Red hats at the ready

7:43am Tuesday 21st October 2008

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THERE are only two colours to be seen in this weekend – red and purple. But that is only if you are over 50, want to have a good time and are prepared to be outrageous.

If you are, then you might be interested to hear about the York chapter of The Red Hat Society, a group of women over 50 who want to have fun and make new friends.

The Red Hat Society is an American phenomenon inspired by the Jenny Joseph poem warning, which begins: “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, with a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me”.

While the poem talks about gobbling up samples in shops, running sticks along railings and spending pension money on brandy and summer gloves, the women of York have set their sights on more adventurous activities.

Madeline Scarborough, 61, wants to go white water rafting, while Mary Staddon, 60, wants to go to Paris and eat a candlelit meal.

Julia Unwin, 58, wants to go to the races and some of the 70-year-olds want to go jet skiing – but they must all do it while wearing their red hats.

The aim is to dip in and out of activities depending on what you want to do, what you can afford and what you have time for.

Beth Dale, 51, came up with the idea after seeing some red-hatted women in America.

“They looked spectacularly good and well-dressed in purple, but I’d never heard of the Jenny Joseph poem then, so I took it that it was women having fun and that was it,” she said.

“I didn’t think any more about it until I came home and was on Facebook and got talking to some of my friends about it. I did a search and found out that there are several chapters over here so I found out some details. Some of the women just go to the pub in their red hats but we’re talking about going for meals, the theatre and the races.

“Everybody has a different idea and that’s how it started.”

The York chapter, named The Scarlet Ladies, is holding a launch meeting at the Dean Court Hotel on Sunday, October 26, where it hopes to recruit more women and get ideas for outings.

The hotel has devised a non-alcoholic Scarlet Lady cocktail in their honour.

Although new to York, there are more than 40,000 chapters of The Red Hat Society, which was started by American Sue Ellen Cooper, who bought her friends red hats when they turned 50.

It has now spread to Sweden, Russia, Spain, China, Holland and Australia, and UK branches include Harrogate and Sunderland.

Most began as a result of seeing a group of red hatters out and about.

Shan Hildred, 62, said her head was turned when she saw a group visiting York last month. She had known about the society for some time – and even had a copy of Warning pinned up at work – but could not find a chapter locally.

Now she has now made her own red and purple fascinator from red and purple feathers, sequins and lace, while Madeline has crafted one from a red hair band and a corsage.

You can dress entirely in purple, or just accessorise with a purple scarf or purple coat, says Shan, but you must wear a red hat or fascinator and you must be over 50.

As well as being good fun, wearing garish combinations has its advantages.

Mary said: “At reception in the Dean Court Hotel today, the young man came up to me and said ‘Red Hat Society?’ and I said ‘yes please’. It was so nice that I didn’t have to feel like a spare part, which is often what you do on your own. I often don’t go anywhere on my own but this way I can. It was so nice and comfortable. I felt like I belonged.”

It is easy to spot each other at the theatre or in a restaurant, too.

Another advantage of wearing your red hat is that you can pick a new name. Beth is The Countess of Cocoa, while Madeline is Lady Beaujolais and Shan is Tsarina of the Snows.

“It’s another way to embarrass the children and grandchildren,” says Beth.

Madeline’s son, however, is delighted. “He’s happy that I’ve found something so soon after moving to York. I’m so lucky to have found a group of friends and be having a good time.”

But Mary does not care what people think – it is all about having fun.

“I’m fed up with having to conform all my life and doing the correct thing,” she says. “Now it’s my chance to be outrageous as part of a nice group of like-minded women.”

•The launch meeting will be held at The Dean Court Hotel on Sunday, at 11am, where there will be 20 per cent off food and drink. For more information, phone Beth on 01904 692106 or email bethbri@yahoo.co.uk