THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP SUMMER 2014 www.csrf.org.uk
MAGAZINE
Fellowship Holiday
Blowing in the wind
Join us in April 2015 at Thoresby Hall
Views on wind farms
Dog days
Retirement on four legs
Where were they then?
We look at what WW2 leaders did in WW1
Solo
travel Why more of us are doing it
P L U S : B O O K C L U B • T H E AT R E
• GROUP NEWS • POSTBAG • FILMS
contents 4 FRONT DESK
editor’s letter
22
News from Fellowship Office and the Chief Executive’s report
14 TICKET FOR ONE
Hello, and welcome to the Summer issue of avanti.
Solo travelling is no bar to a fantastic holiday: in fact, it can even improve the experience.
With summer now well on its way, we’ve taken a special look at holidays in this issue, including the special Fellowship Holiday next summer at Thorseby Hall, the different ways you can organise your money when you’re abroad (I for one am definitely considering a separate pre loaded card and the many different options for travelling if you’re going on your own.
18 LIVING IT LOCAL
Three ways to make a difference to your local area and community
22 HOLIDAY SPENDING
Financial journalist Rosie Murray-West explains sensible holiday finances
26 BIG ISSUE: WIND TURBINES
Expert perspectives on the wind farm debate
If you’re planning to stay in the UK this year, though, you’re likely to come across the burgeoning number of wind turbines that are springing up across the countryside; and you may well have pretty strong views on them. In fact, don’t forget that we welcome all readers’ contributions, particularly to our letters page and our renamed ‘tea break’ section. If you’d like to send in your story, we would love to receive it. I do hope you enjoy this edition. I have to admit to a special weakness for the feature about retired dogs on page 35 (and I’m not the only one: at least one CSRF colleague started wondering if it would be possible to give a similar canine a happy home!). Read on, and don’t forget to write in!
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30 WHERE WERE THEY THEN?
David Porteous describes how the experiences of World War One shaped the lives of Churchill, Hitler and others
33 A DOG’S LIFE
Andréa Childs finds out what happens to working dogs when they reach pension age
36 ENTERTAINMENT
Staying in or going out, the picks of the summer
41 SOPHIA’S CORNER
Get the taste of Italy, with CRSF’s Sophia Hill
42 TEA BREAK
Jokes, puzzles and a meditation exercise
26
47 POSTBAG
Your letters and views
50 GROUP FOCUS
Group reports and news from around the country
54 THE PLANNER
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is 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
Find out what your local group is up to
62 MY FAVOURITE THINGS Helen Lederer’s top choices
The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Suite 2, 80A Blackheath Road, London SE10 8DA t: 020 8691 7411 e: info@csrf.org.uk w: www.csrf.org.uk 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
Publisher: Gaynor Garton e: gaynor@square7media.co.uk Advertising: t: 020 3283 4055 e: adsales@square7media.co.uk Editor: Radhika Holmström Contact the Editor: Use the CSRF address above e: avanti@square7media.co.uk t: 020 8691 7411 Contributors: David Porteous, Andréa Childs, Sophia Hill, Rosie Murray-West Designer: Charlotte Morgan ©2014. 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.
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frontdesk
The latest news from Fellowship Office
Dear Friends, This is our ‘Year of Recruitment’, and I’m very pleased to report that numbers are up! However, we’ve still got a lot to do if we’re going to recruit all the members we need to help us build on all our services. So I’m very pleased to announce our new Associate membership category, which will mean we can welcome the many people outside the civil service who support our aims and objectives. We have many local members and Friends of the Fellowship up and down the country who provide a valuable form of support to our local group network and I hope that we will be welcoming many of them as Associate members in the months to come. If you aren’t in a position to help us recruit, then please do help us fundraise (or do both!). Our Golden Jubilee buttercup badges are selling very well; a huge thank you to those of you who’ve already bought one, and a big encouragement to anyone who is yet to snap one up to get in there quick. The badges are on sale direct from the Fellowship Office or from your local group; and we’re proud to say that every penny of income from selling them is direct profit, since the badges have been generously sponsored by benenden health. Do spread the word to your family and friends too. We’ve taken a ‘selfie’ of the team proudly wearing our buttercup badges and I’d be delighted to receive a photo of you wearing your badge, which we can post on our website and in future issues of avanti. So get those cameras and smartphones out and start snapping. And the best pics will win prizes offered by our publisher, Square7 Media. For details of prizes and how to send your pics in see page 8.
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SUMMER 2014 www.csrf.org.uk
Chief Executive’s letter Words by Jean Cooper
Special Announcement Golden Anniversary Raffle Look out for your raffle tickets contained in a freepost return envelope in the Autumn issue. Details of the raffle and prizes will be included.
We are also always on the lookout for people who’d like to get involved in our National Visitors Network, which is expanding its reach thanks to funding from the Civil Service Insurance Society Charity Fund. I am very grateful to the trustees for their ongoing support of a
scheme that has proved important to everyone who’s involved. If you would like to get involved as a Visitor or sign up to enjoy a friendship visit at home, you can find out how on the page opposite. After that hard work, I’m delighted to announce that the details of our Fellowship Holiday in 2015 are now available and you can read all about the wonderful activities and entertainment that will be on offer on pages 6 and 7. Fellowship holidays are a wonderful chance to meet other members and really celebrate what we are about. The holiday will be at the Warner hotel at Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire from 13 to 17 April 2015 and we’d love to see the whole hotel full! So don’t hesitate, get your holiday booked and join us in our Jubilee Year. You can use the Warner booking number shown on these pages to book your place now. All that’s needed for a deposit is just £30. If you don’t already have travel insurance, please see page 7 for an offer from the Civil Service Insurance Society. Thank you for all that you continue to do as volunteers and supporters of the Fellowship. I am always humbled by your dedication and enthusiasm to what we do. So keep your letters, emails and calls coming in as we’re always pleased to hear from you about what you’ve been up to. Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to the team at the Fellowship Office (including our terrific volunteers Andrew and Duncan) for their continuing hard work this year, and to the Board of Directors for their support and commitment to the Fellowship.
VOLUNTEERING
The National Visitors Network We’re delighted to let you know that our very successful National Visitors Network will continue to run for a second year, thanks to generous funding from the Civil Service Insurance Society Charity Fund. The network will now be expanding to include three more regions: the east of England, the Midlands and south west England will all benefit from the scheme from this summer. If you live in any of the three new regions, you should have received a letter giving details of how you can register to receive a visit or volunteer to become one of our Visitors.
If you’re interested in becoming a Visitor, we’re keen to recruit and train more in all the regions where the networks operate, especially in east and west Sussex, Kent and Berkshire. You’ll get a one day training session provided by the Samaritans, and you’ll be helping make a huge difference to people who’ve told us how much they appreciate having a friendly CSRF member come and talk to them. We’d love to hear from you, so why not call us for a confidential chat to find out more about what’s involved? Tel: 020 8691 7411 or email: visiting@csrf.org.uk
Want a Buddy, Be a Buddy Another great way to make new friendships is to register for our popular Phone Buddy scheme, which has been running for over two years. Our team of ‘buddies’ provide regular friendship calls, it’s easy to register and we’ll match you up. Alternatively, if you’ve got some time NT A BUDDY A to spare and you’d like to be a buddy W yourself, then why not volunteer to make some calls? It’s a great way to make a new friend without having to leave the comfort of your own home and (reasonable) call costs are reimbursed. Give us a ring on 020 8691 7411 for a friendly chat about the scheme (all calls B E A U D DY treated in strictest confidence) or email: B phonebuddy@csrf.org.uk
National Visitors Network seminar in Carlisle
In your
words
We’ve been pleased with our pilot year and learned a lot. Here a few of the comments from you that show just how important the scheme is: “I was a little apprehensive about meeting someone for the first time but the training we received really helped me feel comfortable and relaxed. The ice broke quickly and we both enjoyed the visit.” Beryl, Visitor “The thought of having a new friend who would visit me regularly really cheered me up and I was not disappointed when I met my Visitor. We got on well and I can’t wait for my next visit.” Dorothy, Beneficiary “I thoroughly enjoyed the seminar in Portsmouth last year. I realised as the day progressed how much is involved with making sure Visitors get the best advice and support before they embark on their visits.” Eileen, Visitor “My visit was exactly what I needed to stop feeling lonely” Hana, Beneficiary To find out more about the National Visitors Network call 020 8691 7411 or email: visiting@csrf.org.uk (all calls treated in strictest confidence).
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NEWS
GOLDEN HOLIDAY – BOOK NOW! Join us for our Fellowship Golden Jubilee Holiday to Thoresby Hall The CSRF is celebrating 50 years by hosting a fantastic four night break to Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire! This Spring Break will be packed with activities, entertainment and some extra treats just for you. Taking place from 13 to 17 April 2015, prices start from £244, with an option to upgrade to even more luxurious accommodation. With an array of things to do, why not try your hand at something new on this anniversary break, meet fellow members and receive special treatment as a CSRF guest/member?
SAVE THE DATE
13 to 17
April 2015
As a CSRF member, you will receive extra special treatment during your stay. You can expect: Complimentary welcome drinks reception in the Great Hall An exciting goody bag and a special free gift! 10 per cent off all beauty treatments
Included in your break: • Four nights’ half board accommodation • A fully packed and varied programme of activities and entertainment • Complete access to the leisure club, which includes a beautiful large indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, whirlpool and fully equipped gym • ‘Thoresby Hall through the years’: a fabulous historical house talk and tour • Twitching with the birds and wildlife estate tour
BOOKING LINE OPEN NOW … Call 0800 072 (All bookings should be made direct to Warners and Terms and conditions: Prices are based on two people sharing a twin or double room. While we hope to present all of the features advertised, our entertainment and activities programme is subject to change. Upgrades and single rooms with no supplement are available on request. For full terms and conditions refer to www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk
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SUMMER 2014 www.csrf.org.uk
Thoresby Hall Hotel, Nottinghamshire Dazzling live entertainment, beautiful gardens, daytime activities: Thoresby Hall has it all. You can even treat yourself and relax in the state of the art spa, complete with aromatherapy caves, steam room and hydrotherapy pool. What better way to escape from it all with loved ones and friends? • Award winning Blue Room restaurant (supplements apply) • State of the art spa with indoor heated swimming pool • Vast Victorian Hall in eclectic style • Thoresby Courtyard’s military museum, craft shops and garden centre
Daytime activities With something for everyone to take part in, activities include: • Dance classes • Singing workshops • Bowls • Archery • Rifle shooting • Darts • Competitions • Table tennis • Dicey horse racing • Make up workshops • Walk a mile with Warner And much more …
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
We have a range of thrilling entertainment lined up for you, including: • A welcome party show • Dancing to the house band Mirage • Comedy showtime • Fantastic Broadway style shows • Late Night Live in the Pavilion Show Bar • Thoresby Hall game shows • Early evening entertainment in the lounge • Trivia quizzes
Room choices Standard bedrooms from £244 per person Signature style bedrooms from £270 per person Beautiful historical bedrooms from £275 per person
If you would rather enjoy a more active visit, there’s an abundance of activities to keep you on your toes. Get out and about, wander round the beautifully manicured gardens, where you can find the very own Thoresby Hall Rose. Take a look around the beautiful courtyard full of shops, galleries and a military museum. Treat yourself in the Leisure Club or opt for activities including archery practice, frisbee or even zumba! After dinner there are shows, comedy and dancing in the Late Lounge. Or drop into the Manvers Bar for a nice cold beer, a game of snooker or darts.
ONLY
£30
deposit secures your place
0772 - Quoting NBCSRF NOT to the Fellowship Office)
Travel Insurance from the Civil Service Insurance Society Our friends at CSIS are able to offer you two insurance options: 1. UK travel insurance for 4 nights, 5 days (no age limit) at £10.40 per person (pre-existing medical conditions to be declared). 2. UK annual travel with no limits on trips at £25.00 per person (age limit 85 and medical screening over 80). To book call 0845 6077444 and quote ‘CSRF’. For full terms and conditions refer to www.csis.co.uk www.csrf.org.uk SUMMER 2014
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FUNDRAISING E: fundraising@csrf.org.uk
T: 020 8691 7411
Golden Jubilee Badges Support the Fellowship in style with one of our golden buttercup lapel pin badges! We’re asking everyone connected with the Fellowship to wear one of our gorgeous golden buttercup badges to celebrate our 50th year. If you haven’t placed your order yet (or presented your friends and family with theirs too) now’s the time. These enamel badges with gold detailing are a great way to show your support of the Fellowship and contribute to our Golden Jubilee Appeal. They look great on any outfit and have already proved very popular with men and women alike. What’s more, generous sponsorship from benenden health means that every penny we raise from selling them instantly boosts the Fellowship’s fundraising total for this year. Badges are available via Fellowship Buttercup badge worn Office for £2.50 (which includes p&p) with style by Ray from or directly from your local group for Prospect £2.00. And why not place a bulk order and give (or sell!) them to your family and friends? To order your badges, call Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 or email: info@csrf.org.uk or visit the website: www.csrf.org.uk or contact your local group.
Yvonne outside Fellowship Office L-R Sophia, Belinda, David, Jean and
Send us your
SELFIE
Square7 Media is offering £25 worth of M&S gift vouchers to each of the three best individual photos and £100 to the best Fellowship Group photo. So take a snap and send it in to us and we’ll post it on the website and publish a selection in the next issue of the magazine. The “competition” will close on 2 January 2015 which will give you lots of time to take those snappy happy photos! Email your pictures to: fundraising@csrf.org.uk or post your photographs with your details to Fellowship Office
Board Members ‘modelling’ the Fellowship’s Golden Buttercup Badge.
John Barker, Chairman, presents board member Evelyn George with a birthday bouquet.
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Leaving a legacy
Sign up online and fund us when you shop With so many of us doing our regular shopping online these days, here’s another way that you can raise funds for the Fellowship without even noticing. Sign up for the www. giveasyoulive.com website and nominate the CSRF as your chosen charity and we’ll receive a small percentage donation from every purchase you make from the many online retailers who have signed up to the site (including John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Amazon). All you have to do is visit the website, click the ‘Join Now’ button on the home
Flower cards In February, Sophia Hill (PA to the Chief Executive) went to the Orchid Festival at Kew with CSRF member Jenny
page and set up your profile (remember to select the CSRF as the charity to receive your donation). And please recommend it to your friends and family too. After that, all you need to do is get shopping! Visit www.giveasyoulive.com and follow the ‘sign up’ prompts. If you encounter any problems, you can download a handy guide from the Members’ area of the CSRF website or call us on 020 8691 7411 and we will send you a guide free of charge.
Grundy (pictured at the festival) who paints our beautiful limited edition exclusive Golden Jubilee flower cards. It’s events such as these that inspire Jenny’s unique work. Each set is made up of five cards with a different hand painted flower design. They cost £4 per set and are
Would you consider making a legacy to the Fellowship in your will? Legacy income could become a huge part of our fundraising here at CSRF; everyone, whatever their age, is encouraged to make a will as part of sensible financial and legal management. By leaving a donation to us, it would make a crucial difference to our ability to fund services such as the National Visitors Network and the groups. Whether you’re still drawing up a will or already have one in place, please consider adding the CSRF, which you can do very easily. Your will is completely confidential, so you are not obliged to tell us if you do decide to leave a legacy, but if you do it means that you can say (if you wish) how you would like the money to be spent and we can thank you for your amazing contribution. Your kindness and generosity will be felt by many people for years to come. For more information and advice, you can request our free information sheet on legacies by calling Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 or contact our legal partners McClures Solicitors on 0845 1800 939 or by email to: csrf@mcclure-solicitors.co.uk
available to buy via the CSRF website or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘The CSRF’ along with your name, address, telephone number and email address if you have one. For more information, call Yvonne Scott on 020 8469 9193 or email yvonne.scott@csrf.org.uk.
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Recruitment Helping with our recruitment drive is simple. If you have a friend or group of friends who’d like to join, then fill out the coupon below and send directly to Fellowship Office and we’ll do the rest. New members can also join online at www.csrf.org.uk or either you or they can contact us directly at Fellowship office on 020 8691 7411 or email us at info@csrf.org.uk. Thank you!
Your name: Your telephone number: Your email address: Your membership number (if known):
Name of person you are recruiting: Their full address and postcode:
Their daytime telephone number: Their email address (if known):
Please return the form to: CSRF Recruit a Friend, FREEPOST SE4414, London SE10 8BP If you are joining multiple friends, please contact us for extra joining forms, or send this page back with a separate sheet with their details. The more the merrier! 10 SUMMER 2014 www.csrf.org.uk
Everyone’s
Welcome It seems fitting that, as we approach our 50th anniversary, we are firmly focused on the future of this terrific organisation. Over the next two years our sights are very firmly set on growing our membership, increasing the opportunities to expand the benefits we offer our members, and supporting our members directly too.
We’ve been delighted to welcome a number of new Life Members, including our Chairman, John Barker (pictured), who converted his annual membership to a Life Member recently. We’re firmly hoping that more people will follow him! If you are already an annual member, why not change your membership and become a Life Member too?
Associate Membership – Supporting the Fellowship Over the years we have looked at different ways in which we can include people who support the Fellowship’s aims and objects but who do not qualify to become full members. We are delighted to announce that we’ve added a new category to our current membership to embrace people who were not able to join us because they were not a civil servant, spouse or partner. In full consultation with our company members, a postal vote took place in February (counted and verified by independent scrutineers), which carried the proposal to introduce an Associate membership category.
50 per cent discount available for all new Full Members for the first year’s annual membership We’ve an added incentive to civil servants signing up as an annual member – a special 50 per cent discount if they sign up by direct debit for the first year.
Creating this new category marks a significant step forwards for the Fellowship. It makes it possible for us to widen our recruitment activities to enable many more employee groups to enjoy and benefit from becoming members. And it also means that if you are a full member and want to invite a friend or family member who isn’t or wasn’t a civil servant to accompany you to a group meeting they are eligible to join. That particularly includes our local group Friends of the Fellowship, whom we warmly invite to take up Associate membership too!
Recruit a Friend All of our members can help support the Fellowship by recruiting a friend or colleague, whether they’re civil servants or not. We need you to help us spread the word. As a recipient of avanti why not pass on your copy to a potential supporter or, with their permission, pass on their details and we will do the rest. We would love to receive a photo of you and your recruited friend, better still wearing our special fun(draising) badges too!
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If you’re looking for reasons to convince friends and family to join the Fellowship, here are 12 to jog your memory…
1. 2.
ccess to our Phone A Buddy Scheme.
R eceive a visit through our National Visitors Network.
3.
Volunteer Opportunities - there are lots of different things you can do to support the Fellowship including training to become one of our growing band of Visitors; to find out more get in touch with us.
4. 5. 6.
A free quarterly copy of avanti magazine.
A network of active groups across the UK.
M embership of our holiday club, which offers great travel deals.
embership of our M theatre clubs (offers are regularly updated and accessible via the members’ area of the CSRF website, www.csrf.org.uk).
7.
8.
