Spring/Summer 2022 Fellowship News by The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

The newsletter for the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

Fellowship News SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Putting Friendship First It’s been two years since our last group focused fundraising appeal and our Chief Executive has already been out and about around the network renewing his friendships with those who run and attend group meetings. This year’s appeal aims to raise £20,000 for our fund

that provides help to those groups needing some support. You can find out more about the appeal and how to donate on page 11. Pictured above: Members of our Crewe & Nantwich helping to support the 2022 Appeal during their group meeting in March.

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee On 6th February this year Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place throughout the year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection. You can find out more online at www.royal.uk/platinum-jubilee-central-weekend

Befriending Services Impact in 2021 We saw a drop in volunteers and service users on our befriending schemes during Covid but despite that we’re pleased to report an overall increase in the number of calls and visits carried out. In 2021 we delivered

2,400

visits and calls by comparison to the 2,040 provided the year before. A big thank you to all our volunteers for their continued commitment to these very important services. If you’d like to get involved in our befriending schemes as a volunteer or would like a visit or call you can find out more on page 8.

Get Connected: we have 50 SIM Cards to giveaway thanks to Vodafone’s charities.connected initiative - find out how to apply on page 5

Chief Executive’s Message

The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Unit 11, Pepys House, Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, LONDON SE8 3EY t: 020 8691 7411 e: enquiries@csrf.org.uk w: www.csrf.org.uk 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 ©2022. Fellowship News is published by 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 The CSRF. The CSRF accepts 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.

shape of their groups. We have a busy year ahead. In addition to supporting the restarting of those services that were closed during the pandemic we have events to support raising awareness of the benefits of digital technology, the main one being a Zoom conference in June and the ongoing work on ‘attitudes to ageing’ being carried out by the Research Advisory Group. Our Board of Directors has recently begun a discussion on future strategy during which they will be looking at our current services and considering future plans and targets for what we deliver as a charity. During the course of the year, we will be sharing updates on this but if you have any thoughts you’d like to feed into the discussions then

please do send them to me either by post to Fellowship Office or by emailing: david.tickner@csrf.org.uk I hope you enjoy the issue and don’t forget, we are here to help you if and when you need us. David Tickner, Chief Executive

Assessing attitudes to Ageing

hope you all have been keeping well. I’m pleased to introduce the Spring/Summer issue of Fellowship News which includes our regular mix of news, information, useful advice, an update on our befriending schemes and group listings. Plus there are three new ‘Real Stories’ from former civil servants who have kindly shared memories of their time in the Civil Service. This issue also includes information about our 2022 Fundraising Appeal which is all about raising funds to support groups in need of financial help. I have already started a schedule of group visits around the country to promote our services and the appeal and to have an opportunity to listen to group leaders and attendees share their thoughts about the future direction and

The Research Advisory Group is a working group that was created by the CSRF’s Board of Directors to undertake some research into the views and opinions of those in the ‘Fourth Age’ (over the age of 80) and it begun its work at the end of last year. The group includes Board Directors Liz Beedie and Robert McIntyre, Chief Executive David Tickner and Professor Martin Hyde, Associate Professor of Gerontology, Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University. The group’s first phase of research was carried out by survey in the first quarter of this year and asked

participants to list their positive and negative thoughts about getting older. It took opinions from 50 people aged between 60 and 100 and will now be assessing what core themes and views have emerged from this phase before determining a more detailed next step. We would still like to hear from you (particularly if you are aged over 80) and you can use the contact information that follows to request a copy of the initial survey. If you’d like to help us with our research, you can call us to request a copy of the survey on 020 8691 7411 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

News

Two new Director posts

Following changes to our Articles of Association approved by Company Members at the 2021 Annual General Meeting two new Board Director posts have been created to represent our befriending services and later life issues. Elections will be held at this year’s Annual General Meeting in July but if you are interested in standing for either post then please contact the Chief Executive & Company Secretary at Fellowship Office to request a nomination form.

We’re pleased to confirm the date of our first Open Zoom Conference focusing on the benefits of digital technology. The seminar session will take place on Wednesday 15th June from 12noon to 2pm and will feature guest speakers from The Charity for

Join our Digital Conference in June Civil Servants, online health and fitness website, Move It or Lose It. It’s free to register, we just need your name and email address. If you’d like to register to participate, just email your name to: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

Join our Zoom Book Groups

Making a gift aid declaration

so if you’d like to get involved then give us a call on 020 8691 7411 or email: david.tickner@csrf.org.uk

Running monthly on Wednesdays and Thursdays our Zoom book groups are a great way to share your love of books with fellow reading enthusiasts. Each book club member has the chance to pick at least 2 books a year for discussion and now Covid rules have relaxed we’re planning a couple of social events during the year too. Books coming up for discussion include Pilgrims by Matthew Kneale, The Fell by Sarah Moss, The Road Home by Rose Tremain and The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. You can use Zoom whether you have a computer or a telephone

If you pay tax, then we can claim gift aid on your subscription or donation. You may already have signed a gift aid declaration form but if not, we can send you one to complete and return. You can check your status by emailing: enquiries@csrf.org.uk or calling us on 020 8691 7411.

For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

News

Reporting Scams

England & Wales REPORT: contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. ADVICE: contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or for a Welsh speaking advisor, call 0808 223 1144. Scotland REPORT: call Police Scotland on 101. ADVICE: contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000. Northern Ireland REPORT: contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or call the police on 101. ADVICE: contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

Remember, if it’s too good to be true, that’s because it generally is!! Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated and can be perpetrated by post, email, text and phone call. If you are at all concerned or worried you have been a victim of a scam you can use the following contacts to report it:

Bereavement Advice from Marie Curie If you are looking for bereavement advice, don’t forget we have a collaborative working partnership with Marie Curie. They are the UK’s leading end of life charity and provide frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying,

death and bereavement. They also offer practical information and support on all aspects of life with terminal illness, dying and bereavement. For more information you can call 0800 090 2309 or visit www. mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/ companies/csrf

If you get a scam text You can report spam texts directly to your mobile phone provider. All operators now use 7726 as the short code to report spam texts, which is free of charge.

If you get a scam email Forward the email to report@ phishing.gov.uk. It will go to the National Cyber Security Centre - they might be able to stop other people being scammed.

