Autumn/Winter 2017 Newsletter by The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

The newsletter for subscribers & supporters of the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

BELINDA’S WALK: THE 2017 THAMES BRIDGE CHALLENGE

Our National Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer joined a team made up of Fellowship staff, Board Directors, volunteers and group officers to complete this year’s national fundraising activity, the Thames Bridge Challenge. The team started at Battersea Bridge in Chelsea and then walked downriver crossing twelve bridges before finishing the Walk at Tower Bridge, a total distance of 12 miles. The weather for the day was a mix of cloud, sunshine and rain with umbrellas, hats and waterproofs all an essential requirement! This year’s Walk also had a poignant side to it. In March this year we very sadly lost Belinda Stalker who died

Advice

unexpectedly after a short illness. Belinda worked for the CSRF for over 27 years and was very much involved with the group network so as a mark of respect to her the walk was renamed ‘Belinda’s Walk’. The Thames Bridge Challenge was sponsored by the Civil Service Insurance Society and all the funds raised will go towards supporting the work of our local community groups around the country. The Walking Team were: Mike Baker CBE (Chairman), Sue Jarvis (Vice Chairman), Jenny Rowe CB (Treasurer), Patrick Gallagher (Board Director), Joanne Liddy, Jane Brine and Jo Wood (from HMRC) Brian Lawrence (Attleborough group), David

Tickner, Duncan Packer, Yvonne Scott, Martyn White, Nathan McLellan, Ian Fenn and Jean Anderson (Fellowship Office staff & volunteers). So far we’ve raised over £3,500 and you can still make a donation by completing the form on page 7 or online via www.csrf.org.uk

The need for a Power of Attorney - find out more on Page 8

Chief Executive’s message

Welcome to the Autumn/Winter 2017 newsletter. Thanks for your feedback on our new format and in particular the absence of a letters and puzzle page. We’ve addressed the latter of these two by reinstating a puzzle section on page 9 which I hope you enjoy and the letters section will be returning next year. This issue also marks the end of our relationship with Square7 Media.

They have published our magazine for over 10 years and on behalf of the Fellowship, I’d like to extend our thanks to them for the support they’ve given us during this time. The newsletter will be continuing though so please keep in touch with us by letter or email to: avanti@csrf.org.uk

David Tickner

Welcome to our new National Chairman We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Baker CBE as our new Honorary National Chairman. Mike is currently Director, Personal Tax Operations for HM Revenue & Customs and has made a positive start to his role as Chairman joining delegates the CSRF’s Annual General Meeting in July and taking part in the Thames Bridge Challenge in September. He is also committed to helping maintain the profile of the CSRF within the Civil Service. LEFT: Mike Baker CBE pictured with Vice Chairman Sue Jarvis at the 2017 national AGM & Conference at Admiralty House

Claire McGuckin, Universal Credit Operations Director at the Department for Work & Pensions joined the Board of Directors as an Associate Director in June. Claire brings to the Board a wealth of experience in both the Civil Service and voluntary sector.

Don’t Get Scammed! Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in how they try and cheat you out of your money and/ or personal possessions. You can become scam savvy by getting hold of a copy of Scamwise, a new free guide from Independent

New Associate Director

Age which is full of useful information about how to protect yourself. You can order a copy of the guide by calling 0800 319 6789 or visit www.independentage.org

CSIS wins Moneywise Most Trusted Award Congratulations to our friends at the Civil Service Insurance Society (CSIS) for winning the Moneywise ‘Most Trusted Car Insurance Provider’ for the third consecutive year. CSIS has been a long-term supporter of the CSRF sponsoring this year’s Thames Bridge Challenge. They are a ‘not for profit’

insurance intermediary with all surplus income being donated to the CSIS Charity Fund (who support our Befriending services). For more information on insurance call 01622 766960 or visit www.csis.co.uk/csrf

The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Unit 11, Pepys House, Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, LONDON SE8 3EY t: 020 8691 7411 e: enquiries@csrf.org.uk w: www.csrf.org.uk

published by Square7 Media Ltd, 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2RE t: 020 3283 4055 e: enquiries@square7media.co.uk www.square7media.co.uk The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

A charity registered in England and Wales No 255465 and in Scotland No SC039049 and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No 6297479

©2017. avanti Magazine is published by Square7 Media Ltd on behalf of the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship (CSRF). All rights reserved. The CSRF and the publishers declare that any publication of any advertisement does not carry their endorsement or sponsorship of the advertiser or their products unless so indicated. Contributions are invited and, whether or not accepted, submissions will be returned only is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or while in the publisher’s hands. Proof of receipt is no guarantee of appearance. In the absence of an agreement, the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic belongs to The CSRF. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format (including, but not limited to, any online service, database or part of the internet), or in any other format in any media whatsoever, without the prior written permission of Square7 Media Ltd. The CSRF and Square7 Media accept no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any other opinions expressed herein. The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official views of The CSRF.

