Spring/Summer 2023 - Fellowship News

Volunteers Together

Befrienders from our home visiting, telephone befriending and pen pal schemes came together last month for our first Befrienders Conference that was held at Woodland Grange in Leamington Spa. The 24-hour event included workshops on volunteer experiences, how to boost recruitment and encourage more beneficiaries to sign up to the schemes. The guest speaker, who joined the conference via video link,

was our very own Board Director Dr Martin Hyde who delivered an interesting talk on the ‘Benefits of Inter-generationality’. The event was co-hosted by our Board Director for Befriending Services, Gillian Smyth and Deputy Chief Executive Denise Headley with support provided by Office & Services Support Administrator Michela Ferrari and our regular office volunteer Jean Anderson.

Our Impact in 2022

Despite still dealing with post-Covid challenges we are pleased to report a better than anticipated impact for our charitable services. Our befrienders delivered

2,300 calls and home visits in 2022 (by comparison to 2,400 in 2021). After a two year break due to Covid we recorded the average monthly attendance across our group network as well. Last year,

728 people per month enjoyed the benefits of attending groups (by comparison to 1,423 in 2019, although the number of operating groups was higher then). Our advice/signposting line also continued to be used, with the team at Fellowship Office handling

220 calls and enquiries throughout the year.

Running for Friendship

To help support this year’s fundraising activities, our Chief Executive David Tickner has signed up to complete the Virtual London Marathon which involves completing 26.2 miles in 24 hours on the day of the main London

Marathon (Sunday April 23rd). David will be jogging, running, walking and exercise biking the distance for this year’s Virtual London Marathon wearing a pig onesie. All the funds raised will go directly to support the CSRF’s charitable services. You can use the form on Page 7 to make a donation.

Charlie, George & Covid - how a guide dog handled the pandemic - page 12

Chief Executive’s Message

Iam very pleased to introduce the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Fellowship News.

As you read this issue, the Civil Service will be celebrating the first ‘Civil Service Charities & Partners week’. This is a promotion of the work and services of the three civil service welfare bodies (us, the Charity for Civil Servants and CSSC Sports & Leisure). The campaign has enabled us to provide information and case studies that highlight the services we provide for former civil servants. These have been provided as digital assets to Cabinet Office and Civil Service HR who have sent them to all the internal communications leads across departments. The idea being that during the campaign week all departments will post content

about the work of the Civil Service charities on their departmental intranets.

Nothing has been done like this before and we will be monitoring the impact the campaign has on our services, subscriptions and donations very closely.

Finally, I’d like to say thanks to everyone involved in the first Befrienders Conference that took place at the end of March in Leamington Spa. Our befriending schemes provide companionship for those within our community who would like some contact by telephone, home visit or letter. The conference provided an opportunity to share experiences and consider some of the challenges we face with the delivery of these services such as volunteer recruitment and the use of

the schemes by our beneficiaries.

I hope you enjoy the issue and as usual, if you’d to share your thoughts, write in with a story or want to comment on any content you can email: david.tickner@csrf. org.uk or write to me at Fellowship Office (address below).

David Tickner, Chief Executive

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

©2023. 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.

A big thank you to the Boundless Foundation

We are delighted to be one of the charities picked by the Boundless Foundation again in 2023. Launched in 2016, the Boundless Foundation has so far raised £150,000 for previous charity partners thanks to the generous support and fundraising efforts of its members. Each week Boundless members can pay £1 to play the Boundless Foundation lottery for a chance

to win prizes. All funds raised go directly to the Boundless Foundation and are distributed to its chosen charities.

Our Chief Executive David Tickner visited Boundless headquarters earlier in the year to collect a rather ‘large’ cheque for the £5,000 donation for 2022 and thank Boundless Chief Executive Colin Slinn for the support.

Adopt A Piggy

Those of you who have been members of our community for a long time might remember this little chap....Piggles was a Stress Pig who debuted initially on the CSRF’s stand at Civil Service Live 2011 and proved very popular with delegates. Two other versions of Piggles followed in 2013 and 2015 (complete with gold glasses to celebrate the CSRF’s Golden anniversary). Recently come out of retirement to support David’s Virtual London Marathon challenge we are offering you the opportunity to adopt your own Piggles for £5 and enter our summer travel photo competition to win one of our three cash prizes.

To Order

Complete the form on page 7 and send with your payment. Details of the competition will be enclosed when we send you your piggy.

Piggles Pic Competition

We’re offering three prizes (£100, £50 and £25) for the most imaginative ‘travel’ shot of Piggles. Pictures can submitted as digital images or original photo and the top three will be judged by our Civil Service Champion, Dame Elizabeth Gardiner. All entries need to be received via email to enquiries@csrf.org.uk or to Fellowship Office no later than Thursday 31st August.