Discounts on Theatre Take advantage of the whole range of discounts on theatre tickets in London by signing up to our Theatre Club. You will receive a monthly e-newsletter from WestEnd Theatre (who run the service) and their bulletins highlight offers available on many shows and you can book online securely via their website. Please note: this service is online only. For more information visit www.westendtheatre.com/club/csrf

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Free Connectivity GI VEAWAY from Vodafone

Remembering Keith

We recently applied to Vodafone’s new ‘charities. connected’ initiative and received 50 SIM cards to giveaway to help tackle digital exclusion in later life. These are Pay As You Go SIMS that come with 20GB data plus unlimited calls and texts each month for a period of six months (activated on use). The Vodafone ‘charities.connected’ initiative is part of its commitment to tackle

digital exclusion and connect one million people by the end of 2022. We are offering these SIMS to those of you who may not be online to help you improve your connectivity and digital skills. You can apply for one of the 50 SIM Cards by contacting Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 to request an application form. They will be distributed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Discover Living Memories online Dubbed “Netflix for Seniors”, Living Memories Online brings memories back to life through archive films and newsreels from the 20th Century capturing everyday life at home and work as well as important national events. It’s been launched by Living Memories C.I.C., a not-for-profit social enterprise, to reduce isolation and help improve the health and wellbeing of older people. As well as sparking memories, the old films encourage elderly people, including those with dementia, to reminisce with families, friends and carers.For a

monthly subscription of just £5, individuals, care homes and other organisations can search for films by decade, topic (such as home, travel and work) and subject (eg. fashion, shopping, cars). For more information call 01297 552358 or visit https:// livingmemories.imagencloud.com

We’re sorry to report the recent death of Keith Hunter who was Chair of the Maidstone Group and a Company Member for many years. Keith joined the CSRF thirty years ago and was a much-loved member of our community. He attended our national Annual General Meetings in Coventry and London for many years and will be remembered for his outgoing and friendly nature.

Tax Help for Older People Tax Help for Older People operates across the UK from their office based near Bridport in Dorset, assisted by a team of staff along with a national network of 420 tax volunteers across the UK. Their volunteers give their time and expertise free of charge because they recognise how difficult the tax system can be for older people who can’t afford professional advice, and they want to use their skills to benefit the community; most of them are currently practising or retired tax professionals, including retired HM Revenue and Customs staff. You can find out more about this service by calling 01308 488066 or by visiting their website https://taxvol.org.uk/

For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Caring support from The Charity for Civil Servants

News

Why not become a Local Representative?

The Charity for Civil Servants supports all retired civil servants throughout their lives, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support. In partnership with Dementia UK, the Charity provides a support service that offers specialist advice, information and support for people with specific conditions, and their carers. The Charity may also be able to help those with caring responsibilities in other ways, including support for additional costs that are incurred due to caring responsibilities, such as transport, fuel, equipment, respite breaks and technology.

Although we still have groups running in many different parts of the country, we’d like to expand our local footprint by recruiting a new army of local CSRF representatives. The new volunteers would be our local contact in areas where we don’t have groups operating and could be the conduit for informal social activities such as a monthly lunch club, book group or social

The Society of Later Life Advisers

For more information and to apply for help and advice visit https://foryoubyyou.org. uk/ or alternatively call the freephone number 0800 056 2424 to speak, in confidence, to one of their trained advisors.

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activity (although that would be determined by demand locally). We would list the contacts on our website under the area they are based and include them in future issues of Fellowship News. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a representative for your area, then you can give us a ring on 020 8691 7411 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

We have recently signed up as an Affiliate Member of the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA). SOLLA was established in 2008 as a not for profit organisation dedicated to higher standards and accessibility to regulated financial advice for older people and their families. There are no shareholders and any profit is used to sustain the Society and its objectives. You can use the search facility on their website to locate a SOLLA approved Later Life Adviser near you. For more information visit https:// societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk/

Consumer Advice

Digital Voice and the landline phone switch off: what does it mean for you? Did you know that by the end of 2025 the UK’s telephone network is going digital and the old copper network will be switched off? According to a survey undertaken in March 2021 91% were unaware that all phone lines would become digital by the end of 2025. You may have already been contacted by your telephone provider about how and if anything will change for you but if not, we’ve turned to Consumer advice experts Which? who have kindly agreed we can share their overview of the key points to keep in mind. What is Digital Voice? Digital voice services are the future of landlines – they work using broadband connections rather than copper phone lines. Digital Voice is the name BT, the UK’s biggest landline provider, uses for its digital voice service. You may also hear digital voice services referred to as ‘VoIP’, ‘IP voice’ and other branded versions such as ‘Sky Voice’ or ‘TalkTalk Voice’. How do digital voice services work? Digital phone services work using as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – the same technology behind popular services such as FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp. Your provider might also call it IP voice. What if I don’t have or want a broadband connection? Those who currently only have a landline won’t be forced to pay for broadband services that they don’t want or need. Their digital phone

service will work using a special dedicated broadband connection and shouldn’t cost any more than what they pay now. BT has made a specific commitment to telecoms regulator Ofcom that its customers will pay the same amount, and Virgin Media says its voice-only customers will get the hub necessary for its digital phone services at no additional cost. Do digital voice services work if there’s a power cut? A positive aspect of analogue phone services is that they continue to work in a power outage. That’s not true of digital services. For many, a lack of a landline won’t be too much of a concern, as 98% of British adults have a mobile phone. If you call 999, it doesn’t matter which provider you’re signed up to, your mobile phone will connect to whichever network is available. But those who don’t have access to a mobile phone must not be left without a way to seek help in an emergency. Landline/broadband providers are responsible for additional protections to ensure customers can reach emergency services. Will telecare devices still work with digital phone lines? In some cases, yes. The industry has been planning for the switchover. Taking Care, the UK’s largest private provider of personal alarms, told us the success of the digital switchover depends on telecare providers

testing that their devices are compatible with digital services and working with customers to ensure they’re set up correctly. Tunstall, a major telecare developer, has audited its equipment and planned a strategy to identify devices that won’t continue to work. Some existing devices will continue to work using a digital phone service, but others will need to be replaced. What should I do about my telecare device? If you or a relative are concerned about the impact of the move to digital phone lines on your telecare device, it’s worth contacting the provider – usually either a local authority or a private provider – to check whether the device will still work with a digital landline. Larger providers are likely to know which devices won’t work using digital phone services and have been planning around this. You might also want to let your telecoms provider know you have a device dependent on the landline – they may defer migrating you to digital services to allow you the time to confirm that the device will continue to work. Ofcom has also made it a requirement for telecoms providers to identify people who are reliant on their landline and provide them with a free back-up option in case there’s a power outage.

More Information You can read more about Digital Voice online at www.which.co.uk/reviews/ broadband/article/digitalvoice-and-the-landline-phoneswitch-off-what-it-means-foryou-aPSOH8k1i6Vv - Which? You can join Which? for £2.99 for the first month and then £9.99 a month or £99 a year (this is for full access online and to receive Which? Magazine monthly at home) – for more information visit www.which.co.uk or call the Customer Service centre on 029 2267 0000

For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Befriending Services

Here for You Our three befriending schemes provide friendship by telephone, home visit or by letter

Help us to put friendship first

We are looking to recruit new volunteer befrienders to join our home visiting scheme. All befrienders are subject to a DBS Check and training before being admitted to the scheme and we reimburse reasonable expenses for the undertaking of home visits. Whilst we are happy to welcome interest from anyone wanting to volunteer, we are particularly looking for people who could undertake home visits to service users in the following areas: Bristol, Bournemouth, Chesterfield, Edinburgh, Evesham, Norwich and Slough.