Useful advice and information - get in touch with us and we will research and find the answer to your query or point you in the right direction.
9.
Access to our member Legal Advice Helpline, offering advice on legacies, wills, lasting powers of attorney, care costs, probate costs and funeral plans.
10.
Membership of our book club: enjoy free books and swap views and reviews with other members.
11.
Membership of the photography group: enter one of our regular photo competitions and you could win some great prizes!
12.
Entry to the Seniors’ Golf Tour: a great social and leisure activity to meet and make new friends.
You can find out more about all the benefits and services online at the CSRF website, www.csrf.org.uk or give us a call on 020 8691 7411.
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MEMBER BENEFITS Legal Advice Helpline
Travel Club
If our holiday coverage elsewhere has inspired you to book a holiday, don’t forget that CSRF members are eligible for some great deals, courtesy of The UK Holiday Group. There is a huge range of holidays on offer including Baltic cruises, national and international group holidays, rail tours across Europe, as well as a number of hotels situated around the UK. To find out more, just call the dedicated hotline or send an email. The CSRF Travel Club, c/o The UK Holiday Group, The Old Bakery, Queens Road, Norwich NR1 3PL Tel: 0844 264 2422, csrftravelclub@theukholidaygroup.com
LEISURE
Our helpline, run by McClures Solicitors, provides advice to CSRF members on legacies, wills, care costs and much more. So if you have a legal query, please do ring or email; professional legal advice can help you sort out a whole host of worries. Call: 0845 1800 939 (weekdays 9am to 5pm) or email: csrf@mcclure-solicitors.co.uk
Theatre Club
Save over 70 per cent on the most popular plays, musicals, comedies and attractions with our members only Theatre Club! What’s more, you can upgrade your evening with dinner and even a free night in a hotel. Offers are updated monthly and are easy to book via our online website, accessed via the Members’ area of the CSRF website, www.csrf.org.uk or call 020 8691 7411.
The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship is grateful for the ongoing support received towards these activities from the Civil Service Insurance Society (CSIS). If you are looking for motor, travel or home insurance, then do contact CSIS on 0845 60 77 444 for a quote or visit the website, www.csis.co.uk
Golf Tour 2014 Following the success of the 2013 event, the Golf Tour is returning to St Pierre, Hotel Golf and Country Club on Thursday 11 September 2014. The hotel is one of Europe’s premier golfing venues and has hosted many international golf tournaments. The course is designed around beautiful grounds, home to many ancient trees and a picturesque lake. The venue also offers some splendid accommodation at affordable rates. If you’d like to take part, then email: golftour@csrf.org.uk or call: 020 8691 7411
Photography Competition The next photography competition will be based on Travel which you can interpret in any way you wish, from a sunny (or rainy) trip to the seaside or a world cruise! All abilities welcome, from taking photos on your mobile phone, disposable cameras or the really serious photographer with a super duper camera. All entries are most welcome. You
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could be in with a chance of winning £200 for your entry as well as having your photo published in avanti and on our website. Get snapping everyone and have some fun! The cut-off date is 30 November 2014. For more information, contact Anthea Graham, Glais Bheinn, Lochcarron, Ross-shire, IV54 8YB or email: photography@nhsrf.org.uk or call Anthea on 01520 722951
Book Club Thank you to everyone who has joined our members’ book club. The responses we received have been overwhelmingly positive; in fact four out of five people told us that the books they read through the club were either good or excellent. There is now a new exciting and completely free set of books available. The list includes a wide variety of books, from the sequel to Joanne Harris’ bestselling novel Chocolat to a gripping tale of corruption and espionage set in 1938. Currently members are reading Virginia Ironside’s new novel, No! I Don’t Need Reading Glasses! If you would like to join our book club or learn more about it, please email: bookclub@csrf.org.uk or call: 020 8691 7411
Feature
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ticket for ONE
Solo travelling is booming - there’s more on offer than you might have realised
I
f you’re planning a holiday on your own this year, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a lot of other people in the same position. And that means the travel market is bursting with options for single travellers. People travel on their own for all sorts of reasons. Some are recently divorced or bereaved, others want the time and opportunity to concentrate on their own interests and hobbies and some just enjoy the chance to do exactly what they choose, without having to negotiate constantly with others. What’s more, that group is made up of people of all ages and travel specialists say they’re constantly amazed at how adventurous solo travellers can be. Holiday company Saga reports that more than a fifth of its passengers travel without a companion. Yet it also reports that 75 per cent of people over 50 say they wish they’d travelled more, which suggests that quite a few people are yet to take the plunge and book their tickets. It’s true that solo travelling can be a nerve wracking prospect if you’ve never done it
before. However, once you’ve taken that first step, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. The trick is to plan it so that you make the most of the opportunities, while avoiding possible pitfalls. Two big concerns for many potential solo travellers are safety and loneliness. But don’t let these get out of proportion. There’s a lot you can do to reduce the risk of both (see our tips on ‘staying safe’ and ‘making the most of it’). And there are many choices about the way you might choose to travel, be it entirely handled by you or part of an organised package, with many options along the way.
On your own
Some people prefer to do the whole thing under their own steam and that’s perfectly feasible. It does, however, require a fair bit of research (an internet search is almost certainly essential or, if you don’t have internet access, a travel agent is often a good idea, see below). You don’t necessarily need a detailed plan, though many people do prefer to sort out all their bookings in advance. Even
if you want to be as flexible as possible (for instance, if you’re travelling by car and suspect you may want to strike off the beaten track), it’s a good idea to know where you’re going to stay the first night. Even if you’re determined to follow your own path, it’s often worth talking to a travel agent (visit the website of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) at abta.com). Agents have come a long way since the days when they’d just press a bunch of brochures on you and expect you to book into a package holiday. “These days, the pressure of the internet has made them raise their game,” explains ABTA spokesman Sean Tipton. “They’re not all affiliated with specific companies either. They’re much more inclined to offer a tailor made itinerary for you, or steer you towards suitable hotels.” A travel agent might also suggest a ‘self guided’ walking or cycling holiday, where the company sets up the itinerary, books your accommodation, gives you an information pack, takes your luggage ahead each day and then leaves you to enjoy yourself.
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Feature
Staying safe • Comprehensive travel insurance is a must. • Pre-book your airport transfers and as much of your accommodation as possible in advance and leave your trip itinerary with a friend or family member. • Stay in touch with home if you can (if you have a smartphone or tablet, the Skype app is very useful for free phone calls when you have internet access). • Learn key phrases in the local language if you can (unless you’re confident that there’ll be English speakers around), including “no thank you”. • Don’t have expensive cameras or jewellery (including watches) on display. • Don’t let friendly strangers (from whatever country) hold your money or valuables for you. • Never leave a drink unattended (there’s an outside chance someone might slip drugs into it). • Avoid walking alone in deserted areas, such as the beach, at night. • Store the number and address of your accommodation on your phone in case you get lost. While you’re about it, programme in the local tourist police number too.
For women in particular: • Respect the local dress code: in some areas that may mean covering up! • Making eye contact or smiling can be interpreted as a sign of encouragement in some countries. Be polite, but reserved. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Know Before You Go website is one useful source of reference (gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo).
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These kinds of holidays are quite flexible: take your own time to do what interests you, but have someone to turn to for advice when you’d like a nice lunch. And while you may well meet up with other people covering the same route or staying in the same hotels, this is certainly not a mass outing. This means you need to be happy in your own company as you walk or cycle along but much of the donkey work, particularly hauling luggage around, is done for you.
Group dynamics
If you’d prefer something more structured, many tour operators specialise in holidays for solo travellers and these days they’re not just aimed at young
people. They range from beach holidays to mountain treks. One huge advantage of these is that you’ll circumvent the notorious single room supplement trap (see box), as well as the dreaded scenario where everyone on the holiday is in couples except for you. But these aren’t the only group holidays that welcome single people, so it’s worth looking at other options. Holidays centred around a particular pursuit or interest are often a good choice, because you and the other holidaymakers are all doing things together and can easily strike up a conversation (or perhaps stay in comfortable silence). There is a huge range of these holidays and they needn’t be educational or exercise-heavy. The Royal Horticultural Society, for instance, started its own RHS Holidays a few years ago, with the theme of gardens around the world. Alternatively, you could book in to a food festival organised by a body such as the International Food and Wine Society.
Making the most of it Even in a group, it’s not always easy to strike up conversations with new people and if you’re travelling solo your confidence may fail you from time to time. Here are a few tips: • Pack a book but don’t bury your head in it all the time. It’s a useful prop for looking occupied, while you can watch the world go by too. • Take photos, to give yourself some structure in the day and also make yourself notice what’s going on. However, if you’re photographing people (including children), do ask permission first. • Don’t feel you have to stick to fast food just because you’re alone. Take a table in a restaurant. • Restructure your day to suit: head out early and pack in a day’s activities so that you’re comfortably back in the evening. This is also a good way to keep safe in places you’re not sure about.
75 per cent of people over 50 wish they’d travelled more Not only is this a good way to theme your break, but it also increases the likelihood that you’ll have something in common with the other people on holiday with you. Or, of course, you can simply have a glorious time eating happily alone. On the festival theme, book festivals are booming, both here in the UK and further afield, from Berlin to Jaipur. Or, if you want a more structured literary experience, there are a growing number of cultural tours on offer, featuring expert lecturers and small groups. Although these are often popular with single people, they’re not necessarily designed for solo travellers. Because of this, the lecturers and guides often make an effort to include people who’d otherwise dine alone and the holiday organisers will sometimes offer low single room supplements. Another great surge in popularity has been for cruise holidays, opening up even more destinations to older people. But cruises are not necessarily just to warm
parts of the world; you can now travel to the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as to Patagonia or up a river. “It’s a way to explore the world, where you aren’t forced to do anything but there are quite a lot of activities,” says Penny Guy of the Cruise Lines International Association, adding: “A number of different ships have dedicated cabins for individuals.” Modern cruise ships are often very accessible for people with mobility or hearing problems too, which can be a huge advantage (but do check that you won’t need to get on small boats to travel onshore from the main boat as well).
Only, not lonely
A solo trip might not have been your first choice or it might be something you’ve always been longing to try. But whether you want to go it alone completely, or slot in with ready-made plans, there’s plenty on offer. So if you’ve still got a long ‘to visit’ list, maybe it’s time to start ticking a few things off and conquer the globe!
Single room supplements An extra charge by tour operators, cruise lines and hotels of anything from 25 per cent to 100 per cent is, sadly, often unavoidable. And it doesn’t look as if that’s changing any time soon, says ABTA’s Sean Tipton. “The logic is that a hotel charges by the room and that room is designed for two people,” he says. “If you are charged less than the full amount, you’re actually getting a discount.” To avoid the problem, book through a company that specialises in solo travellers and offers single person facilities (this includes quite a few cruise ships). Alternatively, you can opt for companies that provide ‘room mate matching’, pairing you up with another solo traveller, though obviously this has its drawbacks. If you have some flexibility in your timing, a last-minute booking can allow you to bag one of the few places a company is trying to sell off, which might mean they’ll reduce the usual single supplement.
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Feature
living it Local The people who are making their neighbourhoods better places to live
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ll around the UK there are people who are doing things at a very local level to improve or maintain the area, from attending a one off meeting at a ‘user forum’ to standing for election to the local council. In between those, there’s a whole spectrum of schemes and projects that offer ways to do something about the neighbourhood, many of which aren’t well known at all. We look at three and the people who’ve got involved in them.
Parish councils
Parish councils are nothing to do with church parishes (though the confusion is understandable). They are in fact the smallest democratic unit in England, responsible for the small areas known as ‘civil parishes’, making decisions for what’s going on at a local level. At the moment, they’re usually found in villages, but new ‘localism’ plans are seeing them start to spring up in our bigger cities too. Queen’s Park in London has just started up its first ‘parish council’ in 60 years. Parish councillors are elected, but they don’t need any particular qualifications or to be a member of a political party. All that’s necessary is enough time to take part, an interest in the local community, and the willingness to take on a project that could be anything from organising new bus shelters to talking to local residents to find out what their main concerns are.
Fiona Cowan is a parish councillor at Collyweston in the East Midlands. “In a town or city, it’s hard to affect important things, such as planning decisions or road maintenance budgets or healthcare provision. In something as small as a parish, it’s much easier to know the right people to talk to about anything worrying you. Being a councillor can be demanding, but because the work has an
impact on the lives of everyone in my community and further afield sometimes, I know it’s worth the extra time and thought and energy that I throw at it. I’m a Scot by birth and moved here in 1995, when my partner and I fell in love with the area. But it’s not without its problems here. Collyweston is a tiny village, cut in half one way by the A43 and the other by two local roads that have become a commuter rat run. It lies close to the borders of several counties and districts, so the village often feels left out of or neglected by official initiatives that tend to be organised within political boundaries. Collyweston’s also losing its amenities. There used to be several pubs, a school, a butcher, a post office and a garage; all it has now is a gastropub, though there are moves afoot to set up a community village shop. In fact, the reason I first got involved with village activity was when I joined the committee to save the village hall from closing. Then I was approached about the parish council; but I felt I just didn’t have the time to spare for it. My partner joined instead. However, I realised he was clearly getting to know about the community far more quickly and thoroughly than I was … so when I was approached again, I agreed to join as well. I got involved out of nosiness as much as a sense of public service! Having said that, it certainly is a public service too! It’s also, I’ve found, a great way to use and build on your skills because if you’re willing to have a go at something scary, other people will let you! I’ve made public presentations,
Being a councillor can be demanding, but it’s worth the extra time and thought and energy that I throw at it.
chaired public debates (complete with angry mobs) and addressed key decision makers and I’m now comfortable doing all those things. I’m not someone who can do a job mechanically or half heartedly and this has certainly stretched me in all kinds of ways.” Find out more about parish councils from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), www.nalc.gov.uk
Civic societies
If you have a local society set up specifically for the area (it might be the ‘friends of’ the area) chances are that it’s a civic society. The first civic society was set up in the 1840s and today there are hundreds of ‘civic and amenity societies’ across the UK. They vary widely in their individual focus, but often do a lot of work on planning and conservation in the area.
Freddie Gick has been involved with civic societies for about 15 years and recently moved from Birmingham to Cheltenham. “I’ve always been involved in community type activities (for instance, I’ve been a school governor) because I have a basic belief that everyone has a personal responsibility to make their local environment a better place to live in for everyone, even if that’s just about keeping the front of your own house clean and tidy. I retired at the age of 55, which was over 10 years ago and I’d already joined Birmingham Civic Society before that. Civic societies are very strong on promoting local distinctiveness. We don’t want the same high streets with the same shops in every town or village. That’s something people are increasingly becoming aware of: growth, at a local level, comes from a place having its own characteristics. And that in turn is one
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Getting involved of the reasons why we also have such a strong focus on planning, conservation and heritage. It’s a particular concern in Cheltenham, where I now live, because it’s a quite distinctive town with a lot of striking architecture. The society has a monthly planning forum that meets to discuss local developments and produce comments on anything significant that comes through. If we think a building is out of keeping, we’ll say so. However, that’s certainly not the only thing civic societies do. In Birmingham, we started a youth citizenship project that involved thousands of children, supported parks and planted tens of thousands of trees thoughout the city. People don’t usually know much about the work that civic societies do, but we need people to care about the park being kept free of litter, or about whether a supermarket is built on the playing fields.” Find out more at Civic Voice, www.civicvoice.org.uk On 21 June, which is Civic Day 2014, about 250 societies around England will be putting on events.
Big Local
Alongside longstanding structures such as civic societies and parish councils, there are schemes that have been funded to revive and regenerate particular areas and depend on local input to direct them. Big Local is one of these. Funded by the Big Lottery, it’s working in 150 areas around England to bring together local individuals and groups to tackle issues that the community has identified.
Nik Holmes is involved in Big Local in his local town of Uttoxeter. “I wasn’t involved at the outset, but then I read in our local paper that two council wards of Uttoxeter had become a Big Local area. I’ve been involved in other projects before but always kept quite a low profile; I’ve never been a trustee on
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Getting involved in the local community brings a whole range of benefits, both on a personal and a wider level. People who do so feel more ‘connected’ and make new friends; whilst at the same time they’re helping to improve the neighbourhood for everyone. The ones we’ve profiled here have invested a considerable amount of time and energy in their projects, but it’s also possible to be connected in a much more ‘light touch’ way. There are plenty of options and pretty well all of them welcome new members too. So they’re well worth investigating: everyone wins!
We’re all just ordinary people, not public figures a management committee, for example. However, one of the issues I have with the way things happen at the level of communities and local politics is that it’s always the same people doing things. Not enough people get engaged and the benefits don’t get shared across the whole community. I felt it was time I took part in something like this. There’s a lot of money being spent and I wanted to help direct that. I’ve lived in this area for around 25 years and there are definitely things it would be good to improve. And yes, I also wanted to find out what it was like to get involved at this level. That was about a year ago, when there was a steering group that held monthly meetings to which you just had to turn up. Since then, it has become a formal partnership and I’m on that. But virtually everyone else on it is just an ordinary person too. It’s not made up of public figures. Our remit is to consult with the community, come up with a plan on spending the funding and the evidence for doing so and then apply for our funding, which will be spent over 10 years in this area. We’ve leafleted all the houses in the area asking for responses, had a launch
event and put on consultation events in the community centre, asking people to come and tell us what (and where) they felt the problems were. We’ve looked a lot at the community infrastructure: things like the community centre, sports facilities and possibly even the sort of very small community groups that aren’t registered charities. Green spaces and parks are a big part of this, because people have told us that they’re concerned about the state of our local parks. It’s interesting. There have been a couple of things that I wanted to do which haven’t had the backing from the consultations so far, but that hasn’t made me walk away. I do believe, very strongly, in people acting for the communities where they live.”
talk to us Do let us know about any similar schemes you’re involved in (perhaps the local residents’ association, or neighbourhood watch?) as we’d love to run another feature in a subsequent issue of avanti, with your stories and photos if you have any at the forefront.
Feature
Holiday Spending Cash? Cards? And whatever happened to travellers’ cheques? Financial journalist Rosie Murray-West gives a guide to holiday money
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hen you’re planning a holiday abroad, the issue of how you’ll obtain and spend the local currency tends to take a back seat in favour of researching exciting excursions and booking hotels. However, waiting until you get to the airport to exchange your cash or using your ordinary credit or debit cards abroad is likely to leave you with far less money to spend on sangria, sun cream and seafood. In fact, recent figures
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from the Post Office suggest that tourists changing money at the airport waste a collective £18 million a year thanks to high rates at departure lounges, while a lack of awareness about foreign credit card charges makes the situation even worse. A bit of forward thinking, therefore, makes total sense. “More than ever, noting the global economic situation, we should shop around when choosing where to purchase our travel money, as
currency rates can fluctuate,” says Kevin Mountford from price comparison service Moneysupermarket. “Try to plan ahead to get the best exchange rates.” The options for travellers wanting to make the most of their travel money have increased considerably in recent years, he adds; which means you do need to do a bit of research if you want to find the best option for different holiday destinations. Here are some starting points.