We are looking for your views on retirement

Our new Working Group on pre/post-retirement is keen to hear from as many members of the CSRF community about what you remember about your preparations for retirement from the Civil Service. Did you attend a course or seminar and if so what did you think about it? Were there subjects or topics you would have liked to learnt more about. Any thoughts or views you’d be willing to share would be very useful to the Working group - you can email us directly using the

enquiries@csrf.org.uk email address or send your thoughts as a letter and post to the Fellowship Office address on page 2.

Making a gift aid declaration

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.

Book Winners

Congratulations to Mr N J Lilley, Mr M Paling, Mrs A Viney, Mrs J Jennings and Miss J de Trafford who were the winners of our book giveaway in the last issue. They all received a copy of India Uniform Nine by Mark Perlstrom. Our thanks to Icon Books for kindly providing the free copies.

Spotting Scams

Sadly, there continue to be an ever-increasing number of scams. Consumer advice experts Which? offer some useful tips to help you spot possible scams which we have shared with you here.

Have you been contacted out of the blue?

Cold calls or unexpected emails or messages should raise suspicion, especially if you’re asked to give personal or payment details. It’s very unusual for legitimate organisations to contact you and ask for sensitive information if you’re not expecting them to. If you’re not 100% convinced about the identity of the caller, hang up and contact the company directly.

Have you been asked to share personal details? Never share your personal details with anyone if you can’t confirm they are who they say they are. Phone scammers will often try and get valuable personal data from you, and they can use this to steal your

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

money, or even to use your identity to use fraudulently.

Are the contact details vague? Scam websites often have vague contact details can be a PO box, premium rate number (starting ‘09’) or a mobile number. If anything goes wrong, it’s important you can contact those involved. This will be difficult if you don’t have accurate contact information. Premium rate numbers are also a favoured trick for squeezing every penny they can out of you.

Are you being asked to keep it secret?

It’s important you can discuss any agreements with your friends, family or advisors. Asking you to keep quiet is a way to keep you away from the advice and support you need in making a decision.

Is the offer too good to be true? Scams will often promise high returns for very little financial commitment. They may even say that a deal is too good to miss.

Use your common sense, if a deal is too good to be true, it inevitably is.

Have you experienced a scam?

If you want to share your experiences of a scam for us to circulate to others you can write to us using the address on page 2 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

© MARKUS WINKLER

Ready for Friendship?

Last year our volunteer befrienders provided 2,300 calls and visits to members of our community looking for some friendship. We have a number of available befrienders who are ready to be matched up to make home visits. If you’d like a home visit and live in one of the areas shown here, you can register your interest using the form on page 8.

• Bridgwater

• Coventry

• Rugby

• Cardiff

Board Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy on our Board of Directors for a candidate from within the CSRF community to represent our local group network. Currently, board meetings take place four times a year via Zoom (which is accessible via telephone or video). If you are interested in finding out more about the nomination process and/or the role you can contact the Chief Executive and Company Secretary David Tickner for a confidential chat by calling 020 8691 7411 or email: david.tickner@csrf.og.uk

SIM Card giveaway from Vodafone

We still have some SIM Cards available to give away from Vodafone’s ‘charities.connected’ which aims 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). You can apply for a SIM Card by contacting Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 to request an application form.

Regulated financial advice for older people

We are pleased to maintain our Affiliate Membership of the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA). SOLLA was established in 2008 as a not-forprofit 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/

Visiting the Chamber of Curiosities

The Surgeons’ Hall Museum in Edinburgh was the location for another ‘Recording Memories’ exercise last month.

Since being launched by the Research Advisory Group last year, our Recording Memories work stream has been gradually gaining momentum. Following a pilot event in London’s Science Museum in Autumn 2022, members of the Edinburgh group supported the initiative last month with a visit to the Surgeons’ Hall Museum.

The Museum has over 25,000 artefacts, including wet and dry specimens, surgical instruments and personal ephemera. It is a treasure house of medical history stored within a purposebuilt museum building and supported by one of the greatest medical libraries in Europe.

Although the demand to use specimens in the College’s examinations

has declined, the research uses have widened. The collection is now used for forensic anthropology, DNA research and the study of human anatomy. Its uses also extend beyond science as it regularly attracts artists who draw the human body.

Group Members enjoyed a self-guided tour of the History of Surgery Museum and Anatomy Lab that included a range of sensory exhibits (to test smell) and a video theatre about the history of surgery. Highlights included a section on Joseph Lister and Antisepsis, James Young Simpson and Chloroform and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who modelled Sherlock Holmes on Dr Joseph Bell, one of his medical school professors.

Following the tour, members shared their experiences at Café 1505 (next to the Museum). One (who had been Blue Badge guide after being a civil servant) remembered taking groups of doctors around the museum forty years ago. Another recalled that the first successful kidney transplant in the world had taken place there around 1957 by Sir Michael Woodruff.

Further Recording Memories exercises are in the process of being arranged but if you are interested in participating in a future activity please contact Fellowship Office with your contact details.