Fo r i n fo r m a t i o n o n a l l t h e CSRF ’s s e r v i ce s v i s i t w w w. c s r f. o rg . u k

news Subscriptions for 2018

At their meeting on 7th September 2017 the Board of Directors approved a subscription rise of £1 with effect from 1st January 2018. So please note the new rates will be as follows:

2017 Annual General Meeting & Conference

The 10th Annual General Meeting of the company took place at Admiralty House on 19th July 2017 with company members from around the country being joined by guests from BT Benevolent Fund, CSIS Charity Fund, Education Support Partnership, the Charity for Civil Servants and observers. The day began with a Conference featuring a guest speaker from The Charity for Civil Servants talking about the services they provide to retired civil servants and a talk by our own befriending services team. There were no official resolutions being debated this year but the Company approved the reappointment of our auditors, Moore Stephens LLP. After the AGM there was a special event held to mark the contribution of Belinda Stalker and John Barker CB to the CSRF that was attended by their relatives. 1: l-r, Board Directors Michael Wailes and Margaret Carter with company member Adrian Howlett; 2: l-r, Chief Executive David Tickner with guest Vida Pritchard, company member Doreen Beck and guest Lynn Willan; 3: l-r, Board Director Phyllis Duignan with observer Pat Pearce

Civil Service Live 2017 We were pleased to participate in Civil Service Live Northern Ireland and London in April and July respectively. These events provide us with a good opportunity to promote our services, subscriptions and volunteering opportunities to serving civil servants. The stands in Belfast and London were manned by a staff, volunteers and Board Directors and across three days we spoke to over 400 delegates. 1: Board Director Patrick Gallagher (right) with a delegate at Northern Ireland Civil Service 2: National Treasurer Jenny Rowe CB (centre) joins staff & volunteers on the stand at Civil Service Live London

Bexhill-on-Sea group amalgamation The Bexhill-on-Sea group has recently amalgamated with the Hastings & St Leonards group to create the new Bexhill & Hastings group. Anyone in the Bexhill and Hastings area is welcome to go along and participate in the group’s activities. You can find a full programme listing for the group online at www.csrf.org.uk/bexhillandhastings

Single Annual Joint Annual Associate Supporter (serving civil servant) Single deduction Joint deduction

£33 £55 £25 £12 £2.75 £4.58

The increased rates will be reflected automatically in all direct debit/deduction renewals made in 2018.

Fancy joining our Board of Directors? The Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the CSRF and works closely with Fellowship Office on the delivery of our business and strategic plan objectives. The structure of the Board was changed at our 2016 Annual General Meeting and there will be two Elected Board member vacancies coming up next year so if you are interested in putting yourself forward for election then contact the Chief Executive/Company Secretary at Fellowship Office for a confidential chat.

NEW GROUP FOR GREENWICH RIVERSIDE AREA Staff from Fellowship Office hosted a coffee morning last month in Greenwich for beneficiaries in the former London Riverside branch. The intention was to see whether it would be possible to open a new group for the area. The meeting included coffee and cakes and a talk from Chief Executive David Tickner. The new group has also benefitted from a donation towards its running costs from the Edinburgh group made in recognition of Harry Hawthorne’s work with the CSRF. Anyone interested in getting involved or coming along should contact Fellowship Office for more information

AVANTI NEW S LETTER A U T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

ISITORS N ET

•

BE A B U DDY

NA TI

T A BUDD Y

OR W

N WA

befriending services

U • SHARE • S

Working together to make a difference

Lonely and want a regular phone call? We have Phone Buddies eager to call you on a regular basis to talk about, well, almost anything of common interest. So why not give it a try? If you are interested please use the contact information shown on this page to request a registration form. If you have a friend who you think might also benefit from a Phone Buddy either pass this onto them or let us have their details and we will make contact direct.

How to contact our befriending services 6

Aside from our team of regular volunteers providing visits and calls we often receive calls from other organisations asking for our help or support. Recently we were approached by a local AgeUK on behalf of the daughter of Bert, a retired Civil Servant who had gone into hospital. Bert was going to be in hospital for quite some time and wanted someone to visit him regularly. We were extremely happy to help and managed to arrange for him to receive a regular visit from Beryl, one of our Visitors. She is now visiting him on a regular basis and one of her recent visits included a sing-along much to the amusement of others!

In another instance we were approached by The Charity for Civil Servants (TcFCS) who had been approached by someone who wanted a visit. Again, we were able to assist and matched him with another one of our valuable Visitors, Janette, who is now visiting regularly. Together with TcFCS we also assisted him in getting help that he required from his local council. If you are lonely and would like a visit or know someone who would appreciate a visit by one of our volunteer visitors please use the contact information shown on this page to get in touch

Our BT Benevolent Fund Partnership As reported in the last issue we have expanded our Befriending Services to the beneficiaries of the BT Benevolent Fund. Our initial promotion to potential BT beneficiaries is well underway and we are glad to report that we have received our first expressions of interest in both the National Visitors Network and Phone Buddy scheme.

