7 minute read
Aquarius Golf Club - Hidden Gem
from SE22 July 2020
by SE Magazines
Aquarius Golf Club East Dulwich’s Hidden Gem
Ever thought about taking up golf or played in the past & tempted to play again?
For many ladies, joining a golf club can be intimidating or it feels too expensive or time consuming. Fiona Nott, Lady Captain at the Aquarius Golf Club, shares her experience on the welcome she received as a beginner and how golf has opened up new friendships.
Ialways wanted to take up golf, but thought it would be really intimidating to join a golf club and with a full time job, where I travel regularly, I never thought I would have the time to dedicate to it. I set myself the challenge of playing my first round of golf before my 50th birthday, which I achieved with just two days to spare! Fast forward four years later and I became Lady Captain in March this year having joined the Aquarius only four years ago. I have met so many lovely people during those four years and my experience is one of welcome, informality and friendship – words I didn’t associate with golf. I still remember so clearly my terror when I pitched up for my courtesy round but Pam and Maureen couldn’t have been more friendly or encouraging and I joined the same day. Was golf really this sociable and fun? The answer has been a definite yes as I have met new friends, attended golf weekends and even spent a week playing in Spain – how did this happen to a novice golfer like me? The Aquarius is a wonderful course to learn on and develop your game but also has a great range of social events. One of the things I really enjoy about golf is taking prospective new members out for a courtesy round. As a relative newcomer to golf I can still relate to the fear and I was reminded of this on Saturday when I met a prospective new member, Alisa, and she said she was so nervous of playing. We spent two hours playing the course, chatting about numerous ad hoc topics and generally having a good time and she joined this week. Her feedback sums up what we hope to deliver at the Aquarius – “Thank you so, so much for my round on Saturday, what a wonderful playing partner - I absolutely loved it.
I am really quite motivated to play regularly and improve – it will give me a great sense of satisfaction if I can look back at the end of this summer and feel as though I've achieved some real progress!” We have a diverse mix of ladies across all ages, playing abilities and handicaps and that is part of the appeal of Aquarius. We have ladies who have
New Lady Captain Fiona Nott (left) & Marion Taylor
been members for 30 years and who have formed lifelong friendships at the club, while our newest member only joined last week. Pam, a member for 25 years summed her response as “playing golf provides fresh air, exercise, good company, a friendly club and it is so local for a drink!” I admit my optimism of quickly reducing my handicap has never been achieved, but I love the challenge of improving and the fun and friendships I have encountered. Our unique 9-hole course in the heart of London might not be the smartest but where else can you tee off towards the Shard and with views across London. I lived in East Dulwich for 16 years, unaware of the course and now love to highlight what a secret gem it is for the area. For information
visit: www.aquariusgolfclub.co.uk/ladies-golf or contact: Fiona@people2retail.com
Until 30 September: Dane Hurst's Animalis @Dulwich Picture Gallery
Renowned choreographer Dane Hurst and his team of award-winning dancers and designers brought a powerful new dance work to the Gallery’s mausoleum as part of Ribera: Art of Violence in 2018. Entitled Animalis (the Latin word for breath or soul), the performance responds to the shocking and sensational work by the Spanish Baroque artist, Jusepe de Ribera. Hurst’s trio of dancers give form to the emotional tensions, psychological resonances and physical impulses captured on the artist’s 17th-century canvases, resulting in a powerful interpretation of human suffering. The performance took place in the Gallery’s intimate mausoleum every Sunday as part of the exhibition - and you can now watch it in full via:
10.30am-12noon. This is a live streamed, online class on life drawing with the Dulwich Art Group. Untutored sessions with a long pose generally held for three weeks giving the artist a chance to produce a more considered piece of work. Our models are carefully chosen and are lit with professional lights. Advice is always on tap but we tend to leave you to your own devices unless encouraged. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly the quality of attention is always excellent. The Dulwich Art Group & School, 4a Champion Hill SE5 8AH.
www.dulwichartgroup.co.uk.
Horniman Museum Sunken & Display Gardens
The Arts and Crafts style Sunken Garden has spectacular floral displays in spring and summer. Around this are displays showing some of the many uses plants have in our society. Monday - Saturday: 7.15am – sunset. Sunday: 8am – sunset.
Wednesdays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 July: Online New Mum’s Group
www.horniman.ac.uk.
Wednesdays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 July: Tech Together
11am. TechTogether is a new project at Bell House providing technical support and guidance to anyone who may need it. TechTogether topics will include: Video calling using Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp and Skype; Online shopping; Internet safety; Online banking and Socialising online and more! The workshops will be led by a friendly and patient member of the TechTogether team; Liam, Georgia, Katherine and Johnny.
www.bellhouse.co.uk.
Thursdays 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July: BNI Adventurers (online meeting)
6.45am-8.30am. Are you looking to grow your business? We have kept £9.4million in the local economy this year alone. We’ve changed the way the world does business…… now it Dulwich’s turn. Please contact Hayley on 07843 989728 for more information.
www.facebook.com/adventurersbni/
10am-1pm. This is a live streamed, online class on life drawing with the Dulwich Art Group. Untutored sessions with a long pose generally held for three weeks giving the artist a chance to produce a more considered piece of work. Our models are carefully chosen and are lit with professional lights. Advice is always on tap but we tend to leave you to your own devices unless encouraged. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly the quality of attention is always excellent. The Dulwich Art Group & School, 4a Champion Hill SE5 8AH.
www.dulwichartgroup.co.uk.
Takes place every Saturday 12-2pm on our Instagram Stories, each market showcases products from between 150-250 makers.
www.solocraftfair.com
Saturdays 4, 11, 18 & 25: SoLo Craft Fair’s Virtual Craft Market
Saturdays 4, 11, 18 & 25 July: Tech Together
11am. Join us for friendly and engaging sessions to help you make the most of the internet.
www.bellhouse.co.uk.
Sundays 5, 12, 19 & 26 July: The weekly Horniman Market 10am – 3pm
The Market has now re-opened with a smaller group of traders than usual, to provide essential food items including fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread and meat. Market stalls will be positioned outdoors at a safe distance from each other to ensure we can maintain a two metre social distance for all customers and traders. We will be marking out designated queuing areas, and we ask that you maintain two metres between yourself and the people around you. Strict and enhanced hygiene measure are in place with all traders. We also ask that you sanitise your hands at each available stall and only touch produce you intend on buying.
THE MARKET WILL BE ACCEPTING CARD PAYMENTS ONLY.
Please note, the Horniman Gardens and Gardens toilets are now open, with the usual Gardens opening hours.
www.horniman.ac.uk.
100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
Zoom Reiki Meditation Experiences
Saturdays 4, 11, 18 & 25 July @6pm Sundays 5, 12, 19 & 26 July @8pm
Help for NHS frontliners mainly with free attendance, and anyone else can join in too for the price of coffee and cake! Zoom links at:
