Barming Active Retirement Association

A Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 76 NOVEMBER 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

The BarmARA Showtime Players and Singers, directed by Dave Mayger put on a fabulous production of Snow White and the Several Dwarves for the October Meeting. Something you have never seen the like of before (or again!). The show opened with the Showtime Singers getting the full house of members in the right mood with some well known audience participation songs. The curtains opened revealing wonderful scenery all made and painted by our members and made more magnificent by the expert lighting and sound by Chris Hall. There were no disasters and all the players took on their role in a most excellent manner particularly the dwarfs Maureen and Neil Kenwright, Val Mayger, Jackie Boyle and John Grognet. Max Power reprised his role of an Andrew Sister, but this time as the beautiful Nurse Sally. Both the Wicked Queen and the King looked terrific in their costumes (Maggie Barclay and Ken Comber). The wonderful Mirror played by Wendy Thorpe reflected the time spent in creating her costume and learning her words whilst the thigh slapping handsome Prince (not Colin) played by Val Power and Lorna Grognet as the beautiful Snow White were a sight for sore eyes. The scamp Muddles (Dave Mayger) was excellent. Lines were either learnt by heart or hidden about their person or on props. As a backup John Williams was hiding behind the curtains to prompt us whenever our memory failed. The players looked terrific in their costumes, all self made! Leech & Sprain, the comedy couple, were played by Maurice Gay and Peter Sargent. Scenery changes went smoothly thanks to Colin Prince and his helpers. The final scene was a "take off" -no pun intended- of The Full Monty when all the male players came on stage to the tune of The Stripper. This caused some amusement with the audience as seven oldies paraded in trousers and bow ties. At a critical moment the female players snatched off the men's trousers revealing .....union jack underpants. Not a pretty sight but well applauded by the audience. The Showtime Singers, under the direction of Peter Dickenson as Choirmaster, sung their hearts out and certainly added to the enjoyment and success of our pantomime. Marion Brown, Betty West, Betty Gay, Angela Prince and Gloria Rayment were all in good voice. Pictures of the players in the show - thanks to Val Power - have been posted to our website www.barmara.org.uk. If the reaction of the audience was anything to go by this production was a success and on the Thursday evening following the performance the whole cast enjoyed a meal at the Redstart Pub. It was a very noisy event with good food and good company.

We believe Dave Mayger is threatening to produce another Spectacular in 2012

Quiz. - Our winner of the SEPTEMBER Quiz was Jean Wells, it was poetic justice really as I managed to get her name wrong in the last issue regarding the Barming War Memorial .

Answers: Q1. Jimmy Wheeler. Q2. Reg Dixon. Q3. Dick Emery. Q4. Arthur English. Q5. Sandy Powell. Q6. Max Bygraves. Q7. Charlie Drake. Q8. Oliver Hardy. Q9. Rob Wilton. Q10. Bruce Forsythe. Q11. Arthur Askey. Q12. Tommy Trinder. Q13. Sam Costa. Q14. Frank Carson. Q15. Dick Bentley.

Quiz NOVEMBER 2011

Q1. What does "Doolally Tap" refer to? Q2. Who lived at Number 1, London? Q3. Where would you find a "Mappa Mundi"? Q4. What is "The Knowledge"? Q5. Who was the "Sun King"? Q6. Who saw the light on the road to Damascus? Q7. In ascending order what comes next after Mega, Giga? Q8. Who was Bagpuss's owner? Q9. What is London's oldest theatre? Q10. What is the only word in the English language that ends in "MT"?

At our Meeting today, Martin Gurden (remember the Chicken Man) returns to talk about his career as a Journalist. There is no Meeting in December as there is the Christmas Lunch at the Grangemoor Hotel. Brian Wade has a full programme for Speakers in 2012 commencing in January with Robert Merritt talking on "Life and Times of a Military Musician". In February Anna Astin talks about "Motor to Racing Driver or How women learnt to love the motor car" and in April, Russel Bowes tells us how to "Dig for Victory."

Our Art Group have produced a beautiful calendar for 2012 using art work by their members. The cost this year is £4.00p and they are available now for you to purchase in time for Christmas. For more information or to order a copy of this calendar please contact Sheila Malthouse on 728183

10 Pin bowling starts again on Thursday 24th November at the AMF Bowl in King Street Maidstone. John Grognet has reserved 3 lanes from 10.00am. If you want some exercise combined with good fun then come along and try out your bowling arm. If you don't want to play just come along anyway for the spectacle and coffee and biscuits.

Our first Keep Fit session took off on Thursday 3rd November. An amazing 30 members turned up for what proved to be a very successful hour of exercises that have been designed by Melody for members of all abilities. Leotards are not mandatory. If you would like to keep fit but don't fancy formal keep fit classes why not try Line Dancing. For more information on Line Dancing talk to Maureen Kenwright (727066)

Kurling, 10-pin bowling and Keep Fit and line dancing activities are open to every member full or associate.
The last petanque session of the summer season took place on Halloween Monday 31st October 18 members attended in pleasant warm weather and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Ken's boules can now have a well-earned rest! But, Kurling continues all winter - weather permitting - at the TA Drill Hall in Boxley Road. The cost of the session is £1.50 and this includes coffee and biscuits.

The winter solstice next month - 22nd December - is the shortest day and longest night and then the nights start "drawing out" so Spring cannot be far behind!...

The last Line Dancing session of 2011 will be on 29th November 2011 and will recommence on Tuesday 10th January 2012. The last Keep Fit class before the Christmas break is 24th November and classes will recommence on 12th January 2012 just in time to burn off all your festive indulgences

Words of wisdom;
By the time that you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.
Remember the past, plan for the future, but live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.

Probably because of the success of the BarmARA Showtime Pantomime, one of our members has suggested that we might like to form a Drama Group. If you think that you may be interested, either contact Dave direct (670034) or put your name down on the "I'm interested" Sheet on the Secretary's table at this Meeting and depending on the interest shown Dave will progress this activity further.

   REMINDER: If you haven't paid your Annual Subscriptions yet, you only have 8 more
   days to do so if you wish to continue as a Member. Contact the Membership Secretary
   on 01622 693755

To all those members who are going on the German trip to Rudesheim an Rhein:

"Haben Sie eine gute Reise, amüsieren Sie und eine sichere Rückker"

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions. Except for the AGM and Monthly Meetings, Associate Members are entitled and welcomed to all other Events.

Thursday 24th November KentARA Christmas Variety Show at Mote Hall presented by Paul James. 7.30pm performance (Doors open 6.45pm) Ticket cost £9.00p. (W)
Thursday 24th November 10 Pin Bowling at the AMF Maidstone Bowl in King Street. Maidstone from 10.00am (J)
Thursday 24th November Keep Fit Class St. Andrews Church Hall between 2-3pm (D)
Friday 25th November Coach Tour to Hampstead, London. The Coach leaves Fant Lane at 08.30am. Start with coffee (extra) followed by a guided tour around Hampstead with some free time. Roast chicken lunch and tour of the Christmas Lights included. £30. (M)

Friday 2nd December Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Monday 5th December. Coffee Morning has been postponed until Monday 12th December due to German Trip.
Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline.(M).
Monday 12th December Coffee Morning 10.00 am Parish Hall. NEW DATE
Friday 16th December BarmARA Singles Christmas Lunch at 83, Bower Mount Road from 12 Noon. Details from Wendy (W)
Tuesday 20th December. Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. Arrive Noon for 12.30pm (M)(G)
2012
Tuesday 10th January Line Dancing commences after Christmas Break
Thursday 12th January Keep Fit Class at St. Andrews Church Hall between 2-3pm (D)
Monday 16th January BarmARA Ramblers Lunch at Riverside Restaurant (D)
Thursday 19th January Keep Fit Class at St. Andrews Church Hall between 2-3pm (D)
Friday 20th January 2012 Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Tuesday 24th January BarmARA Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Thursday 26th January Keep Fit Class St. Andrews Church Hall between 2-3pm (D)

Friday 10th February 2012 Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Wednesday 29th February 2012 Theatre Trip to see "West Side Story" at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Leave Fant Lane at 5.45pm for 7.30pm performance. Cost of Stall seat including Coach £22. (G)

Wednesday 21st March Coach trip for a tour of Westminster Abbey and other locations closely associated with HM Queen Elizabeth from childhood to her marriage and Coronation. Cost £36. Leave Fant Lane 8.30am. (M)
Saturday 31st March 2012. Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow (D)

Monday 7th May 2012.Our Annual Spring Holiday to Warner Littlecote Manor, Wiltshire. 5 days(4 nights) Half Board, Coach travel to and from Maidstone plus 2 x Day Excursions. Cost £340 per person. Booking opens on 23/08/2011 (N)

Tuesday 5th June HM. Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee
Contacts:
(G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498. (D) Dave 670034.
(N) Neil 727066 (J) John 687415 (W) Wendy 729771

                  BARMARA
                                                  Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
                         Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
                                              Issue No 75 OCTOBER 2011.
                                                    www.barmara.org.uk

This is our 75th Issue and just like the Johnnie Walker advert we are still going strong. This was also the message that our Chairman gave this year at the August Annual General Meeting.

We are happy to report that our friend and long term member Brian Cornish is home from hospital following a recent operation and is progressing satisfactorily. We send him our best wishes. Keep up the good work Jen.

Beryl Cavender would also like to thank all those members who enquired after her health and sent Get Well cards and would like to let friends know that she is on the road to recovery.

Also Happy Birthday to our Speakers Secretary Brian Wade who is now three score and ten years old.

This is the last reminder to pay your annual subscription to our Membership Secretary. If you wish to continue your Membership make sure that your Subs are paid to Peter within the next two weeks. Payment details inside.

Our first "Keep Fit Class for all abilities" will be on Thursday 3rd November in St. Andrews Church Hall from 2 until 3pm. The cost will be £3.00p per session. Melody has agreed to become our instructor. So far we have 28 members interested in joining. Contact Dave Mayger (670034) for more information.

