Red Hats and purple everything else

Teetime to be honest, no-one on the 'outside' knows - there are just rumours ...

it would annoy DS and DD! enormously!!!

Worth doing then

When I was a member of the now defunct Bad Mothers Club, we were able to buy a very discreet "pin" smaller than a brooch, about the size of the metal/enamel ones that can be bought instead of the paper poppies for Remembrance Sunday

Perhaps that might work, the chaps could wear it as either a tie pin or lapel one?

But what on earth would the design be ?

Teetime, why did your sister and daughter take exception to the red-hatters?

It sounds wonderful, not for everyone obviously but what is?

Do tell imperfect what is the Mason's cucumber? I've led a sheltered life.

I understand Jenny Joseph's poem and the aims of the redhatters, yet it holds no attractions for me. I am ageing in my fashion and thoroughly enjoying it. If I decide that the time has arrived to disgrace myself, I will do it in my own way, not to a formula dictated by a poem.

Hi lemongrove I don't think it will be long before Gates gets their Xmas stuff out- do you live nearby we could have a Gransnet met up without the need for hats or dresses.

I'm with MawBroon lots of crossover pinnies still for sale here in France.

(That wasn't a euphemism, but hey ho! )

As long as it is all gender neutral - suggest a direct proportion of blue and pink - doesn't matter how, just as long as it's 50/50.

We could swap the rolling pins for courgettes - GNetters always seem to have a glut of them - and it's a little nod in the direction of the mason's cucumber .

I think a nice wrapover pinny, tartan slippers with bobbles on the front, Nora Batty stockings and curlers à la Andy Capp's missus - oh and a rolling pin.
No?

How about dark jeans and a white tee with the slogan
'Gransnetters do it every day!' ?

Nothing above the knee please, my legs are not what they once were ( along with all other body parts.)?

Perhaps there should be a GNetters 'uniform'. Any ideas?

Exactly my feeling seacliff without wishing to knock the "Red Hats" in any way.
I came across them when I saw a bunch of ladies dressed in purple wearing red hats having coffee in the local Waitrose coffee shop. Being nosey friendly I of course asked who they were and what was going on. They were all very friendly but seemed to do a lot together - cinema, days out, theatre etc and frankly, not being a very "clubbable" person, I found it a little bit overwhelming. I extricated myself with some difficulty and a little guilt as they were very welcoming and friendly.
If that is your "thing", go for it Teetime!

Sounds fun to me, no harm in having a look!

First I thought a group of over 50s wanting to have some fun sound great. However it seems a bit full on to me, having had a brief look at their web site. The "gathering of Queen's" etc makes me feel it's probably not for me. I also never wear dresses or hats, so I wouldn't be accepted anyway.

I would join in if there was a group near me, it sounds a bit of fun, and you would immediately recognise other members, a bit like the Masons.?
I quite fancy a red hat.

I admire them but I wear neither hats nor dresses.

I know its probably miserable of me, but I don't think I'd enjoy being a red hatter
It seems like too much hard work for someone not naturally 'jolly' (me!)

Agree Merlot. I live 10 mins from Cambridge and much though I respect their attitude I have no desire to wear a 'uniform' again. A panama hat and gingham dress in the summer 60 years ago was enough for me .I can happily browse the shops, the Fitzwilliam and Patisserie Valerie without a red hat!

Go for it Teetime! You could meet up at Gates Garden Centre for lunch and have fun.They may even have their Christmas things out for sale.?

Sorry for errors, I didn't proof read.

I was visiting a small town called Ojai, in California, when there was a sudden influx of older women, well dressed and all wearing something red on their heads. It's very sunny there so many people wear a hat anyway, all,they just happened to be red.

They were so jolly and we're obviously having a great time, whiling away a Sunday afternoon eating ice cream and browsing in the little shops, although not necessarily at the same time!

I didn't know about red hat societies then so I googled and found out about them. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but if it brings pleasure to people and hurts no one, where's the harm?

I was nearly adopted by a chapter in the US a few years ago....was in the ladies loo of a big family restaurant when several ladies in purple burst in....I was hailed as a long lost friend. After a few moments of confusion I realised my purple M&S T shirt was giving them the wrong impression. They certainly seemed a jolly bunch and I googled Red hatters when I got home only to find the nearest UK group was miles away!