Call 020 8691 7411 (all calls are treated confidentially)

AVANTI NEW S LETTER A U T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

Email: befriending@csrf.org.uk

Visit www.csrf.org.uk/ befriending-schemes

Support our Thames Bridge Challenge

fundraising

Your donation will help support our local community groups Return the completed form including your donation to: The CSRF, Unit 11, Pepys House, Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, LONDON SE8 3EY Cheques should be made payable to ‘The CSRF’. Alternatively, you can make a donation to support The Thames Bridge Challenge online at www.csrf.org.uk

Please accept my gift of:

£5 £10 £20 £50 £100 £250 Other £

How would you like us to acknowledge your donation? By Post By Email I do not wish to receive an acknowledgement We are extremely grateful for all donations we receive; you can help us save money by ticking the box to opt not to receive an acknowledgment

Name: Address:

Post Code:

Tel Number:

Email:

2018 Virgin London Marathon

Alternatively you could sign up to make a regular donation to support our ongoing work via direct debit.

We’re delighted to have won a charity place to compete in the 2018 Virgin London Marathon which will be taking place on Sunday 22nd April 2018. Our Befriending Services Support Officer Nathan McLellan will be running the route to raise funds for the CSRF. We will be sending out more details about how you can support Nathan next year but if you want to make a donation you can use the form on this page to send it in.

Sort Code

Group support for the Thames Bridge Challenge A big thank you to the following groups for their donations: Banbridge, Bradford on Avon, Catford & Lewisham, Dumfries & Kirkcudbright, Croydon, Dulwich & Norwood, Ipswich, Liskeard & Pensilva, Westcliff-on-Sea, Church Stretton, Leatherhead, Hounslow, Maidstone, Yate & District, Eltham, Salisbury Plain, Norwich, Romney Marsh, Chandlers Ford, Weston Super Mare, Swaffham, Edinburgh, Harrow, Sleaford & Ancaster and Loughton

Please pay the sum of £ Starting on (date)

each month/year (delete as appropriate) /

until further notice

Name of account holder Account No

Name and address of your bank/building society (BLOCK CAPITALS please) To the manager

Post Code: Signature Date

For office use only

(Bank, please quote reference)

Originator’s Identification Number

6 3 0 6 7 0

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay The CSRF Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with The CSRF and if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society

Make your gift worth a quarter more at no extra cost to you! If you are a UK taxpayer The CSRF can reclaim the tax you’ve paid on your donation. Please tick the Gift Aid declaration box below I want to Gift Aid this donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code. Please notify us if you want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

services : Legal Advice

Subscr ibe offer: r

50%

The need for a Power of Attorney off

Every adult should have a Power of Attorney (a ‘PoA’ - in England the full name is a Lasting Power of Attorney) just in case it is needed. It’s like insurance for your house. You hope you never need it but you are glad that you took it out if the worst happens. And none of us knows what is around the corner.

There are many good reasons for having a POA and no good reason not to. You can change your POA or cancel it at any time.

In England you need two POAs, one for your assets (house and money) and one for your welfare. In Scotland one POA covers both. Without a POA, if you lose capacity, someone will need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship. This is expensive, involves a lot of time and hassle, and involves the Deputy in a lot of paperwork and responsibility. A POA avoids that. In Scotland you need a Guardianship Order from the Court which again is expensive and slow. If you don’t have children, it’s even more important to appoint an Attorney via a POA as more distant relatives will usually be reluctant to embark on

a Court Procedure for a Deputyship or Guardianship. We have seen many examples of clients who could have protected their assets against, for instance, care costs had there been a POA in place, but were too late because there wasn’t. The good news is that our legal partners McClure Solicitors will prepare your POA at half price - £180 instead of their usual fee of £360. And they’ll include the Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney free of charge. They will also let you decide whether and when to register the POAs which can save you a few hundred pounds in disbursements. And their POAs let you keep control as long as you are able.

For more information contact McClure Solicitors on 0800 852 1999 or visit www.mcclure-solicitors.com (Offices in London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Southport, Exeter, Plymouth, Truro, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverclyde)

AVANTI NEW S LETTER A U T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

puzzles

Sudoku Easy

word search

Find the hidden rivers in the grid – all words are shown below

Hard

Aboyne

Dote

Hever

Odo

Star

Acre

Douglas

Holt

Oer

Stokesay

Affleck

Dover

Howard

Ogmore

Strame

Auchen

Drogo

Hurst

Barholm

Drum

Bere

Dryslwyn

Kaim of Mathers

Painscastle Sudeley Piel Swansea Pool

Sween

Blair

Duart

Keiss

Powis

Tattersall

Blarney

Dundee

Knock

Raby

Tenby

Borve

Duns

Leeds

Raglan

Udny

Builth

Dynevor

Leod

Rait

Uisdein

Caister

Edzell

Lymne

Red

Urquhart

Chirk

Elcho

Maol

Riber

Walton

COULOMB HECKLE PUN

Clare

Ewloe

May

Ring

Wressle

Conwy

Fast

Mey

Roch

Yester

MICK MEW

Cowes

Fyvie

Moy

Rowton

York

Criccieth

Gwrych

Mylor

Cutra

Gylen

Naworth

Smaitham Tower

Doon

Hay

Newark

Spynie

Good luck!