On Friday 7th October, 20 BarmARA New Kurling aficionados met at the Boxley Road TA Centre for the monthly session under the watchful eyes of Dave and Val. It was another well-organised and fun morning. There is still room for more members to attend and try their hand at this activity. Give it a go. The next Kurling meeting is on 4th November.

The last Petanque session of the season takes place on Monday 31st October at the Redstart pub and thereafter, we start up our 10 pin bowling season at the AMF Bowl in King Street, Maidstone. John Grognet will be organising this activity and he is compiling a schedule of dates. These will be published in the next Newsletter.

Quiz. - Our winner of the August Quiz was Dorothy Tyler.
Answers: Q1. Babes in the Wood. Q2. Twankey. Q3. Wishy Washy. Q4. Diamond Miners. Q5. Dick Whittington. Q6. The stick that the Harliquin used to hit people. Q7. Happy. Q8. The Brothers Grimm. Q9. 1937. Q10. Maggie Barclay.

Quiz OCTOBER 2011
Q1. Which year was the television Licence introduced? Q2. Which is the largest West End theatre in terms of seats? Q3. Where in Kent did the artist and sculptor Graham Sutherland live? Q4 30 degrees Centigrade equals to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. True or False? Q5. In what popular series in 1968 did the actor Martin Shaw play a character called "Robert Croft" ? Q6. What is the real name of the Rock star "Alice Cooper"? Q7. Which 92 year old women is the oldest living person to enter the UK album Chart? Q8. Who was the King of the Faries in Shakespeares "Midsummer Nights Dream"? Q9. Which Composer wrote "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba"? Q10. Where is there an American flag that has not been lowered since 1969?

This October Meeting promises to be very exciting as the Barmarian Thespians Showtime Players give us their version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Then in November Martin Gurden (remember the Chicken Man) returns to talk about his career as a Journalist. There is no Meeting in December as there is the Christmas Lunch at the Grangemoor Hotel. Brian Wade has a full programme for Speakers in 2012 commencing in January with Robert Merritt talking on "Life and Times of a Military Musician". In February Anna Astin talks about "Motor to Racing Driver or How women learnt to love the motor car" and in April, Russel Bowes tells us how to "Dig for Victory."

Our Art Group are producing a beautiful calendar for 2012 using art work by their members. The cost this year will be £4.00p and they are available now for you to purchase in time for Christmas. For more information or to order a copy of this calendar please contact Sheila Malthouse on 728183

ALL MEMBERS whether FULL or ASSOCIATE are welcome to attend the following activities : Art Group. Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183. Line Dancing Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066. Handicrafts Contact Mo Smith 661498. BarmARA Singles Contact either Wendy Thorpe 729771 or Peter Dickenson 755350. Petanque and Kurling contact Dave Mayger 670034

We are not a political organisation but I expect we all have our own personal views on matters that affect the area in which we live. I wonder how many of our members read the Maidstone Borough Council Consultation on the Draft Local Development Framework Core Strategy Document that is available as a hard copy or CD Rom from the Town Hall in the High Street? Did you know that the Council propose to allow a total of 10,080 new house units to be provided by the year 2026? Specifically 975 units in the Allington/Barming/Fant area. It is very "dry" reading but an interesting insight on how your Council views future development in our area.

For the past few years someone has been putting a poppy on the Barming War Memorial commemorating Jean Wells ancestor. Will it happen this year and has she discovered who?

For other star gazers, watch out for a special event on the night of 17/18 November when we should be able to see the maximum of the Leonid Meteor Shower. This annual shower usually yields literally storms of shooting stars.

This Day in History: 1881 Pablo Picasso was born and in 1915 the cricketer W.G. Grace died. In 1976, the National Theatre on the South Bank London was opened and in 1995 Cliff Richard received a Knighthood.

British Summer Time ends this weekend so don't forget to put your clocks back also, just to remind you, it is only 60 days to go until Christmas Day!

The speaker for our August meeting was Mr. R.Masters. All those who were there sat up and paid attention(he is a retired head master). He told of many tricks of the trade, such as when the best time to plant and also when not to plant to get the best results. Allotments were very popular a while ago with long waiting lists. They then seemed to drop in popularity with many going wild and overgrown. Since then allotments have become more in demand again, as vegetables in shops keep getting more expensive. The talk was so interesting that I almost went and signed up for an allotment. (Almost). The talk was most enjoyable, thank you Mr.Masters. Looking forward to hearing another talk you have on a different subject. (Thanks to John Grognet for this report)

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions. Except for the AGM and Monthly Meetings, Associate Members are entitled and welcomed to all other Events.

Monday 31st October Petanque 10.00am Redstart Pub.

Thursday 3rd November Keep Fit at St Andrews Church Hall from 2 until 3pm. Cost £3.00 per session. Contact (D)
Friday 4th November Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Monday 7th November Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd November BarmARA Monthly Meeting Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Thursday 24th November KentARA Christmas Variety Show at Mote Hall presented by Paul James. 7.30pm performance (Doors open 6.45pm) Ticket cost £9.00p. Contact Wendy 729771
Friday 25th November Coach Tour to Hampstead, London. Start with coffee (extra) followed by a guided tour around Hampstead with some free time. Roast chicken lunch and tour of the Christmas Lights included. £30. (M)

2012

Friday 20th January 2012 Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Tuesday 24th January BarmARA Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Friday 10th February 2012 Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Wednesday 29th February 2012 Theatre Trip to see "West Side Story" at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Leave Fant Lane at 5.45pm for 7.30pm performance. Cost of Stall seat including Coach £22. (G)
Saturday 31st March 2012. Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow (D)
Monday 7th May 2012.Our Annual Spring Holiday to Warner Littlecote Manor, Wiltshire. 5 days(4 nights) Half Board, Coach travel to and from Maidstone plus 2 x Day Excursions. Cost £340 per person. Booking opens on 23/08/2011 (N)

Contacts:
(G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498. (D) Dave 670034.
(N) Neil 727066

BARMARA
Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 74 SEPTEMBER 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Chairman's Report 2010/2011

When I came to compile this report I thought! What were the most memorable events of the past year? The first was the weather. It was again a cold winter with plenty of early snow followed by a hot spring, which finished just before our Spring Holiday to Cricket St Thomas! My second thought was our last AGM, where your Committee and members came together to put on a variety show. It was well received by the audience. My thanks go to everyone who took part and the producer Dave Mayger whose constant enthusiasm made it happen. A mention also for Chris Hall and the magnificent lighting and sound he provided. The third was a disappointment, especially to our associate members on the waiting list. Of course I'm talking about Beechwood Hall. We persevered with the option to move and increase the full membership for three years. Only to be thwarted at the last hurdle. We were led to believe that the new hall could accommodate about 150 people, but their hall committee set a limit of one hundred ( Less than Fant Hall). I would like to thank Peter Dickenson for keeping our interests alive by joining and attending their committee meetings for that length of time. What else has happened in the year? Well we have provided the choice of three holidays. The turkey and tinsel to The Christmas Show at Thursford followed by a weekend at Potters Holiday village in Norfolk. Springtime saw us on holiday at Cricket St Thomas Somerset, and last but far from being least a weekend in Paris by Eurostar. Those who went seem to have had a lovely time. I think in the future we have to look at providing a cheaper holiday, as some of these holidays are getting very expensive. Besides the holidays Gloria and Mo have been very busy organising lots of day excursions for us. A varied programme from boat trips to theatre trips. They still amaze me that after nine years they still come up with new options. Thank you both very much. We now have well supported activities to keep you active. Ten pin bowling in the winter and Petanque in the summer, New Age Kurling , a Barn Dance, ramble's and line dancing which needs support. The Art group and Singles club goes from strength to strength. Quiz nights are popular and well supported. For all these activities I would like to give a great deal of thanks to members and committee for their time and enthusiasm. Brian has kept us entertained by a varied programme of speakers and social afternoons. This is a very hard job, as you can never tell until they appear just how interesting they will prove to be. Thank you Brian. Thanks go to Judy who has kept us supplied with a good selection of prizes for the raffles. She must be doing it right as it is well supported. Thank you.
The membership is still healthy with nearly as many associates as full members. This list is continually changing and requires a lot of work. We were also able to keep subs down to the level of the previous year. I would like to thank Peter for stepping in as Chairman when both Gloria and I were in Hospital. Thank you Peter. Thanks to Maurice and his work on the Newsletter and Web site to keep us all informed as to what's going on. The web site has proved to be a boon to the club as it has cut down a lot of phone calls to activity organisers and the electronic distribution of the newsletter. Thanks to the Secretary and Treasurer's for their work of keeping BARMARA going from day to day. Thank you Peter, Wendy and Mo. This year we had an addition to the committee. It was of course John Grognet who has been a very active member of the committee. He joined after the last AGM so I had to seconde him onto the committee until this meeting, where you will have the opportunity to vote him on as a full committee member. Thank you John for your help. I have not forgotten but thanks to my wife Maureen for keeping us all refreshed at the meetings and Coffee mornings also sending cards to members for special occasions. What of the future? Well plans for next year are well under way. All activities from last year will continue. Dave has had us all in rehearsals for another show for you, hopefully before Christmas. The Christmas lunch this year is going to be at The Grangemore Hotel. So hope to see you all there. Mo has arranged a turkey and tinsel holiday to Germany, and I have a Warner's at Littlecote on 7th May 2012. 2012 is Olympic year and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee so it will be another full year. In conclusion, I would like to say that your club is in a very healthy state and has a very active committee. Thank you to all of you, which without your support none of the activities would be possible. Neil Kenwright.

All the existing Officers were re-elected unanimously and unopposed with the Committee being led by Neil Kenwright as Chairman, Peter Dickenson as Treasurer, Wendy Thorpe as Secretary and Peter Sargent as Membership Secretary. The rest of your existing Committee Members were also re-elected unopposed. Maurice Gay, John Grognet, Maureen Kenwright, David Mayger, Gloria Rayment, Maureen Smith, Judy Thomson and Brian Wade. The Annual Accounts were presented by the Treasurer and were Approved. The Membership Secretary confirmed that there is to be NO INCREASE in our Annual Subscriptions; and called on all members to pay them as soon as possible without the need for a reminder. They are as last year, £5 for each Full Member, £5 per couple for Associate Members and £3 for each single Associate Member.

