Disembarking from the train onto Manchester’s Piccadilly Station, we stepped out into the city centre and was bathed in the sunshine and warmth of summery weather; Mancunian hospitality; and later the comradery, companionship and joie de vivre of the women who came on this trip. Arrivals were staggered in pairs and groups of friends and good acquaintances to the excellently chosen Holiday Inn Hotel, a walk of minutes from the train station.  No time was wasted beginning our discovery of the surrounding area.    In the evening at dinner, our intrepid leader, Yvette, created a seating plan where our 26 strong group sat across 5 tables, at each table at least half the women did not know each other.  Quickly rectified by the ease at which Black women can...

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