Getting the best cash rates Forward planning really is essential here. On top of that, it is important not to be seduced by promises of ‘no commission’ on travel money from some bureaux de change, since many compensate for not charging a commission fee by offering a very uncompetitive exchange rate instead. The best deal on travel cash involves a combination of a low commission fee and the best exchange rate, so you need to consider both together. If you are comfortable using online comparison sites, you can use the internet to check the best exchange rates available for travel cash at any time. The website www.moneysavingexpert.com allows you to compare various currency providers and to specify whether you want your cash delivered, you want to collect it or you would like to reserve it for collection at the airport. Airport bureaux de change will offer you a far more competitive rate if you reserve your cash in advance, so this can often be a convenient option, though again it requires forward planning. Watch out for added fees, including minimum charges for currency or flat fees. If you are exchanging a small amount of money, flat fees can make this uncompetitive, while it can be cost effective to exchange larger ones. Handling fees are often around £3 and overhead costs and admin charges, also bump up the cost.
Cash or cards? Most people feel more comfortable having some foreign currency in their wallet, but in theory you could just rely on a cashpoint at the airport. This leaves you exposed to the risk of ATMs that aren’t working, though, so it is a good idea to have an emergency fund of cash that will see you through the first day or so. Depending on the credit and debit cards you have in your wallet, using cash that you have ordered in advance can be cost effective so long as you have obtained a good rate for it. However, the drawback with this is that you end up carrying a large amount of cash with you, which is obviously risky from a personal security point of view, so it is wise to consider other additional options.
The best credit or debit cards for overseas spending Using debit or credit cards for your spending abroad can be either a brilliant decision or an expensive mistake, depending on which card you have. Card providers charge a variety of fees for using their cards abroad, which can soon mount up. These include a flat fee every time you take money out of a cashpoint, as well as a ‘loading fee’, which is simply an added cost of around £3 in every £100 spent simply for using foreign currency. Some credit cards will also charge interest on your spending abroad, even if you pay it off in full every month; some even charge a fee every time you use the card for a purchase. The best cards for using abroad waive all of these fees, meaning that they are a cheaper option than cash. For instance, the Halifax Clarity credit card has no fee for ATM withdrawals abroad and doesn’t add a loading fee onto spending, making it a top overseas choice. Saga’s credit card is also a good choice, particularly for spending directly, but it does charge a fee of £2 or two per cent for ATM
withdrawals. It is important, however, that you pay off credit card debts on these cards in full every month, as the interest rates on them tend to be high. You can apply for these cards directly through the providers. Halifax has application forms in its branches or you can apply online, while Saga allows you to apply online at www.saga.co.uk/ money. You will have to pass credit checks in order to be issued with the card, which may take several weeks. When it comes to debit cards, only a few current accounts have cards that are competitive for use overseas. Metro Bank will not charge you for foreign currency transactions made in Europe, while Norwich & Peterborough Building Society customers with a Gold Classic Account benefit from free transactions abroad. However, this account has a £5 monthly fee unless you deposit £500 monthly and maintain a balance of £5,000, so it really is beyond most people’s budgets unless you’re a frequent (and well heeled) traveller.
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Using a prepaid card
Best services for frequent currency users
Prepaid cards are becoming increasingly popular with travellers, as they avoid any security fears around using your card abroad. These cards allow you to load money onto the card from your own bank account and then withdraw it from a cash machine abroad using a PIN. If you are travelling to Europe or the US, specialist euro or dollar currency cards are competitive ways to carry cash. The FairFx euro currency card is free if you apply through moneysupermarket.com and load more than €60 onto it, while other options include Caxton FX’s card and MyTravelCash card. Again, the moneysupermarket.com, confused. com and uswitch.com websites all allow you to compare rates and ATM withdrawal fees on prepaid cards. Not all prepaid cards are created equal however. Some will charge a setup fee, as well as fees on cash withdrawals and some even charge fees for topping up the card. If you do not use the card for a set period of time, you may also be charged an inactivity fee, so make sure that you read the terms and conditions very carefully. And do be aware that money loaded onto a currency card is not protected by the UK’s financial compensation scheme in the same way as the cash in your bank account (although it should be held in a separate ringfenced account). Because of this, it is important that you do not leave too much money on the card for long periods of time.
All the services covered here are suitable for holiday travellers. If you spend a lot of time abroad (for instance, if you have a second home) there are other, cheaper ways to purchase the amount you’ll need. Using your UK current account provider to provide large sums tends to be an expensive option because the banks often levy high fees and have poor exchange rates. Money brokers such as Moneycorp and Smart Currency Exchange are usually a better bet. However, do make sure any firm you use is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, the UK’s financial regulator, before entrusting them with large amounts of cash.
Closed currencies You can buy most holiday cash in advance, but there are destinations where you must buy your currency when you arrive. This is because they operate what are known as ‘closed currencies’, which cannot be freely traded and exchanged around the world. Countries that operate this policy include Morocco, Tunisia, Cuba and Vietnam. You can usually withdraw currency using an ATM and your ordinary debit or credit card in these countries (although they may levy a charge) and it is best to travel with sterling, US dollars or euros to exchange in banks or hotels. Keep your receipts from exchanging cash, as you may need them to exchange money back when you leave.
What happened to travellers’ cheques? Travellers’ cheques used to be the main option for those who needed currency when travelling abroad. However, their use is declining rapidly as customers turn to cards and foreign exchange booths. Are they still worth considering? The advantage of travellers’ cheques is that they can be stopped and replaced if they’re lost or stolen, unlike cash. However, they are less
convenient than a prepaid card, which has the same security measures in place, because you have to go into a bank to cash them in. Rates are often less competitive than for prepaid cards as well. All in all, even those who are concerned about security should give the cheques a miss and instead opt for a prepaid card with a PIN if they are concerned about cash being stolen or the security of their main credit and debit cards being compromised.
Please note: the rates quoted here were accurate at the time of going to press, but do shop around as well!
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Big Issue
Wind Turbines Wind turbines are a subject of hot debate. We ask some of the people involved for their views and concerns.
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ll over the UK countryside, wind turbines are springing up. Government figures show that they’re being built at a dramatic rate in a rush to take up the subsidies on offer before these expire. With the numbers at over 4,000 onshore and more than 1,000 offshore turbines in
the UK already, as figures increase so does the debate. This isn’t simply a ‘for or against’ argument. There’s broad agreement from all sides that wind farms are potentially one of the best, cleanest and least damaging options for tackling the energy crisis and halting our dependence
on fossil fuels. Many people still have serious concerns about ‘onshore’ wind farms. We’ve asked a group of experts for their views. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ but there’s a wide range of issues that need to be taken into account. The answer, as they say, is blowing in the wind.
“Absolutely essential” Alasdair Cameron, Friends of the Earth
“We believe that renewable energy is absolutely essential. We need to decarbonise our electricity supply and we believe that wind has a huge contribution to make. Offshore power has even greater potential, but onshore wind alone could provide more than 10 per cent of the UK’s electricity by 2030. The technology is relatively mature, the costs are falling and it has a proven track record. Wind farms don’t burn fuel or release pollution and they’re only paid for the electricity they produce (not for any other running costs). When we’re talking about moving beyond fossil fuels, both offshore and onshore wind farms need to be an important part of the package.”
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“Visual impact is key” Senior energy campaigner Nick Clack, Campaign to Protect Rural England “CPRE supports renewable energy in general and onshore wind turbines specifically, as a way to tackle climate change; but we do have concerns about wind farms, because of their impact on the landscape, the local heritage and on the local amenities. The visual impact is a key consideration, especially in national parks or areas of outstanding beauty. They can be seen for miles and they can ruin the whole appearance of the landscape, encroaching on historical buildings and footpaths. In some areas, such as the north east of England and parts of Yorkshire and the Humber, the landscape’s capacity to accommodate turbines has been pushed to the limit and they’ve taken more than their fair share. We live on a crowded island, without much unspoilt landscape, and that’s why we have nationally designated areas we want to try and protect. If we keep chipping away at that, the feeling of wilderness and the whole purpose of a countryside where we can escape starts to be encroached upon. Wind power has its place, but we have to get it right.”
“Divisive but an international solution”
Hugh Raven, former member of the UK Sustainable Development Commission and hydropower operator “The Sustainable Development Commission did a lot of work on wind power and there’s no doubt that wind is an important part of our energy mix in terms of energy security and the economy. Governments all over the world, from China to North America to Africa, are investing in wind power. There’s also no doubt that it’s a divisive topic. In fact it can become so divisive that communities
are torn apart, as former friends become mortal enemies. If it reaches that point, that’s not sustainable development, so in those cases we do have to ask how far it’s worth siting a wind farm here. It’s particularly important to think through larger wind farms, because of this impact on the community and the landscape. But they do also have a vital contribution to make.”
“Climate change is a bigger issue for wildlife”
Helen Crow, climate change policy officer, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Domestic turbines It’s possible to install a turbine of your own, but if the average wind speed is less than five metres a second you’re unlikely to generate enough energy to make it economically worthwhile. On the other hand, if you live in an exposed location, with no trees or buildings nearby, they can be a very good idea; especially if you’re not connected to mains electricity. Find out more at renewableuk.com
“Climate change is already affecting wildlife and will become a major threat over the next few decades. Research suggests that by 2050, up to a third of all land based species could be committed to extinction if temperatures keep rising at the current rate, so tackling climate change is a priority. Renewables generally save on carbon emissions and wind power in particular has very low emissions. But if wind turbines are sited in the wrong place, they can affect the surrounding wildlife. For example, there is a risk of birds or bats actually being hit by a turbine blade or colliding with the tower, particularly if the turbine is on a migration route, or it’s between roosting and feeding areas, or within areas of good quality habitat. That’s a particular problem in bad weather, when it’s harder for birds to see the turbine. Some species can be driven away when the wind farm is being constructed: sometimes never to return. However, it’s certainly possible to have a wind turbine or group of turbines that don’t pose a risk to wildlife. The first thing is always to site them in places which are not used by large numbers of birds and bats, but there may be options for turning them off at certain times of day. For us, the most important thing is delivering the most renewable energy for the least environmental impact.”
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“Communities matter too”
“Property prices do drop”
Richard Cowell, reader in environmental policy and planning, Cardiff University
Stephen Gibbons, professor of economic geography, London School of Economics “We’ve found that after a wind farm is introduced, house prices do drop in the locations where the wind farm can be seen. On average, the prices in areas within two kilometres of a visible wind farm fall by about six per cent. For small and average size wind farms, this drop disappears beyond eight kilometres. For large wind farms with 20 or more turbines it’s a bigger drop and it continues for a further distance.”
The balance
The UK has signed up to the EU renewable energy target of generating 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade; so wind farms are here for the duration. And indeed, pretty well everyone agrees that they are a welcome addition to the mix of renewable energy sources that can replace our dependence on fossil fuels. The trick is to get the balance right. That way, everyone will win.
Wind farms: your questions answered How much energy does wind contribute to the UK? Around 10 per cent of the UK’s electricity demand How many turbines are in development? There are 84 onshore energy projects (747 turbines) and five offshore wind farms (377 turbines) in development in the UK at the moment. Where is the largest wind farm it the UK and how many turbines does it have? Onshore it’s Whitelee Wind Farm to the south of Glasgow, with 215 turbines powering nearly 300,000 homes; offshore it’s London Array in the Thames Estuary with 175 turbines powering nearly 500,000 homes How tall and heavy are the turbines? The height varies from 10 metres for small onshore turbines weighing about 350kg, to 148 metres tall for large offshore turbines weighing about 500 tonnes. How many turbines do you need for it to be a ‘wind farm’? Strictly speaking, you can call even one turbine a ‘farm’ because there’s no minimum threshold.
Ed’s note: Do you have a wind farm near you? Do you find it an eyesore? Has it had an impact on house prices in your area. We would love to hear from you and any photos would be an added bonus!
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“Communities often feel that they’re ‘hosting’ a wind farm. They feel their land is being degraded and exploited by profiteers. How can that sense of injustice be acknowledged and compensated for? Over the past 15 years, we’ve seen a growing expectation that developers ‘pay back’ to the local residents. It’s now become pretty standard to expect this as part of wind farm proposals. Typically, it goes to a trust set up within the community, though some developers have wondered, for instance, about whether it might be more popular to take money off people’s electricity bills.“ These schemes may make some difference to public opinion, but they’re not the complete solution for getting communities on board. It’s an issue of justice and fairness. How do we make reparations to people who feel their lives have been impacted? And how much should be allotted where? The wind energy question is opening up some quite big issues.”
The basics The wind turbines that make up wind farms bring together computercontrolled windmills with three blades. The computer monitors the direction and speed of the wind using instruments sited on top of the windmill. With this data, the ‘hub’ of the windmill is positioned so that the blades are always facing into the wind. The blades are connected to a generator, sometimes through a gearbox (in what’s known as ‘fixed speed’ machines) and sometimes connected directly (in what are known as ‘variable speed’ or ‘direct drive’ machines). In both cases, the generator converts the mechanical energy of the rotating blades into energy and underground cables send it to the local grid.
Feature
where were they Then? In our continuing series commemorating the beginning of the First World War, David Porteous examines how armed combat’s mix of horrors and opportunities shaped the leaders of the 20th century.
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any famous names who rose to prominence in the Second World War had their baptisms of fire in the First. The ‘war to end wars’ shaped their attitudes, beliefs and indeed their future opportunities. What were they doing between 1914 and 1918? And would anyone have identified their future courses of action from their wartime records?
The British Prime Minister
‘I felt as if I were walking with destiny and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial,’ wrote Winston Churchill about becoming Prime Minister in 1940 and dedicating himself to lead his country to victory over Nazi Germany. That previous preparation had, crucially, involved the previous world war. In fact, no other period in Churchill’s life was more formative than his experience in World War I. When the war broke out, Churchill was already 39 and at the height of his political powers: First Lord of the Admiralty and an influential member of the Cabinet. RIGHT: Winston Churchill in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street, London.
But in 1915 he proposed the Dardanelles campaign and its disastrous failure forced him out of office, initiating his first foray into the political wilderness. Depressed and humiliated, he asked to be posted to the Western Front and was given command of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers (RSF), with the rank of lieutenant colonel. It was a dramatic fall from grace; today’s equivalent would be the defence secretary resigning from the government and going to fight as a middle ranking officer in Afghanistan. The 6th RSF would take part in no offensive action during Churchill’s
command but a posting to a quiet sector was dangerous enough in January 1916. The battalion took over 1,000 yards of the front in Flanders at Ploegsteert (or ‘Plug Street’ to the Tommies). Churchill set up his headquarters in a farm just yards behind the trenches, under constant fire from snipers and shelling by artillery. From there, Churchill often led night patrols into No Man’s Land to inspect the barbed wire defences and spy on the enemy. “He never fell when a shell went off; he never ducked when a bullet went past with its loud crack,” one of his comrades in arms recalled later. In fact, despite the dangers, he lived something of a charmed life during his six months in the army, returning without a scratch despite coming under direct fire several times. However, the stalemate of trench warfare appalled him. As a result, Churchill became a leading proponent of the development of new weapons of war, chiefly the tank and the aeroplane, which were crucial to the Allied victory in both world wars. On a personal level, the trials and tribulations he endured in the Great War reinforced his already supreme faith in himself and his abilities.
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However, Nazi propaganda about his achievements means that historians are still unsure about how much he actually did. They also argue about the degree to which Hitler’s war years forged his political beliefs and anti Semitism. It is clear, though, that like many former soldiers of the German Army, he never accepted his country’s military defeat nor the Armistice of 1918 and was convinced that Germany had been betrayed. The bitter resentment he fuelled in himself and in millions of others sowed the seed for the Holocaust and Germany’s descent into the abyss.
The French politicians
FROM TOP: French troops manning a 105 mm rapid fire gun during an artillery barrage, Verdun region; Adolf Hitler (seated right) during his service with the Bayerische Reserve Infantry Regt. 16 on the Western Front during the First World War. RIGHT: General de Gaulle walking through the streets of Bayeux, France.
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The Nazi leader
Adolf Hitler, Churchill’s arch adversary to come, witnessed major battles at Ypres, the Somme and elsewhere. He had enthusiastically enlisted in 1914 as a common solider and served as a runner, relaying messages on foot or on bike behind the front line. He was wounded, promoted to corporal and awarded the Iron Cross (first class).
Charles de Gaulle, the future French President, was wounded twice in the first few months of the conflict. In 1915 he fought at Verdun, where he was wounded again and in 1916 he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He escaped from POW camps five times, only to be recaptured on each occasion. His fighting spirit was unbowed by his experiences, which (as with Churchill) only added to his grand self assurance and sense of destiny. When France was invaded again in 1940, he was the only French
Feature
RIGHT: Former nurse Vera Brittain: photograph taken after WW1, during her career as writer and political activist.’ © Vera Brittain Estate, thanks to Somerville College Oxford. ABOVE: HMS Collingwood
general to force the Germans to retreat, albeit briefly. When France fell, he fled to England and established himself as the leader of the Free French Forces, vowing to pursue the war with Germany and liberate his homeland. By contrast, his former commanding officer, Marshal Henri-Philippe Pétain, took a very different route. He too fought at Verdun and was widely acclaimed as a hero for his achievements. But his fortitude failed him in 1940, believing the Germans could not be defeated a second time, and he became head of the puppet Vichy government. In 1945 he was condemned as a collaborator and sentenced to death, which de Gaulle, now head of the French government, commuted to solitary life imprisonment. The comrades of the First World War were bitterly opposed in the Second.
The peace activist
The history of the First World War is, not surprisingly, dominated by men, but one memoir by a remarkable British female writer still stands out: Vera Brittain’s ‘Testament of Youth’, a deeply moving and powerful account of the conflict and its terrible human cost. In this classic book, she relives her time as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse at military hospitals in the UK and overseas, tending to the wounded and dying soldiers of both sides. It also describes her personal tragedies: her brother, fiancé and two closest friends were all killed. For the rest of her life, Brittain (later to become mother of the politician Baroness Shirley Williams) was committed to the peace movement, saying that her
pacifism was ‘rooted in my experience of war’. During World War II, she was blacklisted for writing a newsletter opposing war and restricted from travelling, meaning she could not visit her children who had been evacuated to America. She also suffered abuse for criticising the RAF’s carpet bombing of German cities. In the years up to her death in 1970, Brittain looked upon herself as ‘the fading voice of a dying generation’. But within a few years, her memoir became hugely popular again, following an acclaimed BBC TV drama series of the same name starring Cheryl Campbell. A new big screen adaptation by BBC Films, shooting of which began in March this year, will help to ensure the idealism of the book and its author lives on. “Testament of Youth is one of the most potent and moving war memoirs ever written,” says Christine Langan, head of BBC Films. “In this centenary year, there can be few more significant ways of examining the First World War and its phenomenal impact on 20th century life and beyond.”