It was a beautiful warm morning for our Petanque session on Monday 22nd August at the Redstart Pub. Unfortunately, Dave Mayger was unwell and not able to attend and keep us all under control. However, Val Mayger, Ken Comber and John Grognet did a splendid job. 18 members did battle on the three pistes. As Ken Comber didn't have his usual measuring stick, Maureen Kenwright used her British Standard hand span as an alternative. It is a really friendly game although it can get quite competitive at times. Generally we are all improvng and could hold our own against any KentARA opponent.

The Coffee Morning still continues to well supported and the trip that Gloria organised to the Lea Valley was very sucessful. Our Quiz Night was very enjoyable with the Quizmaster Richard Warner asking some very tricky questions. At half time Brenda Sargent and her team produced a very innovative "Ploughman's Skewer" which was relished by everyone. Val and Dave Mayger and John Grognet were so keen to attend they came straight from the Kentara Cruise following a stormy crossing of the Bay of Biscay to Fant Hall. This is just as well they did as they were on the winning table with John Jeffreys and his group. Congratulations to Ann Barfoot, Freda Pearce et al as their table just managed to win the Lemons.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions. Except for the AGM and Monthly Meetings, Associate Members are entitled and welcomed to all other Events.

Monday 3rd October Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall. 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 4th October Pantomime Rehearsal Parish Hall 2.30pm (D)
Friday 7th October Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Saturday 8th October. KentARA Supper and Race Night at Ditton Community Centre, 7.30pm to 10.30pm.Tickets - £6.00 per person.Contact (W)
Monday 17th October, Ramble Meet 10am Tesco Hermitage Lane, 3.5/4 miles good walking, no stiles, pub lunch at Muggletons ( optional) Contact (Go)
Tuesday 25th October BarmARA Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Friday 4th November Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Monday 7th November Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd November BarmARA Monthly Meeting Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Friday 25th November Coach Tour to Hampstead, London. Start with coffee (extra) followed by a guided tour around Hampstead with some free time. Roast chicken lunch and tour of the Christmas Lights included. £30. (M)
Friday 2nd December Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Monday 5th December. Coffee Morning has been postponed until Monday 12th December due to German Trip.
Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline. £40 deposit required and we recommend a £12 cancellation Insurance. More details follow Contact (M).
Monday 12th December Coffee Morning 10.00 am Parish Hall. NEW DATE
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. £10 deposit required on booking. (M) Limited numbers so Book Early
Friday 20th January 2012 Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Friday 10th February 2012 Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Wednesday 29th February 2012 Theatre Trip to see "West Side Story" at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Leave Fant Lane at 5.45pm for 7.30pm performance. Cost of Stall seat including Coach £23. (G)
Saturday 31st March 2012. Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow (D)
Monday 7th May 2012.Our Annual Spring Holiday to Warner Littlecote Manor, Wiltshire. 5 days(4 nights) Half Board, Coach travel to and from Maidstone plus 2 x Day Excursions. Cost £340 per person. Booking opens on 23/08/2011 (N)

Contacts:
(G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498. (D) Dave 670034.
(N) Neil 727066 (Go) Gordon 726965

Quiz. - Our winner of the July Quiz was Pat Whatford although we had nine others who got all the right answers but it was Pat's name was drawn out of the hat first.
Answers to the July 2011 Quiz Q1. OBOE. Q2. TRUMPET. Q3. VIOLIN. Q4. TUBA. Q5. GUITAR. Q6. BANJO. Q7. FIFE. Q8. FRENCH HORN. Q9. SPINET. Q10. DRUMS

Quiz SEPTEMBER 2011. Brush away all those cobwebs from the recesses of your mind and see if you can match the comedian with their "catchphrase". Who said the following?
Q1. "Ay Ay! That's yer lot." Q2. "I'm poorly, proper poorly." Q3. "Oh you are awful but I like you." Q4. "Play the music, open the cage". Q5. "Can you hear me Mother?" Q6. "I've arrived and to prove it I'm ‘ere." Q7. "Hallo my darlings." Q8. "Another fine mess you've gotten me into." Q9. "The day war broke out." Q10. "Nice to see you..." Q11. "Hallo Playmates." Q12. "You lucky people." Q13. "Good morning sir, was there something?" Q14. "It's the way I tell em." Q15. "I've only got four minutes."

Answers please in the box at the next Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by the Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw. We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

Our Speaker at today's Meeting is R. Masters who will give us his talk on "Adventures on the Allotment". The October Meeting promises to be almost as exciting as the Barmarian Thespians Showtime. Then in November Martin Gurden (remember the Chicken Man) returns to talk about his career as a Journalist. Brian Wade has a full programme for Speakers in 2012 commencing in January with Robert Merritt talking on "Life and Times of a Military Musician". In February Anna Astin talks about "Motor to Racing Driver or How women learnt to love the motor car" and in April, Russel Bowes tells us how to "Dig for Victory."

The Speaker at the August Meeting gave a very interesting talk on the Kent Air Ambulance. The helicopter service was established in 1989 and was the 3rd to be founded in the UK. Since then it has flown over 15,000 missions. We were told that 40% of their work is concerned with Road Traffic Accidents, 40% with outdoor sporting and leisure time injuries and 20% concerned with medical emergencies at home, work or travelling through Kent. They work 7 days a week for 52 weeks of the year during daylight hours with a crew consisting of the Pilot, a Doctor and a Paramedic.. They are based at Marden. For those of our members who like to know such things, the Helicopter registration is G-KAAT and it is an MD902 Explorer specially designed to be able to land in confined spaces. They cost about £5 million and carry £250,000 worth of medical equipment. The amazing thing is that this incredibly important service does not receive any government aid or National Lottery grants and relies solely on charitable donations from the public or businesss. The helicopter can scramble in 3 minutes and be anywhere in Kent within 18 minutes.so that patients can start receiving emergency treatment within the "Golden Hour" which is the most important hour within the whole recovery period. Treatment within this period greatly increases survival and recovery. A very informative and interesting talk which was indicated by our members who took the opportunity to make their individual donations to this valuable and important service. We heard later that in addition to the BarmARA Speakers Fee donation of £50, our members added a further £101 to their funds by way of the voluntary collection box.

Our Art Group are producing a beautiful calendar for 2012 using art work by their members. The cost this year will be £4.00p and they will be available for you to purchase in time for Christmas. To order please contact Sheila Malthouse on 728183

BARMARA
Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 72 JULY 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

Both our Chairman Neil and Vice-chairman Gloria have been in hospital recently and it is so good to know that they are well on the way to a full recovery. Thanks to Peter Sargent our Membership Secretary who took over the reins quite admirably whilst Neil and Gloria were hors-de-combat. Hopefully both will be on form and ready for next months AGM

The Kurling meeting this month went ahead despite the warm weather. Thanks to Lorna and John Grognet who stepped in as Dave and Val Mayger went on the Paris trip. John managed to keep the 16 members that were there in order. After all the jolly exercise John allowed 8 of our player members to go to the Bull PH at Penenden Heath for a little light lunch and a welcome libation.

Bonjour mes amis, Friday 1st July was a lovely morning and we saw 26 Barmara Eurotrain Virgins set off to Paris for the weekend, as the train approached Ebbsfleet station we were informed that the train would only stop for two minutes," no worries", as the Barmara Loaders leapt into action to uplift the cases. After a very fast but smooth journey of about 2 hrs 30 minutes we arrived in Paris. "Cass" our courier led us on a tour of the Gard Du Nord to our waiting coach, which took us to the Ibis Hotel. Next day after an interesting breakfast (a cross between Fawlty Towers and Oliver Twist) we set off for a very informative tour of Paris, followed by a visit to the beautiful House and Gardens of Versailles. After dinner, another tour of Paris by night culminating in a viewing of the magnificent illuminated Eiffel Tower. Sunday dawned to a clear blue sky and a trip to the colourful and risqué Montmarte, after which we enjoyed a river cruise along the Seine. In the afternoon we did our own thing, but as a bonus there was a carnival along the Champs Elysees (similar to the Notting Hill event), which lasted about 3Hrs. In the evening some of the group went "on" to a nightclub to have dinner and enjoy a fabulous cabaret. Monday saw us back home again and we all agreed it had been a really fantastic weekend thanks to our courier and of course to Gloria, a very big THANK YOU.

We have been asked to say a BIG thank you from all the ladies to the men on the Paris Eurostar trip that helped with their luggage XXX

Although Monday 18th July was a wet and cold day in Barming the weather in Tonbridge was a lot better as a group of our intrepid ramblers took a walk through Tonbridge Park (Haysden Country Park) This delightful park is mainly flat along a tarmac path with hard surfaces around the lake. Leaving the motte and bailey of Tonbridge Castle behind, the path follows through light woodland. Small streams and picturesque ponds to open out alongside Barden Lake - a popular spot with bird and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as families throughout the year.There were plenty of resting points to sit and enjoy the antics of the wildfowl on the lake.This area has been designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Lunch was taken at the Witherspoon pub. Remember, all members can join in any of the rambles, you will be most welcome. For more information check out the "Events Diary" and give the organiser a call.

Quiz. - Our winner of the MAY Quiz
Answers to the May 2011 Quiz
Q1. Maidstone Grammar School. Q2 A Crater on the planet Mars, namd by NASA. Q3. Wove Paper. Q4. Pubs in East Farleigh. Q5 Lib Dem Councillors for the Allington Ward. Q6. Great Great Grandfather John Goldsmith. Q7. The Nepalese Gurkas. Q8. The last person to be publicly hanged in Britain. Q9. The Maidstone Coat-of-Arms. Q10. France.

JULY 2011 Quiz Questions Another quirky quiz from John Bell. This one is all about Musical Instruments. What musical instrument does the clue describe?

Q1. American Tramp? Q2. How to win a card trick? Q3. Disgusting pub? Q4. Potato root? Q5. You can have this if you get a cold? Q6. Prohibit Joseph.? Q7. Just before six? Q8. A Gallic car accessory? Q9. What they do with yarn? Q10. Found in your ears?

