrex and tea sets. Customs included 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue'. While wedding dresses through the ages radically changed. Compared to the styles, worn before the war and often homemade, today's 'off the shoulder' dresses, would be undignified. In 1940s, with rations during wartime, a 2-piece 'costume' was later worn as a 'mix and match' outfit. The fabric of WW11, was parachute silk, which then made petticoats and christening robes. Unlike a 1960s bride, who wore a mini-dress by choice, while her groom's fashion of long hair and flared (purple) trousers served to indicate the era in the standard photo album.

Kath highlighted traditional superstitions - many of which were unexplained and amusing. Traditions such as a chimney sweep or horseshoe for luck. The custom of once keeping the top tier of a wedding cake for a babies christening has evolved for, today's 'cakes' may be made of porkpies, cheese or cupcakes. Weddings of 'famous figures' from Victoria and Albert to Elvis; Elizabeth Taylor, Cilla, Lulu, then John and Yoko all . . . 'of their time' served to illustrate these changes!

As members were invited to attend the Cannock Remembrance Parade, the meeting closed with a reading of John Bailey's poem Taking a Stand. 

Christmas party entertainment for December 4 - David St John; dress code Christmas jumpers.