Albert, however, a naval officer, was not expected to be king and he was allowed to see action. In 1916, aged 21, he was serving as a sub lieutenant on HMS Collingwood, a dreadnought battleship of the Grand Fleet. On the eve of the battle of Jutland, the biggest naval engagement of the war, he roused himself from the ship’s sick bay, suffering from a ‘surfeit of soused herring’ and manned a gun turret throughout the engagement. At one stage, he is reputed to have sat in the open on the turret’s roof to watch the battle unfold. ‘How and why we were not hit or damaged beats me, as we were being fired at a good part of the time,’ the prince recalled in a letter to a friend. He was mentioned in dispatches for his meritorious action in the face of the enemy. Albert was the last British monarch to fight for his country and his wartime exploits undoubtedly heightened his self confidence and status when he eventually became king and inspired his people to win through in the next war.
The two kings
The ‘war to end wars’ was not, in the end, anything of the kind. By the middle of the 21st century, the world had been hit by destruction on a scale that nobody, even in the worst horrors of the trenches, could ever have contemplated. Yet the Second World War was shaped, inevitably, by the course of the First World War. Churchill, Hitler and their contemporaries were the product of the four years from 1914 to 1918, perhaps more than by any other passage in their lives.
Prince Edward, the future King Edward VIII, and his younger brother Prince Albert, the future King George VI, had contrasting experiences in World War I. As heir to the throne, it was out of the question that Edward, the Prince of Wales, would ever be exposed to combat on the front line. He was restricted to staff officer duties at army headquarters, well away from the fighting in the trenches.
The legacy
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Feature
A Dog’s Life AndrÊa Childs investigates the stories of three working dogs and discovers what retirement has in store for our four legged friends. 32
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Mij, the search and rescue dog Border collie Mij completed more than 200 missions with handler Iain Nicholson as part of the Bowland Mountain Rescue Team. She retired in 2012 but now helps to train a new generation of search and rescue dogs. Everyone knows that border collies are an intelligent breed, but 11 year old Mij is in a class of her own. Under the tutelage of her handler, Iain Nicholson, she was the first dog in the UK to be able to follow a trail that was 24 hours old for more than 4km. Her secret is scent discrimination: she has learned to recognise a missing person’s scent and trace it along their route, distinguishing it from others who have followed the same path. During their time working together, between 2006 and 2012, Mij and Iain found 14 missing people and took part in more than 200 searches, saving thousands of human search hours. “One evening, we were asked to search for an 80 year old woman with dementia who had gone missing from her home on the edge of the Pennines,” recalls Iain. “She wasn’t expected to survive the night but Mij took the scent from her pillowcase and followed her trail for 30 minutes, to a thicket of brambles, where we found her burrowed into the centre of the bush. It was Mij’s sense of smell that saved her life.”
“I got Mij as a puppy in 2004 and trained her for two years before she became an operational dog,” Iain explains. “Our first year together was spent building a strong bond and obedience training. The following year, we developed her search skills, spending one evening a week, all day Sunday and 12 whole weekends training.” The scent discrimination techniques that Iain and Mij developed together have set the standard for search and rescue dog development. Iain currently heads a national training programme with the National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) and is even helping to train
dogs further afield in Germany. Iain’s day job is in IT and his search and rescue work is entirely voluntary: he has clocked up more than 20 years with Bowland Mountain Rescue Team and became a dog handler in 2002. “There’s a joke among trainers that handlers know their dogs better than their partners,” laughs Iain. “Fortunately, my wife Alison is also a handler, with an eight year old working search and rescue dog called Floss, so we understand what’s involved!” I’m working with 15 dogs in the UK at the moment and I hope to have four of them ready to help on search and rescue missions this year,” he says. “Everything I do is based on the work Mij and I did together. Now she comes along to training sessions for fun, which takes the pressure off her and means she can enjoy her retirement.” Today, Mij is enjoying her well deserved semi retirement living with Iain and his wife, Alison, in Leyland, Lancashire.
A very happy retirement Retired Greyhound Trust; www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk Around 9,000 racing greyhounds retire every year and the trust has rehomed more than 50,000 dogs since it was established in 1975. Unlike some retired working dogs, greyhounds adapt well to domestic life and their calm and gentle nature means they’re good with children and other animals. After a life of intensive training, they’ve earned their rest, and they are wonderfully loyal and loving companions.
National Search and Rescue Dog Association; www.nsarda.org.uk Search and rescue dogs are not rehomed when they reach retirement; instead, they stay with their handlers. There are lots of ways to become involved with these special animals, however. NSARDA is keen to train new dog handlers (who train and work with dogs) and dog navigators, who will learn search and rescue skills but won’t themselves train dogs. You can also volunteer as a ‘DogsBody’ for trainee dogs to find.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association; www.guidedogs.org.uk Many guide dogs for blind and partially sighted people remain with their families when they retire at the age of 10 or 11. If this is not possible, they will be rehomed. Guide dogs are used to being with a person full time, so the association requires that they are not left alone for more than four hours at a time in their new home. Volunteer puppy walkers and boarders, who home dogs during their final 12 weeks of training, are also needed.
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Feature
Venice, the guide dog Venice, a golden retriever cross labrador, retired as a guide dog five years ago. She lives in Harrogate with owners Elizabeth and David Troth. Venice’s retirement arrangements are unusual. Most guide dogs stay with their owners once they stop working. But Venice’s previous owner was an
elderly man who could no longer take care of her, which is where Elizabeth and David Troth stepped in. “From application to adoption, it can take a year for the rehoming process to happen. We were fortunate that three months after inquiring, we were chosen to give Venice a happy retirement,” says Elizabeth. Venice is an affectionate, playful character, who loves walking in the countryside and watching TV, but it took her time to settle into retirement. Guide dogs are well trained but their caring role can cause them to be anxious, so they are often rehomed with older people who are experienced dog owners and can give them the security and relaxation they need. “Venice was used to carrying a lot of responsibility on her shoulders,” explains Elizabeth. “We had to teach her how to play, almost as if she were allowed to be a puppy again. She would try to take charge at road crossings and because she has been trained not to interact with other dogs, she was frightened when they zoomed over to her in the park. Now, she knows how to have fun. She’s positively giddy when David comes home from work and brings out her squeaky toys. And she is best friends in our cat
Sylvester and our daughter Natasha’s sausage dog, Pepper.” Adopting a retired dog naturally means taking care of an animal in its later years. At 15, Venice is less active now but she still enjoys daily outings. “David and I took her on a fabulous holiday last year around the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We covered 1,500 miles and she loved every minute, especially walking on the beach at St Andrew’s, paddling in Loch Lomond and Loch Sunert, watching otters and travelling on ferries,” says Elizabeth. “Venice has worked her little socks off. Now life can be a permanent holiday for her.”
talk to us We’d like to hear any stories you may like to share about any working animals whom you may have helped along the way or even rehomed. Please contact the Editor: details at the front of the magazine.
Flyer, the retired greyhound Nine year old Flyer is a former racing greyhound who was adopted in April 2012 by Carol and Noel Fawdry, from Wolverhampton. Even in retirement, Flyer looks like the competitor he once was. He was raced by his trainer at the greyhound stadium in Swindon and was taken in by the Retired Greyhound Trust when his career ended in 2010. That’s where his current owner, Carol Fawdry, found him. “He had been in the kennel for a year and he looked at me with his big eyes, as if to say, ‘Take me’. Apparently, black males are harder to rehome than other dogs, but he’s an absolute gentleman.” Flyer isn’t the only retired racer that Carol and her husband Noel have rehomed. They also have four year old Daisy, adopted in September 2011. “I raced seven whippets when I was younger but I didn’t want to compete with dogs again. But then I visited a friend in the US who has a racing kennel and fell in love with greyhounds,” she explains. “I’d recently lost my lovely mongrel and the house felt so empty without her, so I began to consider caring for a retired racing dog.”
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There are many misconceptions about the care given to racing greyhounds, she explains. “Happy dogs get results. They love to run and are treated like kings and queens by their trainers. They’re used to being petted, too,” she says. Carol takes Daisy and Flyer on two 40 minute walks a day and these docile, friendly dogs love to play with her grandchildren. “Flyer loves lots of attention, while Daisy is cheeky and clever,” says Carol. “Together, they’re the perfect pair of pets.”
entertainment
Our regular mix of books, culture and entertainment
A God in Every Stone
Kamila Shamsie (Bloomsbury, out now)
Sort Your Brain Out
Dr Jack Lewis and Adrian Webster (Capstone, out now)
How have our brains changed to deal with the constantly increasing speeds of technology? How can we slow down brain ageing? What chemical effect does a cup of coffee or a glass of wine have on our brains? How can we make the most of those constant good ideas that turn up at the most unexpected moments? And what do we need to eat to keep our grey matter on top form? Neuroscientist Dr Jack Lewis and author and speaker Adrian Webster provide fascinating insights into the science of the brain, with practical advice that doesn’t overwhelm the reader with jargon.
member giveaway We have three copies of ‘Sort your brain out’ to give away to readers. To enter, send your details to: Book Giveaway, The CSRF, Suite 2, 80A Blackheath Road, London SE10 8DA. The first three entries drawn will be the lucky winners. Judges’ decision is final.
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A novel with a different take on the First World War and its aftermath, set mostly in Peshawar, then part of British occupied India, it is the story of Vivian, Najeeb and Qayyum. Vivian and Qayyum meet on a train to Peshawar, unaware that a connection is about to be forged between their lives: one that will reveal itself 15 years later, when a brutal fight for freedom, an ancient artefact and a mysterious green eyed woman bring them together again. Yet this isn’t a conventional love story in any way (in fact Qayyum’s younger brother, Najeeb, also plays a central role) but a complex novel about friendship, injustice, love and betrayal.
books How to Manage Your Slaves
Marcus Sidonius Falx with Jerry Toner (Profile, out in June)
From our 21st century viewpoint, slavery is utterly abhorrent. But what did it mean to the Romans? This Roman style view lets us see why slaves meant so much to the Romans. Marcus Sidonius Falx (through the medium of Dr Jerry Toner, Fellow and Director of Classics at Hughes Hall, Cambridge University) offers practical answers to every question you’re likely to have and guidance on every problem you might encounter. He shows how to buy slaves, how to tell good slaves from bad and how to get the best out of them once you’ve bought them. And he considers when to set them free. Not really a ‘how to’ manual (perish the thought) but definitely a glimpse into a world and mindset that it’s hard to comprehend now.
Summer eating from Morito, the tapas and mezze bar next to London’s famous Moorish restaurant Moro, run by husband and wife team Sam and Sam Clark. There are more than 150 simple and seasonal recipes to choose from, arranged in 10 chapters. The authors stress that ‘thousands of possible food combinations lie within this book, none of which are wrong as long as you are happy’.
Still Life With Bread Crumbs
Anna Quindlen (Hutchinson) Anna Quindlen is one of those writers who haven’t had as much attention in the UK as they deserve, though this latest novel has been longlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. Still Life with Bread Crumbs is a wry and knowing portrait of Rebecca Winter, a photographer who finds, as she gets older and moves out of the city, that she starts making sense of life in a new way.
The Paper Trail: an unexpected history of the world’s greatest invention
Alexander Monro (Penguin, out in May) The story of how a simple Chinese product allowed knowledge, ideas and religions to spread at an unprecedented rate around the world and down the social scale.
IMAGES: PICSELECT, IMAGE.NET, WARNER
Morito
Samuel and Samantha Clark (Ebury, out now)
film How to Train Your Dragon 2
20th Century Fox (released 13 July)
Superior family friendly entertainment for anyone organising a summer holiday outing, this sequel to How to Train your Dragon is based on Cressida Cowell’s best selling series. Hiccup the Viking and Toothless, his dragon, journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the centre of a battle to protect the peace.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Disney (released 1 August) In the far reaches of space, an American pilot named Peter Quill finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan. With Bradley Cooper and Karen Gillan.
Jersey Boys
Warner (released 20 June) Directed by Clint Eastwood, this is a musical biography of pop band the Four Seasons. It traces the rise, the tough times and personal clashes and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation, with a focus on frontman Frankie Valli, the small kid with the big falsetto voice.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Fox (released 17 July) The film continues the highly popular series based on the originals, with Gary Oldman and Andy Serkis. A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. Many of the national cinema chains offer special discounts for afternoon screenings for older people. Check your local press for further information www.csrf.org.uk SUMMER 2014
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culture theatre Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Savoy Theatre, London
Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound, Samantha Bond and Katherine Kingsley star in this musical based on the classic comedy film starring Sir Michael Caine and Steve Martin. Be transported to the French Riviera and its decadent underworld as two seasoned swindlers attempt to hoodwink a millionaire heiress. As the pair compete in the true art of the con, they discover there is only room for one of them. Booking throughout the summer
Wind in the Willows
York Theatre Royal
One for all ages, this is the well known and loved family story from the team that created the Olivier Award winning The Railway Children. Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad tell their action packed stories of boating on the river, adventuring in the Wild Wood, battling weasels at Toad Hall and a few mishaps with motor cars. 31 July to 30 August
Tonight at 8.30
Comics Unmasked
On tour
British Library, London: to 19 August
From vaudeville to satire, from farce to intricate comedy of manners, from melodrama to romance, these plays making up Tonight at 8.30 span the full range of Noël Coward’s writing, including Still Life, the original version of the film Brief Encounter. They’re performed in trios of three per evening, so you can pick your evening, come several times or see all nine plays performed on a Saturday with meal intervals in between. Malvern Theatres: 4 June to 7 June Richmond Theatre: 11 June to 14 June Oxford Playhouse: 25 June to 28 June The Lowry, Salford Quays: 2 July to 5 July Cambridge Arts Theatre: 9 July to 12 July Theatre Royal Brighton: 16 July to 19 July Hall for Cornwall, Truro: 23 July to 26 July
Comics have never been just for children and this is the UK’s biggest exhibition of British comics, featuring unseen comics, original artwork and bizarre objects exploring the form’s tumultuous history. From newly discovered Victorian comics to iconic titles such as V for Vendetta and Batman, Comics Unmasked explores political and social issues raised by British comics and their creators over the last century, from the earliest pioneers to today’s digital innovators. ABOVE: Brand new Jamie Hewlett design for Comics Unmasked at the British Library ©Jamie Hewlett 2014. BELOW: Misty, well known 1978 dark female comic book of supernatural and horror stories. Photography ©British Library Board.
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Regent’s Park open air theatre, London
In this musical version of the famous opera, set in the American Deep South in a fictional area known as Catfish Row, beggar Porgy tries to tame wild Bess to save her from a life of ruin. The musical numbers include the famous Summertime, which has become enduringly popular ever since it was first performed. 17 July to 23 August
For some great deals on theatre tickets, why not try the avanti theatre club. Call 020 7492 1566 or log into the members’ area of the CSRF website
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And we’d love to hear about your favourite comics: Bunty, Beezer, Beano… or the graphic novels of today too!
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
National Museum Wales, Cardiff: to 1 June This is an exhibition of the winning the winning entries in the annual competition held by London’s Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide. The title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 was awarded to photographer Greg du Toit from South Africa for Essence of Elephants, his image of African elephants in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana. Meanwhile, 14 year old Udayan Rao Pawar from India scooped the top prize in the youth category for his picture ‘Mother’s little headful’ captured while camping near a nesting colony of gharial crocodiles on the banks
of the Chambal river. See these and others, selected from more than 43,000 entries from amateurs and professional photographers from 96 countries. Photographs from the exhibition will also be on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (to 1 June), Oxford Museum of Natural History (15 June to 15 September) and Winchester Discover Centre (12 July to 21 September).
Ed Note: some exhibitions are free but do check with the exhibitors in the first instance
ABOVE: Greg du Toit, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013. South Africa, Essence of Elephants RIGHT: Udayan Rao Pawar, Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013. India, Mother’s little headful
Collider: step inside the world’s greatest experiment
Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester: to 28 September Following its highly successful run in London, this is the first stop in a tour of the Science Museum’s Collider exhibition, which ‘transports’ visitors into the heart of one of the greatest scientific experiments of our time, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The show takes visitors on a unique behind the scenes tour of the CERN particle physics laboratory in Geneva to witness the uncovering of the Higgs Boson, explore the 27km collider and its cathedral sized detector caverns. MAIN PIC: The underground tunnels of CERN ©Nick Rochowski for Science Museum. INSET: Inside the LHC - wrap-around video projection ©Science Museum
New World, Old Maps
American Museum in Britain, Bath: to 2 November The ‘New World’ was constantly changing shape on maps made from the 15th to 17th centuries as European cartographers learned more from navigators who had ventured forth across the Atlantic in search of pearls, gold and spices. New World, Old Maps shows how ideas of the Americas changed as Renaissance cartographers (working from ancient and medieval sources) learned more of the New World. Some were made as working sea charts; others were made by artists such as Dürer and Holbein for buyers who preferred to venture across the oceans only in their imaginations. Mostri Marini and Terrestri (Monsters of Sea and Land) Sebastian Münster (1488-1552), illustrator, after Olaus Magnus (14901557), Basel, 1550, Woodcut, Courtesy of the American Museum in Britain
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Sophia’s Corner
Sophia Hill joined the team at Fellowship Office in October 2013 and currently works as PA to Chief Executive Jean Cooper. Before that, she ran her own catering business cooking up a range of tasty treats for friends and clients.
A taste of Italy
Bring the Italian summer into your kitchen, whether you’re eating on your own or feeding a party.
Peach frangipane tart This modern twist on the classic Serves
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frangipane tart still makes the most of the peaches that are at their best during the summer, but is far quicker to prepare. If you can’t find good peaches, then nectarines and apricots are also delicious.
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Panzanella This tasty Tuscan salad is a great way of using up stale bread as well as being an easy summer meal for one. It also works as an accompaniment to barbequed meat and fish. If you want to serve more people, just increase the quantities. Ingredients
Recipe
1 thick slice of dry or stale bread (ideally sourdough bread) 2 tomatoes 5 jarred artichoke hearts 1 small handful of fresh basil 1 small handful of fresh parsley 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tbsp good-quality olive oil Salt and pepper
Griddle the bread on both sides. If you can do this on a griddle pan (the sort with ridged lines) that’s ideal; otherwise dry fry it in a hot non stick pan. Set it aside to cool. Next, roughly chop the tomatoes and artichoke hearts into bite sized pieces. Tear the bread into similar sized pieces. Use a fork to incorporate the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Tear the basil and parsley and put into the dressing and then throw in the vegetables and bread. Mix thoroughly and either serve straight away or set it aside so that the bread soaks up the dressing. The salad does not keep well in the fridge, so if you do not eat it immediately, it is best to keep it covered in a cool room.
d Ready prepare arts he e k jarred articho in the can be found large deli aisle in all owever, H supermarkets. variations y n a m re a e ther , so you on Panzanella te the could substitu cumber cu artichokes with u fancy! yo or whatever
Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6 and place a large baking tray inside. Place 1 sheet of ready rolled puff pastry (all butter if possible) onto baking parchment and score a border with a knife, leaving a 2cm ‘frame’. Prick holes all over the inside of the border, and roll out 225g marzipan to the thickness of a pound coin to fit inside the puff pastry border. Take the stones out of 3 or 4 ripe peaches and slice into crescents. Layer them so the thick edge of each slice overlaps the thin edge of the last layer, until the marzipan is entirely covered, and brush the edges of the tart with milk. Slide the tart and baking parchment onto the tray and bake for 20 minutes, then scatter the 100g flaked almonds over and return for five minutes. Remove, heat 2 tbsp apricot jam and juice of ½ a lemon to a thick liquid, and then brush that over.
