2026 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 Campbell-Lawrence for membership enquiries via the "Contact Us" tab above.
16th March 2026 E-Fit Musical Duo - Recycled Covers
Awaiting Report
5th March 2026 Social Meeting: Beetle Drive
Awaiting Report
3rd March 2026 Tenpin Bowling
Our monthly Tenpin Bowling was attended by 13 members who enjoyed the usual 3 games with the
Highest Scorers this month were:
Ladies: Julie Wickens 121
Men: Dave Flexman 127
On behalf of the Tenpin Bowling group I would like to thank Dave & Vivienne Flexman for all their work in running the successful Tenpin group for over 15 years. They have decided to step down and hand over the reins to myself (Peter Humphrey).
23-27th February 2026 Warner's 5 day (4 night) break to Bembridge Isle of Wight
A most enjoyable break was had by 38 of our members on the Isle of Wight at Warner's Bembridge resort.
With many activities available including swimming pool, sauna, etc. along with indoor bowls various games, pool darts, board games. there were also organised activities available with quizzes shuffle board to name but a few.
Free drinks were available at the bar each evening between 18:00 - Midnight.
On the Wednesday Peter & Maureen Humphrey celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary, during the evening entertainment this fact was announced by the compare and they were presented with a gift and anniversary card that had been adorned with good wishes by almost all of our group on coach 1.
With which they were very touched, such a nice gesture that no doubt was arranged by Dave Finch our chairman. Photo Curtesy Dave Finch
On the Thursday when there were no excursions (Drivers Rest day) there were many activities organised for the enjoyment of the guests.
Out team consisting of Pat Pither, David Ongley and Diane Ongley entered the Shuffle Board competition and were victorious so were deemed champions, well done to them.
Photo curtesy Mike Spivey
16th February 2026 Main Meeting AGM + SERV a talk on the voluntary Blood Runners
103 members attended our Main meeting that included a talk by the blood runners who are all volunteers who give up their time and transport blood and other items between hospitals, blood banks and other facilities across the nation that gave an InSite into the importance of the work they do.
This is BeARA's chosen charity for 2026
The following day we received a very nice email from the speaker from SERV with the following text:
Dear Lee/Pat,
This is to thank you all for your warm welcome this afternoon when I gave a talk about SERV Kent Bloodrunners.
We are very grateful to you for choosing us as your charity for this year and for raising much-needed funds for us.
I enjoyed meeting you all and I am pleased to inform you that your members put £110.36 into my collection pot, which is an excellent start to the year!
Do let me know if you would like us to attend any events with you during the year. We always like to support those who support us.
Wishing you good luck with your fund-raising.
With kind regards,
Trevor Sayer
5th February 2026 Social Meeting
Repeat of BGT (BeARA's Got Talent) for associate members and full members who missed the Christmas main meeting.
Awaiting Report
23rd January 2026 Trip to see Cirque du Soleil (Royal Albert Hall)
Our coach trip of 50 members travelled to the Royal Albert Hall to see the Cirque du Soleil a fantastic circus type show featuring an insect theme.
With a cacophony of acrobatic disciplines including floor acrobats, pole, trapeze, slack rope, wall trampoline to name but a few. with of course the clown sequences.
The performance was high energy throughout the acrobatic sequences that left the near capacity audience in ore of the performance's stamina.
Our thanks to Lee & Pat for organising this event.
19th January 2026 Main Meeting: Speaker Guy Bartlett Operation Nymrod The SAS in action.
It was good to have the return of Guy Bartlett to give us a presentation of the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980. His presentation included archive news reel footage and various photographs of the events, often as they unfolded live on Television, along with many fascinating facts that his considerable research had uncovered.
Thank you Guy for a fabulous afternoon and we look forward to seeing you again for one of your other excellent talks.
18th January 2026 Trip to Shen-Yun
23 of our members embarked on a coach to Hammersmith Eventim Appollo Theatre for the final performance before moving the production to Northampton step of the tour.
The performance was to a sell out audience who must have been in ore of the synchronisation of the dance movements and acrobatics throughout the show could only be described as phenomenal. The high definition screen at the rear of the stage was used to effectively give impression of dancers and characters jumping from screen to live stage with perfect timing.
Our thanks to Ron Wooldridge for suggesting this excursion and and initiating the booking of tickets, and to Dave Finch for co-ordinating the trip in the latter stages.
For more information visit their website by Clicking or Tapping Here
8th January 2026 Trip to "MJ" The Musical
