January Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 8 January 2025 at 2pm Grandfather’s Somme experience Tony Ferguson recalls the life of his Grandfather Andy Symington. Volunteering to join the Irish Fusiliers, he went on to participate in the Battle of The Somme, the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. His story continues as we discover the impact of … Read more

December Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 2 pm A Victorian Christmas Our very own author, Denise Beddows, has been researching how Christmas was celebrated in Victorian times. She will be looking at traditional foods, decorations, parlour games and other celebrations, as well as how the German traditions gradually took over (influenced by Prince Albert). We’ll have … Read more

November Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 13th November 2024 at 2 pm Sing with Mandy – an afternoon of folk songs Amanda Shora will come to play and sing some folk songs, and we’ll have some audience participation in well-known folk songs with a wide selection from light-hearted to melancholic, including sea shanties. Amanda has played at many folk clubs … Read more

October 2024 Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 9th October 2024 at 2 pm Winter Visitors Redwings, Fieldfares and Whooper Swans are among the many birds that call Britain home in the Winter, arriving from further North to enjoy our milder weather. Ailsa Claybourne will talk about many of our visiting birds, and explain how to identify Winter migrants in your garden and … Read more

September 2024 Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 11th September 2024 at 2 pm The Falklands Conflict: a first-hand perspective You may remember that Jim Ellis talked to us about memory in November last year. He is coming again to see us, to talk about the Falklands conflict. He’ll recall some of the key events amidst the wind, rain, mud and cold … Read more

August 2024 Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 14th August 2024 at 2pm Guide Dogs – Make Every Day Count We will be joined by Marilyn Fisher, Jeanne and the lovely service dog Breck. Marilyn will discuss how they breed, train and partner their dogs, and the positive impact these guide dogs have on their owners. This is a “face to face” talk … Read more

July 2024 Monthly Meeting (after the AGM)

Wednesday 10th July 2024 at 2:30pm (after the AGM) Estate Planning Lucy Goldsman is from Co-op Legal Services. She will talk to us about Estate Planning matters, such as Wills, Power of Attorneys, Inheritance Tax and Trust Wills. She’s promised that it’ll be informative, with no “hard sell”, so a good time to get answers … Read more

June 2024 Monthly Meeting

Thames Valley Air Ambulance Wednesday 12th June 2024 at 2pm Aimee Lewis will talk to us about the work of our local Air Ambulance – how they are helping to save lives in emergency situations, including a look at their crews, the helicopter and critical care response teams. This is a “face to face” talk … Read more

May 2024 Monthly Meeting

Dementia Friends presentation Wednesday 8th May 2024 at 2 pm Rachel Phillips from the Alzheimer’s Society will speak to us about Dementia, looking into how dementia affects a person and turning this understanding into action. A reminder, just in case All members are reminded that they should carry with them their emergency contact details, either … Read more

April 2024 Monthly Meeting

Grandma flew Spitfires! Wednesday 10th April 2024 at 2 pm Richard Poad will talk to us about the forgotten World War 2 story of Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and the men and women of its multi-national pilot workforce, who provided the RAF with a non-stop supply of serviceable aircraft throughout the war. A reminder, just … Read more