If you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, Panzanella goes very well with a fresh acidic Italian white; or of course a glass of Prosecco will bring instant summer into your home even if it’s raining outside.
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tea break ? y l b a t r o f m o c g in t it S
SUDOKU EASY
Now it’s time to meditate In our Autumn issue, we’re planning to include a feature on meditation and mindfulness. So we’d really love it if you can try this exercise at home (or better still at a CSRF group meeting!) and send us your photos and any comments. And no, you don’t have to lie on the floor for it either. This ‘seated meditation’ is suitable for everyone (in fact, it’s widely used in schools too).
• Sit on a chair: feet on the floor, bottom on the chair (hence the name it’s often known by, FOFBOC). • Start by taking your attention into your feet. How do they feel? What can you feel: tingling toes? Pinching shoes? • Work up from your toes to your knee. Can you feel them against your clothes, or the crease in the skin at the back? • And then go to sitting: can you feel the weight of your body pressing into the seat? Are you leaning slightly to the left or right? Can you tell where your body ends and the chair begins?
• Now expand all your awareness to the sensations in the lower half of your body. It’s almost as if you’re listening to the lower half of your body, receiving all its textures as they change moment by moment. Notice the weight and the texture of your legs, both lower and upper. Really let yourself experience what legs feel like. What we are doing here is anchoring our attention in the lower half of the body. • A nd then finally, include the sensations of breathing in your awareness. Let yourself be refreshed and nourished by your breathing in and allow yourself to really relax as you breathe out.
[Many thanks to Claire Kelly of the Mindfulness in Schools project] Do send us your pictures and feedback to Fellowship Office, or email to avanti@square7media.co.uk
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MEDIUM
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CODED WORD PUZZLE 1
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Blah Onyx Jerky Obese Usher Views Bygone Ice age Jurist Oedema Reebok Seethe Aerobic Heiress Iced tea Insipid Leakage Origami Ravioli Sadness Umpteen Whereto Kibitzer Provided Rollover Thank you Fruit salad Loquacious Double-quick
…about strawberries? Unexpected facts about our favourite summer fruit
Clue: Letter 26 is R
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Roughly 27,000 kilos of strawberries are eaten during the Wimbledon Championships, together with 7,000 litres of cream. Strawberries contain ellagic acid, which can help fight cancers. Madame Tallien, a prominent figure at the court of the Emperor Napoleon, was famous for bathing in the juice of fresh strawberries. She used 22 pounds per basin. Large studies suggest that people who consume more berries such as strawberries have a lower risk of a heart attack. Medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals to symbolise perfection and righteousness. Strawberries can also be white or yellow and some can even taste like pineapples. The strawberry plant is a member of the rose family, as is the raspberry plant.
Summer days out with a difference One day, a garage attendant was surprised to see a car pulling up with a bunch of penguins in the back. “Hey,” he said to the driver, “Where did those come from?” “They were there this morning,” said the car’s owner. “I’m really not sure what I should do with them. What do you suggest?” “Well, it seems pretty obvious to me,” said the garage attendant. “Take them to the zoo.” “Great idea,” said the driver and off he went. The garage attendant shrugged and went back to work. The next day though the same driver with penguins in the back returned; only this time they were wearing sunglasses. “Didn’t I suggest you take them to the zoo?” he asked. “You did and we had a great time,” said the driver. “So today, I thought I’d take them to the beach.”
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WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Find the names of the boats from the list below that are hidden in the grid
Argosy Ark Balsa Barque Brig Buss Canoe Car Ferry Cat Coaster Cob Dandy Dhow Dory Dow Dredger E-Boat
Fly Frigate Funny Gig Hoy Junk Ketch Koff Light Liner Lymphad MTB Pink Praam Prahu Pram Prau
Proa Punt Raft Reed Scow Ship Smack Snow Tartan Tender Trireme Tug U-Boat Wherry Xebec Yacht Yawl
s n o s s e l h c n Fre We want
YOU
for avanti! This is your magazine: and we’d love to be able to feature more about you, your hobbies and interests, and how you spend your time in retirement. If you’d like to be featured (or you think someone in your group should appear!) do get in touch, either by email or by writing to Fellowship Office. You don’t have to write us a huge essay; just a few hundred words about something you’d like to tell fellow readers. Whether it’s your career highlights, your hobbies or your group activities, let us know.
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Two cats decided to have a race across a river. One was English; its name was One Two Three Four. The other was French; it was called, appropriately, Un Deux Trois Quatre. So guess who won? One Two Three Four did, because Un Deux Trois Quatre cinq. (Thanks to John Hill, Treasurer, Boscombe and Southbourne group)
Why did the French chef fall into despair?
He’d lost his huile d’olive… How many eggs does a Frenchman have for breakfast?
Just one, because un oef is un oef ! What do the French Navy say when they set out to battle at sea?
“A l’eau, c’est l’heure!”
Prize Crossword
Congratulations to Neville Bosley from Reading who was our lucky winner for the Spring crossword. Try your hand at this issue’s prize puzzle and you too could win £100 worth of M&S vouchers. Good luck!
Across
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5 Feeling a bit cold (6) 7 Something secondary (4,4) 9 “Careful!” (5,3) 10 Person found in harem (6) 11 Explosive weapon emitting thermonuclear fusion (8,4) 13 Edible plant from parsley family (6) 15 Terry McMillan’s “Waiting to ___” (6) 18 Device for estimating alcohol intake (12) 21 Shot (2-4) 22 Part of anatomy near side and top of skull (8) 23 Shrub with large white wax like flowers (8) 24 Scandinavian country (6)
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Down 1 Not part of set meal (1,2,5) 2 Robotic person (6) 3 Dreary (8) 4 Associate (6) 6 Portly (8) 7 Protests (3-3) 8 Almanac tidbit (4) 12 Skin reaction to something radioactive (8) 14 Inclined to give in (8) 16 Spring and summer illness (3,5) 17 Bliss (6) 18 Known to have ‘more fun’ (6) 19 All over again (6) 20 ___ Scotia (4)
Solution to Spring Prize Crossword
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TO ENTER: Please send the completed crossword, along with your name, address and postcode to: PRIZE CROSSWORD, CSRF, Suite 2, 80A Blackheath Road, London SE10 8DA. The judges’ decision is final. Winners will be notified by post. Closing date: 11 JuLY 2014
NAME: ADDRESS:
POSTCODE:
EMAIL:
TELEPHONE NUMBER: Please tick if you do not wish to receive our e-newsletter
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postbag
POSTbag
Your letters and STORIES
In search of history
Macheath’s all English past
Dear Postbag, I am writing in regard to the article ‘The Home Front’ in the last issue of avanti. My wife’s grandmother Mrs Ida Elizabeth Bray, born in 1879, worked at Woolwich Arsenal during WW1 as a draughtswoman; according to her obituary she was part of the team that produced the Essen bomb as she held certificates in engineering and drawing. This is all I know and I always thought the Essen bomb came into WW2. I have tried contacting the Woolwich Arsenal historical society, Greenwich heritage centre and the personnel records of Arsenal workers at the Ministry of Defence but have not had any luck for more information, the MOD has not even replied. Is there anywhere else we can ask and would readers of avanti have any ideas? We have her medal from the Board of Education, South Kensington and inscribed ‘Ida E Cook [her maiden name] subject 14 - 22 1900’ on one side and ‘National Medal for success in Art awarded by the
Dear Postbag, It was of interest to note in ‘Leisure Life’ (Spring 2014) a touring production of Brecht and Weill’s The Threepenny Opera. This is the updated version of The Beggar’s Opera, a ballad opera in three acts by John Gay (born in Barnstaple) and Johann Pepusch. As a devout opera lover myself, and having been awarded a lifelong Millennium Awards Fellowship grant in 2001 for introducing opera to school children, it’s worth recalling that this opera was ‘all British’ when it opened at the Theatre Royal Lincoln’s Inn in London on 29 January 1728. It proved to be very popular, not least as it contained tunes that were popular at that time throughout the British Isles: albeit with the addition of suitable rewording to match the libretto. A famous past production was staged at the Lyric Theatre in London in 1920 and was as close as possible to the original staging by John Gay, some 192 years earlier. Peter Mahoney (Popular Opera Productions) Hayle, Cornwall
Girls operating cranes in a shell-filling factory at Chilwell, Nottingham
Board of Education’ on the other. It must have been quite something for a woman at that time but we cannot find out anything else about this. Ron Kingham, by email
Ed’s note: This is a fascinating story. Does anyone have any ideas of ways that we might be able to follow this up? We’d love to be able to feature it in a future edition!
Christmas dinners past Dear Postbag, I couldn’t avoid a slight feeling of envy, reading the two letters about Christmas dinners in the army during the war. Roast turkey, cigars and rum: what a feast! And then I can recall Christmas in 1942. It was my first with an active army unit, and the Christmas treat was two slices of bread; and it definitely was a treat, after nothing but army biscuits. That was with the 8th Army in Libya. Another letter refers to the Ministry of Labour at Kew, where I started my Civil Service career in 1936; and I wondered why I
had to pass a very hard competitive exam just to count and record stamps on Unemployment Insurance cards. But I’m eternally grateful to the Civil Service for providing me with a steady, well paid job with good conditions, and a good pension. And I did progress from counting stamps to much more interesting work. Dennis Green, Cheam
Ed’s note: We too suspect that many people’s Christmas dinner in 1942 was less than luxurious! Thank you so much for your story.
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Audio avanti is free Tablets applauded Dear Postbag I’m writing in response to the feature ‘Taking the Tablets’ in the Spring 2014 issue of avanti. I wanted to add that for people with limited mobility in their hands and fingers, a tablet can prove a godsend. Over the past five years, my arthritis has got progressively worse and even though I used a laptop computer for many years, the mouse and keyboard are now quite difficult to use. I bought a tablet computer last year and it has made a huge difference to me! I’d recommend them to anyone who’s having difficulties with the usual type of computer. John Brayfield, by email Dear Postbag, Thank you for the ‘Taking the Tablets’ feature. I am part of the generation who found computers quite foreign: I never used one for the whole of my Civil Service career! However, having started a ‘computing for beginners’ course at my local library last year, I was introduced to tablet computers and the result has been a revelation! I have an email account so that I can correspond with my children and grandchildren (some of whom live abroad), I regularly ‘surf’ the internet and I have not bought a newspaper in months because I can read them and remain informed about the world online. Faith Elliott, by email
If you are finding it difficult to read the magazine, then sign up to receive our FREE audio version which includes all the main features, news and information. It comes on a CD (kindly produced by Kent Association for the Blind) and is posted out to you just after publication of the print version.
The Vikings revisited
A call out to foster carers
Dear Postbag, Having read the feature ‘The Vikings are coming’ I wish to applaud avanti for featuring this lesser-known part of the UK’s history. I have long been familiar with the Jorvik museum in York, but wondered why knowledge of the Vikings seems to be relatively sparse. I am definitely planning to attend the new exhibition and can I draw readers’ attention to the new novel ‘Loki’ by ‘Chocolat’ author Joanne Harris, which also explores Nordic mythological themes? We really should not be ignoring this significant part of our history, especially those of us who live in the areas which were formerly under Norse rule. Mary Woodhouse, Newcastle
Dear Postbag, I was extremely pleased to see the inclusion of the article on fostering in the most recent edition of avanti. Foster care has never been more important to our society. The number of children coming into foster care continues to rise. Fostering services across the UK need ever more foster carers with the skills, qualities and commitment to foster, traits which I’m sure many of your readers possess and who will now be in a position to consider fostering as their next career. Across the UK the Fostering Network is calling for 8,600 new foster carers to come forward in 2014 alone. If this happens then we can continue to work to ensure that every child can gain the stability and support they desperately need through their childhood and beyond. James Foyle, the Fostering Network
Ed’s note: We’ll definitely be picking up a copy, thank you!
Ed’s note: We’re very pleased to see how many of you have benefited from using tablets, and hope that our forthcoming features on other ways to use the internet and social media will prove as useful!
Ed’s note: Thank you for your letter: and we’re glad that we have been able to raise this important issue with our readers.
talk to us If you have a story or picture to share, write or send it to the Editor using the contact information at the front of the magazine. The Editor regrets it is not possible to enter into correspondence
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with individual readers. All submissions unless otherwise indicated will be considered for publication. It’s lovely to hear from you and read all of the letters you take the time to write. But
unfortunately due to space constraints we are often unable to print the full version of some of them. In these cases, letters will be edited to fit within the allotted space we give to Postbag.
group news
GROUPFOCUS The latest news from around the branch and group network
Coming soon CSRF Blackpool
Weston-super-Mare at AgeUK Somerset’s Big Advice day Report from Alan Jackson
The group was involved with AgeUK Somerset’s Big Advice Day in March, which proved to be a very useful networking event for prospective new members, speakers and local activities. A big thank you to those group volunteers who participated and helped run the stand (pictured here). It provided a good opportunity to promote the work of the CSRF locally. Pictured: Members of the group at the event
Eltham in Little Venice Report from Phyllis Duignan The popular Eltham group had a trip to Camden Lock in March to spend a very pleasant two hours travelling on a canal boat from Camden Lock to Little Venice. The weather was just perfect and while the scenery slowly slipped by, we were served
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lunch, which was enjoyed by the 53 members who came on the trip. If you’d like to find out more about the Eltham group, please see the group listing in the Planner. Pictured: Group members on board the canal boat
Many thanks to all the people who kindly took the time to complete our group questionnaire assessing the interest in establishing a new group for the Blackpool area. The response we received was very positive; and even more importantly, a number of people have offered to help run the new group. The programme, meeting venue and location is currently being discussed and we hope to publish further details in the next issue of avanti. If you are interested in getting involved with a new group, please contact David on 020 8691 7411 or email: groupsupport@csrf.org.uk
MERGERS
Dulwich and Norwood group has a new name,
Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay Report from Agnes Kabdebo-Gedeon
Our group came into existence just over a year ago and I believe we’ve had a successful year. We meet once a month and we usually organise a speaker to entertain us or meet in a pub for lunch. Therefore our committee was interested to take up the idea of David, one of our committee members, who offered to organise a ‘beetle drive’ last month. We were a little apprehensive about how it might work but David organised the necessary sheets to show a beetle and the instructions on how to play and score the game. We had enough people to have four tables each with four people and also some volunteers who helped with refreshments and tea making. At David’s whistle the dice began to roll and there was a sense of excitement in the air. The players concentrated hard and when the next whistle announced the end of the first game a winner was declared. We played a couple more games and there were plenty of laughs, giggles and faster and faster throws of the dice. All in all it was a very enjoyable activity with a great enthusiasm for the game. I felt I was in a school room at the end of term festivities.
Croydon, Dulwich and Norwood, in order to acknowledge that the group now serves members from a wider geographical area. At its AGM earlier this year, Edgware and Stanmore group decided to merge with the North and South Harrow group. The new group will be known as Harrow group. If your group is experiencing low turnout and there is a group nearby, not necessarily within the same ‘branch’ area, why not consider a merger? You can share the responsibilities of running the group and you may well increase your attendance figures too. Call David Tickner for a chat on 020 8691 7411 or email: groupsupport@csrf.org.uk
New Meeting Place Harrogate and Ripon group has recently changed its venue. As renovations are being carried out on the Wesley chapel, it will now be meeting at the United Reformed Church Hall, Raglan Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 1LE. Meetings will still take place on the third Thursday of each month from 2.15pm. Neath/Port Talbot is now meeting at the Neath Working Mens Club, Wind Street, Neath SA11 3HA. Meetings take place on the last Wednesday of each month at 2pm. Emsworth and Havant now meets at the Pastoral Centre, 19 High Street, Emsworth, Hampshire PO10 7AQ. Meetings take place on the first Friday of each month at 10am. You can find full details of the forthcoming programmes for all these groups in this issue’s planner section on pages 54 - 61.
We can help with local events
Weston-super-Mare group recently participated in AgeUK Somerset’s Big Advice day, providing members with a superb opportunity to promote the activities of the group and also source potential future speakers. AgeUK runs these activities across the country, so it’s well worth checking to see if there’s one near you. We can supply you with information to put on the stand and advise on how to get the best out of the event. For more advice contact David Tickner on 020 8691 7411 or email: groupsupport@csrf.org.uk
Caerphilly
Report from Barbara Caddy
The group enjoyed a very engaging talk given by Alun Caddy about the Titanic. This took place on the anniversary of the day the ship sank and was illustrated with his own home-made model of the vessel. Pictured: Alun Caddy with his model of the Titanic
Ed’s Note: What a fine model Alun! Any other model makers out there? We would love to see photos of your workmanship.
Certificates
If you’d like to nominate someone you feel deserves recognition within your group, you can recommend them for either a Certificate of Merit or Appreciation. Requests should normally come from either a branch or group committee member. They are free, and there are no forms to fill out either, but please allow plenty of time for the certificate request to be processed, signed and sent out. For any requests, please contact Sophia Hill on 020 8469 9192 or email: sophia.hill@csrf.org.uk
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SPECIAL EVENTS Catford and Lewisham
group is holding its popular summer social (with strawberries and cream and lots of other goodies) on 10 June from 10am at St Laurence Church Hall, 37 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2TS. Local group members will have received an invitation in March but if you’d like to attend please contact either Jane Duffy on 020 8697 2840 or Bernard Whittaker on 020 8355 7628 for more information.
Crawley group is holding a special
summer event for all members of the former North Sussex Branch (which covered Haywards Heath, Horsham, East Grinstead and Horley) on 27 June to help boost group attendance and raise awareness of the group programme to a wider number of people in the area. The event will take place from 2pm at the regular meeting venue: Bill Buck Room, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley RH10 6HG. If you’d like to attend please contact Jim Piercey on 01293 409332.
Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders branch resumed its summer
walks from this month. These take place on the first Friday of each month with members meeting at the Lakeland corner of George Street/Hanover Street at 1.30pm. Future dates for walks are 6 June, 4 July, 1 August and 5 September. The annual Picnic in the Park (in Princes Street Gardens) is scheduled to take place on 11 June (date to be confirmed) so if you’re interested in going along contact Liz Beedie on 0131 229 7422 for more information.
Caerphilly group is holding
its annual garden party on Monday 11 August. It will be taking place at Ron and Cindy’s house and transport can be arranged. So for more information please contact Barbara Caddy on 029 2086 2091.
Banstead and District’s
garden Party is taking place on 24 June and their summer lunch on 29 July (venues for both are to be confirmed). For more information please contact Marion Pevy on 01737 812129.