Below: Board Director and Edinburgh Group Chair Liz Beedie (pictured centre in pink) with Edinburgh Group members at the Surgeons Hall Museum

It is a treasure house of medical history stored within a purposebuilt museum

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 Adopt a Piggy Indicate the number of piggies 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

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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

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Set up a Direct Debit

If you would like to a make a regular donation you can do using our direct debit processing platform which is provided by Go Cardless. You can visit the CSRF website, www.csrf.org.uk and then click the ‘donate’ button and then select ‘make a regular payment’. Alternatively you can contact Fellowship Office to request a dedicated web link to create a direct debit mandate.

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.

MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS

Please use this form to register your interest in our befriending schemes

We run three national befriending services that provide a contact for someone wanting some companionship. The service is delivered by volunteers who are all DBS Checked and engage with our service users by telephone, home visit or letter. If you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved, tick the box (es) below and we’ll contact you on receipt of this form

Home Visiting Service Volunteer Service User

Telephone Friendship Service Volunteer Service User

Pen Pal Scheme Volunteer Service User

I know someone who might benefit from a visit or call (use the space below to give us some more details – all information received is treated confidentially)

NAME:

ADDRESS:

POST CODE:

EMAIL:

TEL NUMBER:

Hello Jane

Our group network was the rock on which the CSRF was built over 55 years ago and although our group footprint has reduced it nonetheless remains a service enjoyed by many member of our community. Group Leader Jane Duffy was recently interviewed by our communications agency, Lark to provide some content for the first Civil Service Charities and Partners week. The campaign, run by Cabinet Office and Civil Service HR aims to raise awareness of the work of the three civil service welfare bodies (us, the Charity for Civil Servants and CSSC Sports & Leisure) across all departments.

What brought you to the civil service?

I grew up in a household of civil servants. My dad was in the Ministry of Defence during war times and my mother did the exams in later life. But still, it was a surprise that I ended up a civil servant myself.

I was in Africa with the church and didn’t come back to the UK until I was in my late 50s. So I was actually only with the civil service for about three and a half years. I’m a retired teacher, I was a teacher longer than I was a civil servant. But it’s wonderful that whether you’ve been a civil servant for three weeks or 30 years, you’re always a part of the fellowship.

I retired 16 years ago. I remember it well, because it was my 60th birthday.

How did you find out about the CSRF?

I applied before I retired, and joined the local group a couple of months after I left. I got co-opted onto the committee, and after a number of years became chair of my local activity group.

Who joins your group?

We’ve got a mixture of all ages,

from 60s to 90s, and walks of life. The CSRF has moved with the times, so we’re not just an insular group for retired civil servants. We’re open to the community.

What do you get up to?

Supporting the charity is supporting your own future.

It’s a national fellowship that we all belong to.

We’re a small group who meet for coffee mornings and a bit of chit-chat. People can be involved as much or as little as they want. It’s changed over the years, and since lockdown. We organise coach trips when we can, and are looking into visiting Catford theatre soon. We also have guest speakers, but also have our own members tell us about places they’ve travelled to or what they’ve been up to.

We share our own experiences too. Like when the Queen died, we were all talking about our memories of her coronation

and any royal meetings.

What do you value most about the CSRF?

The support. I can remember all the years ago, my mother we got a lot of support from the charity as a family. And it was the same when my father died, I had really nice people getting in touch with me. So that’s why for me it brings me a little smile that I ended up a civil servant, and now a chair for the CSRF.

There’s a huge feeling of camaraderie. Everyone’s there to support each other, and the charity supports our little group of friends too.

The Catford & Lewisham group on the second Tuesday of the month at 10am to find out more you can contact Jane using the information shown in the group listing section that starts on page 19.

Hello Alex and Valerie

One of our newest befriending volunteers is Alex from Ireland, now living in Surrey. Picking up the phone on the other end in Enfield, North London, is Valerie. Housebound and with no access to the internet, Valerie relies on a landline and letterbox to stay connected to the outside world. She’s had a pen pal for the past year, and Valerie now has fortnightly calls with Alex to look forward to. We talked to them both.

What do you/ did you do for the civil service?

A: Right now, I’m actually a project manager in construction, but everyone can get involved with the CSRF.

V: I worked with the tax people: tax collectors at Inland Revenue. I did other jobs too before that, in hospitals, charities and education. I retired from the civil service 26 years ago now. You don’t realise how

much being at work means until you’ve left.

How did you hear about the CSRF?

A: I found out about the befriending scheme on my local government website. I’ve always done a bit of volunteering, but I was looking for something specifically around loneliness. My mum had a

bad stroke years ago, and is now in a care home in Ireland. She’s only quite young, but seeing her experience of loneliness made me realise I could do more to help someone – even if it’s just a conversation.

V: A friend of mine retired from the civil service and said he was going

You don’t realise how much being at work means until you’ve left.

to the activity groups. I knew other people who went too, so I joined that.

Do you enjoy your fortnightly phone calls?

A: Valerie’s a very interesting person. Our conversation’s been very easy without any gaps to fill. And I don’t stop talking anyway – I even talk in my sleep! So I like talking on the phone, especially when there’s a good conversation to be had. We’re only on our second call, but both times we’ve been on the phone for an hour, so I think we’re going to be OK!

