2021 Activity Reports
If you were there you can Reminisce
If you were not there you'll know what you Missed
If your NOT a member you can see what you're Missing! - Contact Addrienne Lawrence for membership enquiries via the "Contact Us" tab above.
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20th December 2021 Christmas Party
Paula FulcherOur Christmas Party, was enjoyed by everyone who attended the afternoon. We had 37 members arrive, which was of course disappointing, but we can fully understand the reasons for staying away with the Covid-19 situation and Christmas looming.
We did a free raffle with three lovely gifts kindly donated by members as prizes. Everyone ate too many Mince pies, and drunk hot mulled wine till it came out of our ears, and still had bottles left for next Christmas! Jasmine our singer got the party going with her Christmas Show, and getting us all involved.
Our photo shows Jasmine and part of her backing group Tony, who appears be be no exception to excesses of Mince Pies and Mulled Wine!!
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Lets hope Christmas 2022 will be Covid free.
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7th December 2021 Tenpin Bowling
Our top scoring Man was Dave Flexman 146. Unfortunately none of our Ladies attained a score above 100 the threshold when we record the scores.
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6th December 2021 Christmas Lunch
Around 70 members attended our Christmas Lunch held at The Weald of Kent Golf Club. The food was hot, delicious, and the room and trimmings were fantastic.
2nd December 2021
Bob AbnettOur ever popular Reindeer Racing.
On Thursday 2nd December, our Annual Christmas Social was held at Grove Green Hall. Committee members laid the race track, putting the water jump, and snow drifts in place, before introducing the reindeer to the punters, all of whom had come from Iceland. That’s the country, NOT the frozen food outlet in The Mall Maidstone. With names such as Jingling James, Delicious Di, Bonking Bob, Perky Pam, Dodgy Dave, and Randy Ron, (No reflexion on the committee), they were lined up for the start, after punters had placed their £1 bets on a reindeer. Paula and Tony threw the dice to determine which reindeer moved forward 1 to 6 places. There were 3 great races, with tea, coffee and biscuits provided by the T Team to their seats. A good afternoon was had by the 50 plus members that attended. All money taken was returned to winners.
Bob Abnett1st December 2021
On Wednesday 1st December, 12 members boarded 3 cars, owned and driven by David Flexman, Bob Abnett, and Dave Finch, for the journey to The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, to see the West End Show, “Whitney, Queen of the Night”. The show, which was originally planned for 1st December 2020, was a lovely evening of songs made famous by the late Whitney Houston. Looking and listening to the show from fantastic seats in row D of the front stalls, the star of the show was the singer, who had such an incredible voice, sounding just like Whitney.
Another excellent show at “The Orchard”.
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15th November 2021 Main Meeting
Our meeting today included a presentation of a magnum of Champagne to Ron Lawrence & Addrienne Campbell who were Married at St Nicholas Church, Otham 2 days before on 13th November 2021
We wish them all the very best in their future life together. Addrienne has also agreed to take over the role of Membership Secretary from Maureen, once she departs with her husband to Devon, to be with the family. To see some more photos, members please login and navigate to the "Past Celebrations" page.
Once the formalities of the meeting were completed Wilf Lower with his talk entitled “ Don’t sneeze at the microphone”.
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It was good to see Wilf Lower again, a talented local speaker, who has been on the circuit for many years. He certainly didn’t disappoint us with his latest talk, with interesting facts of life in the early 1900’s up to the 1960’s. in the entertainment industry, interspersed with the odd input of humour on how times have changed over the years. His talk was accompanied by his slide show, which meant us returning to the old seating plan for a change.
7th November 2021
Eleven members travelled by car share to The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, to re kindle our passion for 60’s music, with ten groups and artists entertaining us with their hits of the day. It was a very good show.
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9th November 2021 Tenpin Bowling
Approximately 15 members enjoyed our November meet up for our monthly 3 games with top scores of 101 for Ladies Mo Garforth and Sue Humphrey while or Men's top scorer was Graham Morecraft with 161
4th November 2021 Social Meeting - Bingo
Our Social on Thursday 4th November was, well supported, when we sat down to ten games of Bingo. The tea ladies did a fine job of serving our tea and biscuits to our tables, some members went away with more money than they came with, and a very enjoyable afternoon was had by all present.
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18th October 2021 Main Meeting: Sue Shaw- "Jungle Tales from India"
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86 members attended our meeting with Sue Shaw our speaker today gave a fascinating talk about her two holidays in India mainly concentrating on her second that was mainly travelling around the non tourist area's including safari excursions taking in much wildlife and experiences she also showed several incredible photos and interesting objects that came from the area.
7th October 2021 Social Meeting: General Knowledge Quiz
Our social meeting had a slightly disappointing attendance of 39 members for our quiz ably organised by Lyn Philpott. Those members who attended had an enjoyable afternoon with prizes for the winning team and the loosing team. Our thanks to Lynn for organising this event.
6th October 2021 Tenpin Bowling (First Meet up since Lockdown)
We had our long awaited meet up where it was decided that we would restrict bowling to past regular bowlers only to assess the covid-19 situation. 15 members enjoyed the session with Dave Kent attaining the highest men's score of 151. unfortunately our ladies did not attain the score of 100 that is the threshold of when we record the scores.
