Friendly Club – Feb 2012

January 26, 2012 by 1 Comment

Recent Events
On Tuesday 6th December members attending the Highworth Warneford School annual Christmas Concert were greeted by the children and treated to a pleasant performance of music song and dance. All people invited were given a Christmas card produced by the children together with a Christmas Pudding. Refreshments were served during the interval.

Our Christmas Lunch (a carvery) was held at the Barrington Arms Hotel in Shrivenham on Tuesday 13th December. Members considered the venue and food to be a good choice. We were entertained by the Highworth Songsters which made the event most enjoyable. The raffle for the Friendly Club Christmas Hamper together with a Swindon Town football team shirt signed by team members was held after the lunch. The hamper was won with ticket number 330 – Mrs M Hopkins and the shirt
was won by ticket number 551 – Mr D Manners.

The South Marston School concert on Thursday 15th December was very entertaining. All year classes took part with some children giving solo performances. The effort made by the children and adult helpers was very much appreciated. Refreshments were served after the performance.

Our New Year entertainment began on Tuesday 10th January with a talk was given by Lewis Lawton on “The Terracotta Warriors”. The talk was very informative exploring the known history and the efforts made by the Chinese in their restoration work. If you are able to visit the site you will be
suitable impressed at its scale and size. Many areas are still to be excavated to show the whole army.

Future Events

Tuesday 14th February at 2.00pm in the Village Hall

A talk will be given by Alix Booth on “The history of Punch and Judy”

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Friendly Club Current and Future Events 2011/2012

November 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Tuesday 8th November in the Village Hall

The club social event to chat and get to know the many new members was well supported. We had a Christmas themed quiz, bingo, refreshments and a table top sale. Our Christmas hamper was on display together with a SwindonTownfootball team shirt signed by team members both items will be raffled separately. These items will be on display at the December Meeting Point for members of the public to buy raffle tickets. The raffle will be held at the Barrington Arms Hotel in Shrivenham on 13th December after our meal.

 

The Friendly Club – Future Events.

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Tuesday 6th December – Warneford School at 2.00pm

Names have been submitted of members attending theHighworthWarnefordSchoolannual Christmas concert to meet the deadline date.

 

Saturday 10th December

At Meeting Point in the Village Hall we will be selling raffle tickets for the Christmas Hamper and theSwindonTownplayer signed football shirt.

 

Tuesday 13th December – Christmas Lunch

Our Christmas Lunch will be at the Barrington Arms Hotel in Shrivenham.  Arrive at 12.00 noon for a 12.15 pm start. We will be entertained by the Highworth Songsters.  Our Christmas raffle will be held at this social event. See comment above in recent events.

 

Thursday 15th December – School Concert at 2.00pm

The South Marston C of E Primary School will be putting on a concert for our entertainment. The effort made by the children and adult helpers is very much appreciated.

 

Tuesday 10th January 2012 at 2.00pm in the Village Hall

A talk will be given by Lewis Lawton on “The Terracotta Warriors”.

 

Tuesday 14th February 2012 at 2.00pm in the Village Hall

A talk will be given by Alix Booth on “The history of Punch and Judy”

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Friendly Club Update – Nov 2011

October 29, 2011 by 1 Comment

Recent Events

Our Mystery Tour on 20th September started off with a bit of fun by the coach driver who went around the first roundabout three times to confuse us. Not difficult!!! Then the long way round to Cotswold Wild Life Park in time for feeding the penguins. There were lots of animals to see including the new addition of giraffes. The gardens were in full bloom and looking beautiful. We went to Witney for lunch and some retail therapy. We then headed for Millets Farm Shop and Garden Centre. More retail therapy and arriving back at South Marston before the rain.

Our 5 day holiday to Torquay in early October staying at the Kistor Hotel had its ups and downs with accommodation facilities but the food was reasonable. On a scenic tour of Dartmoor we visited Tavistock and the “House of Marbles” in Bovey Tracey which was very interesting. We also visited Totnes and Dartmouth where some took in a boat trip. The hotel had entertainers each evening but the highlight was an evening at Babbacombe Theatre for a very entertaining musical called Heatwave. It was very enjoyable and made a good round off to the holiday entertainment. On the way home we called at Street for lunch and yes you have guessed it – more retail therapy!!

On 11th October we were entertained by Ian & Diane Woods who sang a range of popular songs. Many members joined in. It was a much appreciated programme.

Future Events

Tuesday 8th November – 2 pm, Village Hall.