V: Yes, very much. And I have a historian as a pen pal – history’s my subject – so that’s been a really nice match. I’m used to writing more than telephoning, but it’s lovely to receive a phone call – as long as it’s not from British Gas.

What’s it like to form a friendship with someone from a different generation?

A: I find it fascinating. She told me she reads three or four different newspapers a day. It’s nuts. I couldn’t tell you the last time I picked up a newspaper, it’s all on my phone. It’s a completely different world. Valerie still has an encyclopaedia and reads it daily! She goes back to it all the time. I haven’t seen one of those in about 20 years.

V: It’s a different world, and it’s a good world because it’s young. These young chaps take the time to talk to me. I talk about the war, I don’t know if it’s interesting or not! For me, they’re the same age that any grandchildren would have been. Other people talk about their children and grandchildren, and that seems to fill their life. So if, like me, you don’t have those relationships, there’s a gap. I get grown up grandchildren, just like that!

Right: Alex, our newest befriending volunteer

What do you value most from the befriending service?

A: Truthfully, it’s the feeling of appreciation. After each call, I know I’ve done something good with my time, rather than just watching TV. You can help someone who could be feeling lonely. That’s the reason why I love it. At the end of our last call Valerie said “thank you so much, you’ve really made my day”. A simple one hour conversation can change someone’s week.

V: When you reach a certain age, it’s hard for you to get outside. It’s very important to have contact with people outside. Talking to these volunteers brings life into your life.

Would you recommend the experience to other civil servants?

A: 100%. And I already have. Not only is it a good thing to do and really enjoyable, especially with Valerie. But the scheme itself, in terms of the support the charity gives, has been literally unbelievable. If I need something they’re there. You don’t realise how much of a difference it can make to someone’s life. I knew I’d probably like being a befriender with the CSRF, but I didn’t realise I’d enjoy it this much.

V: Absolutely. Whether you’re writing or speaking on the telephone, having regular contact is very rewarding. It’s a very long day when you’re by yourself. Very pleasantly, having a phone or letter buddy fills your time in the day, when otherwise you wouldn’t see or hear from anyone. They become like family.

If you’d like to find out how to get involved with our befriending schemes either as a volunteer or a service user, complete and return the form on page 8 or give us a call on 020 8691 7411 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

Not only is it a good thing to do and really enjoyable, especially with Valerie.

Charlie, Covid and George

CSRF Befriender George Robson wrote this beautifully touching story to reflect on his experiences as a partially sighted man during Covid.

This is the story of how Covid affected the daily lives of George (one of our volunteer befrienders), a partially sighted man whose sight is deteriorating and Charlie, his guide dog. His story has been published as a book by Hammond House Publishing and all proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support Guide Dogs. George has very kindly agreed that we can reproduce an excerpt from his book to share with you.

Two years ago, Covid changed lives, claimed many lives and left thousands grieving after families and friends lost their nearest and dearest. Like millions of people worldwide we had to lock down because of my extreme vulnerability. When I said we, I meant me and my best friend Charlie who is my faithful friend, my guide dog.

Charlie a black Labrador, is now six years old and has been my eyes for just over four years. I am his second owner, his first didn’t gel with Charlie. On realising this Guide Dogs fostered and retained him. From the onset we hit it off. We walked three miles a day, had at least three coach trips a year, Charlie made friends everywhere he went.

The Covid lockdown in

Britain affected everyone in a traumatic way. At first my guide dog and I enjoyed the lack of cars on the roads but as the days turned to weeks and months the strain was beginning to show. My guide dog enjoyed the peace and solitude but it became apparent that Charlie was becoming more withdrawn. I was determined

to keep Charlie’s routines as normal as possible. We walked everywhere but after a few weeks he stopped working.

The Covid lockdown in Britain affected everyone in a traumatic way

Charlie got to the point where he became almost listless, no zest for going out and very withdrawn. Eventually he wouldn’t go out on the harness or on the lead. It upset to see Charlie isolate himself from everything he enjoyed. Speaking to guide dog trainers and welfare advisers I learned that guide dogs countrywide were enduring the same difficulties. At the start of one week, Charlie didn’t want to go out even in the front garden. This impacted on me too because I couldn’t go out without him.

As the country began to gradually unlock there were still many enforced restrictions on us. Face mask was still mandatory, social distancing was enforced in shops and anywhere else that involved queuing. I was advised that guide dogs like Charlie might not adapt to social distancing. Our first visit to our local Co-Op proved challenging when Charlie stopped dead and led me out of the store as he is trained not to cross yellow and black tape. Eventually, when the

tape was replaced by blue stickers this became an easier task.

The second wave of Covid had even more devastating effects than the first for both Charlie and I. His world shrunk very quickly and almost overnight he refused to work. I tried gentle coaxing and treats but nothing seemed to work and taking him for walks ceased. I was given all sorts of advice but nothing worked and then I had volunteers from church to help. Everyday a volunteer took Charlie out on his lead and although reluctant at first he soon went out for an hour every day. However, without me with him the danger was that he would give up being a guide dog and become a pet. After a few weeks I was able to join them and began to walk Charlie with his lead again although progress was very slow.

