The Merry Mamzelles - Mudgee Red Hatters fittingly began 2020 with a Rylstone and Kandos trip that included dropping into Shady Lady Hats where - Willie advised them on the correct way to position their hats and on their care.
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The idea of Red Hatting was born in America in 1998, on April 25, by Sue Ellen Cooper who was inspired by the poem 'Warning' by Jenny Joseph. "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me," the line reads.
Jenny spoke about making up for the sobriety of her youth, running her stick along public railings and learning to spit. In a nutshell growing old outrageously with ladies of the same ilk - like-minded friends.
Red Hat ladies love to dress up and when they go out together they always wear the colours of the poem, red and purple, that is purple on your shoulders and a Red Hat. And in your birthday month you reverse the colours - a purple hat and red on your shoulders.
The Merry Mamzelles - Mudgee's Red Hatters is one of approximately 360 Red Hat groups or chapters in Australia, all with the common link of fun and friendship so it is becoming easier to find a red hatter.
While in Kandos in January, it was off to the Craft shop - a treasure trove filled with ribbons, beads, material, patterns - and then generally shopping and window shopping. And even found a large elegant figurine stand, which after a couple of tries they managed to get it into one of the cars to take home.
Then it was back to Rylstone for lunch at the bistro at The Globe Hotel to round off a great day out.
The February outing was to Mudgee Honey Haven for morning tea - a favourite of the group - with not only a range of honey, but yummy scones and carrot cake.
There are no rules with red hatting but there are guidelines. They're expected to behave in a way that does not embarrass any other hatter or bring the concept of hatting into disrepute - they're red hat ladies after all.
If you are you a lady aged 50 or over, living within the Mudgee region and would like to join a social support group of like-minded women who wear purple with red hats and have a focus on fun, friendship, frivolity and celebrate the freedom of ageing - then maybe The Merry Mamzelles - Mudgee's Red Hatters is for you.
For further information contact; Pam 0499 942 225; Geraldine 0427 496 775; or Carol 0427 094 481.