2023:  

• February 11: Regency Fashion in Film
• March 11:  “Shocking and Scandalous” – A Member Panel Discussion
• May 13: Let a Woman be Seen: Henrietta Bowdler’s Novel Pen Tamar – Dr. Cindy Aalders of Regent College delivered an engaging presentation on Henrietta Maria Bowdler, a contemporary of Jane Austen who was a writer, literary editor, and social force in Bath’s literary and religious circles. Bowdler’s novel Pen Tamar (published posthumously in 1830) defended single women while navigating societal and religious norms, presenting a complex critique of patriarchal attitudes. Dr. Aalders highlighted contrasting viewpoints in the novel, such as William’s harsh prejudice against single women versus Matilda’s portrayal as virtuous and benevolent. Bowdler used these characters to debate societal expectations of women, advocating for a philanthropic life as a meaningful alternative to marriage. The talk also explored Bowdler’s reluctance to publish Pen Tamar during her lifetime, reflecting her desire for women to be seen but fearing patriarchal backlash. Dr. Aalders, an expert on 18th-century women’s religious lives, enriched the session with a rare first edition of Pen Tamar and contextual readings from William Hayley’s derogatory essays on single women. The audience cheered upon learning that William and Matilda remain unmarried in the novel, affirming Bowdler’s subtle yet powerful challenge to societal norms.
• June 10: Books & Berries: Annual Book Sale Fundraiser & Member Book Reviews – The Books & Berries meeting began with a bustling book sale fundraiser, followed by announcements from Regional Coordinator Janice Mallison, who encouraged outreach efforts to keep the region thriving. The book review segment was the highlight, offering diverse literary recommendations. Barbara Phillips praised The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams for its portrayal of grief and love for literature, while Phyllis Ferguson-Bottomer recommended Claudia Gray’s The Murder of Mr. Wickham for its engaging Austen-inspired mystery. Alice Proctor’s The Whole Picture challenged perceptions of art and museums, and Naomi Sutherland found The Real Bridgerton by Cathrine Curzon an amusing and insightful exploration of Regency-era scandals. Other reviews included Kasey Stockton’s modern retelling, I’m Not Charlotte Lucas, Ruth Brandon’s historical analysis in Governess, and Josephine Tey’s classic mystery, The Daughter of Time. Each review highlighted captivating narratives, enriching perspectives, and inspired lively discussion, culminating in a bountiful basket prize for last month’s speaker, Cindy Aalders.
• September 9: The Very Heart of Bristol – Mrs. Elton as a Comic Stereotype – We celebrated Ron Sutherland with an honorary JASNA membership, recognizing his decades of support for his late wife, Eileen, a dedicated JASNA leader. Marjorie Johnson followed with a reading from Pride and Prejudice, highlighting the underappreciated Mary Bennet and sparking reflections on Austen’s intricate character contrasts. The morning featured a lively Austen Speed Dating activity, fostering connections among members. Lona Manning delivered a compelling presentation examining the socio-economic nuances of Mrs. Elton in Emma. She explored Bristol’s historical ties to the slave trade, the wealth of its merchants, and their portrayal in literature as vulgar and ostentatious. This deep dive into Austen’s layered social critique offered insights into the serious themes behind comedic characterizations in her novels.
• October 14: Monstrous or Misunderstood? – We enjoyed a lively panel discussion exploring the mothers in Jane Austen’s works, debating whether they were monstrous or misunderstood. Meghan Adrian introduced the topic with a reading from Pride and Prejudice, analyzing Caroline Bingley as a “pick me girl” unsuccessfully vying for Mr. Darcy’s attention. Meghan then examined Lady Susan through the lens of Borderline Personality Disorder, concluding her behavior was more monstrous than misunderstood. Phyllis Ferguson Bottomer argued Mrs. Bennet is misunderstood, shaped by her circumstances and Mr. Bennet’s treatment. Jean Brown offered a sympathetic view of Lady Bertram, suggesting she was far from monstrous. Barbara Phillips delved into Mansfield Park, declaring Mrs. Price, Lady Bertram, and Mrs. Norris irredeemable, with Mrs. Norris as the true monster. The panel highlighted Austen’s complex characterizations, leaving the verdict of “monstrous or misunderstood” open to interpretation.
• November 18: Regency Drawing Room – The charm of a Jane Austen-era drawing room was recreated blending lively discussions, a Pride and Prejudice reading, and period music with creative camaraderie. Inspired by the drawing rooms of Austen’s characters, we swapped traditional needlework for crafting unique Jane Austen-themed holiday ornaments, evoking the essence of Elizabeth Bennet’s world with a modern twist. Participants enjoyed trivia, strolled leisurely, and immersed themselves in the ambiance of Austen’s time, while a shared lunch of finger foods added a delicious touch to this memorable and engaging event.
• December 9: Sounds of the Season – We honoured Jane Austen’s 248th birthday with music, lively conversations, and a sumptuous feast. After a Pride & Prejudice reading, we moved to St. Philip’s Anglican Church for a captivating musical presentation by Michael Murray, Director of Music since 2001. Michael detailed the organ’s evolution, its historical significance, and its role in creating church ambiance, showcasing the complexity of Bach’s works and the labor-intensive process of operating Austen-era organs. He also explored the history of St. Philip’s organ, which was installed in 1961 at a cost equal to a Dunbar-area house. Michael performed holiday classics like “Deck the Halls” and shared insights into Jane Austen’s church organ, comparing its design to ancient hydraulis organs powered by water. Concluding the presentation, Michael highlighted the superior sound of Christ Church Cathedral’s organ in Victoria. The celebration continued with a festive lunch, featuring a toast to Jane led by Janice Mallison, inspired by a blog from Jane Austen’s House.