Guide Dogs sent a trainer down to assess me and Charlie and they were pleased with the progress we made and confident that Charlie and I would return to working well together again. I was concerned though about how to restore the bond between me and Charlie until I had a lightbulb moment – a taxi into town with Charlie as a passenger with me. Charlie was always very enthusiastic about getting in a car. So we got a regular taxi into town and then increased the distance we walked around town. Charlie enjoyed his time in

Wanted: Dog Volunteers

Guide Dogs are urgently looking for more volunteers to care for dogs in their homes whilst they go through their training to become a guide dog. They also have a wide variety of other roles in the organisation that vary in tasks you get involved in or time commitment you can give, a role suited for everyone. So if you are able to help then you can find out more by contacting them using the information shown here. Call 0800 781 1444 or visit the website, www.guidedogs.org.uk

town slowly I brought back my once friendly, sociable, companion.

George kindly permitted us to publish a shorter version of his story. The full version, Charlie, Covid and George is published by Hammond House, a social enterprise membership organisation founded by students at the University Centre Grimsby and run by volunteers. More information can be found online at www. hammondhouse.org.uk.

George has kindly given us 50 copies of his short story. If you’d like to buy a copy (all proceeds go to Guide Dogs) it is a minimum donation of £5. You can send a cheque made payable to ‘Guide Dogs’.

At first my guide dog and I enjoyed the lack of cars on the roads

Partnerships

Centenary Celebrations

In recognition of their 100th anniversary this year we look at the origins of the Civil Service Motoring Association

It all began in 1923….

A century ago, a motorbike-loving civil servant named Frank Vernon Edwards launched a club for fellow pioneering motorists: the CSMA. He worked at the Home Office as an accountant and started the club with colleagues to enjoy social outings and all things motoring.

Members received a ‘Wings and Wheels’ badge and benefited from discounted insurance with Frizzell, as they do today with Frizzell’s descendant, LV=.

Club members soon started taking their cars and motorcycles out for social runs, beginning in 1923 when 130 took to the road for a trip from London to the Newlands Corner nature reserve near Guildford in Surrey. Annual dinners, competitions and other get-togethers soon became part of the social calendar, and the club were able to attract some important and well-known guests. At a memorable dinner event

in 1929, guests included speedrecord trailblazer Sir Henry Segrave, the first person to travel at over 200mph on land in his Sunbeam 1000hp. In 1923 he became the first British racing driver to win a Grand Prix in a British car, but tragically died in 1930 while attempting a water-speed record on Lake Windermere.

He worked at the Home Office and started the club to enjoy outings and all things motoring

As well as offering discounts on insurance, CSMA also began to sell branded motor oil and spark plugs to members at a reduced price. This scheme proved to be very popular, with the club soon supplying more than 100,000 gallons of oil and 17,000 spark plugs every year.

Leisure time and holidays are an important part of the organisation – started when the club bought Nun’s Acre at Goring-on-Thames in 1946. Intended to boost the

morale of members after many years of war, this was the first of many properties which became available for events, day trips and overnight stays. The idea still thrives today, with Whitemead Forest Park in the Forest of Dean, Bournemouth West Cliff Hotel and Cotswold Cottages in Bourton-onthe-Water all available to members and their families.

A new era for the club dawned in 2016 when CSMA became Boundless. Now welcoming a wider membership from the public sector – including NHS staff, teachers and emergency service workers – the club remains true to the roots laid down by Frank Edwards 100 years ago.

Still going strong today

Today, Boundless has more than 165,000 members who enjoy a

range of fantastic benefits. There are discounts on activities and days out, including unlimited access to Kew Gardens and all 10 Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust sites as well as entry to some of UK’s top attractions.

Members can also enjoy discounts at restaurants, exclusive online and in-person events and local-group activities. Plus, they can save money at supermarkets, high-street retailers and the club’s holiday properties.

PREVIOUS PAGE: Club Easter Run and Easter Picnic.

ABOVE: Founder Frank Vernon Edwards; Group picnic on the grass with cars 1933/34; Wheels and Wings badge given to members; Early insurance Policy; 1930s recruitment poster

RIGHT: Boundless today – members enjoying WWT; Boundless today –members enjoying Kew See the back cover for more information on Boundless membership, visit Boundless.co.uk/ CSRF or call 0800669944*.

Plus, for every new member that joins Boundless, they will donate £5 to the CSRF.

*Phone lines open Monday to Friday 8am –6pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday closed

Around the Network

News and pictures from across our local group network

Lunch with Ascot & Sunningdale

Meeting at Lynwood Village in Sunninghill allows group members to enjoy a reasonably priced lunch ahead of their monthly meetings. They are pictured at their September meeting which featured a brain challenging quiz afternoon (with appropriate prizes to be won).