Do you live in these areas and fancy a home visit? We have several trained volunteer befrienders who are currently not visiting anyone so if you live in Abergavenny, Haywards Heath, Nottingham or Paisley and would like a home visit you can contact us to request a registration form or complete and return the response form opposite.

Pen Pal Scheme

This scheme attracted quite a few expressions of interest when we announced it last issue and since then we’ve matched up quite a few pen pals who are already enjoying corresponding with each other. So if you’d like to register for the scheme just give us a call to request a registration form or complete and return the response form opposite.

You can find out more about all our Befriending schemes online at www.csrf.org.uk or by calling 020 8691 7411 or by email to befriending@csrf.org.uk

BEFRIENDING SERVICES INTEREST FORM You can use this form to register your interest in our befriending services – please clearly indicate which service you are interested in by ticking the relevant box. Return the completed form to: The CSRF, Unit 11, Pepys House, Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, London SE8 3EY. On receipt we will contact you directly to progress your enquiry.

Befriending Services (Please clearly tick the box (es) relevant to your enquiry) I am interested in volunteering for the home visiting service I am interested in volunteering for the telephone befriending service I am interested in receiving a visit from the home visiting service I am interested in receiving a call on the telephone befriending service I am interested in becoming a Pen Pal

Name: Address:

Post Code: Tel Number: Email: For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Fundraising

How you can help us Donate to our 2022 Appeal

This year’s appeal is raising funds to support our local community groups and our target is £20k. You can donate using the form opposite or online at www.csrf.org.uk

Donation platform Giveasyoulive gives access to thousands of online retailers who will make a free donation to us every time you shop! You can register and nominate us as your chosen charity and each time you shop online just go through the platform and they’ll do the rest. Find out more online at www.giveasyoulive.com/join/csrf

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If you shop on Amazon, you can switch your profile to an ‘AmazonSmile’ account (at no cost) and by nominating the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship as your chosen charity we’ll receive a donation from Amazon every time you shop! Find out more online at https://smile.amazon.co.uk

We still have some supplies of our Limited-Edition blank notelets that are available for sale. Each set is priced at £5 and includes 5 different travel pictures. You can order sets by using the form on the page opposite or you can order online via the Shop section of our website at www.csrf.org.uk

Buy some CSRF Notelets

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IMAGES: john jennings / denisse leon / pawel czerwinski / brooke lark

There are many ways you can help support the services we provide – here are four for your consideration

MAKE A DONATION Please use this form to make a donation and/or order some CSRF notelets. General Donation

CSRF Notelets (£5 per set)

Indicate the number of sets you want

Return the completed form including your donation to: The CSRF, Unit 11, Pepys House, Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, LONDON SE8 3EY Cheques should be made payable to ‘The CSRF’. Alternatively you can make a donation online at www.csrf.org.uk

Please accept my gift of:

CSRF Notelets (£5 a set)

£5 £10 £20 £50 £250 Other £ £100 How would you like us to acknowledge your donation? By Post By Email I do not wish to receive an acknowledgement We are extremely grateful for all donations we receive; you can help us save money by ticking the box to opt not to receive an acknowledgment

We still have a supply of limited edition notelets available for sale. Each set has five blank cards & envelopes and feature travel images. Please use the box above to indicate how many sets you would like to order. Price includes post & package.

Name: Address:

Post Code: Tel Number: Email:

Set up a Direct Debit If you would like to make a regular donation you can do so by setting up a direct debit. This can be done via our website, www.csrf.org.uk by clicking on the ‘donate’ button and then ‘make a regular payment’. Or if you would prefer you can request a direct debit form by ringing Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

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

Real Stories

Memories of Marchwood Mrs M Evans shares her memories of her time in the Civil Service

started my Civil Service career in Employment Officer, who, after Glasgow at the Lowland District, reading my army discharge book, in Spring 1954. I was in married told me there was a post I could quarters at Maryhill Barracks, my fill, but, as the Admin Officer Lt husband was away on the 6-week Col Pike, was on leave, he could NATO scheme and I was bored not appoint me but that I could stiff. I saw an advert for a job at ‘fill in’ as a cleaner at the Royal HQLD and went for it. I had left the Engineers Driving School, until WRAC when I married in October Col Pike returned. It was more ‘tea 1953, having served 3 years as lady’ than cleaner – those sappers an intelligence clerk, in the UK were a thirsty lot. and Singapore, and had About a fortnight later, been positively vetted, I was making tea, yet and I was accepted again, when a ‘runner’ My husband straightaway. For the arrived, and I was next 3 weeks, I happily summoned to Col was away on the set off daily, enjoying Pike’s office. He 6-week NATO being back in the read through my scheme and I was swing of things. discharge book, bored stiff Then my husband said “you’ll do”, and came home – when he took me through to the found I had a job, he was Chief Clerk’s office, where livid - “no wife of mine needs to I stayed – never to return to work” he said, so, reluctantly, I REDS – am: cleaner, pm: clerical had to resign. I spent the next 20+ assistant. years as a “married pad”, raising My husband was more amenable a family in the UK and Germany, this time around – we had just back to England in 1968. purchased our own home, and The kids were all at school, cash was a bit tight. and once again, I was bored, In the meantime, my husband mentioning this to my GP, he told was promoted again and came me to get a job. I had heard on back to Marchwood as RQMS. As the “grapevine” that Port Admin often happens in army offices, Square at Marchwood were people used to ‘sit’ on files so looking for staff. My husband had one could never find them, so just been posted to Longmore, and I instituted a system of signing was only home at the weekends. them out (with full approval of Off I went to the Civilian the Chief Clerk). My husbands’

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civilian clerk was most annoyed and complained bitterly, but the system remained. Col. Pike encouraged me to sit the C.O exam, saying “I’ve got a nice little job for you, when you pass”. The “nice little job” never materialised, as my posting came through for the DHSS Legal Aid Assessment Office in Southampton. This caused great hilarity amongst the army lads, comments like “silence in the court” and “all rise” flew around the office. In October 1970, I started at Legal Aid. To reach the office by 9 I had to leave Hythe at 7:45am, catching a bus which went round all the villages. A neighbour said “why don’t you go on the ferry?”, I gave it a go, 15 minutes from Hythe to Town Quay, Southampton, a brisk walk to the office – total travelling time 35