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Bury group is planning a couple of trips this summer: Keswick and a cruise on Derwentwater (11 June) and Llandudno with lunch at the Tynedale Hotel (23 July). For more information call Gerald Beadling on 01706 633674. Dawlish group will be holding a very ‘tasty’ event in June with a special cream tea on Dartmoor. All are welcome; for more information call Margaret Carter on 01626 888275. Streatham and Norbury
group is staging a strawberries and cream tea on 8 July with a plentiful supply of homemade cakes and sandwiches. The cost per head is £3 and the event will be at the regular meeting venue at The Glebe Sheltered Housing Complex on Prentis Road in Streatham. Contact Jo Winter on 020 8764 6450
Oswestry group is holding its summer lunch on 12 August (venue to be confirmed) but all are welcome. For more information contact Ruth Haile on 01691 650993.
GOLDEN GROUPS A big thank you to our Golden groups this quarter!
Westcliff-on-Sea; Bury; Lisburn; Sleaford and Ancaster; Stevenage and Baldock; Lincoln and Harrogate, Swansea, Belfast, Uckfield, Eltham, Arun, Croxley Green & Rickmansworth, Swaffham, Lisburn, Tadley, Somerton and Ripon have all made contributions to the Golden Appeal by buying our Golden Buttercup badges, our lovely flower cards, bring and buy sales and money raised from our piggy boxes.
Salisbury Plain group will be holding its annual summer fete on 19 August. This will be taking place at The Village Hall, High Street, Durrington, Salisbury from 2.30pm. For more information contact Roy German on 01980 653446. If you’ve got a special event coming up do let us know about it – send your information to David at Fellowship Office or email: groupsupport@csrf.org.uk
Crawley group also got into the spirit of the Golden Jubilee by baking a superb Buttercup cake (see picture) for the February meeting. A big thanks to Jim Piercey for his splendid baking skills. Is your group planning a fundraising event to help raise money for our Golden Appeal? If you’d like any support or advice, you can request a copy of the Community Fundraising guide from Fellowship Office or download direct from the members’ area of the CSRF website.
group info SCOTLAND Dumfries and 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. For the June trip please phone the Chairman. 04/06/14 Outing to Auckland Castle, County Durham. 02/07/14 Outing to Dalgarvan Mill, Museum of Country Life and Costume, Kilwinning. 30/07/14 Summer Lunch: Arden House Hotel, Kirkcudbright (to be confirmed). Coach Trips: All trips start and finish at Brooms Road Car Park in Dumfries. Everyone is welcome including family and friends, as that keeps the cost per person as low as possible. Please book as early as possible by phoning Doreen Beck on 01387 268824 or the Chairman on 01387 261889.
Edinburgh (Central) Liz Beedie SECRETARY T: 0131 229 7422 Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House, First Floor, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. Third Tuesday of each month (October to April) at 2pm for speakers and other meetings. We run walks throughout the year (jointly with Corstorphine Group) meeting at the Lakeland corner of George Street/Hanover Street at 1.30pm on the first Friday of each month. Organiser: Pat Sinclair (0131 337 6389). For all outings please meet at 9.30am in the Bus Station at Stance C. Bring a packed lunch if you wish and contact Jean Robertson to let her know you are coming (0131 661 8760). 11/06/14 Summer picnic in Princes Street Gardens near the Norwegian Stone at 2.30pm (jointly with Corstorphine Group). Organiser: Liz Beedie. Please contact Liz if you plan to come along (for catering purposes): no charge. 20/06/14 Full day outing to North Berwick (jointly with Corstorphine Group). Organiser: Jean Robertson. 24/06/14 Summer coffee get together at St John’s Church Tea Room (West End) from 2pm to 3.30pm. 18/07/14 Full day outing to St Andrews (jointly with Corstorphine Group). Organiser: Jean Robertson. 29/07/14 Summer coffee get together at St John’s Church Tea Room (West End) from 2pm to 3.30pm. 26/08/14 Summer coffee get together at St John’s Church Tea Room (West End) from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Edinburgh (Corstorphine) Liz Beedie SECRETARY T: 0131 229 7422 Martin Shields Hall, St Ninians Church, 144 St Johns Road Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 8AY. Third Thursday of each month, October to April from 10.30 to 11.45am. We also run walks throughout the year (jointly with Central Group) meeting at the Lakeland corner of George Street/Hanover Street at 1.30pm on the first Friday of each month. Organiser: Pat Sinclair (0131 337 6389). Summer tea/coffee meetings start again on the last Tuesday of May at St John’s Church Tea Room from 2pm to 3.30pm.
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SUMMER PLANNER
Our group network operates across the country and provides a mix of leisure, social and welfare activities for your benefit and enjoyment. So why not show your support by popping along and making some new friends?
11/06/14 Summer Picnic in Princes Street Gardens near the Norwegian Stone at 2.30pm (jointly with Central Group). Organiser: Liz Beedie. Please contact Liz if you plan to come along (for catering purposes): no charge. 20/06/14 Full day outing to North Berwick (jointly with Central Group). Organiser: Jean Robertson (0131 661 8760). 24/06/14 Summer coffee get together at St John’s Church Tea Room (West End), from 2pm to 3.30pm. 18/07/14 Full day outing to St Andrews (jointly with Central Group). Organiser: Jean Robertson. 29/07/14 Summer coffee get together at St John’s Church Tea Room (West End) from 2pm 3.30pm. 26/08/14 Summer coffee get together at St John’s Church Tea Room (West End) from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Highland (Scotland) 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. Lunch club on selected Fridays throughout the summer. 04/06/14 Trip to Elgin. 02/07/14 Trip to Munlochy Wildlife Park.
Rosneath William Lauchlan SECRETARY T 01436 842723 The Howie Pavillion, Rosneath G84. First Monday of the month at 1.30pm (except July). 02/06/14 The History of the Co-op talk 07/07/14 Coffee morning at Castle Isle (no meeting). 11/08/14 Parkhead Gardens talk: by Ian McKellar.
NORTHERN IRELAND and NORTH WEST ENGLAND Antrim Brian Shields CHAIRPERSON T: 029 9443 2615 Crown Buildings, 20 Castle Street, Antrim BT41 4JE. Second Wednesday of June at 2.30pm.
Banbridge Adrian Howlett SECRETARY T: 028 4062 7979 1st Floor, Old Tech Building, Downshire Road, Banbridge BT32 3JY. No summer meetings: outside June, July and August meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm.
Bangor Mrs Isabel McKnight SECRETARY T: 028 9186 3410 E: IR3410@yahoo.co.uk Hamilton House Community Centre, Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor BT20 4BT.
Second and fourth Monday of the month at 2pm (except Bank Holidays and August).
Belfast George Glenholmes SECRETARY T: 028 9048 0339 McElhinney Room, The Pavillion, Stormont Estate, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3TA. First Monday of each month at 2.30pm.
Birkenhead and Wirral Cynthia Morgan SECRETARY T: 0151 678 6266 Victory Hall, 61 Salacre Lane, Upton, Wirral, Merseyside CH49 0TN. First Tuesday of the month at 2pm.
Bury Gerald Beadling CHAIRMAN T: 01706 633674 The Mosses Centre, Cecil Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0SB. Each Wednesday at 2.15pm (except events below where listed) 11/06/14 Trip to Keswick for lunch followed by a cruise on Derwentwater. 23/07/14 Trip to Llandudno with lunch at The Tyneside Hotel and free time after. 06/07/14 AGM. 27/08/14 End of season trip (venue to be decided).
Craigavon George McConnell SECRETARY T: 028 8676 4395 E: joannearcher1@hotmail.co.uk Portadown Library, 24-26 Church Street, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3LQ. First Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm
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.
Lisburn 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 July and August). 09/06/14 Tour of Carrickfergus Castle and lunch.
Penrith Richard Roscoe CHAIRMAN T: 01697 472383 A local hostelry each quarter. First Tuesday of June at 12.30pm for lunch.
Southport Mrs E Milne CHAIRPERSON T: 01704 560850 Conservative Club, Bath Street, Southport PR9 0DA. Third Thursday of each month at 2pm. 19/06/14 Monthly get together. Please contact Mrs Milne for details of meetings in July and August
Stockport/Grove Park
Hull
Llandudno
Yvonne Smith SOCIAL SECRETARY T: 0161 427 5593 Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3AB. First Thursday of each month at 2.15pm 05/06/14 Rhododendrons, Primulas and the Dalai Lama: talk by Mrs Marion Bradley. 03/07/14 To be arranged. 07/08/14 Mountain Rescue by the Kinder Team: talk by Mr B Stevens.
Brian Mitchell TREASURER T: 01482 653973 Age UK Healthy Living Centre, Porter Street, Hull HU1 2RH. Third Tuesday of the month at 2.15pm.
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 and third Tuesday for lunches/walks.
Waterloo (Merseyside) Joyce Nicholls SECRETARY T: 0151 931 5265 E: nichollsjoyce@yahoo.com Mersey Road, Methodist Church, Mersey Road, Liverpool L23 3AE. Second Tuesday of each month at 10.30am.
NORTH EAST ENGLAND Blaydon Elizabeth Pearson SECRETARY T: 0191 488 0840 Ridley Room, Blaydon Library, Wesley Distrct Precinct, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear NE21 5BT. Second Tuesday of the month at 10.30am.
Boston Spa and Wetherby 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 July and August). 10/06/14 The Life Story of Agatha Christie: talk by Mrs P Osborne.
Bradford Mr Norman Griffiths SECRETARY T: 01274 586410 Centenary Court 1 St Blaise Way Bradford BD1 4YL Third Tuesday of each month at 2pm. 17/06/14 The Wurlitzer Organ: talk by Frank Senior. 15/07/14 East Riddlesden Hall: talk by David Mosley JP. 19/08/14 The Bradford Cinderella Club: talk by James Saville.
Chester-Le-Street Mrs Mary May Chairman T: 0191 410 4106 First Monday of each month from 2pm to 4pm plus additional outings. 19/06/14 Outing to Cragside House and Gardens.
Gateshead Elsa Jackson CHAIRMAN T: 0191 267 4728 Gateshead Legion Club 142 Coatsworth Road Gateshead NE8 4LL. First Thursday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.
Harrogate and Ripon Margaret Terry SECRETARY T: 01423 885297 The United Reformed Church Hall, Raglan Street, Harrogate HG1 1LE/ Third Thursday of each month at 2.15pm. 19/06/14 Strawberry tea 17/07/14 Outing to Ilkley: X52 bus at 10.45am from Harrogate Bus Station. 21/08/14 Social afternoon.
Horsforth Rawdon and District Mrs M J Taylor T: 0113 267 8110 Venue varies. We meet in local hostelries for lunch. Please contact Mrs Taylor for more details.
Middlesbrough Lilian Lloyd SECRETARY T: 01642 315439 St Marys Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RW. Last Tuesday of the month at 2pm. 24/06/14 My Trip to India: talk by Dee (Sunita’s daughter). 29/07/14 Weddings and Cooking: talk by Sunita. 26/08/14 The Gang Show: illustrated talk by Len.
Newcastle West Mrs E Jackson CHAIRMAN T: 0191 267 4728 Bentinck Social Club, 3-4 Bentinck Villas, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6UR. Second Wednesday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.
Sunderland and Washington Ivan Bell SECRETARY T: 0191 549 4130 Age UK, Bradbury House, Stockton Road, Sunderland SR2 7AQ. First Monday of the month from 2pm to 3.30pm. 02/06/14 Annual strawberry tea.
Whitley Bay Peter Harris MBE CHAIRMAN T: 0191 447 4066 Age UK, Centre Park Avenue, Whitley Bay NE26 2TH. Second Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12 noon plus additional outings. 15/07/14 Trip to the coast and hotel lunch.
WALES and WELSH BORDERS Caerphilly Mr Gwion Lewis TREASURER T: 029 2086 8643 E: robertgwion@talktalk.net No.2 Meeting Room, Caerphilly New Library, The Twyn, Caerphilly CF83 1JL. Second Monday of every month at 10.15am. 09/06/14 Quiz and then a meal at Wetherspoons. 14/07/14 Wild life gardening: talk by Neville Davies. 11/08/14 Meet at Ron and Cindy’s house for garden party. Transport can be arranged.
Church Stretton John Brewer SECRETARY T: 01694 722965 E: johnbrewer1@talktalk.net Mayfair Community Centre, Easthope Road, Church Stretton SY6 6BL. 10/06/14 Lunch at Origins Restaurant Shrewsbury College Catering Department at 12 noon (a joint event with Oswestry and Shrewsbury groups). 03/07/14 Visit to Shipton Hall in Corvedale: 1.30pm. 22/07/14 Picnic at Picklescott at 12.30pm. Contact the Secretary for further details. 01/08/14 Pub lunch at the Bucks Head at Church Stretton: 12.30pm.
Llanishen (Cardiff) Miss Mary Corke SECRETARY T: 029 2073 3427 Park End Presbyterian Church Hall, Rhyd-y-Penau Road, Cardiff CF23 6EE. First Tuesday of each month at 10.00am for 10.30am. 03/06/14 Cultural differences: talk by David James. 01/07/14 Trading standards: talk by Bas Diablos. 05/08/14 Orchids near and far: talk by Roy Bailey-Wood.
Ludlow Peter Waite LIAISON T: 01584 872639 E: peter.waite@dsl.pipex.com Local public houses in various venues in and around Ludlow. Third Tuesday of each month at 12.30pm.
Neath/Port Talbot Mrs E Northcott CHAIRMAN T: 01639 887851 Neath Working Mens Club, Wind Street, Neath SA11 3HA. Please note change of venue. Last Wednesday of each month at 2pm. 25/06/14 A magistrate’s work (Part 2): talk by Carolyn Wheeler. 30/07/14 Guide dogs puppy walking: talk by Mike Clifford. 27/08/14 Tea party: reminiscences.
Oswestry Ruth Haile CHAIRMAN T: 01691 650993 The Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street, Oswestry SY11 2SZ. First Tuesday of each month at 10.30am and additional events. 03/06/14 The history of Whittington Castle: talk by Sue Ellis. 01/07/14 World War 2 memories: talk by Kenneth Ballantyne. 05/08/14 Youthful sailing experiences: talk by Mike Keulemans. 12/08/14 Summer lunch (venue to be arranged).
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 August) and additional events. 03/06/14 Trip to Brecon and canals. 27/06/14 Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock: talk by Polly Davies. 25/07/14 Welsh Nicknames: humorous talk by Brian Quick.
Whitchurch (Cardiff) Mary Minty SECRETARY T: 029 2061 4445 Ararat Baptist Church, Plas Treoda Whitchurch, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF14 1PT. Second Wednesday of the month at 10am. 11/06/14 London Highlights: talk by Rosemary Scadden. 09/07/14 The William Evans Papers: talk by Don Llwellyn. 13/08/14 TBA.
Ynys Mon (Anglesey) Eric Maynard CHAIRMAN T: 01407 7146 Please contact the Chairman for venue details. Second Tuesday of each month at 12.30pm for lunch (except August). www.csrf.org.uk SUMMER 2014
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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 August).
Banbury Ann Garton SECRETARY T: 01295 750151 E: agarton@btinternet.com Hanwell Fields Community Centre, Rotary Way, Banbury OX16 1ER. Second Tuesday of each month from 2.15 to 4.15pm (except August) 10/06/14 History beneath my feet: talk by Michael Hodges with artefacts. 08/07/14 Child Labour in 19th Century Oxfordshire: talk by Liz Woolley. 28/08/14 Guided Tour of Wroxton Abbey with free time to visit the grounds.
Bedford Patricia Waters SECRETARY T: 01234 347443 The Bunyan Meeting House, Mill Street, Bedford MK40 3EU. First Tuesday of every month at 10am and additional events. 03/06/14 Coffee morning and talk on AgeUK. 06/06/14 Coach Outing to Bury St Edmunds. 01/07/14 Coffee morning and talk on the re-use centre. 21/07/14 Coach outing to Norfolk Lavender and Hunstanton. 05/08/14 Coffee morning and talk on the start of World War I. 14/08/14 Five day holiday to Worthing. 29/08/14 Coach Outing to RHS Hyde Hall.
Birmingham June Oakley CHAIRMAN T: 01952 604922 Five Ways House, Islington Row, Five Ways, Edgbaston B15 1SL. Third Wednesday of each month at 11am.
Coalville and Ashby Terry Watson CHAIRMAN T: 01530 835373 Thringstone Community Centre The Green Thringstone Coalville LE67 8NR. Third Wednesday each month from 2pm to 4pm except August 18/06/14 Working in a library: talk by Janet Gilchrist. 16/07/14 Garden party. Aug 14 Possible outing (date and venue to be arranged).
Coventry Mrs J Turner CHAIRMAN T: 024 76 465382 Room 2, Gilbert Richard Centre, Broadway, Earsldon, Coventry CV5 6NT. Third Tuesday of each month at 2.00 pm in June: no meeting in July and August
Donnington Betty Pugh CHAIRMAN T: 01952 811355 Turreff Hall, Turreff Avenue, Donnington TF2 8HG. Every Monday at 1pm (except Bank Holidays).
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard Mrs Janet Bliss SECRETARY T: 01582 661795 E: j.bliss35@btinternet.com Scout HQ, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard LU7 4SW. First Wednesday of the month at 2pm except August
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04/06/14 In a monastery garden: talk by Gordon Bell (one of our group members). Raffle and book table. 02/07/14 Theme day: Wild West jamboree. Raffle and book table. Aug 14 Annual outing (details and date to be notified).
Evesham Eric Marsh BRANCH LIAISON T: 01386 421460 Foyer of the Methodist Chapel, Bridge Street, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 4SF. Second Tuesday of each month at 10.30am for tea/coffee mornings.
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 from 10.30am to 12 noon.
Hucclecote Mrs B Arnold SECRETARY T: 01452 618069 Evangelical Church, Colwell Avenue, Hucclecote, Gloucester GL3 3LX. First Thursday of the month at 2pm. 05/06/14 Summer tea party. 03/07/14 Cider with Rosie: entertainment. 07/08/14 From the Manor House to your house: talk.
Kidderminster Pam Hussey Local Contact T: 01562 755632 Various venues in and around Kidderminster. Third Wednesday of each month at 11am (except when lunching out). 11/06/14 Lunch at The Granary at 12.30pm. 16/07/14 Coffee morning. 20/08/14 Coffee morning.
Lincoln City
Northampton Mrs Betna Bradley SECRETARY T: 01604 454501 Holy Sepulchre, Church Rooms, Church Lane, Northampton NN1 3NL. Alternate Thursday mornings at 10am.
Nottingham Pam Bradley CHAIR T: 0115 938 4676 The Mechanics, 3 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham NG1 4EZ. Second Wednesday of each month from 10.15am to 12.15pm. 11/06/14 TBC 09/07/14 ‘Been there, got the teeshirt’: talk by Glenis Quible. 13/08/14 Reflections of British Columbia: talk by Angela Plumb.