On This Day in History- 26th July
1856: George Bernard Shaw was born, 1931: Mary Quant was born, 1943: Sir Mick Jagger was born. In 1945, the Labour Party won a landslide victory in the General Election.

Todays Speaker is Ray Austin.

Did you know that Victor Hugo wrote "Les Miserables" during the time he was exilled on the island of Guernsey and that Jenson Button the F1 racing driver has a home there.

Last month John Mills the ex-Prison Officer was on a return visit and gave us a talk on "How our communities have changed over the years" John started his talk with a reference to a Prince Phillip truism.." "One's mind can only absorb what the bottom can endure". Hoping that his talk would be interesting and timely, he continued his talk comparing today's society vis a vis the society of our childhood with particular reference to "elf and safety" and how claims conscious society has become. He posed various pertinent questions and probably most of us tended to agree that perhaps todays society's attitudes are uncomfortable and we would prefer many of the previously accepted ways of life. It was food for thought and I expect most of us took away many questions that need to be answered.

For Skywatchers amongst us, next month (August), look out for the Perseid meteor shower of shooting stars that is due to revisit us on the night of 12/13th August.

Next Month, Tuesday 23rd August is our Annual General Meeting so please make a special effort to attend this very important meeting. The Meeting will start sharp at 1.15pm.

Something to think about....
What if there were no hypothetical questions!
Is there another word for synonym?

One nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people.
A bargain is something you don't need at a price you can't resist .

Please Note that Line Dancing closed for the summer break on Tuesday 19th July and will recommence on Tuesday 13th September.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meetingof BarmARA will be held at Fant Community Hall on Tuesday, 23rd August 2011 at 1.30pm as a preliminary to the ususal monthly meeting. Matters to be dealth with at the Meeting will be the delivery of the Officers' Annual Reports, presentation of audited Accounts for the year, election of Officers and Committee and the appointment of Auditor for the year 2011/2012. Below is a list of current Officers and Committee Members with their specialisations and an indication of whether they are prepared to stand for re-election.

                                                      Chairman   Neil Kenwright   Yes
                                                      Hon. Treasurer   Peter Dickenson   Yes
                                                      Hon. Secretary   Wendy Thorpe   Yes
                                                      Hon. Membership Secretary Peter Sargent   Yes

                      Committee Members
                                                     Maurice Gay (Newsletter/Web Site) Yes
                                                     John Grognet (Oddjob) Yes
                                                     Maureen Kenwright (Catering) Yes
                                                     Dave Mayger ( Activities) Yes
                                                     Gloria Rayment (Outings) Yes
                                                     Maureen Smith (Outings) Yes
                                                     Judy Thomson (Raffles) Yes
                                                     Brian Wade (Speakers) Yes

You may nominate members to compete for any of the Officer or Committee posts using a nomination form that can be obtained from Hon. Secretary Wendy Thorpe (729771) Any nomination should ideally reach the Hon. Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. A nomination may be entered at the Meeting provided that the nominee is present. In the event of more than one nomination being received, an election will be held.

Now the good news: The Membership Secretary proposed to the Committee that the annual subscriptions remain unchanged for the year 2011/2012. This proposal was accepted by the Committee unanimously.

It all happened on Tuesday 19th at the Parish Hall when all those aspiring BarmARian thespians gathered for the first meeting for Dave Mayger's production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which is planned to be ready for public showing at one of the Meetings later in the year. David's astute and omniscient and carefully chosen casting was brilliant and this spectaculr show should prove to be an outstanding success. Guess who plays the Wicked Queen. If you want to be part of this production there is still time. Join in and have some fun, especially ladies who would like to sing in the chorus.

Next Month our Speaker will be a representitive from the Kent Air Ambulance Service. It should be a very interesting and informative talk. This will follow after the AGM

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Monday 1st August Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Friday 5th August Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (D)
Tuesday 9th August BarmARA Committee Meeting at Barming Parish Hall
Monday 15th August Ramble 4.5 mile with 2 stiles in the Hadlow area.. Catch the 09.38 No. 7 Bus at the Spice Fusion (Fountain) Bus Stop. Lunch if required at The Prince of Wales Pub. Contact Brian 721719
Wednesday 17th August Trip to Althorp House home of the Spencer family and the late Princess Diana. Admission to the House and Gardens. Optional (A) Afternoon tea in the State Dining Room or (B) in the Cafeteria. Cost - (A) £38 or (B) £23. Coach leaves Fant Lane 9.00am. Contact (G)
Monday 22nd August Petanque at the Redstart Pub. 10.00am.
Tuesday 23rd August BarmARA AGM and Monthly Meeting Fant Hall from 1.30pm
Monday 5th September Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 13th September Line Dancing at Fant Hall re-commences.
Tuesday 13th September Committee Meeting at Barming Parish Hall
Wednesday 14th September A coach trip has been arranged to the Lee Valley Broxbourne where we take a cruise on the River Lee with coffee and a Danish included. Lunch will be at Waltham Abbey where we pick up the coach with a Blue Badge Guide and drive past the White Water Centre where the 2012 Olympic Canoe Slalom events will be held. Cost £30. Leave Fant Hall 8.45am.Contact (G)
Friday 16th September Quiz Night at Fant Hall from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. £6 a ticket includes food Teams of six or preferably eight (MG)
Tuesday 27th September BarmARA Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Monday 3rd October Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall. 10.00 to 12.00
Saturday 8th October. KentARA Supper and Race Night at Ditton Community Centre, Kiln Barn Rd. 7.30pm to 10.30pm. (Doors open from 7.00pm) Tickets - £6.00 per person. Contact (W)
Tuesday 11th October BarmARA Committee Meeting at Barming Parish Hall.
Tuesday 25th October BarmARA Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Monday 7th November Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 8th November BarmARA Committee Meeting Barming Parish Hall
Tuesday 22nd November BarmARA Monthly Meeting Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline. £40 deposit required and we recommend a £12 cancellation Insurance. More details follow Contact (Mo).
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. £10 deposit required on booking.(Mo) Limited numbers so Book Early
Saturday 31st March 2012. A note for your 2012 diary Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow (D)

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034.

(N) Neil 727066 (MG) Maurice 669421

BARMARA
Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 71 JUNE 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

So eventually the day arrived and we set off in Archie's bus for the mystery destination. After a couple of hours wending our way through delightful countryside and staying well away from motorways and stopping for a mid-morning break at Heavens Farm in Ashdown Forest where they have a free-ranging collection of crazy chickens, and after much ever-changing speculation, knowing calculation and blind stabbing in the dark we arrived at our mystery destination - charmingly genteel, old-fashioned Worthing, just in time for a fish & chips lunch. The day remained sunny and warm; there were bargains to be had in the shops and in the street market just behind the Front; we relaxed on the pier and the ice creams cost only £1. Our driver took the more direct route back to Maidstone so we arrived home in time for tea. Thanks to Gloria and Archie the driver for a good trip.

We tried a new format at our Kurling session this month when Dave organised a competition. 26 players were randomly organised into teams of 2 and each team played 3 games each of six ends and each game against a different team. The total score of each game was added up to find the team with the highest score. There were some interesting and very competitive games with husbands playing against wives. The mid-session break was fortified with coffee and biscuits thanks to Val Mayger. The team of Maureen Kenwright and Marie Everett with 20 points won by an enormous margin. The teams of Sue Brenton and Marion Brown and Val Eates and Ken Comber were runners up. Our Chairman Neil and his team partner Eileen Moles with 6 points just managed to beat Peter Dickenson and Freda Pearce with 7 points into last place. It was a very good morning that we all enjoyed and we hope that Dave will do it again.

Our August Meeting which incorporates the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is fast approaching and it will be the time when you will be able to influence the membership of the Committee and the direction of our Active Retirement Association. If you want change then that will be the time to voice your opinion.

As a member of KentARA we circulate our Newsletter to other groups by email and similarly those groups who produce a newsletter reciprocate. If you have an email address and would like to see these then let Maurice know and he will send them to you.

We have three new associate members and we welcome Reg and Ann Weller and Mrs Deborah Langworthy.

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Quiz. - Our winner of the April Quiz was David Williams. David is an Associate Member. Once again, this month, Jackie Boyle, Dorothy Tyler, Daphne Sutherland and Jen Cornish narrowly missed out going into the winners circle by one point..

Answers to the APRIL 2011 Quiz that was a silly quiz about the names of classical music composers.
Q1.Shubert (Shoo Bert). Q2. Liszt (List). Q3. Britten (Britain). Q4. DeBussy (De pussy). Q5. Bach (Bark). Q6. Handel (Handle). Q7. Haydn (Hiding). Q8. Offenbach (Often Bark). Q9. Chopin (Show Pain). Q10. Brahms (Miss Brahms, Mr. Lucas liked her).

JUNE 2011 Quiz Questions
Q1. What is a PULPATOON? Q2. Which river forms the lake in Mote Park? Q3. In the Doomsday Book it was called CHENTH, what is it known as today? Q4. How did Pratt's Bottom in Kent get its name from? Q5.If a collection of Magpies is known as a Tiding or Gulp or Charm or Murder What is a collection of Starlings known as? Q6. What is the only continent occupied by only one country? Q7. What connection does Lady Ghilaine have to the Sun Newspaper? Q8. In pre-decimalisation, how many old pennies were there in one and a half guineas? Q9. What does the acronym WYSIWYG mean? Q10. It is in the church

On This Day in History- 28th June

1491 King Henry VIII was born
1838 Coronation of Queen Victoria
1914 Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo precipitating WWI
1919 Peace Treaty signed in the Palace of Versailles.
1994 The 17.30hrs train from Paignton to Exeter was cancelled because the conductor
wasn't wearing a tie.

Speaker
Today, John Mills the ex-Prison Officer is on a return visit and will give us a talk on "Have our communities changed over the years"

Last month our Speaker was Nick Thomas who regaled us with stories about his life as a comedy scriptwriter. Nick's overriding premise was that observing real life provides much more comedy material than that of imagination. Nick spent many years as scriptwriter for the "Huddlines" and told many stories about the stars of that show including meeting Julian Cleary in make-up. Nick speaks at many WI, and ARA type meeting and always remembers Enoch Powell's maxim. "When given a time limit for your speech always start with a full bladder as this gives you a sense of urgency". We listened to an excerpt of the Boris Yeltsin sketch and to the story of the plumber Barry Balldock and the Space Station. This and stories about John Wayne Bobbit and Willington Court ended a very enjoyable time listening to him.