LITERARY ANAGRAMS

All of the following words or phrases relate to characters in Charles Dickens Great Expectations – see how many you can get right…

VISAS SHIM HAM JERRY GO AGE

MONEYS COP BROKER PET ETCH JARS EGG

Fo r i n fo r m a t i o n o n a l l t h e CSRF ’s s e r v i ce s v i s i t w w w. c s r f. o rg . u k

Group Focus

A round up of pictures from across our group network

In Pictures 1 1: Bognor Regis & Chichester group members Richard Holden & Harry Mundell celebrated their 90th birthdays at the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June meeting. 2: Ipswich group member Jessie Burgess celebrated her 100th Birthday in April.

3: Eltham group enjoyed a holiday to Tenby in Wales in April. 4: Swansea group member Elizabeth Godden celebrated her 90th Birthday at the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s May meeting. 5: Former Edinburgh Branch Chairman and Board Director Harry Hawthorne celebrated his 100th Birthday in July with an event in Edinburgh in August. 6 & 7: Princetown group were the first group to visit the new Salcombe Brewery in July and enjoyed the day and a pit stop at the California Country Inn in Modbury.

3 5

8 & 9: Bognor Regis & Chichester group members enjoyed a fish and chip lunch at their Annual General Meeting in July. 10: Leatherhead group members enjoyed lunch at the La Meridiana restaurant in Horsley in March 11 & 12: Sutton group members enjoying their summer tea & social afternoon in July. 13: Sutton group members on a visit to Temple Place in April.

8 12

group listings Our group network operates across the country and offers a varied mix of educational, leisure, social and welfare activities. If you are interested in finding out more about your nearest group’s 2017 programme of activities you can contact the group directly using the name, number and/or email shown against the relevant listing. Alternatively, you can call Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411, email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk or visit www.csrf.org.uk/groups and select the page for the group you wish to find out more about.

SCOTLAND Dumfries & Kirkcudbright

John Walker Chairman T: 01387 261889 E: j.walker215@btinternet.com We do not hold regular meetings but if you would like further details about coach trips please contact Doreen Beck on 01387 268824.

Edinburgh (Central)

Liz Beedie Secretary T: 0131 229 7422 Edinburgh Festival Theatre Cafe 13-29 Nicolson Street Edinburgh EH8 9FT Third Tuesday of each month for Social gatherings. Ring Liz (telephone number above) for further details. We run walks throughout the year (jointly with Corstorphine Group) meeting at Lakeland at the corner of George Street/Hanover Street at 1.30pm on the first Friday of each month. Organiser: Pat Sinclair (0131 337 6389)

Edinburgh (Corstorphine)

Trudy Thomas Organiser T: 0131 346 0208 The White Lady Cafe Glasgow Road Corstorphine Edinburgh Third Thursday of each month October April at 10.00-12 noon (except December).

Highland

Mrs Pam Barnet T: 01463 790265 Macdougall Clansman Hotel 103 Church Street Inverness IV1 1ES First and third Wednesday of each month, Coffee morning at 11am

NORTHERN IRELAND & NORTH WEST ENGLAND

Crewe

Miss Grace Harding Chairman T: 01270 250677 Wells Green Methodist Church Hall Brookland Avenue Wistaston Crewe CW2 8EJ First Tuesday of each month at 2pm

Ann Allen Secretary T: 028 9266 1943 Bridge Community Centre 50 Railway Street Lisburn County Antrim BT28 1XP Second Monday of each month at 2.30pm (except Jul & Aug)

Penrith

Richard Roscoe Chairman T: 01697 472383 A local hostelry each quarter First Tuesday of the quarter at 12.30pm for lunch

Stockport/Grove Park

Yvonne Smith Social Secretary T: 0161 427 5593 Brookdale Club Bridge Lane Bramhall Stockport SK7 3AB First Thursday of each month at 2.15pm

NORTH EAST ENGLAND Blaydon

Mrs Catherine Thomas Treasurer T: 0191 488 1385 Ridley Room Blaydon Library Wesley District Precinct Blaydon Tyne and Wear NE21 5BT Second Tuesday of the month at 10.30am

Boston Spa & Wetherby

Coral Chiddick Secretary T: 028 4062 3190 Bannside Presbyterian Church Hall 21 Castlewellan Road Banbridge BT32 4AX First Wednesday of each month at 2pm

Belfast

Gateshead

Miss Wynne O’Neill Secretary T: 028 9067 1157 Mcelhinney Room The Pavillion Stormont Estate Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3TA First Monday of each month at 2pm

Craigavon

George McConnell Secretary T: 028 8676 4395 E: joannearcher1@hotmail.co.uk Portadown Town Hall, 15 Edward St, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3LX First Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm

Brian Mitchell Treasurer T: 01482 653973 Age Uk Healthy Living Centre Porter Street Hull HU1 2RH Third Tuesday of the month at 2.15pm (except Aug)

Middlesbrough

Lisburn

Mrs Janet Walker Records Secretary T: 01937 842216 Deepdale Community Centre Deepdale Lane Boston Spa Wetherby LS23 6EW Second Tuesday of the month at 2pm (except Jul & Aug)

Banbridge

Hull

Elsa Jackson Chairman T: 0191 267 4728 Gateshead Community Fire Station Dryden Road Low Fell Gateshead NE9 5BU First Thursday of the month at 10am to 12 noon

Horsforth, Rawdon & District Mrs M J Taylor T: 0113 267 8110 We meet in different local hostelries for lunch. Please contact Mrs Taylor for more details. We are a friendly group and new members are always welcome The last Tuesday in the month at 12.30pm