Nuneaton Rachel Homer Secretary T: 024 76 385845 E: rachel.homer@tesco.net The Sycamore Tree, 2 Chapel Street, Nuneaton CV11 5QH. First Tuesday of each month at 11am for coffee mornings.
Rutland Mrs Peggy Brown CHAIRMAN T: 01780 480314 Various locations for pub lunches in and around Rutland. Third Wednesday of each month.
Shefford Eileen Devereux CHAIRMAN T: 01462 814765 Community Hall, Ampthill Road, Shefford SG17 5BD. Third Tuesday of the month from 10am to 12 noon. 17/06/14 Oakhouse Foods. 15/07/14 Beetle drive. 19/08/14 Call My Bluff.
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 04/06/14 Coffee morning. 02/07/14 Coffee morning and Bring and buy. 06/08/14 Coffee morning.
Skegness
Louth
Sleaford and Ancaster
Mrs Margaret Bradley SECRETARY T: 01472 388928 Elizabeth Court, Church Street, Louth LN11 9BP. Second and fourth Thursday of the month at 10.30am. John Barrett SECRETARY T: 01582 519886 E: barrettjb@ntlworld.com The Chaul End Centre, 515 Dunstable Road, Luton LU4 8QN. First Monday of every month at 2pm (except Bank Holidays) .
Mike Smith Chairman T: 01526 833273 E: mjs_consultation@hotmail.com Sleaford: First Thursday of the month at 10.15am, Bristol Bowls Club, Boston Road, Sleaford NG34 7HH. Ancaster: Second Wednesday of the month from 10.15am to 12 noon, Angel Court, Ancaster, Grantham NG32 3PR. 24/06/14 Stoke Rochford House,near Grantham for a tour of the house and gardens and a formal lunch and (if required) afternoon tea. 15/07/14 Visit St Ives, lunch in St Neots, and a visit Houghton Water Mill.
Lutterworth
Solihull
Mrs J Law Chairwoman T: 01455 552141 Cricket Pavillion, Coventry Road, Lutterworth LE17 4RE Third Monday of each month at 10am
Margaret Smith SECRETARY T: 0121 744 6150 E: me.smith@talktalk.net John Palmer Hall, Union Road, Solihull B91 3DH. Second Monday of each month at 10am.
Melton Mowbray
Stamford
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
Mrs B Smith CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY T: 01780 755437 Tenter Court, Wharf Road, Stamford PE9 2EZ. Last Thursday of the month at 2.15pm.
Luton
Ray Morris SECRETARY T: 01754 762060 E: ray@bermond.co.uk Philip Grove Community Rooms, Church Road, South Skegness PE25 2HW. First Thursday of each month from 10am to 12 noon.
Wellington and Telford
Colchester
Lowestoft
Emrys Jones CHAIRMAN T: 01952 254252 E: emjones7wizard@yahoo.co.uk Belmont Community Hall, New Street, Wellington Telford TF1 1LU. First Thursday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.
Joan Gomer SECRETARY T: 01206 794656 Straight Road Community Centre, 329 Straight Road, Colchester CO2 9EF. Third Monday of each month at 2pm and additional events. 16/06/14 Sentencing in the Magistrates Court: talk by Nick Chilvers. 02/07/14 Quiz at Ipswich Group (Wednesday). 21/07/14 For better for worse: talk by Dr Jane Pearson. 18/08/14 John Betjeman: his poetry and personality: talk by Dr John Knight.
Kate McNamara TREASURER/SECRETARY T: 01502 714380 E: kate_mcn@talktalk.net Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Gordon Road, Lowestoft NR32 1DY. First (at the Victoria Hotel Kirkley Cliff Lowestoft) and third Wednesday (at Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Gordon Road, Lowestoft) of each month at 10.30am (except August).
Wigston Mrs J Collins VICE CHAIRMAN T: 0116 288 7802 The Elms Social and Ex-Service Club (formerly The Royal British Legion), Launceston Road, Wigston LE18 2BA. Second and fourth Monday of each month from 1.30 to 4pm (Bank Holidays permitting). 09/06/14 Remap: making things happen for the disabled: talk by Martin Grant. 23/06/14 River trip with lunch on board. 14/07/14 WW1 Truce: talk by Peter Cousins. 28/07/14 Leicestershire in the 1940s and 1950s: talk by David Bell. 11/08/14 Songs from the Shows: talk by Mrs Rosemary Leonard.
Croxley Green and Rickmansworth Frank Brown T: 01923 779070 E: fctbrown@btinternet.com Red Cross Centre, 1 Community Way (off Barton Way), Croxley Green WD3 3HB. Second Thursday of July at 10.15am and on first Monday of June and August for pub lunch from 12 noon.
Worcester
Harlow
Leigh Watkins SECRETARY T: 01905 774034 Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club Droitwich Road (opposite Checketts Lane) Worcester WR3 7SN. Second Wednesday of the month at 1pm. 11/06/14 My Hobbies and jewellery sale: Linda Marshall. 09/07/14 Worcestershire Remembered: talk by Ray Sturdy. Aug 14 Summer Outing to Labels and Martha Tea Gardens.
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.
EASTERN ENGLAND and EAST ANGLIA Attleborough Mrs D Parker SECRETARY T: 01953 456958 Methodist Church Hall, London Road, Attleborough NR17 2BY. Telephone 01953 456958 Third Thursday of the month from 10am to 12 noon and additional events. 18/06/14 Coach trip to Hunstanton: 1940s music hall and fish and chips. 19/06/14 Talk by Community Safety Officer. 09/07/14 Mystery coach trip. 17/07/14 Fragrances and coffee: talk. 21/08/14 Speaker from Wise Acre: Talking to members about early working years.
Aylsham and District Janet Bezant SECRETARY T: 01263 731640 E: janetbezant@btinternet.com Friends Meeting House, Pegg’s Yard, Red Lion Street, Aylsham Norfolk NR11 6ER. Second Monday of each month at 10am for 10.30am (unless it’s a Bank Holiday). 09/06/14 The Theatre Royal: talk.
Billericay Mr J R Smith T: 01277 622156 Various locations for informal lunches in and around Billericay.
Bury St Edmunds Mrs Doreen Ginn CHAIRMAN T: 01284 755256 West End Home Guard Club, Abbot Road, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3UB. Second Wednesday of each month at 10am. 11/06/14 David Perkins Captain of the QE2: talk. 09/07/14 A musical tour of the Baltic: talk by Joyce Kimber. 13/08/14 Outing and lunch.
Hertford Mrs Olive Smith CHAIRMAN T: 01992 550753 Methodist Church Hall, Ware Road, Hertford SG13 7DZ. First Monday of each month from 2pm to 4pm (except Bank Holidays) and additional events. 02/06/14 Later Life Planning: talk from solicitors. 14/06/14 Babbacombe Holiday (14 to 21 June). 07/07/14 Mudlarks: talk by Vic Hobson. 04/08/14 The Fifties: talk by Mrs Maggie Radcliffe. 13/08/14 Visit to Bury St Edmunds.
Ilford Mrs Sylvia Green SOCIAL SECRETARY T: 020 8594 5284 E: sylviagreen@rocketmail.com St Andrew’s Church Hall, The Drive, Ilford IG1 3JQ. Third Monday of the month at 1.30pm. 16/06/14 A Quiz with Catherine 21/07/14 Waste Minimisation: illustrated talk from the London Borough of Redbridge recycling outreach team. 18/08/14 A selection of games by Angela.
Ipswich Eva Stevens SECRETARY T: 01473 688040 E: evajs@yahoo.co.uk Museum Street Methodist Church Hall, Blackhorse Lane, Ipswich IP1 2EF. First Wednesday of the month at 2pm plus additional events. 04/06/14 The Suffolk Punch Trust: Chris Miller. 02/07/14 Cream tea and quiz v Colchester Group. 09/07/14 Lunch at Peak Lodge at 12.30pm. 06/08/14 Coach outing to Beth Chatto Gardens and cream tea.
Loughton Eric Adams CHAIRMAN T: 020 8508 7207 Jazz Archive Room, Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton IG10 1HD. Third Monday of each month at 2pm. 16/06/14 Social afternoon. 21/07/14 Thoughts on World War I. 18/08/14 Discussion on local current affairs.
Mildenhall Alan Benton CHAIRMAN T: 01638 715492 Mildenhall Social Club, Recreation Way, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 7HG. First Tuesday of every month from 1.30pm to 2pm. 03/06/14 Mildenhall as it was: talk by Mrs Margaret Westgate. 01/07/14 Strawberry tea. 05/08/14 Working in a garden centre: talk by Ann Leeks.
Newmarket Mike Hastings CHAIRMAN T: 01638 744005 E: michaelhastings@mypostoffice.co.uk St John Training Centre, Newmarket Hospital, Exning Road, Newmarket CB8 7JG. Second Wednesday of each month at 2.15pm. 11/06/14 CSRF Group get together: bring and share event. 09/07/14 In house entertainment with surprise tea. 13/08/14 This year’s chosen charity: talk.
Norwich 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. 09/06/14 Have you seen the Muffin Man?: talk by Mr and Mrs Worton. 14/07/14 The Red Dragon and Tylwth Teg; a Welsh experience: talk by Jon Read. 11/08/14 Quiz and bring and buy.
Radlett Mrs Shirley Herbert SECRETARY T: 020 8953 2999 Monthly at local restaurants for coffee or lunch. Further details from Secretary.
Rayleigh Mrs F Cohen SOCIAL SECRETARY T: 01702 342426 Cloister West Parish Rooms, Rayleigh Church, Rectory Garth (off Hockley Road) Rayleigh SS6 8BA. First Thursday of each month from 2pm to 4pm.
Rochford Mrs F Cohen SOCIAL SECRETARY T: 01702 342426 Parish Council Rooms, 82 West Street, Rochford SS4 1AS Third Thursday of each month from 1.45 to 3.45pm
Saffron Walden Mrs E Mansfield CHAIRPERSON T: 01279 755458 The Chequers Pub, Cambridge Road, Ugley, Bishops Stortford CM22 6HZ. Second Monday in the month around four times a year, at 12 pm for lunch.
Shoeburyness Mrs F Cohen SOCIAL SECRETARY T: 01702 342426 The Salvation Army Hall, Frobisher Road, Shoeburyness SS3 8UT. First Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm. www.csrf.org.uk SUMMER 2014
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St Albans Mrs B G Hill SECRETARY T: 01727 858198 E: barbara.hill5@ntlworld.com Friends Meeting House, Upper Lattimore Road, St Albans AL1 3UD. First Thursday of the month at 10.15am.
Stevenage and Baldock Helen Leisk SECRETARY T: 01438 355131 E: helen.leisk@firenet.uk.net United Reformed Church, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage SG1 1UL. First Thursday of every month at 2pm. 05/06/14 A nice cup of tea: talk by Margaret Rogers. 03/07/14 Strawberry tea. 07/08/14 Chicksands Priory: talk by Doreen Howe.
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 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.
Wickford Peter Blake CHAIRMAN and SECRETARY T: 01268 583060 Christchurch Hall rear of 44 High Street Wickford SS12 9AJ Second Thursday of each month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Witham Mrs P Rogers SECRETARY Tel: 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 Holy Trinity Church, Galpin Hall, Windsor Way, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 3HE. Second Thursday of every month at 1.30pm plus additional events. 02/06/14 Skegness holiday. 12/06/14 QE2 Falklands: talk by John Griffin. 10/07/14 Open day cream tea and quiz. 22/07/14 Trip to Worthing. 14/08/14 No meeting. 26/08/14 Cruise on Wey and Arun Canal.
Arun Jim Underwood TREASURER T: 01903 709033 E:grandpaopa@aol.com St Joseph’s Convent, Franciscan Way, Littlehampton BN17 6AU. Second Wednesday of each month at 2pm. Please use entrance in East Street if arriving by car. 11/06/14 Quiz organised by Chris (Committee Member) 09/07/14 Littlehampton Down Under: talk by Alan Gammon.
Ascot and Sunningdale John Cook CHAIRMAN T: 01344 429391 E: johnwgc@btinternet.com De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Park, Larch Avenue, Ascot SL5 0QE.
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Third Friday of each month at 12 noon (except August). 13/06/14 Kirstenbosch Gardens Capetown: talk by Linda Dolan (please note this is the second Friday) 18/07/14 Lights Camera Action Oops!: talk by Ian Dow.
Basingstoke David Cowling PUBLICITY OFFICER T: 01256 327806 Brookvale Village Hall, Lower Brook Street, Basingstoke RG21 7SD. First Wednesday of each month at 10am plus additional events. 04/06/14 Driving Miss Daisy: talk by Iain Kennedy. 17/06/14 Outing to Portsmouth historic dockyard (includes entry to all nine events). 02/07/14 Floriade Reflections: talk by Gordon Massie. 21/07/14 Outing to Wakehurst Place and gardens (includes entry to gardens). 06/08/14 Transplant of delight: talk by Ian Robertson. 14/08/14 Horse-drawn canal trip, Godalming (includes cream tea).
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. 10/06/14 Entertainers at war: talk by John Symonds. 08/07/14 The Algonquine wits: talk by Nick Thomas. 12/08/14 Are you sitting comfortably?: talk by Gwen Appleton.
Bournemouth: Ringwood and District
Elizabeth Leahy SECRETARY T: 01424 214042 Bexhill Sailing Club, Marina, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1LA. Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10am. 24/06/14 Quiz. 22/07/14 Life Inside: talk by John Mills. 26/08/14 TBA.
Ron Fisher CHAIRMAN T: 01202 896315 E: ronf.nottington@homecall.co.uk Greyfriars Community Centre, 44 Christ Church Road, Ringwood BH24 1DW. First Friday of each month at 10am and additional events. Pub lunches are at 12 noon for 12.30pm. Any change of venue will be announced at the preceding coffee morning, or ask the Committee. 06/06/14 Wilton House: The Russian Connection: talk by Ros Liddington. 17/06/14 Pub lunch at Inn on the Furlong, Ringwood. 04/07/14 The Tolpuddle Martyrs: talk by Mrs Anne King. 15/07/14 Pub lunch at Tyrrell’s Ford Hotel, Avon. 01/08/14 Cake sale and talk in aid of International Camping Borneo Youth Expedition. 08/08/14 Afternoon tea event (details to be announced). 19/08/14 Pub lunch at The Woolpack, Sopley.
Blandford Forum
Bournemouth: Swanage
Mrs Margaret Chambers SECRETARY T: 01258 456572 Contact Secretary or Chairman for venue details Second Friday of each month at 11am.
Bournemouth: Wimborne and Ferndown
Bexhill
Bognor Regis and Chichester Mrs Heather Olive 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. 26/06/14 Medieval medicine: talk by Mr Ullsom. 31/07/14 AGM and first birthday tea. 28/08/14 Annual summer cream tea.
Bournemouth: Boscombe and Southbourne Paul Tabor CHAIRMAN T: 01202 422493 E: paul.tabor@tesco.net St Katherine’s Church Hall, Church Road, Southbourne BH6 4AR/ First Wednesday of each month at 10am. 04/06/14 The historic buildings and wildlife of India: talk by Derek Remington. 02/07/14 East Boro Housing Trust: talk by Samantha Way. 06/08/14 Produce auction.
Bournemouth: Central Alan Carter T: 01202 292720
Bournemouth: Christchurch and Highcliffe Paul Tabor T: 01202 422493 E: paul.tabor@tesco.net
Mrs Irene Greenaway T: 01929 423394
Eric Basire T: 01202 897158 E: eric-rita@tiscali.co.uk Ferndown Village Hall, Church Road, Ferndown BH22 9ET. Third Wednesday of each month at 10.30am.
Brighton and Hove Mrs A Cobby E: saglibcob@googlemail.com Ventnor Hall, Blatchington Road, Hove BN3 3YF. First Wednesday of the month at 2.15pm
Burgess Hill Mike Mason CHAIRMAN T: 01444 245289 E: michael_mason6@hotmail.com Millfield Suite, Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill RH15 8DX. Fourth Wednesday of each month at 10am. 25/06/14 Mrs Sheila Humphries presents a programme of music and movement. 23/07/14 Members read their favourite poetry and prose. 27/08/14 Reminiscences of a retired headmistress: talk by Mrs Jean Brown.
Chandlers Ford 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. 06/06/14 My life as a tour guide: talk by Pamela Boyes. 04/07/14 Laughter is the best medicine: talk by Robin Miller. 01/08/14 Mata Hari: eye of the day: talk by Kathy McNally.
Crawley Jim Piercey CHAIRMAN T: 01293 409332 Bill Buck Room, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley RH10 6HG. Fourth Friday of the month at 2pm. 27/06/14 Summer social. 25/07/14 Coastal walks in Britain: talk by Colin Ulph. 22/08/14 Talk by police.
Emsworth and Havant Glenda Treagust CHAIRMAN T: 023 92 481699 The Pastoral Centre, 19 High Street, Emsworth, Hampshire PO10 7AQ. First Friday of each month at 10.30am.
Hastings and St Leonards John Hall CHAIRMAN T: 01424 813393 All Saints Church Hall, All Saints Street, Hastings TN34 3BG. Third Tuesday of each month from 10am to 12 noon (except August). 17/06/14 Illustrated talk by John Hall. 15/07/14 Social games morning.
Newbury Roger Walker CHAIRMAN T: 01635 44575 E: colonelrog@hotmail.com St John’s Church Room, Newtown Road, Newbury RG14, Second Monday of the month at 2.15pm. 09/06/14 Bring and buy and plant sale 07/07/14 Committee meeting 16/07/14 Annual strawberry tea party 11/08/14 The first battle of Newbury: talk by Nicolas Battle
Reading West and Tilehurst 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). 25/06/14 Royal Berkshire Hospital Museum: talk by Mr L Williams. 30/07/14 Summer buffet.
Southsea Mrs 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 August).
Stubbington 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 (meeting) and last Tuesday of each month at 10.30am (coffee morning). On the Tuesday following the Thursday meeting we have a pub lunch. On the last Thursday of the month we have lunch at a local pub and play skittles. 15/07/14 Trip to Kew Palace and Gardens (cost £33) library pick up time 9.30am. Mobility scooters are available at Kew free of charge but must be booked in advance. Contact Jim and Val Curtis (01329 663090).
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 (except in unusual circumstances when advance notice is given to our members) 05/06/14 Driving Miss Daisy: talk by Iain Kennedy. 03/07/14 The Alps: talk by Carol Watson. 07/08/14 Blue Lamp Trust Fire and Rescue Service.
Chard
Worthing
David Gardner CHAIRMAN T: 01249 658431 Rotary Hall Station Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1EG. First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (except August). 04/06/14 The Bobby Trust: talk. 02/07/14 Lakes and mountains: talk.
David Keeling CHAIRMAN T: 01903 248663 United Reformed Church Hall, Shaftesbury Avenue, Worthing BN12 4ET (just south of Durrington Railway Bridge; entrance in Barrington Road.) Third Tuesday of each month at 10am (coffee at 9.45am). 17/06/14 Bunny girl: talk by Gill Parker. 15/07/14 Brighton Toy and Model Museum: talk by Tig Savage. 19/08/14 Fun quiz: Bill Marshall.