A club social event to chat and get to know our many new members. There will be a quiz, bingo and refreshments.

Friday 25th November – Christmas Market.

For senior citizens who are residents of South Marston. The F & E Harris Memorial Trust invite you to a trip to Bath Christmas Market. Members please reserve your place with Mary Cooper 823530.

Tuesday 6th December – Warneford School, 2 pm.

Warneford School holds their annual Christmas concert for senior citizens and we are invited. Last year was a very good show and we expect the same this year. If you wish to go please let me know as soon as you can so that I can advise them of numbers attending. (Brian 826243)

Tuesday 13th December – Christmas Lunch.

Our Christmas Lunch will be at the Barrington Arms Hotel in Shrivenham. Arrive at 12 noon for a 12.15 pm start. We will be entertained by the Highworth Songsters.

Thursday 15th December – School Concert, 2 pm.

South Marston Primary School will be putting on a concert for our entertainment. The effort made by the children and adult helpers is very much appreciated

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Friendly Club Update – Oct 2011

October 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Recent Events

Tues 23 August – although raining hard when we left South Marston, we were blessed with sunshine on our Day Trip to Abergavenny and Tintern. The indoor and outdoor markets were in full swing on our arrival and not a superstore in sight but plenty of individual shops and good home cooked food. Leaving Abergavenny we drove through Monmouth and the Wye Valley, which was looking its best. Then afternoon tea at Tintern Abbey Mill and home by 6.30 pm.

A good time had by all.

Tues 13 September – a demonstration was given by Debbie Williams on making sweets. We had hands on participation using fruit, nuts, marzipan, icing sugar and chocolate. We could then take home our creations.

Future Events

Tues 11 October – Village Hall, 2pm. Musical entertainment by Ian and Diane Woods, with popular songs.

Tues 18 October – 12 noon for 12.15. Harvest Lunch at Blunsdon House Hotel.

Tues 8 November – Village Hall, 2pm. Social event to chat, have a quiz, play a few games of bingo, a raffle, all helped along with tea/coffee and cakes.

New members are welcome to any of the above events without obligation. We have over 70 members and would be pleased to see you.

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Friendly Club -recent activities

August 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Friendly Club – Recent Events.

Tuesday 12th July

We were entertained by Gillian Monk, an optician, on the topic ‘A room with a view’ which was a comical talk on exploring the eye. Details of common conditions of the eye were explored. The solutions available with the outcomes to deal with were explained.

Tuesday 19th July – Outing

Our visit to Kew Gardens went well. Late in the afternoon was the only rain we had which did not distract from the visit. Photographs of items in the gardens are shown in the following slide show.

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The Friendly Club – Future Events.

Tuesday 13th September – in the Village Hall at 2.00pm.

A demonstration will be given by Debbie Williams on the making of sweets. Member participation will be expected, to have hands on experience.

Tuesday 20th September – Mystery Tour

The coach will leave from outside the school at 10.00am. Return to South Marston will be about 5.00pm

Monday 3rd to7th October (inclusive) – Holiday to Torquay

Our 5 days holiday to Torquay staying at the Kistor Hotel has some double rooms still available. All single rooms have been allocated. If you would like to join us on this holiday, call Josie on 828080. It is available to senior citizen non members. The cost is £249 per person for a double/twin room for members and non members.

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Friendly Club – June 2011

June 25, 2011 by 3 Comments

The gardens at St Fagans

Image via Wikipedia

Previous Events

Tuesday 19th April.

Our outing to St Fagans, National History Museum, Cardiff was most interesting: the array of period buildings and artefacts are well planned. The weather was warm and sunny which added to the ambience.

The site is being further developed with new acquisitions (old buildings) and it is intended to add more activity areas to show how things were done in the past. See below some photographs of the buildings and grounds at St Fagans.

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Tuesday 10th May.

Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu

Image via Wikipedia

A talk was given by Jean Campbell on India. Jean told us about a trip to Southern India, flying into Trivandrum, Kerala state, and staying down the coast at Kovalam, on the Arabian Sea. Moving on from Trivandrum to Bangalore and by coach thereafter to Mysore, and visited Seringpatam where in 1799 British forces captured this fort. Amongst the officers was a certain Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington. From Mysore they went by coach up the Nilgiri hills to Ootacamund (known to the British as Snooty Ooty) this being the family home location of Jean’s husband (Ian). It was where he grew up. She talked about visiting the house (now a school and convent), the Ooty Club (where the first game of snooker was officially played in 1881), and a visit to Ian’s old school (Breek Memorial School). They took a trip to the top of Dodabetta – at 8,600 ft, the highest hill in the Nilgiri range. Then down to the plains on the famous Blue Mountain Railway. Finally to Cochin, the only natural harbour on the west coast of India and a very old port from where the spice trade was carried on.