Lilian Lloyd Secretary T: 01642 315439 St. Marys Centre 82-90 Corporation Road Middlesbrough TS1 2RW Last Tuesday of the month at 2pm

WALES AND WELSH BORDERS Caerphilly

Mrs Cindy Kingham Secretary T: 01633 440460 E: cindykingham@yahoo.com No.2 Meeting Room Caerphilly New Library The Twyn Caerphilly CF83 1JL Second Monday of every month at 10.15am (except Aug)

Cardiff

Jane Lewis Secretary T: 029 20 757174 Ararat Baptist Church Plas Treoda Whitchurch Cardiff South Glamorgan CF14 1PT Second Wednesday of the month at 10am

Church Stretton

John Brewer Secretary T: 01694 722965 E: johnbrewer1@talktalk.net Mayfair Community Centre Easthope Road Church Stretton SY6 6BL First Friday of the month at 2.30pm

Llandudno

Mrs Beryl Rennie Assistant Secretary T: 01492 876238 Queen’s Hotel The Promenade Llandudno LL30 2LE First Tuesday of each month at 10.30am for coffee mornings. Details of lunches/ walks are announced at the previous coffee morning

Neath & Port Talbot

Mr W Pugh Chairman T: 01792 864299 The Mayor’s Parlour The Old Town Hall Church Place Neath SA11 3LL Last Wednesday of each month at 2pm

Oswestry

Ruth Haile Chairman T: 01691 650993 The Wynnstay Hotel Church Street Oswestry SY11 2SZ First Tuesday of each month at 10.30am

Fo r f u l l d e t a i l s o f a g ro u p ’s p ro g r a m m e v i s i t w w w. c s r f. o rg . u k

Swansea

Mrs Sylvia Edgell Chairman/Secretary T: 01792 851125 E: sylviaedgell@btinternet.com The Vestry Hall St. Mary’s Church Swansea SA1 3LP Last Friday of each month at 2pm (except Aug)

MIDDLE ENGLAND Amersham

Jim Campbell Chairman T: 01494 722558 Community Centre Chiltern Avenue Amersham Buckinghamshire HP6 5AE First Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm (except Aug)

Banbury

Anne Garton Secretary T: 01295 750151 E: agarton@btinternet.com Hanwell Fields Community Centre Rotary Way Banbury OX16 1ER Second Tuesday of each month at 2.15 to 4.15pm

Bedford

Suzanne Thompson Secretary T: 01234 341674 The Bunyan Meeting Mill Street Bedford MK40 3EU First Tuesday of every month at 10am

Coalville & Ashby

Terry Watson Chairman T: 01530 835373 Thringstone Community Centre The Green Thringstone Coalville LE67 8NR Third Wednesday each month 2pm to 4pm

Dunstable & Leighton Buzzard

Mrs Janet Bliss Secretary T: 01582 661795 E: j.bliss35@outlook.com Scout HQ Grovebury Road Leighton Buzzard LU7 4SW First Wednesday of the month at 2pm

Grantham

Mr Maurice Whincup Chairman T: 01476 572425 E: mewhincup@gmail.com The King’s Hotel 130 North Parade Grantham NG31 8AU First Wednesday every month at 10.30am to 12 noon

Hucclecote

Mr I McPherson Chairman T: 01452 534393 Evangelical Church Colwell Avenue Hucclecote Gloucester GL3 3LX First Thursday of the month at 2pm

Lincoln City

Jannette Hook Secretary T: 01522 803412 Mothers Union Centre St. Benedicts Church St Benedicts Square Lincoln LN5 7AR First Wednesday of the month at 10.30am

Melton Mowbray

Mr M Johnson Chairman T: 01664 566821 School Room United Reform Church Chapel Street Melton Mowbray LE13 1LZ First Tuesday of each month at 1.45pm

Nottingham

Pam Bradley Chair T: 0115 938 4676 The Mechanics 3 North Sherwood Street Nottingham NG1 4EZ Second Wednesday of each month at 10.15am to 12.15pm

Nuneaton

Rachel Homer Secretary T: 024 76 385845 E: rachel.homer@tesco.net Tea & Chat Café, 2 Chapel Sreet, Nuneaton CV11 5QH First Tuesday of each month at 11am for coffee mornings

Rutland

Mrs Peggy Brown Chairman T: 01780 480314 Pub lunches at locations in and around Rutland Third Wednesday of each month

Sleaford & Ancaster

Mike Smith Chairman T: 01526 833273 E: mjs_consultation@hotmail.com Bristol Bowls Club Boston Road Sleaford NG34 7HH Sleaford: First Thursday of the month at 10.15am Bristol Bowls Club Boston Road Sleaford NG34 7HH Ancaster: Second Wednesday of the month at 10.15am to 12 noon Angel Court Ancaster Grantham NG32 3PR

EASTERN ENGLAND & EAST ANGLIA Attleborough

Mrs D Parker Secretary T: 01953 456958 Methodist Church Hall London Road Attleborough NR17 2BY Third Thursday of the month from 10am to 12 noon