Art Group. The Art Group has proved so popular that unfortunately because of constraints on the size of the Parish Hall we are unable to accommodate or take any new members for the time being.

If you haven't been successful in obtaining your Olympic Tickets, don't worry because you will be able to see the Olympic torch, as it will pass through Maidstone on July 19th 2012 as part of an 8,000-mile relay ahead of next year's games. The Torch will stop overnight in Maidstone and the stop will act as an "evening celebration location" where the torch will rest before moving onto other areas the next day. It will arrive in the UK from Greece on May 18th 2012 and will travel for 70 days throughout the UK before arriving at the Olympic Stadium in east London for the opening ceremony of the games. Does anyone remember when it passed through Maidstone in 1948? Do we have any members who may have been honoured to carry the Olympic Torch?

We are getting frequent visitors to the Royal Albert Hall as once again we went up to town by coach to see "Strictly Gershwin" This show is a dazzling homage to George Gershwin, the big band era and the razzmatazz of the thirties. The dancers of English National Ballet were joined by special guests and a live jazz orchestra for this fabulous in the round dance spectacular. Our toes never stopped tapping to all the Gershwin favourites such as "Strike up the Band, Someone to watch over me, ‘s Wonderful, I got rhythm and many more. The dancers performed a truly exciting Rhumba to the music of "It aint necessarily so" Another beautiful performance was by Tamara Rojo who danced the girl part in the staging of "An American in Paris" to the music of "Rhapsody in Blue " They don't write music like this nowadays. Thanks Mo for a great trip.

Tuesday 19th July will see the first meeting for our production of the Pantomime "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" at the Parish Hall (see the Events Diary) If you would like to participate in any capacity whatsoever then do please come along as every one will be welcome and you will enjoy yourself as it will be a lot of fun.

As a rule we generally do not recommend web sites. Nevertheless we would like to bring your attention of those members who have access to the Internet to this web site www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips run by Martyn Lewis. Using the information supplied on this site one of our members was able to get the Inland Revenue to drop a claim for back income tax they alleged he had underpaid. As a result, our member managed to get them to drop their claim for over £650 under the Extra Statutory Concession A19. All it took was two letters and an hour or so getting all the facts. It was well worth the small effort.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Friday 1st July Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (J)
Friday 1st to Monday 4th July All Tickets for the Paris by the Eurostar have now been sold... (G)
Monday 11th July Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall from 10.00am - NOTE NEW DATE
Monday 18th July Ramble around Tonbridge Park of about 4 miles. Bus Service No. 7 leaves Maidstone Bus Station H1 at 10.02am, Barming 10.18am. Lunch can be taken at Wetherspoons. Contact Ann 738762
Tuesday 19th July. Our first rehearsal for the Pantomime "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Parish Hall at 3.30pm. All those interested in taking part in some capacity please come along, everybody will be welcome. It will be fun (D)
Friday 22nd July. Coach trip to Waterperry Gardens in Wheatley Oxon. Beautiful Gardens, Art in Action, River Walk, Country Life Museum and Tea Shop. Cost £23. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Contact (Mo)
Monday 25th July Petanque at the Redstart Pub 10.00am. Lunch Optional (D)
Friday 5th August Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (D)
Wednesday 17th August Trip to Althorp House home of the Spencer family and the late Princess Diana. Admission to the House and Gardens. Optional (A) Afternoon tea in the State Dining Room or (B) in the Cafeteria. Cost - (A) £38 or (B) £23. Coach leaves Fant Lane 9.00am. Contact (G)
Wednesday 14th September A trip has been arranged for a tour of the Lee Valley to Broxbourne where we take a cruise on the River Lee with coffee and a Danish included. Lunch will be at Waltham Abbey where we pick up the coach with a Blue Badge Guide and drive past the White Water Centre where the 2012 Olympic Canoe Slalom events will be held. Cost £30. Leave Fant Hall 8.45am.Contact (G)
Friday 16th September Quiz Night at Fant Hall from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.(MG)
Saturday 8th October. KentARA Supper and Race Night at Ditton Community Centre, Kiln Barn Rd. 7.30pm to 10.30pm. (Doors open from 7.00pm) Tickets - £6.00 per person. Contact (W)
Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline. £40 deposit required and we recommend a £12 cancellation Insurance. More details follow Contact (Mo).
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. More details to follow

2012
Saturday 31st March 2012. A note for your 2012 diary Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066 (J) John Grognet 687415
(MG) Maurice 669421

BARMARA
Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 70 MAY 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

This is issue No. 70 of the monthly Newsletter and is another milestone in the history of BarmARA

Following on from our "Magic Session" with Jack Delvin our Speaker at the April Meeting, Mo and Maureen conjured up a right royal and delicious Easter Meeting cream tea and we all indulged ourselves with the now traditional scones accompanied by a pot of double cream and jam. We didn't even have to move from our seats as members of the Committee brought it to us in a very professional manner. Thanks to all who were involved in this Meeting.

The trip to London to visit the Law Courts and other sites and buildings with a legal connection proved to be full of interest and was a very successful trip. We had a very good pub lunch and were entertained by the sight and antics of Dave Mayger falling off of his stool into the Bar.

The BARMARA spring holiday this year was to Warner's Hotel at Cricket St Thomas Somerset. If you remember it was where they filmed the television series ‘To the Manor Born' with Penelope Keith. On a nice sunny Bank Holiday Monday we boarded the coach for Somerset. On the way we stopped for lunch in Salisbury and had time to explore this Wiltshire town. We arrived at Cricket in time for afternoon tea. This gave us time to explore our surroundings before Dinner. It lies in a valley with forty-eight acres of well-tended gardens. Most of the rooms had been newly refurbished and were in excellent condition, as was the restaurant. The meals were either carvery or waiter service from the kitchen again had a job to fault. In the evening quite a few of us enjoyed dancing and watching the cabaret. others just enjoyed a walk in the grounds or a quiet drink in the bar. Our first day excursion was entitled ‘Avalon and the summer people'. This was a guided tour that proved to be very popular. We went down narrow roads across the Somerset levels which can be compared to the Fens in East Anglia. Morning coffee was taken at Cheddar Gorge and then a short trip to Wells for lunch. The afternoon was taken up with a return trip to Cricket. Wednesday was a morning at leisure and then at one o'clock we set off for Lyme Regis. Enough said, it was a cold day and very windy, added to that I'm afraid it has seen better days and all the nice shops have been taken over by souvenir ones. That also applies to the cafes. Thursday Peter our driver gave us a mystery tour ending up in the lovely resort of Sidmouth. The only thing that spoilt it was the weather again cold with the east wind. We returned home Friday feeling tired but most enjoying the holiday. A couple of unfortunate accidents happened just before we left but we managed to get everybody home safely. See photographs on the web site www.barmara.org.uk

Unfortunately, Dave had to change the usual day for our Petanque session and this clashed with the Art Group meeting and consequently several members were unable to attend. Nevertheless, this session at the Redstart Pub in North Street attracted 23 members. We are all getting quite good at this game and saw some excellent and tactical shots. It was lovely weather and the sound of boule on boule and Oohs and Aahs could easily be heard by our vice-chairman Gloria as she sat in her garden enjoying a Pimms or as she said a cup of coffee.
Quiz. - We had five winners this month, Brian Lawrence, Jackie Boyle, Dorothy Tyler, Tony Brenton and Jean Wells, but the Winner of the March Quiz was Brian Lawrence as his name was drawn out of the hat first.. Thanks to all who entered this quiz especially Dorothy Sutherland who missed out by only one wrong answer.

Answers to the March 2011 Quiz that was all about Queen Elizabeth ll.

Q1. Winston Churchill. Q2. Three. Q3. Alexandra. Q4. Eight. Q5. Trooping of the Colour. Q6 Mary l, Mary Tudor. Q7 The Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne. Q8. The Royal Yacht Britannia.** Q9. Wales. Q10. Pigeon Racing.
** Although as Brian Lawrence quite rightly pointed out this is not strictly true as the Royal Yacht Britannia was launched BEFORE she was Crowned although she had acceded to the throne at the time of the launch.

May 2011 Quiz Questions WHAT LINKS....... All with a Maidstone flavour bar one!
Q1. James Burke the TV Presenter and Lord Beeching to Maidstone. Q2. The Planet Mars to Maidstone. Q3. Wove Paper to Maidstone Q4. A Bull, Horseshoes, Victoria and a Walnut Tree to East Farleigh. Q5 Other than by marriage, Mr. Malcolm and Mrs Cynthia Robertson to Maidstone Q6. The Duchess of Cambridge and Maidstone. Q7. The Himalayas to Maidstone Q8. Frances Kidder to Maidstone. Q9. An Iguandon, Gideon Mantell and Maidstone. and just as a bit of trivia and no connection with Maidstone whatsoever
Q10. Where in the world, since 1959 has it been legal to marry a dead person?

On This Day in History- 24th May.
1819: Queen Victoria was born
1930: Amy Johnson was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia
1956: The first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano Switzerland.
The winning song's title was "Refrain" and was sung by Lys Assia from Switzerland.
1995: Ex Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Harold Wilson died

Jack Delvin, the President of the Magic Circle, entertained us at our April Meeting. He told us how as a young boy when he was evacuated, he read a J.B. Priestly book and this sent him down the avenue of life as a magician. He returned home to Bromley during the Blitz. His first public professional spot was as a street entertainer in Leicester Square where he amassed a fee of 10/-. He also gave us an insight as to the history of how magic came about through the ages. The old bottle and coin trick and the scarves and knots trick demonstrated just how good a magician he is. Towards the end of his talk he managed to get two people from the audience to help him out. Brian Wade and Carole Eyre enthusiastically volunteered to help Jack with the Chinese Rings trick and both learnt that "wriggle, wriggle, blow blow" are the magic words. A mind reading trick ended a very interesting and enjoyable session.