Men's scores (of over 100).
Dave Kent........ 151, 103, 114
Dave Flexman . 132, 122, 140
Bob Abnett........ 123
Grahame Lock....131, 101
Peter Humphrey 137,108
All our members are welcome to join us at our next meet up on Tuesday 9th November at 11:00AM, ALTHOUGH THIS IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW! For latest information check "Diary of Events" (Arrive 10:45) New members please contact Dave or Vivienne (contact details on newsletter or in members area of this website)
20th September 2021 (Main Meeting)
67 of our members attended our Main Meeting this month albeit with a short notice change to the entertainment.
Our planned speaker Lucy Allen describing her life as a Stunt Rider was unable to attend due taking a short notice booking that is the nature of her profession.
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Fortunately our thanks go to Peter Kneebone who ably stepped in at short notice to fill the void. He sang many well known songs from the 50s & 60s.
13th September 2021
Bi- Monthly walk around Downswood & Otham With David & Janet.
Our walks are always popular especially as they end up in a pub for lunch.
7th September 2021
The Mystery Tour 2021
Which was scheduled for May 2020 had 83 members wanting to go, but on Tuesday 7th September, 44 were happy to sit on a coach with or without a mask.
However, we had a really enjoyable day, with fantastic weather. Our first stop was a comfort break at Battle, East Sussex, with a chance to get an odd coffee or two, and then onto Pevensey Marshes, for lunch at The Star Public House http://www.thestarinnnormansbay.co.uk/ where we enjoyed a fantastic two course meal, all paid for, before continuing onto Eastbourne for a chance to walk our lunch off along the pier ! On the way home we had a quiz which was won by David and Helen Kent, with some naughty stories to end the day.
2nd September 2021
42 members enjoyed a social meeting with tea, cakes, light music and a good chat.
1st September 2021
A number of members enjoyed Lunch at The Toby Carvery at midday for a roast dinner for £8.29p. We had our very own private room where we sat around a table to enjoy good food; good company at a good price. Our thanks to Paula Fulcher for organising this event.
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16th August 2021
We held our first Main Meeting since February 2020
On entering the hall we all wondered if our much loved and appreciated tea and biscuits provided for the interval was being substituted for Curry & Chapati's.
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Our fears were soon overcome as we learned the Tuk-Tuk was our Chairman's latest "Toy" that he was showing to everyone.
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We then had a most interesting talk by Biddy & Jamie from the Medical Detection Dogs that was one of our chosen charities for 2020-2021 who thanked us for our generous donation and explained how the money was used by this phenomenal charity.
We had a very good and unexpected turn out to the meeting where everyone was catching up with all their BeARA friends. Nice to get back to some sort of normality after a very difficult period.
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More on Dave's Tuk-Tuk
MY INDIAN TUK TUK
After many years of travelling the world on holiday, you always find that one country stands out, and for Jean and I it was Goa in India. We visited here in 2004 for the first time, and enjoyed it so much that we would go for two or even three week holidays once or even twice a year. The people, the food, the culture, and the best bit, the weather were there to enjoy, and it was very cheap in the early days!
We would travel all over the area by hiring a scooter for the duration of our holiday at a £1 a day, but as we got older, we would use the Tuk Tuk, which was a cheap and enjoyable way to get around. I have always marveled at the simplicity of this 3 wheel tricycle, with its 198 cc petrol engine, top speed of 43mph, and its good looks, that when we found that our health prevented us from visiting anymore, I started looking for one to buy. I found that there were companies in the UK that would bring the vehicle over from India in kit form, assemble, and ensure that it met all the requirements of British law on our roads.
So having seen this 6 month old vehicle with only 207 miles on the clock, and in excellent condition for sale in Southsea Hampshire, we fell in love with it, and realized that we had the opportunity to bring a part of India into our lives once more ! We now get out and about as much as possible in it, and really enjoy the experience of this wonderful vehicle.
It's not as comfortable, as my automatic car, but it's a lot more fun, which we hope to have in it for many years to come.
Dave and Jean
19th May 2021
At last our first group activity since the beginning of Lockdown 3!!!!!
Our Senior Elastix group restarted as allowed under the easing of rules on the 17th May permitting our "Organised Indoor Exercise Classes" to re-commence.
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We had a successful first session of Elastixs this afternoon and were pleased to welcome a couple of new recruits to this long awaited session.
Our ever popular Senior Elastix Sessions occur each Wednesday Afternoon Check "Diary of Events" for more details.
29th March 2021
Bob Abnett
Bob AbnettOur first activity in 2021 was a book sale in Bob & Barbara's garden.
Given it was the first day that the "Stay at Home" restrictions had been eased to allow up to 6 people to meet Outside in private gardens. With tables set up face covering's in place and hand sanitiser available ready for a number of members to attend between 10:00AM and 12:00 NOON and purchase a number of books.
All proceeds going to our nominated charities.
Next Book Sale Monday 19th April 2:00 - 4:00PM at the same address.