Pictures: Marchwood Military Port is a military port located in Marchwood, Southampton

minutes. In 1977, we decided to move to Kidderminster, so another different job – supplementary benefit. Our office dealt with a lot of ‘travellers’, I picked up the phone one morning to hear a barrage of expletives from the Matriarch of the local encampment. When she eventually paused for breath, I said “I’m not paid to listen to such filthy language” and put the phone down on her. Five minutes later the phone rang again, my E.O answering this time. “She wants to speak to you” she said, passing me her phone I took the call, with trepidation, ready to plonk it down again. She didn’t swear, she apologised. Ever after that she would ask to speak to “that feisty woman”. The opportunity arose to return to Legal Aid, in Birmingham, which

I accepted with alacrity. I think the training period was 13 weeks, but after 3 weeks the training officer said “you know as much about this job as I do” so I found myself on a section. The other two trainees had to do the full 13 weeks. The manager decided to have a reshuffle and I found myself on the business section, my E.O was one of the girls who I’d been in training with, and who later became my daughter-in-law. I left the Civil Service in August, 1982, to care for an elderly aunt. Legal Aid was about to be computerised, and although I had passed my E.O. exam, blood is thicker than water. I have found that when dealing with a government office, slipping into the conversation that you’ve been their side of the desk is a great advantage.

Talk to us If you would like to share your memories of working in the Civil Service, then we would love to hear from you – you can send your story to us as a letter (write to the address shown on Page 2) or email to: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Real Stories

Civil Service Recollections Malcolm Rowlands was inspired by Joyce Neville’s story in the last edition to ‘mine his memory’ about his time in the Civil Service

left school in 1959 part-way that the Army was divided up into through “A” levels. My father, a Regiments and Corps. I have only a quarry labourer, was immensely vague recollection of why I chose proud that all his four children the Paras. I seem to remember a went to Grammar School. I left rather fetching poster on the wall, with six “O” levels including maths portraying some very dashing and English. On the maths paper characters in red berets. And the I was quite proud to get the little recruiting sergeant muttered “t” suffix indicating that I had something about extra pay, and passed the optional trigonometry a much better chance of serving paper. However, in all honesty I abroad, which I found appealing. was a very poor academic pupil. So, joining the Paras was not a In the final couple of years, I was profoundly thought-out decision; I far more interested in bunking just drifted into it. off school with a couple of mates My initial enlistment in the army to go fishing, shooting, playing was for three years and intended snooker or roaming the hills. only to buy time in making a more Others may have been more long-term career choice. But at fortunate, but at no stage of my the end of three years no such life can I claim to have had a clear inspiration had befallen. I was vision of what I wanted to do. And enjoying service in 1 Para in the this most certainly applied Persian Gulf, so I simply when I was a teenager. signed on for another So, the idea was to three years. I left buy a bit of time by the regular army My initial enlistment joining the Army. on marriage but in the army was for After a couple of continued with three years and intended years, I thought, I Territorial Army only to buy time in might be visited (TA) service in the by an inspiration Paras and later making a more of what career path the Royal Army long-term career would suit me longerOrdnance Corps. I choice. term. My father was found that the Civil aghast at this intention, Service encouraged TA and we did not speak for years. service and was very generous Having decided to join, it rather and accommodating with special came as news to me, on attending leave. I enjoyed all my army the recruiting office at Wrexham, service and retired from the TA as

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a lieutenant colonel. On leaving the regular army I joined the Civil Service. My modest “O” levels got me in as a Clerical Officer. School certificates would probably be equivalent to a university degree nowadays. Anyway, 1966 saw me working on sickness benefit claims at the Ministry of Pensions office in Aldershot. At the time, a Clerical Officer might expect to serve seven years before getting a shot at an Executive Officer board. But because of my military service, I was entitled to take the special Civil Service exams limited to ex-servicemen. This comprised eight papers spread over two days and I did some intensive nightschool cramming beforehand. I don’t know whether it is still the practice, but I received the results in a booklet containing the marks in each paper for every candidate in the country. About a hundred candidates passed nationally, and I was a respectable half-way up the list. But of every single pass candidate, mine was the very lowest score for what I think was called the intelligence or psychometric paper. I just scraped 50% anything below which would have been a total failure. It must be a flaw in the hard-wiring of whatever passes for my brain, but

I never have been able to get my head round these match-stick men, dominoes and shapes puzzles. But the bottom line was that I achieved promotion from CO to EO in one year rather than seven. On promotion I was posted to the Supplementary Benefits office at the Elephant and Castle in London. It was a grim and tough locality and staff turnover was very high. I was the senior EO within a few months. I there began to specialise in fraud and liability of relatives work and spent much time, including Saturday mornings, in Tower Bridge Magistrates Court. I later returned to Aldershot, as an EO fraud and liability of relatives officer and found court proceedings rather more civilised there. On promotion to HEO, I was posted to regional office as a staff trainer. Whilst at the Elephant and Castle I used to volunteer for the occasional weekend shift at Camberwell Reception Centre. I found the experience fascinating. So, when I saw an advert for the post of HEO manager at the DHSS Reception and Re-establishment Centre at Newbury, I lost no time in applying. I was likely successful because no-one else wanted the job. It proved to be the most interesting and rewarding job I ever had. If I could take only one of eight or more employments to a desert island, it would be this one. No longer in existence, they were broadly successors to the old workhouses, providing casual accommodation for vagrants. It had 100 or so beds and around 20 staff. In those days, the mid 70s, most of the casuals and residents were ex-servicemen, as were most of the staff, whose attitude was invariably “There but for the grace of God go I”. I found that I

Principal, I was seconded for three years to the newly established Mental Health Act Commission. I was its first Secretary and Viscount Colville of Culross QC its first Chairman. Our backgrounds being so different I was naturally a little apprehensive on meeting him, but I needn’t have worried. He was a perfect example of “noblesse oblige”, couldn’t have been more affable, and it helped that we shared a similar sense of humour. Lengthy secondments can be a mistake: you have no job to return to, are forgotten and any promises will have been made by people long gone. So, I took the plunge of leaving the Civil Service and setting up as a self-employed internal auditor. It worked out well, but not as I had For an aimless, envisaged. For an aimless, unstructured and totally unstructured and plan-free individual I totally planhave been extraordinarily Above: Malcolm free individual lucky. I owe a huge debt Rowlands I have been of gratitude to the army pictured (right) extraordinarily and the Civil Service at RAF Changi, lucky. I owe a huge Singapore, 1960. debt of gratitude to the army and the Civil Service. I have not been had walked into an establishment unemployed for a single day and I more like the army than the army can count days of sickness on the was. fingers of one hand. Of course, this On promotion to SEO, I joined will be largely through the luck of audit. Incidents of staff fraud good health, but there is also an were investigated by a “special attitude factor involved. investigation” conducted by On the subject of decades, I will two HEOs. I was already on the not be alone amongst readers in regional panel before joining wondering where all the years audit. Cases mostly related to have gone. The photo shown travel and subsistence frauds, here was taken at RAF Changi, which became boring after a while. Singapore, 62 years ago when I But some of the more complicated was 18. We (I’m on the right) were staff finance and benefits waiting to board a Hastings for a manipulation frauds were very jump onto a sandy beach up the interesting. coast of Malaya. When I was promoted to Happy days. For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Real Stories