Today, our Speaker is Nick Thomas who is going to talk to us about his life as a "Comedy Writer. Next month we see the return of John Mills the ex-Prison Officer and he will give us a talk on "Have our communities changed over the years"

Art Group. The Art Group has proved so popular that unfortunately because of constraints on the size of the Parish Hall we are unable to accommodate or take any new members for the time being.

The Kent Fire & Rescue Service is running a scheme encouraging the most vulnerable members of our community to contact them to book a free home safety visit. Their freephone number is 0800 923 7000. Once the person rings them, friendly staff from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service will take some information from them and arrange a time to visit them in their home to offer safety advice and fit a free smoke alarm. They also have a range of fire safety devices for the visually and hearing impaired people as well as other special gadgets e.g. if someone is getting forgetful about turning off the cooker. It takes about 30 minutes and the visit and any equipment they fit is all free. If YOU know anybody who is elderly or in poor health, has mobility problems, lives alone, is on medication that makes them sleepy or uses an old or unstable heater, then encourage them to contact The Kent Fire & Rescue Service on the above freephone number.

For those with a passing interest in Golf, The Open Championship takes place at Royal St. George at Sandwich from the 10th to 17th July this year. I happened to look at the final results at the last Open held there in 2003 and saw that Lee Westwood came in 76th, This year the bookies rate him 2nd to Tiger Woods at odds of 12:1. He must be doing something right.

Dave Mayger has reminded me that he is still looking for those Barmarian Thespians who would like to take part - in any capacity - in the pantomime that we are producing in November. If you see yourself in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" then please contact Dave on 670034 or any Committee member.

Our fame a Kurling experts is spreading far and wide within the Kentara family as we have been asked by several ARA's to pop along to their meeting place and demonstrate the game of New Age Kurling to them. On Friday 13th!!! we held our own very popular Kurling Session at the TA Centre in Boxley Road Maidstone. It is well worth coming along if you haven't tried it yet.

The monthly Committee Meeting took place on Tuesday 10th May when many things associated with the club got discussed including our trips and waiting lists and would you believe next year's holiday. The Committee want to remind you all that even if a trip is fully booked it is worth for both full and associate members putting your name down on a waiting list as very, very often places do become available.

(Pisstt.. a little seagull whispered to me that the incidents at Cricket St. Thomas were: Wendy Thorpe had her ice cream pinched by a seagull, Geoff Figgett MBE locked himself out of his room, two well known members were offered a double room but insisted they booked two singles, another well known member fell out of bed and poor old Lucky Jim broke his wrist .)

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Wednesday 25th May A Mystery day trip has been arranged with Archie of New
Enterprise. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. Price £10 (G)

Friday 3rd June Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (D)
Monday 13th June Petanque 10.00am at the Redstart Pub. Lunch optional. Contact (D)
Monday 20th June Ramble. Meet at Teston Country Park 10.00am for a walk along the River Medway to Wateringbury returning via Tutsham Hall and The Tickled Trout pub and back to Teston. Approx. 4 miles and 2 stiles. Laurie can give lift to 4 walkers to Teston. Contact Laurie on 726918
Tuesday 28th June BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm

Friday 1st July Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (J)
Friday 1st to Monday 4th July All Tickets for the Paris by the Eurostar have now been sold. 3 nights good quality hotel. Comprehensive sightseeing tour of Paris. Visit to Versailles. Visit to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Evening tour of Paris illuminations. Fully escorted by French speaking tour manager. Price for Bed and Breakfast and including coach to and from Ebsfleet - £260. (G)
Monday 11th July Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall from 10.00am - NOTE NEW DATE
Friday 22nd July. Coach trip to Waterperry Gardens in Wheatley Oxon. Beautiful Gardens, Art in Action, River Walk, Country Life Museum and Tea Shop. Cost £23. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Contact (Mo)

Friday 5th August Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (D)
Wednesday 17th August Trip to Althorp House home of the Spencer family and the late Princess Diana. Admission to the House and Gardens. Optional (A) Afternoon tea in the State Dining Room or (B) in the Cafeteria. Cost - (A) £38 or (B) £23. Coach leaves Fant Lane 9.00am. Contact (G)

Friday 16th September Quiz Night at Fant Hall from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.(MG)

Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline. £40 deposit required and we recommend a £12 cancellation Insurance. More details follow Contact (Mo).
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. More details to follow

2012
Saturday 31st March 2012. For your diary Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066 (J) John Grognet 687415
(MG) Maurice 669421

BARMARA
Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 69 April 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

Peter Franklin R.I.P
Our good friend and long time member of BarmARA, Peter Franklin passed away on Wednesday 23rd March. Peter was a resident of Barming for many years and was a past Editor of this Newsletter. He will be sadly missed; we send our condolences to his wife, Eileen and daughters Laura and Sally.

At our March Meeting the Chairman - Neil - gave the members details of the Beechwood Hall Survey (see the March issue of the Newsletter) followed by the news that the Beechwood Hall Management Committee have limited the occupation of the Hall to 100 persons. As a result, Neil told the Meeting that we would not move to Beechwood Hall and continue to meet at Fant Hall. This news caused a lot of clapping and "hoorays". It was obviously a very popular decision.

On Friday 18th March, we left Fant Hall by Coach at 4.30pm for the Albert Hall to see the "Classic Spectacular" and arrived there about 6.15pm. The doors did not open until 6.45pm but by the time we all got off the coach and wandered round to the entrance we were able to go into the bar for a welcome drink. Our seats were almost the same as we had for the Christmas show, very good, we could see the orchestra and choir and had a good view of the laser lights that were going all through the show as well as the artillery waving flags and firing cannons. We thought the Christmas show was good but this really lived up to its name - SPECTACULAR. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra entertained us with a choir of over 90 and two superb soloist, plus the band of the Welsh Guards. They played all the favourite classical tunes, including, Rule Britannia, March of the Slavs, Bolero, Pomp and Circumstance and the Toreador's song from Carmen. The finale was of course the 1812 overture with the cannons firing and fireworks being set off all over the hall, also hundreds of red, white and blue balloons were released from the ceiling. We left the hall feeling elated and boarded the coach, which was waiting outside to bring us home. A very enjoyable and memorable evening was had by all. Those members who could not go and like the classics, you really missed out, look out for the next performance and book your seats, you will not be disappointed. well done Maureen for organising it, and thanks to Brenda Sargent for writing this good report of the visit.

On Friday 1st April another well-attended Kurling Session was held at the Boxley Road TA Centre. We only managed to get in 3 games this morning as Dave and Val Mayger had to do some housekeeping and clear up after the last users of the hall before we could lay out the targets and other paraphernalia and commence play. Nevertheless we all enjoyed ourselves. Modesty forbids... but is understood that some players won all three games!

Our last 10 Pin Bowling session of the season took place on 7th April at the Maidstone Bowl. We now concentrate on Petanque. 10 Pin Bowling will return later in the year. Watch out for date in the Events Diary here in the Newsletter and on our Web Site Events Calendar. www.barmara.org.uk

Quiz. - Winner of the February Quiz was John Grognet. Thanks to Daphne Sutherland, Jackie Boyle, Tony Brenton and Dorothy Tyler as Runners-up. John should be congratulated as he offered to take the honours but not the prize money, as he is a Committee member. However, Chairman Neil persuaded him to "take the Money."

Answers to the February 2011 Quiz
Q1. 1801 Q2. Discovery of the circulation of blood in the human body. Q3. The right of tenants to graze their swine in the woods of a Manor. Q4. Joseph. Q5. A Grouse. Q6. The Postman Thomas Brown in the TV Series Lar Rise to Candleford. Q7. 100. Q8. Phyllis. Q9. Cooking Pot. Q10.4th Day. Q11. Eight. Q12. Purple. Q13. Violent Storm. Q14. Skegness in 1936l. Q15. Clothes and Textiles.

April 2011 Quiz (This Quiz, was submitted by John Bell so it is a bit quirky and the answers will make you squirm - so he says) From the clues given, can you identify 10 Classical Composers.... It will definitely make you think.

Q1. Go away Albert!. Q2. Lean to one side. Q3. United Kingdom. Q4. The cat. Q5. Goes round the trunk of a tree. Q6. Turn it to go in. Q7. What I got for being naughty. Q8. A noisy dog does it. Q9. Display French bread? Q10. Miss......Are you free?

Stargazing in May; Look up towards the south and you'll spot a distinctly orange-coloured star that lords it over a huge area of sky devoid of other bright stars. This is Arturus the brightest star in the constellation of Boötes. A sure sign that summer is on the way. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower falls on 4/5th May when tiny pieces of Halley's Comet burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. The planet Saturn will be visible in the south sitting in the constellation of Virgo. A full moon will be on the 14th May.

Art Group. The Art Group has proved so popular that unfortunately because of constraints on the size of the Parish Hall we are unable to accommodate or take any new members for the time being.

Dave Mayger is planning to produce a pantomime this year and is looking for and hoping that those members who would like to participate - singing, acting, or helping in any way - will contact him. Those members who took part in the Christmas BarmARA Spectacular last year all said how much they enjoyed themselves; so how about it Barmarians?

As a Speaker last month we had Almond Greenway to entertain us with a mixture of songs and stories of his life. He has had a very colourful life so far, appearing in "Opportunity Knocks", running a restaurant in Switzerland, having a Ronnie Kray connection, touring the Far East with his 3-year-old son. He sang a diverse range of songs from "Scarlet Ribbons", "Galway Shawl", "The Days of Curley Spencer" to "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" and a Buddy Holly Medley.

Today, Jack Devlin is our Speaker and he will give us a talk on "My Magic Life". In May, we have asked Nick Thomas to talk about his life as a "Comedy Writer.

We have been warned recently of a "Scam" involving fraudulent BT calls:
Fraudsters, pretending to be from various phone companies, have been calling people on the pretence that there is an outstanding bill and threatening to disconnect their line immediately if they do not pay the bill straight away. BT does not do this so beware and don't get caught!

