Berwick’s High Street welcomed a raft of royal visitors on Sunday 8 September, with countesses, baronesses and princesses turning out for the first birthday of the Ladies with HATitude group, the local chapter of the Red Hat Society.
Chapter head Robyn Wright said she came up with the idea of starting a Red Hat Society group in Berwick last year after hearing about other chapters of the social group for women over 50, which was established in America 25 years ago.
“After moving to Berwick, I decided that I needed to establish a friendship base so that I did not feel so isolated,“ she said.
“I had heard of the Red Hat Society and started to look for a local group.
“Unfortunately there wasn’t one, so I thought I would start one myself.“
Ms Wright said the response was rapid and enthusiastic.
“I wrote a post on two local Berwick community groups and the response was amazing, with over 200 ladies wanting more information,“ she said.
“It was obvious that there was a real need for women to connect with each other, and so Ladies with HATitude was born.“
Ms Wright said the group included members aged from 40 right through to 85, including three mother daughter pairings.
“Members come from a huge variety of backgrounds and are both married and single women, as well as a wide catchment area, with ladies coming from Tooradin, Pakenham, Hallam, Berwick and everywhere in between.
“The Red Hat Society is all about women, connecting and having fun, in short it’s ’playgroup for women’ – a sisterhood that keeps us young and encourages us to age disgracefully.
“I think as older women we have forgotten to allow ourselves to have fun.
“Life happens, marriage, kids, working, and now we have a chance to rediscover this side of ourselves.“
Ms Wright said the group also involved each member receiving a fun ’royal’ title, including herself being dubbed ’Queen Sparkly Shoe’
“All other members have titles including Countess of Chaos, Baroness de Quilter and Princess Pirouette,“ she said.
“We embrace the ridiculous and we are a spectacular sight when we are all out in our red and purple.
“Ladies with HATitude enjoy a variety of activities from lunches, going to markets and the theatre, op shopping and generally running amok.“
Ms Wright said their first birthday celebrations at the Lava Lounge in Berwick was a fun outing for all involved.
“It was apparent from all of the laughter that the 26 ladies had a wonderful time and are looking forward to another year of fun and frivolity,“ she said.
“This includes our huge upcoming gala with an In the Jungle theme.“
For more information, contact Ms Wright on 0447 657 976 or ladieswithhatitude@mail.com