A Diverse Career Margaret Cole, chairperson of Weston-Super-Mare group, talks to us about her diverse career working in the Civil Service

argaret started her Civil Service career in the District Valuer Office as a valuation officer before working in the Department of Work and Pensions, where she began as an admin assistant and impressively left as an Executive Officer. Before all this, she finished up college at 17 years old, turning eighteen that August prior to her first job working in the Civil Service which began with her working on all of the copies of all the properties sold in a huge copier room. It was around this time that they were planning the building

of the M5 motorway. This involved compulsory purchases, mapping, planning, evaluating – knowing all the details of the area and eventually a team of referencers in the office to go out and measure the rate. A team of men was being negotiated but Margaret loved this kind of work, however at just 18 years old, being under twenty-one meant that if she really wanted to go, she would not only have to ask her boss, but she would also have to have permission all the way from London at the head office. Margaret knew that this was work she would enjoy, and work she

In recognition of her hard work during lockdown, Margaret was presented with a Certificate of Merit by Chief Executive David Tickner during his visit to the group in March 2022

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wanted to do, and so when I asked her if she tried to get the permission to go, she happily answered “of course I did! I wanted to do it, so I got it!” Even at just 18 years old, Margaret had already begun her career as someone who sought out work that she knew they would like and would work hard to get it. Margaret was determined in her work and her curiosity to learn – which provided her with new experiences along the way. One was

four weeks before her wedding day, and she had been sent on a Building Constructing course in London where she had never been before, and when she got to Paddington station, standing at the top of the escalators, she found herself ground at a halt for what felt like ten minutes as she took in all that was around her - which she can still remember being filled with that bewildered, wonder-filled feeling that when she looked down - it was as though the underground escalator stretched for “miles and miles” ahead of her. She then stayed in a B&B that was assigned for civil servants, that was run by “a lovely lady” who Margaret remembers speaking to and was very glad that she did, as when telling her about her chosen honeymoon location, the lady warned her that the place they had booked had recently been burned down – Margaret says that there was no other way for her and her husband to find out such information unless they called and asked following this conversation, and so had Margaret not been the friendly person that she was, she never would have known! Margaret told me this as she says it shows the way that you had to plan and find out information before the internet made such things instant and accessible – and I think that Margaret’s way with people proves that good communication and connection skills will always get you far. From October 1970 until 1978, Margaret’s new job and next adventure was raising her first baby. When Margaret returned to the Civil Service, this time she took on a role in the Social Security Office Department of Work and Pensions. Progression in equal opportunities for women was not great, and it was assumed that working mothers such as Margaret who had a 5 and 6-year-old at home were ‘unreliable’. However, she soon proved that this outdated way of thinking was the only thing that was unreliable – and following her Easter break (the only

Margaret found herself in time off she took), they had learned London early on in her career what an asset she was to the team when she was sent on a building and she was welcomed back with a constructing course well-deserved promotion. Following this, she had a series of various responsibilities from writing giro checks (300 a day!) to shares these memories, it is clear working on supplementary benefits she did work that she enjoyed and income support and working and dedicated herself to this at the Liable relatives office child work and enjoyed it because she support agency – which was part enjoys speaking and connecting of the social security office. She with others. Her approach to had created a Civil Service career work was simple, “I always treat for herself that was full of others the way I would like variety – a visiting officer to be treated. That’s my for social security, philosophy anyway and visits to people in I never judged anyone, I always treat witness protection, I would never do others the way visits to the Women’s that.” I would like to be refuge, appearing in Throughout treated. court talking to the lockdown Margaret magistrate and judges looked after her in various courts all over group and she and her the UK, researching DNA husband emailed and rung in these cases - which meant everyone to see how they are occasionally having to inform – and these are the gestures that someone about a child they didn’t no one will forget when lockdown know they had (one time in a paying is fully over – the people who maintenance case, a man broke reached out and let you know they into the offices and wrote ‘angel of were there. Margaret says she has death’ on their door for making him always enjoyed that connection, pay it!), to escorting people to court, and believed she was always a working in the job centre and even good reader of people and enjoys arranging the Happy 100th Birthday speaking to them. As we all emerge cards that get sent from the Queen! from the restrictions of the last two Margaret’s career was years, we’re sure she will continue impressively diverse and required to lead and support her group in a variety of skills - and when she every way she can.

HELP US TO SPREAD SOME

FRIENDSHIP

Do you have some time to give? We’re looking for volunteers to act as local CSRF representatives in areas where we don’t have an active group. So if you’d like to help us in your community we’d love to hear from you. You can find out where we have groups running in the listing section that follows this advert and you can find out more in the news item on Page 6 for more information.

Find out how you can volunteer by calling 0800 160 1075 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

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Group Information

Local Group Listings

Almost all our groups are back ‘post pandemic restrictions’ and are offering a whole range of activities for you to enjoy including trips out, friendship lunches, guest speakers and picnics. If the group is not showing a specific programme here then you can get in touch with the listed contact for find out what they have planned. If your area does not have a listed group and you’d be interested in starting something up, then give us a call or email: david.tickner@csrf.org.uk – we’d be pleased to hear from you.

SCOTLAND Edinburgh

Belfast

Liz Beedie Chair/Secretary T: 0131 229 7422 St Johns Cafe, Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4BJ Third Tuesday of each month at 2pm (except January (Winter Lunch) and September (Summer Lunch – no meetings in August or December)). We run gentle walks throughout the year and meet at Lakeland, corner of George Street/Hanover Street at 1.30pm on the first Friday of each month (except May & August). Organiser: Francis Valentine (Tel: 0131 228 3243). 19 Apr Coffee/Tea at Mercure Hotel 06 May ‘Day Away’ to North Berwick 17 May Coffee/Tea at Mercure Hotel 03 Jun Friday Walk 21 Jun Summer Picnic, Princes St Gardens, 2pm Meet near the Norwegian Stone (West Garden) 05 Aug ‘Day Away’ (destination tbc) 20 Sept Summer Lunch (venue tbc)

Miss Wynne O’Neill Secretary T: 028 9067 1157 Mcelhinney Room The Pavillion Stormont Estate Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3TA First Monday of each month at 2.00pm (except June, July and August)

Highland

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

Lisburn Mrs R Hope Secretary T: 028 9268 3610 Bridge Community Centre 50 Railway Street Lisburn County Antrim BT28 1XP Second Monday of each month at 2.30pm (except Jul & Aug)