An "Introduction to Digital Photography" was held at the Parish Hall on Wednesday 6th April
When Ray Austin gave a very professional talk on digital photography, starting with a brief history of photography and the evolution of cameras and how producing and viewing of photographs has developed. A practical demonstration of taking photographs and the using the editing suite PICASA 3 proved very informative. The editing program PICASA 3 can be down loaded from the Internet free of charge and looks an easy program to use. After the talk Ray took questions and used his equipment to answer and demonstrate people's digital photography problems. There was only one problem with Ray's equipment, that when he went to print his edited photographs the printer would not work, just goes to show even experts have problems with their computer equipment. Thanks to Brian Wade for organising this very informative and instructive talk. Look out for Ray as a Speaker at one of our Meetings later in the year.

Once again the Barn Dance on Saturday evening 9th April at Fant Hall proved a very poplar event with a full house of 60 members and guests ready to dance to the music and calling by Margaret Browning. The choice of Fant Hall for this event was fully justified, as there was plenty of room for tables and chairs and dancing. The Ploughman's Supper provided by Maureen Kenwright was up to her usual excellent standard as was the Raffle arranged by Judy almost all of the prizes went to good Committee Member's Homes - Maureen, Wendy and Peter D. Wendy won two prizes but the good soul she is put her second prize back to be redrawn. Max Power was also a winner. All the dance sets were great fun. After walking through the movements Margaret played the music for the set and called out the moves. It is surprising how many collisions and wrong turns were made, but this only made it more fun. The most popular dance was "Strip the Willow" For those who know this dance you can imagine the chaos it caused. We finished the evening with a medley dance including "Knees up Mother Brown" and other music hall and patriotic type tunes. It was a really great evening superbly organised once again by Dave Mayger. At the end of the evening, when Margaret Browning called out "Do you want another Barn Dance Evening" we all roared back in response "YES" See Pictures posted to our web site. www.barmara.org.uk

Monday 11 April saw a wonderful sunny morning and 20 members converge on the Redstart Pub for the year's first session of Petanque. Our Petanque expert Ken Comber had been busy manicuring the "piste" and organiser Dave Mayger soon had us in teams. It took a few ends to get back into the swing and to remember the Rules. We all took tea or Coffee half way through and then it was back to the game. Most members stayed for Lunch which a reasonable £8.50p included the meal, tea or coffee and a soft drink. Thanks Ken for all your hard work and for the tomato plants you generously gave away. (see pictures of this event on our website) The next Petanque session is 10th May.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Friday 29th April. For those BarmARIANS with an Invitation -The Royal Wedding
Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Contact (N)
Monday 9th May Coffee Morning at the Parish Hall 10.00am to 12 Noon
Tuesday 10th May Petanque. 10.00am at the Redstart Pub in North Street. Lunch Optional. Contact (D)
Tuesday 10th May BarmARA Committee Meeting Barming Parish Hall 3.30pm
Friday 13th May Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, 10.00am (D)
Monday May 16th Ramble - meet 10 am The Bull Public House, East Farleigh. Please park on the gravel at the far end of car park. 4 miles around East and West Farleigh, Hill at start of walk and 3 stiles. Optional lunch after walk at the Bulll. Contact Dorothy on 726389
Tuesday 24th May. BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. From 1.00pm
Wednesday 25th May A Mystery day trip has been arranged with Archie of New
Enterprise. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. Price £10 (G)
Friday 3rd June Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (D)
Monday 20th June Ramble. Meet at Teston Country Park 10.00am for a walk along the River Medway to Wateringbury returning via Tutsham Hall and The Tickled Trout pub and back to Teston. Approx. 4 miles and 2 stiles. Laurie can give lift to 4 walkers to Teston. Contact Laurie on 726918
Tuesday 28th June BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm
Friday 1st July Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (J)
Friday 1st to Monday 4th July All Tickets for the Paris by the Eurostar have now been sold. 3 nights good quality hotel. Comprehensive sightseeing tour of Paris. Visit to Versailles. Visit to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Evening tour of Paris illuminations. Fully escorted by French speaking tour manager. Price for Bed and Breakfast and including coach to and from Ebsfleet - £260. (G)
Monday 11th July Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall from 10.00am - NOTE NEW DATE
Friday 22nd July. Coach trip to Waterperry Gardens in Wheatley Oxon. Beautiful Gardens, Art in Action, River Walk, Country Life Museum and Tea Shop. Cost £23. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Contact (Mo)
Friday 5th August Kurling at TA Centre. Boxley Road, at 10.00am (D)
Wednesday 17th August Trip to Althorp House home of the Spencer family and the late Princess Diana. Admission to the House and Gardens. Optional (A) Afternoon tea in the State Dining Room or (B) in the Cafeteria. Cost - (A) £38 or (B) £23. Coach leaves Fant Lane 9.00am. Contact (G)
Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline. £40 deposit required and we recommend a £12 cancellation Insurance. More details follow Contact (Mo).
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. More details to follow
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066 (J) John Grognet

Issue No 68 MARCH 2011. www.barmara.org.uk

Chairman Neil Kenwright

We offer our best wishes to the following members who are not too well at present and wish them all a very speedy recovery to full health. Brian Cornish, Margaret Skinner and Joan Williams.

Special General Meeting

held at Fant Community Hall On Tuesday, 22nd February 2011

The meeting commenced at 1.30pm with the Chairman, Neil Kenwright, welcoming members. He then explained that the reason for this Special General Meeting was that the Committee would like Clause 3 of our Constitution which deals with membership numbers amended and rules can only be changed with members' approval. Our Constitution at the moment allows a membership of 135 and we normally have an attendance of about 85 - 90 each month. Fire Regulations for Fant Community Hall allow for a larger attendance., so we could take on a few more full members. There is also the possibility of the Club moving to the new Beechwood Hall and so with the changes that could happen in the near future, it would be easier for the Committee to get membership numbers right with the amendment of this Clause. Neil then read the Clause and its proposed amendment to the Meeting. Jean Pilbeam proposed and Val Power seconded the amendment, which was then unanimously approved by the membership. IT WAS RESOLVED that the Constitution of BarmARA be amended as follows: Clause 3 (MEMBERSHIP) Line 4 which reads "The club's membership shall be limited to 135 members." shall be amended to read "The Club's membership shall be set by the Committee." Neil thanked members and the meeting closed at 1.35pm. We were pleased to see three new faces at out Meeting those of Colin Prince and Joan and John Wells. As we didn't arrange for a Speaker for the meeting Dave Mayger put our time to a Social Occasion. There were quizzes such as guess the Committee member from a baby photo, Guess the location of pictures of Maidstone, Card Games, Dominos, Beetle, and balloon sculpting sessions with prizes on offer. It was also John Grognet's 72nd birthday and he was good enough to provide cakes (via Lorna I suspect) for everyone at teatime. Many of our members brought in old family photos and mementos and they created a lot of interest and discussion. Particularly Betty Webb and Pat Whatford. The buzz of conversation was indicative that we were all enjoying ourselves. Prizes were won as follows: John Whatford for the most unusual photo, Joan Wade for guessing the Committee's baby photos, Jackie Boyle for recognising the Maidstone Photos, Joan Taylor for the Beetle games, Lily Stewart for breaking more balloons than anybody and Eileen Jeffreys for the card games. It was a very happy time and social occasion thanks to everyone who planned, arranged and took part. Important matters regarding the proposed move to Beechwood Hall have now been resolved and are detailed inside on Page 3.

We welcome Wendy Westbrook of Farleigh Court as a new Member.

Quiz. - Winner of the January Quiz was Jean Wells. Maggie Barclay and Betty Webb also got all the answers correct, but their names didn't come out of the hat. Runners up this month were: Jackie Boyle, John Barton, Dorothy Tyler, Tony Brenton, Daphne Sutherland and Pat Whatford. Thanks to you all and also to Jen Cornish who set the Quiz.

Answers to the January 2011
Q1. Brambles. Q2. 723. Q3. Sebastian Vettel. Q4. Sydney Harbour Bridge. Q5. Lloyd Bridges. Q6. Brecon Beacon. Q7. Barbican. Q8. Black Beauty. Q9. Bill Beaumont. Q10. Brigadier. Q11. Rupert the Bear. Q12. Birmingham. Q13. A woman of exceptional beauty and goodness. Q14. Alexander Graham Bell. Q15. Barnum

March 2011 Quiz. With the Royal Wedding in mind here are 10 questions about Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll

Q1. There have been twelve British Prime Ministers since HM The Queen's accession in 1952. Who was the first? Q2 When Princess Elizabeth was born in May 1926, what number in line to the throne was she? Q3. Alphabetically, which of Queen Elizabeth's three Christian names comes first? Q4. How many grandchildren does The Queen have? Q5. Which annual event in London marks The Queen's official birthday in June? Q6. Apart from Queen Elizabeth 11, who is the only other British Queen to marry a Philip? Q7. The Queen visited Australia in March 2006 to open which sporting event? Q8 What is the name of the first ship launched in 1953 by the Queen after her coronation? Q9. The Queen's wedding ring was made from a nugget of gold mined in which part of the UK? Q10. "Sandringham Lightning" owned by The Queen, was a winner of a race in 1990, in which sport?

One of our member's ancestors wrote poetry during the early part of the 20th century and the manuscripts had lain in a suitcase undisturbed until quite recently when Vic Jefferys decided to collate them into one volume. The following is one verse of one of these poems and Vic has given permission for us to include it in the BarmARA Newsletter. This poem is titled "Seated one eve by the Medway" and was written on the 11th July 1911, (100 years ago)

I was happy and quite at ease,
The riplets were rippling idly,
Moved by the passing breeze.
I heard voices in the distance,
And when I caught the strain,
My heart's emotions deeply moved,
For this was the sweet refrain;
Home Home, sweet sweet Home,
There's no place like Home,
There's no place like Home.

. By Alfred Hunt.

ebb also got all the answers correct, but their names didn't come out of the hat. Runners up this month were: Jackie Boyle, John Barton, Dorothy Tyler, Tony Brenton, Daphne Sutherland and Pat Whatford. Thanks to you all and also to Jen Cornish who set the Quiz.