Scottish nature at Bradford on Avon

A rare sighting of the ‘lesser spotted Chief Executive’ as David Tickner was caught in front of the camera when he visited the Bradford-onAvon group last November. He enjoyed meeting group members and a highly informative talk on nature in the Highlands.

An afternoon with Stubbington

It had been over ten years since Chief Executive David Tickner last visited Stubbington group. He drove down in February to join members at their Annual General Meeting and to personally thank Group Leader Tilly

Holloway for her long service. Tilly was standing down as Chair at the meeting but will continue to support the group’s activities.

Festive fun at Sleaford & Ancaster

Submitted by Group Chair Mike Smith, members enjoyed a seasonal buffet at their December meeting in place of a full Christmas lunch. Deciding instead to enjoy their festive fare in January.

New Year at Eltham

Chief Executive David Tickner popped along to Eltham join Group Chair Phyllis Duignan

and her group members for their Annual General Meeting in January. Based on the

2022 group returns, Eltham is currently the largest group in our network.

Celebrating service at Yate & District

Meeting in the Yate Parish Hall and still managing to fill their speaker programme each month, the Yate & District group have been led single-handedly by Val Gannaway for many years. She was the worthy recipient of Certificate of Merit at the group’s March meeting.

Coffee with Trowbridge

The Wiltshire Yeoman on the outskirts of Trowbridge is the welcoming venue for the twice monthly meetings of the group who get together for a good

chat, laughter, coffee, tea and biscuits. They have been led by Sue Arnold who like many of our group volunteers combines more than one role to keep her group

running. She was presented with a Certificate of Merit at the group’s March meeting by Chief Executive David Tickner

Group Information

Local Group Listings

You can see a list of all our operational groups here – they are listed under England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Some have provided us with details of their activities. But if there is no programme showing then we’d recommend you reach out to the group contact listed as they will be able to tell you more about what’s coming up. All groups are also listed on the CSRF’s website, www.csrf.org.uk

SCOTLAND

EDINBURGH

Liz Beedie Chair/Secretary

T: 0131 229 7422

Café/Bar at the Mercure Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh

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).

16 May Coffee & Chat at the Mercure Hotel

20 Jun Picnic in Princes St Gardens, 2pm 18 Jul Coffee & Chat at the Mercure Hotel 15 Aug Coffee & Chat at the Mercure Hotel

HIGHLAND

Mrs Pam Barnet T: 01463 790265

Macdougall Clansman Hotel 103 Church Street Inverness IV1 1ES

First and third Wednesday of each month, Coffee morning at 11am

NORTHERN IRELAND

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)

BELFAST

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)

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)

08 May Visit to Galgorm Castle, Ballymena

Lunch to be arranged. Pick up time 11.30am at Lisburn

Leisure Centre

12 Jun Visit to Glenarm Castle

Refreshments on arrival, followed by Castle Tour

Cost: TBA. Lunch in Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae

Pick up time 10.30am at Lisburn Leisure Centre

WALES

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)

15 May Talk: The Green ManPeter Hatherley

12 Jun Visit to Nantgarw China Works

10 Jul Summer Lunch

11 Sept Talk: Teaching in an African School - Caroline Noall

09 Oct Talk: Older People’s Commissioner

CARDIFF

Jane Lewis Secretary

T: 029 20 757174

Ararat Baptist Church Plas Treoda

Whitchurch Cardiff South Glamorgan

CF14 1PT

First Wednesday of the month at 10.30am

Group Information

NEATH & PORT TALBOT

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

SWANSEA

Mrs S Edgell Chairman/Secretary

T: 01792 851125

E: sylviaedgell@btinternet.com

The group runs as a telephone/email group only. For more information contact the Chair.

ENGLAND

ASCOT & SUNNINGDALE

Graeme Holt Chairman T: 01344 48170

E: graemecholt@gmail.com

Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Sunninghill, Ascot SL5 0AJ

Third Friday of each month at 12 noon to 4pm (No meeting in August)

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

11 May Tales of the Unexpected by Alan Copeland

08 Jun Every Picture Tells A Story by Peter & Margaret Preece

13 Jul Cream Tea in Garden, Glovers Lane, Mid Cheney

10 Aug Can Onions cure Earache by Melanie King

14 Sept Doorstep Scams by Oxford Trading Standards

12 Oct British Farming by Emma Hames

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.