NORTH OF ENGLAND Crewe & Nantwich

Horsforth, Rawdon & District Mrs M J Taylor T: 0113 267 8110 margaret_taylor7@icloud.com We meet in different local hostelries for lunch. Please contact Mrs Taylor for more details. We are a friendly group and new members are always welcome The last Tuesday in the month at 12.30pm (except December)

WALES AND WELSH BORDERS Caerphilly

Mrs Linda Leach, Tel: 01873 881022 E: brian_leach253@btinternet.com No.2 Meeting Room Caerphilly New Library The Twyn Caerphilly CF83 1JL Second Monday of every month at 10.15am (except Aug)

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

Mr M Fox Chairman T: 01270 650265 Wells Green Methodist Church Hall Brookland Avenue Wistaston Crewe CW2 8EJ First Tuesday of each month at 2pm

Church Stretton

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

NORTHERN IRELAND

Gateshead

Llandudno

Mrs M Turner Chairman T: 0191 431 1527 Gateshead Community Fire Station Dryden Road Low Fell Gateshead NE9 5BU First Thursday of the month at 10am to 12 noon

Mrs Beryl Rennie Assistant Secretary T: 01492 876238 Queens Hotel, Llandudno, LL30 2LE First Tuesday of the month at 10.30am. On the Third Tuesday of most months the group enjoys a pub lunch followed by a walk – the details of which are decided at the previous meeting

Banbridge

Margaret Hassan Secretary T:07884 073401 E: hassanmargaret@yahoo.co.uk Bannside Presbyterian Church Hall 21 Castlewellan Road Banbridge BT32 4AX First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (No meetings in July or Aug)

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

For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Neath & Port Talbot

Coalville & Ashby

Mr W Pugh Chairperson T: 01792 864299 The Mayor’s Parlour The Old Town Hall Church Place Neath SA11 3LL Last Wednesday of each month at 2pm 27 Apr My Career in the Police Force: Kenneth Jones 25 May A Musical Afternoon: Reverend Clive Williams 29 Jun Afternoon Tea at ‘Fine China’ in Neath, 1.30pm

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

Oswestry Mrs J Stokes Chairman T: 01691 654380 The Wynnstay Hotel Church Street Oswestry SY11 2SZ First Tuesday of each month at 10.30am 03 May Talk: Town Crier 07 Jun Talk: Air Ambulance 05 Jul Talk: Period Costumes 02 Aug Talk: A humorous history of Hats 06 Sept Quiz 04 Oct Talk: Myths, Mentor & Misdemeanours

Swansea Mrs S Edgell Chairman/Secretary T: 01792 851125 E: sylviaedgell@btinternet.com The Coastline Café, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN First Wednesday of each month at 1pm 04 May Lunch & Coffee 01 June Lunch & Coffee 06 July Lunch & Coffee 03 Aug Lunch & Coffee 07 Sept Lunch & Coffee 05 Oct Lunch & Coffee

MIDDLE ENGLAND Banbury

Mrs S Atherton Chairperson T: 01295 252304 Hanwell Fields Community Centre Rotary Way Banbury OX16 1ER Second Thursday of each month at 2.30pm 12 May Thames Air Ambulance 09 June Rags to Riches to giving it all away by Jeremy Holmes 14 July Lunch Cruise on the Countess of Evesham, Stratford Upon Avon 11 Aug Cream Tea in the Garden (more details contact Chair Person) 08 Sept Tea, Coffee & Chocolate. How we all fell in love with Caffeine by Melanie King

Gloucester/Hucclecote Mrs J Neale, Chairman T: 01452 506949 Christchurch, Heron Way, Abbeydale, Gloucester GL4 5EQ First Thursday of the month at 2pm 05 May Great Western Air Ambulance 02 Jun Summer Party 07 Jul Mercy Ships 04 Aug A Botswana Safari

Nuneaton Rachel Homer Secretary T: 024 76 385845 E: homer351@btinternet.com Tea & Chat Café, 2 Chapel Sreet, Nuneaton CV11 5QH First Tuesday of each month at 11am for coffee mornings

Sleaford & Ancaster Mike Smith Chairman T: 01526 833273 E: mjs_consultation@hotmail.com Bristol Bowls Club Boston Road Sleaford NG34 7HH First Thursday of the month from 10am-12noon 05 May Social Meeting followed by lunch 02 Jun Social Meeting followed by lunch 07 Jul Social Meeting followed by lunch 04 Aug Social Meeting followed by lunch 01 Sept Social Meeting followed by lunch 06 Oct Social Meeting followed by lunch

Worcester Helen Connelly Chair T: 01905 830451 Perdiswell Young Peoples’ Leisure Club Droitwich Road (opposite Checketts Lane) Worcester WR3 7SN Second Wednesday of the month at 1pm (except Aug) 11 May Tea & Biscuits and a chat 08 Jun Tea & Biscuits and a chat 13 Jul Tea & Biscuits and a chat 14 Sept Tea & Biscuits and a chat

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EASTERN ENGLAND & EAST ANGLIA Colchester

Joan Gomer Secretary T: 01206 794656 Hythe Community Centre, 1 Ventura Drive, Colchester CO1 2FE Third Monday of each month at 2pm (except December) 16 May Alfredo Simenauer-His Story: Stewart Seymour 20 Jun The Music of Bertha Wilmott: Fred Pearce 18 Jul Poetry Please: Joan Gomer 15 Aug Cream Tea (venue tbc) 19 Sept Games Afternoon: Fred Pearce

Ipswich Eva Stevens Secretary T: 01473 841441 E: evajs@yahoo.co.uk Museum Street Methodist Church Hall Blackhorse Lane Ipswich IP1 2EF First Wednesday of the month at 2pm 04 May Meeting 08 Jun Meeting 06 Jul Meeting 03 Aug Meeting 07 Sept Meeting 05 Oct Meeting

Lowestoft Mike Chester T: 01502 476629 E: mikewc10@gmail.com Victoria Hotel Kirkley Cliff Lowestoft NR33 0BZ 1st Wednesday of the month at 10.30am Occasional social events throughout the year – contact the Contact for more information

Norwich Mary Weatherhead Secretary T: 01603 410821 The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich NR2 1BH Second Monday of each month at 10.30am 09 May Coffee Morning 13 Jun Coffee Morning 11 Jul Coffee Morning 08 Aug Coffee Morning 12 Sept Coffee Morning

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

Swaffham

Bexhill & Hastings

David Moore Chairman T: 01760 723740 Meeting at various local locations – contact the Chairman for more information Third Tuesday of the month at 10.15am