Colchester

Joan Gomer Secretary T: 01206 794656 Straight Road Community Centre 329 Straight Road Colchester CO3 9EF Third Monday of each month at 2pm

Harlow

Mrs Edna McNaughton Secretary T: 01279 865102 E: edian.mcnaughton@tesco.net Toby Carvery Edinburgh Gate Harlow CM20 2LQ First Friday of the month at 12 noon

Ipswich

Eva Stevens Secretary T: 07765 588467 E: evajs@yahoo.co.uk Museum Street Methodist Church Hall Blackhorse Lane Ipswich IP1 2EF First Wednesday of the month at 2pm

Loughton

Elizabeth Vale Secretary T: 020 8508 2459 Jazz Archive Room Loughton Library Traps Hill Loughton IG10 1HD Third Monday of each month at 2pm

Lowestoft

Margaret Smith Secretary T: 0121 744 6150 E: me.smith@talktalk.net Various venues in and around Solihull (contact the Secretary for details) Second Monday of each month at 10am

Mike Chester T: 01502 476629 E: mikewc10@gmail.com Ex-Servicemen’s Club Gordon Road Town Centre Lowestoft NR32 1DY and Victoria Hotel Kirkley Cliff Lowestoft NR33 0BZ First (at the Victoria Hotel) and third Wednesday (at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club) of each month at 11am. We hold social lunches at least three times in the year

Stamford

Norwich

Solihull

Mrs B Smith Chairman/Secretary T: 01780 755437 Tenter Court Wharf Road Stamford PE9 2EZ Last Thursday of the month at 2.15pm

Wigston

Mrs J Collins Vice Chairman T: 0116 288 7802 The Elms Social and Service Club (formerly The Royal British Legion) Launceston Road Wigston LE18 2BA Second and fourth Monday of each month from 1.30pm to 4pm (Bank Holidays permitting).

Worcester

Leigh Watkins Secretary T: 01905 774034 Perdiswell Young Peoples’ Leisure Club Droitwich Road (opposite Checketts Lane) Worcester WR3 7SN Second Wednesday of the month at 1pm

AVANTI NEW S LETTER A U T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

Mary Weatherhead Secretary T: 01603 410821 Reading Room Doughty’s Hospital Golden Dog Lane Norwich NR3 1BP Second Monday of each month at 10am for 10.30am

Saffron Walden

Mrs E Mansfield Chairperson T: 01279 755458 The Chequers Public House Cambridge Road Ugley Bishops Stortford CM22 6HZ Second Monday in the month (around four times a year) at 12 noon to 12.30pm for lunch

Shoeburyness

Mrs F Cohen Social Secretary T: 01702 342426 The Salvation Army Hall Frobisher Way Shoeburyness SS3 8UT First Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm

St. Albans

Mrs S Finlayson Chairperson T: 01727 868029 E: sheila@finlaysons.eclipse.co.uk Friends Meeting House Upper Lattimore Road St. Albans AL1 3UD First Thursday of the month at 10.15am

Swaffham

David Moore Chairman T: 01760 723740 Methodist Church Hall London Street Swaffham PE37 7DD Third Tuesday of the month at 10.15am

Westcliff On Sea

Bognor Regis & Chichester

Mrs Heather Olive Group Chairperson T: 01903 778543 Jeneses Community Arts Centre 45 Linden Road Bognor Regis West Sussex PO21 2AS Last Thursday of the month from 2pm to 4pm

Bournemouth - New Forest

Sandy Whittaker Chairman T: 023 8028 2157 New Milton Community Centre Osborne Road New Milton BH25 6EA Second Tuesday of each month at 10.15am

Bournemouth - Ringwood & District

Mrs F Cohen Social Secretary T: 01702 342426 Balmoral Community Centre Salisbury Avenue Westcliff On Sea SS0 7AU Fourth Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm

Ian Lawston Vice-Chairman T: 01425 655470 E: csrf.ringwood@gmail.com Trinity Centre Christchurch Road Ringwood BH24 1DH First Friday of each month at 10am.

Wickford

Ken Willcocks Chairman T: 023 8076 0102 Chandlers Ford Community Centre Hursley Road Chandlers Ford Eastleigh Hampshire SO53 2FT First Friday of the month at 10am

Peter Blake Chairman & Secretary T: 01268 583060 Christchurch Hall Rear Of 44 High Street Wickford SS12 9AJ Second Thursday of each month 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Witham

Mrs P Rogers Group Secretary T: 01376 514539 Witham Methodist Church Hall Guithavon Street Witham Essex CM8 1BJ Last Tuesday of each month at 10.30am

SOUTHERN ENGLAND Aldershot

Mrs Gloria Wetherill Social Secretary T: 01252 345318 E: rayglo227@talktalk.net The West End Centre, Queens Road, Aldershot GU11 3JD Second Thursday of the month from 1pm to 4pm (except Aug)

Ascot & Sunningdale

Chandlers Ford

Mid Sussex

Mike Mason Chairman T: 01444 245289 E: mikejm178@gmail.com The Hassocks Room The King’s Centre Victoria Road Burgess Hill RH15 9LR Fourth Wednesday of each month from 2-4pm