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Amesbury Mrs Freda Hedge SECRETARY T: 01980 590499 Antrobus House, 39 Salisbury Road, Amesbury SP4 7HH. First Tuesday of the month at 2pm (unless otherwise stated) and additional events. 03/06/14 Summer bazaar. 17/06/14 Visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill. 01/07/14 How I became a speaker: talk by Marion Emery. 15/07/14 Visit to Goldenacres Garden Centre with cream tea at Bramshaw. 05/08/14 AGM. 19/08/14 Visit to Avebury Manor and gardens.
Bath Roy Burnett CHAIRMAN T: 01225 426583 St John’s Parish Hall, South Parade, Bath BA2 4AF. First Thursday of each month at 10.30am .
Bideford
Gordon Baker SECRETARY T: 01460 73333 Donyatt Bowling Club, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0RG. Third Thursday of the month at 10.30am.
Chippenham
Crediton Miss M Steer CHAIRMAN T: 01363 866256 Various venues in and around Crediton. First Friday of each month at 12 Noon for lunch when there is a trip planned. Trips are announced in the local paper. We mostly meet at The Rose and Crown, Sandford, Crediton.
Dawlish Mrs M Carter SECRETARY T: 01626 888275 The Manor House Old Town Street, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9AP. Second Friday of each month at 2pm (except July and August). 13/06/14 Cream tea on Dartmoor.
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 from 10.15am for 10.30am till around 1pm. 19/06/14 Cerne Abbas: talk by Rob Curtis. 17/07/14 Gurkhas: talk by Terry Canham. 21/08/14 Christiopher Wren’s London: talk by Bob Ayres.
Sylvia Moody t: 01237 471334 Griggs Close Community Centre, Northam, Bideford, Devon EX39 1BR. Second Friday in the month at 10.30am.
Exeter
Bradford-on-Avon
Exmouth
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 August) plus additional events. 09/06/14 Cream tea with quiz. 26/06/14 Coach outing: Sherborne Castle and gardens. 14/07/14 My journey to the weakest link: talk by Lynda Dowsett. 17/07/14 Coach outing: Bicton Park Botanical Gardens including train ride around the park. 11/08/14 Coffee morning at Fitzmaurice Place (from 10am).
Mrs Cathy Tyrrell CHAIRMAN T: 01392 879022 Contact the Chairman for further details. Carol Brett SECRETARY T: 01395 442671 Wings Club (formerly RAFA), Imperial Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1DB. First Wednesday of each month at 9.45am for coffee mornings
Liskeard and Pensilva
Brenda Smith T: 01803 559466 E: brenda54@talktalk.net Various local restaurants, usually Waterside. Usually second Thursday of the month at 12 noon.
Shirley Waye CHAIR/SECRETARY T: 01579 346089 E: shirleywaye@gmail.com Refreshment Rooms, Liskeard Public Hall, West Street, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 6BW. Last Wednesday of each month at 10am plus additional outings. 25/06/14 Summer lunch. 09/07/14 Visit to Kingsley Village, Godolphin House and supper at Britannia Inn, St Austell. 30/07/14 Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Looe Island: talk by Abby Crosbie. 13/08/14 Visit to Lee Mill/Saltram House with meal at Ploughboy Inn, Saltash. 27/08/14 Travels of Turner in the Tamar Valley: talk by Dorothy Kirk.
Burnham-on-Sea
Minehead
Mrs Joyce Beard SECRETARY/TREASURER T: 01278 782650 E: ohbejoyful2003@yahoo.co.uk Burnham Area Youth Centre, Cassis Close, Burnham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 1NN. Fourth Tuesday in each month from 10.30am (except August).
Isabel Dobson T: 01643 703199 Foxes Hotel, The Esplanade, Minehead, Devon TA24 5QP. Coffee mornings are held on the last Tuesday of the month at 10.15am; however, there will not be any in July and August.
Brixham
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Princetown
Westbury (Wiltshire)
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 plus additional events. 19/06/14 Day trip by coach - destination tbc (contact Mike the Secretary nearer the time). 13/07/14 Group Holiday to the De Vere Barony Castle, Peebles. 24/08/14 Day Trip to Trethorne Leisure Park in Cornwall for lunch. 21/08/14 Day Trip by Coach - destination tbc (contact Mike the Secretary nearer the time)
Ken Holloway CHAIRMAN T: 01373 864049 E: kenmoholloway@metronet.co.uk Paragon Hall, Haynes Road, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3HA. Third Monday of each month at 1.45pm for 2pm (except August) plus additional events. 16/06/14 The Queen’s Bodyguard: talk by Mr S McCormack. 18/06/14 Outing to Sidmouth. 21/07/14 Guide Dogs: talk by Mrs H Reed. 30/07/14 Boat Trip from Totnes to Dartmouth. 20/08/14 Outing to Bognor Regis/Chichester.
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 August) plus additional events 17/06/14 Strawberry cream tea. 24/06/14 Outing to Guildford. 15/07/14 15 Years as a TV Journalist: talk by Mrs K Warr. 22/07/14 Outing to Weymouth. 19/08/14 Annual summer fete. 26/08/14 Outing to Oxford.
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 and lunches listed below at 12.30pm. 25/06/14 Lunch at New Fountain Inn, Whimple. 23/07/14 Lunch at Devoncourt Hotel, Exmouth. 27/08/14 Lunch at Woodlands Hotel, Sidmouth.
Somerton Colin McIntyre Secretary T: 01458 223953 The Two Brewers, Leigh Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0HB. Third Tuesday of the month at 11.30am.
Tamar/Tavy (Tavistock) David Askew SECRETARY E: daveandjennyaskew@gmail.com Burrator Inn, Princetown Road, Dousland, Yelverton PL20 6NP. Second Thursday of the month at 12.30pm. 12/06/14 Life after Submarines: talk by David Tall. 10/07/14 Details to be confirmed. 12/08/14 The giving of a kidney: talk by David Hemmings.
Taunton Mick Grigg CHAIRMAN T: 01823 272046 E: mfgrigg@talktalk.net Lawns Social Club (formerly Royal British Legion Club), Mary Street, Taunton TA1 3PE. Second Friday of the month at 10.30am (if public holiday then third Friday).
Trowbridge Peter Collins SECRETARY T: 01225 340580 E: csrftrow@which.net The Old Manor Hotel, Trowle, Trowbridge BA14 8PT. First Wednesday of each month at 10.30am (Old Manor Hotel) and third Wednesday of each month at 2pm (Trowbridge Cricket Club, The County Ground, Lower Court, Trowbridge BA14 8PX).
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Westbury-on-Trym Beryl Webb Secretary T: 01454 614451 Studland Court, Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JY. First Thursday of each month at 2pm 05/06/14 Summer outing to Evesham, Burford and Gloucester 03/07/14 The Brides Boat: talk by Robert Cutts 07/08/14 No meeting
Weston-Super-Mare Alan Jackson CHAIRMAN T: 01275 858766 E: jackson-a21@sky.com Friends Meeting House, High Street,WestonSuper-Mare BS23 1JF. First and third Thursday of the month at 10am plus additional events. 05/06/14 Coffee morning. 10/06/14 Outing to Poole. 19/06/14 Coffee morning. 03/07/14 Coffee morning. 08/07/14 Mystery trip. 17/07/14 Coffee morning. 07/08/14 Coffee morning. 12/08/14 Outing to Abergavenny/Brecon. 21/08/14 Coffee morning.
Weymouth Geoff Greenstreet VICE CHAIRMAN T: 01305 832432 St Nicholas Church Buxton Road Weymouth DT4 9PJ Second Thursday of each month at 2.30pm (except August) and fourth Wednesday for coffee mornings at the Coffee Shop in the Weymouth Bay Methodist Church, Melcombe Avenue, near Green Hill (unless otherwise stated). 12/06/14 Swanage Railways: talk by Peter Foster 25/06/14 Coffee morning. 10/07/14 To be arranged. 23/07/14 Coffee morning. 14/08/14 No meeting. 27/08/14 Coffee morning.
Yate and 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. 24/06/14 Spring outing (awaiting itinerary) 22/07/14 Only count the sunny hours (sundials): talk by Cyril Routledge. 28/08/14 Summer outing (awaiting itinerary).
24/04/14 Garden party (venue TBA). 29/07/14 Summer lunch (venue TBA). 26/08/14 Coffee morning and quiz.
Beckenham Eileen Morgan CHAIRMAN T: 020 8650 8784 Beckenham Public Hall, 4 Bromley Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 5JE. First Tuesday of each month at 2pm.
Bexleyheath Brian O’Brien-Wheeler CHAIRMAN T: 020 8311 1608 St Andrews Church Hall, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath Kent DA7 5SF. First three Wednesdays in every month from1.45pm to 3.45pm (except August when the hall is closed) 04/06/14 Summer fayre. 11/06/14 Social afternoon. 18/06/14 The Dancing English: talk by Shirley Newton. 02/07/14 Quiz with friends: Alan and Elaine. 09/07/14 Birds in the garden: talk by Stuart Banks of RSPB. 16/07/14 Erith Veterans Choir.
Camberley Anne Morris CHAIRMAN T: 01344 772419 E: anne.morris@btinternet.com High Cross Church, Knoll Road, Camberley, St Johns Hall GU15 3SY. Fourth Tuesday of June at 2pm for an informal get together.
Enfield Mrs Susan Sims CHAIRMAN T: 020 8245 4723 E: susanksims@googlemail.com St Andrew’s Church Hall Silver Street Enfield EN1 3EG First Monday of the month at 10am (unless a Bank Holiday when it will be the second Monday). 02/06/14 Working River 1900-1950s: illustrated talk by John Neal. 07/07/14 How products persuade us to buy them: illustrated talk by Phil Lawder. 04/08/14 To be confirmed.
Hounslow Roy Woods CHAIRMAN T: 020 8230 5533 United Reformed Church Hall, 114 Hanworth Road, Hounslow TW3 1UF. Second Tuesday of the each month from 1.30pm to 4pm. 12/06/14 Namibia: talk and slides by Tony Leppard 08/07/14 Mexico: talk and slides by Maureen Pickering 12/08/14 Historic Houses: talk and slides by Christine Diwell
Kingston and District
LONDON and SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Mrs Jean Hall SECRETARY T: 020 8942 2309 Kingston Methodist Church Hall Avenue Road Kingston KT1 2UJ Third Tuesday of each month at 2pm 17/06/14 Charles Dickens: talk by Jonathon Jones. 15/07/14 Interviews with the Famous; Eating with the Famous: talk by Roger Hoath 19/08/14 The Crystal Palace Story: talk by Barrie McKay
Banstead and District
Leatherhead
Miss Marion Pevy SECRETARY/TREASURER T: 01737 812129 Banstead Methodist Church Hall, The Drive, Banstead Surrey SM7 1DA. Last Tuesday of each month from 10.30am to 12 noon (except June [Garden Party] and July [Summer Lunch] - venues to be announced) .
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. 06/06/14 History of Guildford Cathedral: talk by Brian Hennegan.
04/07/14 George Wheeler (killed at Passchendale): his story: talk by Gwen Hoad. 01/08/14 Fish and chips lunch (time to be announced).
London Catford and Lewisham 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 and all donations will be gratefully received. 10/06/14 Summer Social with strawberry tea. 08/07/14 Coffee morning and talk about will writing. 12/08/14 Coffee morning.
London Clapham SW4 and SW11 Miss M Farley SECRETARY T: 020 8870 7361 Staff Restaurant, 4th Floor, PCS, 160 Falcon Road, London SW11 2LN. First Thursday of each month at 10.15am.
London Croydon Dulwich and Norwood Miss M Bacon SECRETARY T: 020 8761 2158 Railway Club, Selhurst Station Approach, Selhurst SE25 5PL. Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10.30am. 24/06/14 Bingo. 22/07/14 Autumn bring and buy. 26/08/14 Being a driver for VIPs during the Olympics: talk by D Riches.
London Edmonton Mrs Sheila Lamonte CHAIRPERSON T: 020 8886 7873 Ambassador Room, Millfield House, Silver Street, London N18 1PJ. Third Monday of each month from 10am to 12 noon 16/06/14 China revisited: illustrated talk by Mr Dyke. 21/07/14 Winchcombe Hill past and present: illustrated talk by Joe Studman. 18/08/14 Game or quiz.
London Eltham Phyllis Duignan CHAIR AND 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 plus additional events. 04/06/14 Orchard Theatre Dartford to see Evita (cost £26). 16/06/14 Airedales Holiday to the Crown Hotel, Weymouth: 16 to 20 June (cost £440). 26/06/14 Coffee morning followed by a talk by Stuart Pelling of McClures (CSRF Legal Partner) on wills and power of attorney. 10/07/14 Coach Outing to Castle Farm and Lavender Harvest at Shoreham. 24/07/14 Coffee morning followed by a talk by Mr Youngs on the William Morris Red House. 07/08/14 Coach Outing to Hastings (cost £12). 28/08/14 Coffee morning followed by a talk by Lara Murphy from The Dogs Trust.
London Hendon Mr Harry Hunt SECRETARY T: 020 8202 7647 E: harrycarman@hotmail.com
Various venues for pub lunches. Contact Harry Hunt for details. First Thursday of every month at 12.30pm.
London Southbank Joy Creamer CHAIRPERSON T: 020 7407 2332 Penrose Tenants Hall, Penrose Estate, Walworth London SE17 3DX. Second Wednesday of each month at 10am.
London Stockwell SW8 and SW9 Mr D Stannard SECRETARY T: 020 7720 0982 Job Centre Plus Offices, 246 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9ST. Fourth Thursday of each month at 2pm.
London Streatham and Norbury SW16 Mrs J E Winter SECRETARY T: 020 8764 6450 The Glebe Sheltered Housing Complex, Prentis Road, London SW16 1QR. Second Tuesday of each month at 2pm. 10/06/14 Musical Bingo. 08/07/14 Strawberries and cream tea with sandwiches and homemade cakes. Cost (including entry) £3 per head. 12/08/14 The history of the Rookery Gardens and Norwood Grove and the life of the founder, Mr Covington: talk by Mrs Daphne Marchant.
Maidstone Keith Hunter CHAIRMAN T: 01622 746792 Methodist Church Centre Brewer Street Maidstone ME14 1RU Second Monday of the month at 2pm (except August). 09/06/14 Games afternoon. 14/07/14 Cream tea quiz and raffle. Day outing (to be arranged). Aug 14
North/South Harrow Mrs Doris Bending SECRETARY T: 020 8863 3240 St Albans Church Hall, Norwood Drive, North Harrow HA2 7PF. Last Tuesday 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 Win Owen CHAIR T: 01797 362598 E: winefrideowen@aol.com The Assembly Rooms, Church Approach, New Romney, Kent TN28 8AS. Second Wednesday of the month from 10am to 12 noon plus additional events. 11/06/14 Flights of fancy a world tour: talk by Eric Spear. 09/07/14 The history of capital punishment: talk by John Mills. 13/08/14 The yeoman houses of the Weald: talk by Bob Fletcher. 27/08/14 Outing to Bewl Water.
Sanderstead and Selsdon Ralph Perryman LOCAL CONTACT T: 020 8657 3487 E: ralph.peryman172@btinternet.com Selsdon Centre for the Retired (Sainsburys Supermarket), 132 Addington Road ,South Croydon CR2 8LA. Second Thursday of each month at 3pm.
South East Middlesex Mrs June Brown SECRETARY T: 020 8891 4680 E: junebrownuk@hotmail.com Various venues, dates and times. Please contact the Secretary for further details. 18/06/14 Outing to Worthing and St Mary’s House. Lunch in Worthing and an afternoon visit and tour of St Marys in Bramber. 27/08/14 Outing to Henley-on-Thames. Visit to river and Rowing Museum followed by a boat trip in the afternoon.
Staines Dorothy Dib SECRETARY T: 01784 441990 Various restaurants for lunch 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 2.00 to 3.45pm (except August) plus additaional events. 04/06/14 Outing to the Cabinet War Rooms at Whitehall. 26/06/14 Afternoon tea at Carshalton College. 30/06/14 Monthly meeting and the History of Pears Soap: talk by Andrea Cameron. 14/07/14 Outing to the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow (TBC). 28/07/14 Monthly meeting and cream tea and social afternoon. 11/08/14 Informal lunch (venue and date TBC). 20/08/14 Outing to Kenwood House (TBC).
Whitstable and Herne Bay (inc. Canterbury) Linda Swift T: 01227 276583 E: lindaswift2@sky.com Swalecliffe and Chestfield Community Centre, St Johns Road, Whitstable CT5 2QU. Fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm (except August). 26/06/14 Life with my guide dog Chloe: talk. 24/07/14 The Royal British Legion: talk.
Worcester Park Peter Tharby CHAIRMAN T: 020 8337 7423 E: petertharby@blueyonder.co.uk 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). 02/06/14 Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!: talk by Jonathan Jones the Town Crier of Farnham. 07/07/14 An afternoon with Dame Barbara Cartland and other journalistic anecdotes: talk by Roger Hoath. 04/08/14 Summer lunch (venue TBA).
NO GROUP IN YOUR AREA? Then we’d like to help you establish one. If you’d be interested in working with us to open up a new group for your area then contact David or Belinda at Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411. www.csrf.org.uk SUMMER 2014
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the last word
My
favourite things…
Actress, writer and presenter Helen Lederer has been in The Young Ones, Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders and a whole host of other productions.
1
PAINTING
‘A Corner of the Artists’s Room in Paris’ by Gwen John, a wonderful female Impressionist painter (and sister to Augustus John, who got all the glory). There is a wicker chair, a simple table, lovely light reflections; I feel I know that room from another life!
2
NOVEL
‘The Understudy’ by David Nichols. The most hilarious witty but truthful story of an understudy and his hopeless struggle to make money and keep a relationship.
3
Piece of music
Joni Mitchell ‘All I Want’, which has the most romantic yet succinct, moving lyrics.
CITY
5
FILM
‘Something’s Got To Give’ with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. It’s funny, has great chemistry, and it’s also moving, witty and modern.
QUOTATION
Mae West: “It’s not the men in my life; it’s the life in my men.”
7
COLOUR
Midnight blue. It’s restful, subtle and bright all at the same time. My garden furniture got a facelift with this colour!
London. There’s always so much to do, so living here is a process of neverending discovery. I hardly know Notting Hill, I want to find out more about east London, and I adore the South Bank.
8
ANIMAL
Labradors. I go “aw” at the way they are so playful and scrunchy. Maybe it’s the association with loo paper ads?
9
Historical Figure
Gandhi. This man did what no one else has ever managed to do: get his way using peace.
10
FLOWER
Gentian from Austria. My background is European and this is a perfect and pretty rare flower found in the Alps, which looks like a clover but is blue. Helen is supporting The Eve Appeal women’s cancer research charity.
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