03 May The Tootler: Colin Pawson

07 Jun Bishops, Sex and Money: Tony Stafford

05 July The Cinnamon Trust: Marie Bowes

02 Aug Sweeney Todd, Romance, Riches & Retribution: Steve Harra

06 Sept The Lot of the Auctioneer: Thomas Forrester

04 Oct Travels in Tanzania: Richard Court

BEXHILL & HASTINGS

Elizabeth Leahy Secretary

T: 01424 214042

Bexhill Sailing Club Marina

Bexhill-on-sea TN40 1LA

Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10am

23 May Talk: The Tomb of Tutankhamen by Ken Brooks

27 Jun Talk: 1066 Saxon Times, Food, Drink & Agony Aunts by David Clarke

25 Jul Quiz

22 Aug Talk: Bexhill in Poetry by Claire Baldry

26 Sept Talk: The Best Comedians the UK have known by Harry Pope

24 Oct Quiz

BRADFORD-ON-AVON

Mr M Wickham Secretary

T: 01225 864541

E: lindamorgan1975@sky.com

United Reformed Church Hall St. Margarets Street Bradford-on-avon BA15

1DD

Second Monday of each month from 2.15pm to 4pm

22 May Coronation Celebrations

31 May Trip to Wells

12 Jun Captain Cook - plant collector: talk by John Smith

10 Jul Roman Life in Somerset: talk by John Smith

20 Jul Trip to Sidmouth

14 Aug Bobby Van Trust

11 Sept Fish and Chips with Quiz

09 Oct Six months in Italy: talk by Chris Steel

CHIPPENHAM

David Gardner Chairman

T: 01249 658431

Chippenham Museum 10 Market Place

Chippenham SN15 3HF

First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (except Aug)

03 May Bath at Work Museum: talk by Stuart Burroughs

07 Jun History of the Town

Hall: talk by Ray Alder

COALVILLE & ASHBY

Terry Watson Chairman

T: 01530 835373

Thringstone Community Centre The Green Thringstone Coalville LE67 8NR

Third Wednesday each month 2pm to 4pm

17 May Talk by Wendy Martin.

21 Jun TBA

19 Jul Garden Party

16 Aug TBA

20 Sept TBA

18 Oct Talk by Nick Blurton.

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)

15 May Fred Pearce entertains

19 Jun The Great Essex Earthquake - Peter Jones

17 Jul Growing up on Balkerne Hill in the 1950s and 1960s - Joan Gomer

21 Aug Cream Tea (venue tbc)

18 Sept Games Afternoon with Fred Pearce

16 Oct Bring something and talk about it

GLOUCESTER/HUCCLECOTE

Mrs J Neale, Chairman

T: 01452 506949

Christchurch, Heron Way, Abbeydale, Gloucester GL4 5EQ

First Thursday of the month at 2pm

04 May The Victoria Cross: talk by Mike Stratford

01 Jun Summer Party

06 Jul Walking to Rome: talk by Chris O’Grady

03 Aug The History of Teddy Bears: talk by Lorraine Hitchings

07 Sept I Worked for the CIA in Liberia: talk by Brian Barber

05 Oct The Twyver Ladies Choir

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

09 May Coronation Tea;

13 Jun Quiz and ‘Pot Luck’;

11 Jul Heston Branch London Fire Service - ‘Safety in the Home’;

08 Aug Michael Peacock - ‘Surprise Package’

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

LISKEARD & PENSILVA

Pam Ford Chair

Tel: 01579 349147

Liskeard Public Hall (the Emily Hobhouse Room) West Street Liskeard

Cornwall PL14 6BW

Last Wednesday of each month at 10am

31 May Those Bygone Days of Looe: talk by Dave Holford

28 Jun Trip/Outing (TBC)

26 Jul Bring & Buy/Bingo

30 Aug Voluntary & Civic Roles in Saltash: talk by Sue Hopper

MBE

27 Sept Trip/Outing (TBC)

LONDON - CATFORD & LEWISHAM

Jane Duffy Chair T: 020 8697 2840

St Laurence Church Hall 37 Bromley Road Catford London SE6 2TS

Second Tuesday of every month at 10am.

LONDON – CROYDON, DULWICH & NORWOOD

Hilary Waterhouse Secretary

T: 020 8239 9814

E: hilary.waterhouse@virginmedia.com

Friendship lunches at The Crown Inn, 28 Wickham Road, Croydon CR0 8BA and The Fox on the Hill, 149 Denmark Hill, Camberwell, London SE5 8EH

Fourth Thursday of each month at 12 noon (January to November)

23 May Fox on the Hill, Denmark Hill

27 Jun The Crown, Wickham Road

25 Jul Fox on the Hill, Denmark Hill

22 Aug The Crown, Wickham Road

26 Sept Fox on the Hill, Denmark Hill

24 Oct The Crown, Wickham Road

LONDON - EAST & SOUTH WEST ESSEX

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

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

LOWESTOFT

Mike Chester T: 01502 476629

E: mikewc10@gmail.com

Occasional social events throughout the year – contact the Contact for more information

MAIDSTONE

Ms R Williams Local Contact

T: 01622 693312

Various venues for lunches, please call contact for more information

MID SUSSEX

Keith Sullens Chairman

T: 01444 233288

E: sullenskeith@gmail.com

Fourth Wednesday of each month

We meet for monthly lunches at venues in our area – for more details contact the Chair