Elizabeth Leahy Secretary T: 01424 214042 Bexhill Sailing Club Marina Bexhill-onsea TN40 1LA Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10am 26 Apr Quiz 24 May Commonwealth War Graves: talk by David Hatherill 28 Jun A Life in Education: talk by Malcolm Pratt 26 Jul Quiz 23 Aug Bexhill Caring Community: talk by Jackie Haggerty 27 Sept Bexhill 1920 (100 Years): talk by David Hatherill

Wickford Peter Blake Chairman & Secretary T: 01268 583060 For more information on meetings call the Chairman We meet informally during the year

SOUTHERN ENGLAND Ascot & Sunningdale

Maureen Browne Secretary T: 01344 626494 E: chris_browne@lineone.net Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Sunninghill, Ascot SL5 0AJ Third Friday of each month at 12 noon to 4pm (No meeting in August) 22 Apr Taxing Times: Colin Coombs (Followed by AGM) 20 May Coaches & Coachhorns: Colin Pawson 24 Jun The Story of Tea: Dananjaya Silva 15 Jul Gardening the World: Official CWGC Speaker 16 Sept Literary & Artistic Footprints in the Thames Valley: Nicholas Brazil

Basingstoke Tony Brazier Secretary T: 01256 418770 E: bjmapbr@ntlworld.com Brookvale Community Association Hall Lower Brook Street Basingstoke RG21 7SD First Wednesday of each month at 10am. 28 Apr Afternoon Tea at BCoT 04 May Putting Your Best Foot Forward (Terri Reid) 12 May Trip to Hatfield House 01 Jun An Entertaining Talk (Mel Rees) 16 Jun Thames Cruise from Runnymede (includes lunch) 06 Jul Life in Care – a lighthearted presentation (ABLE Care) 14 Jul Trip to Hever Castle 03 Aug Romance, Riches and Retribution (Steve Harra) 25 Aug New Forest Tour includes Lunch 07 Sept Tales of the Unexpected (Alan Copland) 15 Sept Trip to Amberley Museum

02 Jun Garden Therapy for the Handicapped - talk by Thrive 07 Jul Talk by Local Police 04 Aug Castles in the Air - Talk by Mr N Brazil 01 Sept Talk by Local Air Ambulance 06 Oct Tour of Jungfrau Switzerland - talk by Carol Watson

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Bradford-on-Avon

Les Mondry-Flesch Vice Chairman E: jmondry12@gmail.com Ad hoc social gatherings around the New Forest area - for more information contact the Vice Chair

Mr M Wickham Secretary T: 01225 864541, 07368 222 088 E: lindamorgan1975@sky.com United Reformed Church Hall St. Margarets Street Bradford-on-avon BA15 1DD 04 May Trip - Wells (incl Market) 09 May TBC 13 Jun Platinum Jubilee Cream Tea 23 June Trip - TBC 11 Jul Street Pastor: talk by Jennie Noakes 20 Jul Trip - TBC 08 Aug Scam Awareness: talk by Karen Arter 12 Sept Bath World Heritage: talk by Barry Gilbertson 10 Oct Fish & Chips plus Quiz

Portsmouth & Southsea

Chippenham

Michael Barrow, Chairman/Secretary T: 023 928 29552 E: m.barrow4@ntlworld.com St. Simon’s Church Hall Waverley Road Southsea PO5 2PW Second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am and fourth Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm (except Aug)

David Gardner Chairman T: 01249 658431 Chippenham Museum 10 Market Place Chippenham SN15 3HF First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (except Aug) 04 May Beauty & the Beast: talk by Bob Rogers 01 Jun Project Gambia (preschool): talk by Anka Bew 06 Jul Artists with April Fool: talk by April Barlow

Mid Sussex Keith Sullens Chairman T: 01444 233288 E: sullenskeith@gmail. com The Hassocks Room The King’s Centre Victoria Road Burgess Hill RH15 9LR Fourth Wednesday of each month from 2-4pm

New Forest

Stubbington Peter Stilwell Secretary T: 023 92 527346 Catholic Church Hall Bells Lane Stubbington Hampshire PO14 2PL Second Thursday of each month at 2pm (except April)

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 05 May Windsor Castle - Mr L Groot

Dawlish Margaret Carter Chair T: 01626 888275 Lunches at various local locations – contact the Chairman for more information

Liskeard & Pensilva Pam Ford Chair Tel: 01579 349147 Liskeard Public Hall (the Long Room) West Street Liskeard Cornwall PL14 6BW Last Wednesday of each month at 10am

For information on all the CSRF’s services visit www.csrf.org.uk

Princetown Mike Fitzpatrick Secretary T: 01822 890799 E: mikeandkate132@gmail.com Prince Of Wales Hotel Tavistock Road Princetown PL20 6QF First Thursday of the month at 12.30pm 21 Apr Coach Trip (tba) 05 May Meeting 19 May Coach Trip & Lunch (tba) 16 Jun Coach Trip & Lunch (tba) 21 Jul Coach Trip & Lunch (tba) 18 Aug Coach Trip & Lunch (tba) 15 Sept Coach Trip & Lunch (tba) 06 Oct Wartime Memories in Devon: talk by Joice Reith

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

Sidmouth Margaret Adams Chair T: 01395 577622 Woodlands Hotel, Station Road, Sidmouth EX10 8HG Second Wednesday of each month at 10.25am and lunches listed as follows (12 for 12.30pm) 27 Apr Lunch at Belmont Hotel, Sidmouth EX10 8RX 11 May Coffee Morning, Woodlands Hotel

Tamar/Tavy (Tavistock) Shirley Banks Treasurer T: 01752 769586, shirley.banks@talktalk.net Yelverton Golf Club, Golf Links Rd, Yelverton PL20 6BN Second Thursday of the month at 12.30pm

Trowbridge Sue Arnold Secretary T: 01225 761627 E: suearnoldwfh@blueyonder.co.uk 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at The Wiltshire Yeoman, Chilmark Road, Trowbridge. BA14 9DD at 10.30am (It is advised to call to confirm the group is on) 20 Apr Coffee Morning 04 May Coffee Morning 18 May Coffee Morning 01 Jun Coffee Morning 15 Jun Coffee Morning 06 Jun Coffee Morning

13 Jul Cream tea at a member’s home (Date may change but it will be a summer event) 20 Jul Coffee Morning 03 Aug Coffee Morning 17 Aug Coffee Morning 07 Aug Coffee Morning 21 Sept Coffee Morning

Westbury (Wiltshire) Mr W Clark Chairman T: 01373 822892 Paragon Hall Haynes Road Westbury Wiltshire BA13 3HA Third Monday of each month at 1.45pm for 2pm 20 Apr Mystery Tour 25 Apr Speaker (Entertainment, Moveable Memories) 16 May Speaker (Rosie Evitte, North in a Camper) 18 May Trip to Poole 15 June Trip to Sidmouth 20 June Speaker (The Eagle has Landed, Bob Rogers) 18 July Speaker (Rural India, Sarah Buttenshaw) 20 July Trip to Lynton & Lynmouth 17 Aug Trip to Torquay & Brixham 19 Sept Speaker (Meditation, Jackie James) 21 Sept Trip to Weymouth & Portland