Newbury

Roger Walker Chairman T: 01635 44575 E: colonelrog@hotmail.com St. John’s Church Room Newtown Road Newbury Newtown Road Newbury Rg14 Second Monday of the month at 2.15pm

Portsmouth & Southsea

Edda Rea Chairman T: 023 92 753581 St. Simon’s Church Hall Waverley Road Southsea PO5 2PW Second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am and fourth Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm (except Aug)

Pam Drummer Secretary T: 01344 774849 E: roypamdr@talktalk.net Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Sunninghill, Ascot SL5 0AJ Third Friday of each month at 12 noon to 4pm

Reading West & Tilehurst

Basingstoke

Stubbington

Tony Brazier Secretary T: 01256 418770 E: bjmapbr@ntlworld.com Brookvale Community Association Hall Lower Brook Street Basingstoke RG21 7SD First Wednesday of each month at 10am.

Bexhill & Hastings

Elizabeth Leahy Secretary T: 01424 214042 Bexhill Sailing Club Marina Bexhill-on-sea TN40 1LA Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10am

David Cox Secretary T: 0118 958 6311 United Reformed Church Hall Polsted Road (off Armour Road) Tilehurst Reading RG31 6HN Last Wednesday of the month at 2pm (unless otherwise stated)

Peter Stilwell Secretary T: 023 92 527346 E: amy_stilwell@hotmail.com Catholic Church Hall Bells Lane Stubbington Hampshire PO14 2PL Second Thursday of each month at 2pm

Tadley

Mr D MacLean Chairman T: 0118 970 1290 Tadley Community Centre Newchurch Road Tadley RG26 4HN First Thursday of each month at 1.15pm for 1.45pm

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Blandford Forum

Mrs Margaret Chambers Secretary T: 01258 456572 Contact Secretary for venue details Second Friday of each month at 11am

Bradford-on-Avon

Mr M Wickham Secretary T: 01225 864541 E: lindamorgan1975@btinternet.com United Reformed Church Hall St. Margarets Street Bradford-on-avon BA15 1DD Second Monday of each month at 2.15pm (except Aug)

Burnham-on-Sea

Mrs Joyce Beard Secretary/Treasurer T: 01278 782650 E: joyful18@live.co.uk Apex Park Marine Drive Burnham-on-sea Somerset TA8 3YY Fourth Tuesday in each month from 10.30am (except Aug)

Chard

Gordon Baker Secretary T: 01460 73333 Donyatt Bowling Club Ilminster Somerset TA19 0RG Third Thursday of the month at 10.30am

Chippenham

David Gardner Chairman T: 01249 658431 Chippenham Museum 10 Market Place Chippenham SN15 3HF First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (except Aug)

Dawlish

Mrs M Carter Chairman T: 01626 888275 Various local restaurants, usually The Ugly Duckling, Dawlish. Contact the Chairman for further information Third Wednesday of the month at 12 noon.

Dorchester

Mike Rogers Chairman/Treasurer T: 01308 420755 E: michael@mikerogers3.plus.com Dorset Youth HQ Lubbecke Way Dorchester DT1 1QL Third Thursday of the month at 10.15am for 10.30am to around 1pm

Liskeard & Pensilva

Shirley Waye Chair/Secretary T: 01579 346089 E: shirleywaye@gmail.com Liskeard Public Hall (the Long Room) West Street Liskeard Cornwall PL14 6BW Last Wednesday of each month at 10am

Princetown

Mike Fitzpatrick Secretary T: 01822 890799 E: mikeandkate3@talktalk.net Prince Of Wales Tavistock Road Princetown PL20 6QF First Thursday of the month at 12.30pm

Fo r f u l l d e t a i l s o f a g ro u p ’s p ro g r a m m e v i s i t w w w. c s r f. o rg . u k

Salisbury Plain

Mr Roy German Secretary T: 01980 653446 E: royandvi@live.co.uk The Village Hall High Street Durrington Salisbury SP4 8AD Third Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm (except Aug)

Sidmouth

Margaret Adams Chairman T: 01395 577622 E: rjadams39@waitrose.com Sidholme Hotel Elysian Fields Sidmouth EX10 8UJ Second Wednesday of each month at 10.25am

Somerton

Clive White T: 01935 829019 The Two Brewers Leigh Road Street Somerset BA16 0HB Third Tuesday of the month at 11.30am

Tamar/Tavy (Tavistock)

David Askew Secretary T: 01822 612274 E: daveandjennyaskew@gmail.com Burrator Inn Princetown Road Dousland Yelverton PL20 6NP Second Thursday of the month at 12.30pm

Trowbridge

Sue Arnold Secretary T: 01225 761627 E: suearnoldwfh@blueyonder.co.uk First Wednesday of each month (coffee mornings) at The Wiltshire Yeoman Chilmark Road Trowbridge BA14 9DD at 10.30am and third Wednesday of each month (monthly meetings) at Trowbridge Cricket Club The County Ground Lower Court Trowbridge BA14 8PX at 2pm

Westbury (Wiltshire)

Mrs P Clark Secretary T: 01373 822892 Paragon Hall Haynes Road Westbury Wiltshire BA13 3HA Third Monday of each month at 1.45pm for 2pm (except Aug)