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Friendly Club Events

June 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Friendly Club – Recent Events

 

Tuesday 17th May

Our outing to Madame Tussauds went well as expected with many opportunities for photographs with the exhibits. You are allowed to get close and personal with them. The 4D show was very enjoyable with some special effects being generated from your seat.

 

Tuesday 14th June

This meeting was our Annual General Meeting. All existing committee members were re-elected and maintain their same duties. No new nominations had been received. Following the AGM business we heard how the Friends of Angel’s Orphanage was started and the work they and the founder Angel Shahi do. Whilst in Nepal on a Medical Mission in Spring 2009 Ian & Rosa Matheson met Angel Shahi, who had rescued from all overNepal 22 abandoned, orphaned or ‘given-up children. Given-up children are from widowed mothers who have not means to keep them. The Nepalese culture due to an archaic belief which is still prevalent today does not wish to help widows of any age. It was a very interesting, moving and informative talk. A collection at the meeting raised £98.35 from members to help support the work at the orphanage. For further information visit www.angelsorphanage.com.

 

Tuesday 21st June

Our outing to the Hawk Conservancy Trust was an excellent day out. The time table of displays worked well with plenty of time for lunch. The commentaries given were very informative and the displays by the birds were a sight to behold. The various displays included heron and vulture feeding, hawks and red kite flights to catch food on the hand and in the air and finally a display by owls. We were also able to feed owls and hawks from a gloved hand. Photographs of some of the birds and club members .

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The Friendly Club – Future Events.

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Tuesday 12th July – in the Village Hall at 2.00pm

We will be entertained by Gillian Monk, an optician, on the topic ‘A room with a view’ which is a comical talk on exploring the eye.

 

Tuesday 19th July – Outing

We will be taking a trip to Kew Gardens. Pick up time outside the school is 9.00 am and our return to South Marston will be approximately 6.30 pm.

 

Tuesday 23rd August – Outing

We will be taking a trip to Abergavenny and theWyeValley.  Pick up time outside the school is 9.00 am and our return to South Marston will be approximately 6.30 pm.

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Friendly Club Update – May 2011

May 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Recent Events

On Tuesday 12th April a talk was given by Linda Warren on the subject “The Wartime Kitchen”. She told us some interesting stories. Humorous and serious events were covered. After the talk we had the pork belly which we had cured as a collective group. This was cooked during our meeting and enjoyed by those who sampled it.


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Friendly Club Activities March 2011

March 16, 2011 by 1 Comment


Tuesday 8th March. –In the village Hall.

A demonstration and talk on curing meat was given by Jasper Aykroyd who cooked cured pork for us to sample. It was roasted at 150 Deg C for 3 hours, fat-side up so that the fat runs down and bastes the lean meat, then allowed to rest for at least half an hour. He also cooked cured bacon for us to sample.

We were shown various salts, tasted them and chose a salt to use by voting. The range of herbs he uses for curing was explained to us and a selection chosen to cure the belly piece.

The piece he cooked was a whole Back or Loin, and was par-cured with salt, muscovado sugar, and in order: Cinnamon, Corriander, Caraway, Fennel, Clove, Ginger and nutmeg.

Both that and the belly which we cured as a collective group came from Helen Browning’s Eastbrook Farm in Bishopstone. She has the largest herd of Saddlebacks in Europe, but those are breeding sows. The Boars are Large whites. Crossed, they create a pig for meat which has just a nice amount of fat and flavour, and have a mottled grey hide, which gives them their name of “Blue” pigs.

The very fatty bacon that he cooked is from a different herd owned by a friend near Fernam, and those are fluffy pigs from Hungary, called Mangaliza pigs: the preferred meat of the Viennese court in days of yore. (If you saw the programme Great British Food Revival on BBC 2 on Wednesday 16th March you would have seen the pigs which from a distance look like sheep.)



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Friendly Club Update – Feb 2011

February 18, 2011 by 1 Comment


 

Tuesday 8th February.

A talk and slide show, titled “200 miles + one black toenail” was given by Bob Browning on walking the costal path with a friend. The start being from St Bees on the west coast, through many scenic areas, and ending the journey at Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast.

Prior to the meeting some members went to the school for a two course meal at a very reasonable cost. All found it a very pleasant experience.

 


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