Westbury-On-Trym Mr P McKenna Secretary T: 0117 950 2059 Studland Court Henleaze Road Henleaze BS9 4JY First Thursday of each month at 2pm (no meeting in Aug)

Weston-super-Mare Margaret Cole Chairperson T: 01934 514309 E: margaretcole@btinternet.com Friends Meeting House High Street Weston-super-Mare BS23 1JF First and third Thursday of the month at 10am as well as outings shown here 21 Apr Coffee Morning 05 May Coffee Morning 10 May Outing: Barnstaple 19 May Coffee Morning 02 Jun Coffee Morning 14 Jun Outing: Poole 16 Jun Coffee Morning 07 Jul Coffee Morning 12 Jul Outing: Lynmouth

F E LLOW S H I P N E W S S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 2

21 Jul Coffee Morning 02 Aug Outing: Sidmouth (Folk Festival) 18 Aug Coffee Morning 01 Sept Coffee Morning 13 Sept Outing: Mystery Tour 15 Sept Coffee Morning

Weymouth Geoff Greenstreet Secretary T: 01305 832432. E: geoff.marion@btinternet.com Weymouth Bay Methodist Church, 23 Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, DT4 7TH Fourth Wednesday for Coffee mornings at 10.30am 27 Apr Coffee Morning 25 May Coffee Morning 22 Jun Coffee Morning 27 Jul Coffee Morning 24 Aug Coffee Morning 25 Sept Coffee Morning

Yate & District Val Gannaway Treasurer T: 01454 317968 Yate Parish Hall Station Road Yate BS37 4PQ Fourth Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm-4.30pm. December meeting 1-5pm 26 Apr Annual Lunch at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club 24 May 100 Years of Bristol Operatic Society - talk by Peter Lamb 28 Jun Trip to Burnham on Sea 26 Jul Clouds Roll By - talk by Terry Merrett-Smith August No Meeting 27 Sept They Wanted to Live in Bristol - talk by Cyril Routley

LONDON & SOUTH EAST ENGLAND Enfield

Mrs Sue Simms Chair T: 020 8245 4723 The Jolly Farmers, 2 Enfield Road, Enfield EN2 7QS First Monday of the month at 12 noon (1st Tuesday if a Bank Holiday) 03 May Lunch 06 Jun Lunch 04 Jul Lunch 01 Aug Lunch 05 Sept Lunch 03 Oct Lunch

Hounslow Jane Cocking Secretary T:020 8568 6159 United Reformed Church Hall 114 Hanworth Road Hounslow TW3 1UF Second Tuesday of the each month 1.30pm for 2pm 10 May Surprise Package - Talk by Michael Peacock 14 June Platinum Tea

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

Leatherhead & District 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 May Meeting 03 Jun Meeting 01 Jul Summer Lunch Venue: tbc 05 Aug Garden Party Venue: Chair’s house (more info tbc) 02 Sept Meeting 07 Oct Meeting

London - Catford & 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 - all donations will be gratefully received. 10 May Coffee Morning 14 Jun Jubilee Strawberry Tea 12 Jul Coffee Morning 09 Aug Coffee Morning 13 Sept Coffee Morning

London – Croydon, Dulwich & Norwood Hilary Waterhouse Secretary T: 020 8239 9814 E: hilary.waterhouse@virginmedia.com Railway Club Selhurst Station Approach Selhurst SE25 5PL Fourth Thursday of each month at 10.30am (not December) 26 Apr AGM

24 May Hoy 21 Jun Quiz 26 Jul Talk on moths and Butterflies 23 Aug Hoy or Beetle 20 Sept Talk on the battle of Waterloo

Maidstone

London - East & South West Essex

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

Neil Keskar Treasurer T: 020 8531 5461 The Great Spoon of Ilford, 114-116 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG2 4LZ Third Monday of the month at 2pm 16 May Group Meeting 20 Jun Group Meeting 18 Jul Group Meeting 15 Aug Group Meeting 19 Sept Group Meeting

London - Eltham Phyllis Duignan Chair/Treasurer T: 020 8265 0810 E: phyllis.duignan@gmail.com United Reformed Church Sherard Hall Court Road Eltham SE9 5AD Fourth Thursday of each month from 10am to 12 noon 28 Apr Coffee Morning & talk by Jennie Randell on ‘The Crooked Billet’ 09-13 May Airedale Holiday to Mansion Lions Hotel, Eastbourne 26 May Coffee Morning & talk by Caroline Halfpenny on ‘Sensational Plants’ 09 Jun Coach Outing to Whitstable, Kent 23 Jun Coffee Morning & talk by Alan Payne on ‘The Story behind your Cuppa’ 14 Jul Coach Outing to Hastings, East Sussex 28 Jul Coffee Morning & talk by Keith Lawrey on ‘The Mitford Sisters’ 11 Aug Coach Outing to Rye, East Sussex 25 Aug Coffee Morning & talk by Steve Hookins on ‘Bits that don’t fit’ 12-18 Sept Airedale Holiday to Hotel Victoria, Great Yarmouth 22 Sept Coffee Morning & talk by John Mills on ‘How Our Commmunities have changed’

Yvonne Morgan Vice Chair T: 01634 362644 Methodist Church Centre Brewer Street Maidstone ME14 1RU Second Monday of the month at 2pm

Sanderstead & Selsdon

Richmond & Twickenham Philip Blow Secretary T: 020 8748 7477 E: p.blow1@btinternet.com Various venues in and around Twickenham. Please contact the Secretary for further details.

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

Sutton Hazel Hoare Secretary & Social Secretary Tl: 020 8642 8328 E: hazel-hoare@hotmail.co.uk Friends Meeting House, 10 Cedar Road, Sutton SM2 5DA Last Monday of the month at 1.45 3.30pm (except August and December.)

Worcester Park John Wright Secretary T: 020 8337 8965 E: johnandglenisw@gmail.com Old Malden Scout Hall 411 Malden Road Worcester Park KT4 7NY First Monday each month from 2pm to 4pm (if the first Monday is a Bank Holiday then meeting will be held on the second Monday) 09 May From Ministry to ministry: talk by Revd Theresa Ricketts (Vicar of St Mary Cuddingham) 06 Jun British Artists and World War 1: talk by Carol Harris 04 Jul “I’ve been snapping on the railroad, all the live long day: talk by Roger Bricknell 01 Aug Summer Lunch (more details tba) 05 Sept Annual Visit from Handbell ringer Sandra Winter 03 Oct Talk by Kent/Surrey/Sussex Air Ambulance Service