Westbury-On-Trym

Beryl Webb Secretary T: 01454 614451 Studland Court Henleaze Road Henleaze BS9 4JY First Thursday of each month at 2pm

Weston-super-Mare

Margaret Cole Chairperson T: 01934 514309 E: margaretcole@btinternet.com Friends Meeting House High Street Westonsuper-Mare BS23 1JF First and third Thursday of the month at 10am

Weymouth

Geoff Greenstreet Secretary T: 01305 832432 St. Nicholas Church Buxton Road Weymouth DT4 9PJ Second Thursday of each month at 2.30pm (except Aug) and fourth Wednesday for Coffee mornings at the Coffee Shop in the Weymouth Bay Methodist Church Melcombe Avenue near Green Hill

Yate & District

Donald Kirkham Chairman T: 01454 317242 E: donald@kirkham3.orangehome.co.uk Yate Parish Hall Station Road Yate BS37 4PQ Fourth Tuesday of the month at 2pm

LONDON & SOUTH EAST ENGLAND Enfield

Mrs Susan Bentley Secretary T: 020 8360 4361 St. Andrew’s Church Hall Silver Street Enfield EN1 3EG First Monday of the month at 10.30am (unless a Bank Holiday when it will be the second Monday). Refreshments available at all meetings from 10am

Harrow

Mr John Pickard Chairman T: 020 8866 5708 E: ja.pickard@btinternet.com Elmfield Church 89 Imperial Drive North Harrow HA2 7DX. Last Tuesday of the month at 2pm

Hounslow

Roy Woods Chairman T: 020 8230 5533 United Reformed Church Hall 114 Hanworth Road Hounslow TW3 1UF Second Tuesday of the month 1.30pm for 2pm

Kingston & District

Helen Stanley Secretary T: 020 8946 2768 Kingston Methodist Church Hall Avenue Road Kingston KT1 2UJ Third Tuesday of each month at 2pm

Leatherhead

Anne Thomson Secretary T: 01372 373258 E: anner.thomson@talktalk.net John Rumble Hall Fetcham Village Hall The Street Fetcham KT22 9QS First Friday of each month at 10am

LONDON – GREENWICH RIVERSIDE For more information contact Fellowship Office St Alfege Church Hall, Roan St, London SE10 9JT Third Tuesday of every month at 11am

London - South West

Mrs Joan Cairns Secretary T: 020 8874 5228 4th Floor PCS HQ 160 Falcon Road Clapham Junction London SW11 2LN First Thursday of each month at 10.15am

Maidstone

Keith Hunter Chairman T: 01622 746792 Methodist Church Centre Brewer Street Maidstone ME14 1RU Second Monday of the month at 2pm

Orpington

Peter Standen Vice Chairman T: 01689 833358 The Memorial Hall Methodist Church Sevenoaks Road Orpington BR6 9JH First Friday in the month at 1.45pm

Romney Marsh

Mrs Barbara Harris Chairman E: barbiehar@btinternet.com The Assembly Rooms Church Approach New Romney Kent TN28 8AS Second Wednesday of the month from 10am to 12 noon

Sanderstead & Selsdon

Ralph Perryman Local Contact T: 020 8657 3487 E: ralph.perryman172@btinternet.com Various venues for lunch, please contact Ralph Perryman for confirmation of lunch details

South East Middlesex

London - Catford & Lewisham

Mrs June Brown Secretary T: 020 8891 4680 E: junebrownuk@hotmail.com Various venues in and around Twickenham. Please contact the Secretary for further details. Booking information for all our trips is included in the newsletter which is available on request

London – Croydon, Dulwich & Norwood

Staines

Doreen Hughes Secretary T: 020 8461 4800 St Laurence Church Hall 37 Bromley Road Catford London SE6 2TS Second Tuesday of every month at 10am. We have a table top sale at each coffee morning all donations will be gratefully received.

Victor Johnston Acting Secretary T: 020 8653 2946 E: victor@jmail.co.uk Railway Club Selhurst Station Approach Selhurst SE25 5PL Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10.30am

London East & South West Essex

David Hubbard Social Secretary T: 020 8550 1533 E: dhubbard777@gmail.com St. Andrew’s Church Hall The Drive Ilford IG1 3JQ Third Monday of the month at 1.30pm

London - Eltham

Phyllis Duignan Chair/Treasurer T: 020 8265 0810 E: phyllis.duignan@gmail.com United Reformed Church Sherard Hall Court Road Eltham SE9 5AD Fourth Thursday of each month from 10am to 12 noon

AVANTI NEW S LETTER A U T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

Dorothy Dib Secretary T: 01932 788129 Lunch in restaurants in and around Staines Third Tuesday of each month

Sutton

Pam Davis Social Secretary T: 020 8641 2114 Friends Meeting House 10 Cedar Road Sutton SM2 5DA Last Monday of the month at 1.45pm to 3.30pm (except Aug)

Worcester Park

John Wright Secretary T: 020 8337 8965 E: johnandglenisw@gmail.com Old Malden Scout Hall 411 Malden Road Worcester Park KT4 7NY First Monday each month from 2pm to 4pm (if the first Monday is a Bank Holiday then meeting will be held on the second Monday)

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