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

OSWESTRY

Mrs R Clarke Chair/Treasurer

T: 01691 623380

The Wynnstay Hotel Church Street

Oswestry SY11 2SZ

First Tuesday of each month at 10.30am

02 May USA National Parkspeaker: Mrs L Munden

09 May Lunch at Weston Pools Restaurant

06 Jun The Fiddle - speaker: Natalie Cumming

04 Jul Talk - Tax, Care and Toy Boys

18 Jul Fundraiser for Hope House - Coffee morning

01 Aug The Yorkes and their Servants - NT Erdigg

05 Sept Love Food, Hate Waste - speaker: Joy Blizzard

03 Oct Celebrations - speaker: Wendy Davis

PRINCETOWN

John Higgins Secretary

T: 01822 481464

Prince Of Wales Hotel Tavistock Road Princetown PL20 6QF

First Thursday of the month at 12.30pm

18 May Group Lunch Trip to local hostelry

15 Jun Group Lunch Trip to local hostelry

20 Jul Group Lunch Trip to local hostelry

Group Information

17 Aug Group Lunch Trip to local hostelry

07 Sept Group Lunch Trip to local hostelry

05 Oct Group Lunch Trip to local hostelry

RICHMOND & TWICKENHAM

Philip Blow Secretary

T: 020 8748 7477

E: p.blow1@btinternet.com

Meetings in various venues in and around Twickenham. Please contact the Secretary for further details.

SIDMOUTH

Margaret Adams Chair

T: 01395 577622

Woodlands Hotel, Station Road, Sidmouth EX10 8HG

Second Wednesday of each month 10am-11.30am and lunches (for more information contact the Chair)

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 9.30am-12noon

SUTTON

Hazel Hoare Secretary & Social Secretary

Tel: 020 8642 8328

E: hazel-hoare@hotmail.co.uk

Friends Meeting House, 10 Cedar Road, Sutton SM2 5DA

Last Monday of the month at 1.453.30pm (except August and December.)

SWAFFHAM

David Moore Chairman

T: 01760 723740

Meeting at various local locations – contact the Chairman for more information

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

TAMAR/TAVY (TAVISTOCK)

Shirley Banks Secretary

T: 01752 769586

The group meets informally please contact the Secretary for more information

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

Coffee mornings twice a month at the Wiltshire Yeoman (call the Secretary to confirm the meeting is on)

WESTBURY (WILTSHIRE)

Road, Westbury-on-Trym BS9 3HN

First Thursday of every month (except Aug) at 1pm (contact the Secretary to confirm the lunch is taking place)

04 May Lunch at the White Lion

01 Jun Lunch at the White Lion

06 Jul Lunch at the White Lion

07 Sept Lunch at the White Lion

05 Oct Lunch at the White Lion

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

09 May Outing: Brixham

13 Jun Outing: Dartmouth

11 Jul Outing: Mumbles & Gower Penisula

08 Aug Outing: Weymouth

12 Sept Outing: Moreton in Marsh & Bourton on the Water

10 Oct Outing: Worcester

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 at the café at the church at 10.30am

WORCESTER

Helen Connelly Chair

T: 01905 830451

Perdiswell Young Peoples’ Leisure Club Droitwich Road (opposite Checketts Lane) Worcester WR3 7SN

STUBBINGTON

Peter Cornish Treasurer

T: 02392 345457

Catholic Church Hall Bells Lane

Stubbington Hampshire PO14 2PL

Second Thursday of each month at 2pm (except April)

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

WESTBURY-ON-TRYM

Tony McKenna Secretary

T: 0117 950 2059

Pub lunch at the White Lion, Passage

Second Wednesday of the month at 1pm (except Aug)

10 May Tea & Biscuits and a Chat

14 Jun Tea & Biscuits and a Chat

12 Jul Summer Buffet Lunch

13 Sept Tea & Biscuits and a Chat

11 Oct Tea & Biscuits and a Chat

WORCESTER PARK

John Wright Secretary T: 020 8337

8965 E: johnandglenisw@gmail.com

Old Malden Scout Hall Rear of 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)

15 May Working with the Ghosts of Hampton Court Place. Speaker: Sarah Slater

05 Jun War Artists and the War Artists Advisory Committee in World War II. Speaker: Carol Harris

03 Jul Memories of visits to the Battle of Britain Museum and the National Arboretum. Speaker: Roger Bricknell

07 Aug Summer Lunch at the Hogsmill, Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park KT4 7PY

04 Sept Handbells - Lead ringer: Sandra Winter

02 Oct Life in the 50s” (An illustrated wander down Memory Lane) Speaker: Rod Clarke

YATE & DISTRICT

Val Gannaway Group Leader

T: 01454 317968

Yate Parish Hall Station Road Yate BS37

4PQ

Fourth Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm-4.30pm.

23 May Tradition Games: talk by Keith Nichless

27 Jun Annual Outing: Garden Centre then Weston Super Mare

25 Jul Signs of the Times: talk by Cyril Routley

Aug No Meeting

26 Sept The Matthew: talk by Clive Burlton

24 Oct Gardens of the Rich & Famous: talk by Dave Moon

YORK & DISTRICT

Andrew Whitehouse Group Leader

T: 01904 865961

St Samsons Centre, Church Street, York

YO1 8BE

Friendship lunch on last Tuesday of each month at 1pm