. By Alfred Hunt.

BEECHWOOD HALL Here are the Results of The Survey to obtain the views of ALL members with regard to a move of our meeting place from Fant Hall to the new Beechwood Hall. Survey enquiry forms were distributed to all members and members were requested to give the Committee their views. At the time of the Survey, the total membership of BarmARA amounted to 251 people of which there are 134 Full Members and 117 Associate Members. We received back from the total membership, 112 completed Survey Forms. This figure represents 45% of the total membership. Of those 112 members who replied 93 or 37% were from Full Members and 19 or 8% were from Associate Members. Some other facts and figures: 69% of the Full Membership List returned their Survey Forms and 16% of the Associate Members List returned their Survey Forms.

Result of the Survey.
Of the total number of 112 Survey Forms received, 54 Members or 48% were AGAINST moving to Beechwood Hall, 47 Members or 42% were IN FAVOUR of moving to Beechwood Hall and 10 Members or 8% were UNDECIDED. Of the 93 Full Members who replied 31 or 33% were in Favour, 52 or 56% were Against and 11% were Undecided. Of the 19 Associate Members who replied, 16 or 84% were in Favour and 3 or 16% were Against. the move.

Since we last reported to you on the situation at Beechwood Hall, we can now confirm that the Hall has been handed over by Maidstone Council to the Residents Management Committee. Following the Handover, the Residents Management Committee has made several fundamental decisions regarding the occupation and letting of the Beechwood Hall. Although we should have been represented at this Meeting, we were not invited to attend.

At this Meeting The Beechwood Hall Management Committee voted on and agreed that the capacity of Beechwood Hall would be limited to 100 persons.

As a consequence, this vote effectively annuls and reverses our requirement to move to the new hall. As you will remember the proposed move was intimated to allow us to be able to increase our membership attendance from that of Fant Hall. As matters stand now a move to Beechwood Hall will not allow us to increase the numbers who can attend our monthly meetings. Your Committee has therefore taken the decision NOT TO RECOMMEND that BarmARA move from Fant Hall to Beechwood Hall and that we shall continue to use Fant Hall for the foreseeable future. In order to try and accommodate more members at our Meetings, your Committee has agreed to increase the Full Membership from 135 to 150.

Out of interest, in connection with Beechwood Hall, the Residents Management Committee have noted that the Hall is lacking in storage facilities and also acknowledge that there is very limited parking and under no circumstances can cars be parked in the surrounding residential street and, they have written into the Hire/Booking Form that there will be no parking on the private roads surrounding the hall.

We shall as a Committee continue to keep abreast of future developments. We thank all those Members who took the time and trouble to participate in the Beechwood Hall Survey. The information we obtained has proved very valuable.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Friday 1st April Kurling at TA Centre Boxley Road at 10.00am (D)
Monday 4th April Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 1000 to 12.00
Wednesday 6th April A Talk and Demonstration by Ray Austin about the Mystery of Digital Photography and is based on the use of the compact digital camera. Barming Parish Hall from 2.30 until 5.00pm. Contact Brian Wade 710967
Thursday 7th April 10-Pin Bowling at AMF Bowl, King St. Maidstone. 10.00am (D)
Saturday 9th April A Barn Dance at Fant Hall. From 7.00pm until 10.30pm.
The Caller is Margaret Browning and the cost including a Ploughman's Supper
is £5.00p We are limiting numbers so get your ticket early.(D)
Monday 11th April Petanque 10.00am at Redstart Pub. North Street, Barming (D)
Monday 18th April Ramble. Easy 4 mile walk around Gouldhurst with 2 stiles. Lunch at the Tea Room if required. Meet at the Bus Station Chequers Centre at 10.00am for the 26 Bus. For more information contract Marion on 727253
Thursday 21st April. Coach and Guided Tour of Legal London includes Morning Coffee and Carvery Lunch. Leave Fant Hall 8.30am. Cost £30 (M)
Tuesday 26th April BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm
Friday 29th April. For those BarmARIANS with an Invitation -The Royal Wedding
Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. A £30 deposit is required on Booking. Contact (N)
Tuesday 24th May. BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. From 1.00pm
Wednesday 25th May A Mystery day trip has been arranged with Archie of New
Enterprise. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. Price £10 (G)
Tuesday 28th June BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm
Friday 1st to Monday 4th July All Tickets for the Paris by the Eurostar have now been sold. 3 nights good quality hotel. Comprehensive sightseeing tour of Paris. Visit to Versailles. Visit to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Evening tour of Paris illuminations. Fully escorted by French speaking tour manager. Price for Bed and Breakfast and including coach to and from Ebsfleet - £260. (G)
Monday 11th July Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall from 10.00am - NOTE NEW DATE
Monday 5th to Friday 9th December Coach Trip to Rudesheim on the Rhine staying at the Park Hotel. Three excursions included in price of £337. Travel by Brookline. £40 deposit required and we recommend a £12 cancellation Insurance . More details follow Contact Mo.
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. More details to follow
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066

At our meeting today, Almond Greenway will entertain us as will Jack Devlin in April when he gives a talk on "My Magic Life". In May, we have asked Nick Thomas to talk about his life as a "Comedy Writer". June sees the return of the Ex-Prison Warder John Mills talking on "Have our Communities changed over the years.

On this day in History in 1997 the comet Hale-Bopp had its closest approach to Earth

Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 67 FEBRUARY 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

Chairman Neil Kenwright

Sadly we report that Norma Halls passed away on Friday 28th January.

On the 20th January we were back in Covent Garden again. This time it was for a visit to The Royal Opera House for a Backstage Tour. We left Fant Lane at 9.30am on a damp and misty morning and arrived in Drury Lane Covent Garden after a comfortable drive. We had an hour or so before the Tour started at 12.30pm so we all did our own thing until we all met in the Royal Opera House. The ROH is home to The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the ROH. The building itself covers an area of 2.5 acres and this tour gave us an insight into the enormous world behind the stage. We were divided into 2 groups each with our own guide. Simon took Group A whilst Stephen took Group B. We learnt the history and development of the ROH whilst sitting in the wonderful Floral Hall and elegant Paul Hamlyn Champagne Bar. We were taken into the Auditorium where Swan Lake was being rehearsed unfortunately we only managed to see a few moments before the dancers finished. We were all struck by the magnificence of the auditorium as it had the most astonishing "WOW" factor of all. Following our leaders, we visited areas where the colossal scenery was being prepared, the working Costume department and watched the principle ballerina Alina Cojocaru in one of the large practice rooms dancing "Giselle". It was unfortunate that the main lifts in the building were not available as they chose that day to do maintenance so there were quite a few stairs to climb. Nevertheless it was a wonderful tour thoroughly enjoyed by us all. After this tour some went to visit the Transport Museum but the majority went off to have a look around the new St. Pancras Station. The first impression is how big the station is, the 2nd is that trains seem incidental to all the shops that are there. Nevertheless it can't take away the magnificence of the structure. There are two iconic statues on the station concourse, one a life size statue of Sir John Betjeman and the other a gigantic statue by Paul Day called "Meeting Point" . We had about an hour here then back on board the coach to return to Covent Garden to pick up those who went to the Transport Museum and then back to Maidstone. It was an outstanding trip thanks to Gloria and of course our Driver, Archie of New Enterprise Coaches.

We welcome Mike & Christina Tindle of Tonbridge Rd as Associate Members

The November Quiz was won by Maggie Barclay. Congratulations.

Answers to the December 2010 Quiz. - Winner with all correct answers was Tony Brenton, but well done Pat Whatford and Dorothy Tyler as runners up.

Q1. Its That Man Again. Q2. Capt. Georg von Trapp. Q3. Tony Blackburn. Q4. St. Paul.
Q5. Marie McDonald McLaughlin. Q6. BBC Home Service. Q7. Carol Ann Duffy. Q8. Dame Ellen Terry. Q9. Barry, Robin and Maurice. Q10. Neath. Q11. Sir Henry Wood. Q12. Love Shines a Light sung by Katrina and the Waves. Q13. Jenny Lind (Joanna Maria Lind). Q14. Paint Your Wagon. Q15. Ivy.

February 2010 Quiz. - General Knowledge.
Q1. When did the Union Jack achieve its present pattern? Q2 What was William Harvey famously responsible for? Q3. What is Pannage? Q4. Which Biblical character was sold into slavery by his brothers? Q5. What is a Capercaillie? Q6. What character does the actor Mark Heap play in a popular Sunday Television Series? Q7. If 1 = 1 and 1010 = 10 what does 1100100 equal to? Q8. What was Fanny Craddock's real first name? Q9. Illustrated on its logo the product Marmite is named after a French word meaning what? Q10. On what day of creation did God make the Sun, the Moon and the Stars? Q11. How many people take part in the dance of a Quadrille? Q12. What colour is Tyrian? Q13. In the weather forecast what term comes between Storm and Hurricane? Q14. Where was the first Butlin's Holiday Camp opened? Q15. What came off rationing on the 15th March 1949?

Answers please in the box at the next Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by the Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

At our January Meeting we heard Rod Legrar's talk on the Chislehurst Caves. Although they are called caves they are entirely man-made mines for chalk and flint. Chislehurst Caves are a 22 miles (35 km) long series of tunnels in Chislehurst, in the south eastern suburbs of Greater London. The earliest mention of the mines is circa 1250 and they are last believed to have been worked in the 1830s. During the early 1900s the caves were a popular tourist attraction. In World War 1 they were used as an ammunition depot associated with the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. During the 1930s they were used for mushroom cultivation.
During World War 2, in September 1940, the aerial bombardment of London began, and the caves were used as an air raid shelter. Within a short time, it became an underground city of some 15,000 inhabitants with electric lighting, a chapel and a hospital. Shortly after VE Day the shelter was officially closed. Only one baby, christened Rose Cavena Wakeman, was born in the caves. In the 1960s, the caves were used as a music venue. David Bowie, Status Quo, Jimmy Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones.Status all performed there. The caves were featured on several television programmes including an episode of the BBC programme Doctor Who from 1973 titled "The Mutants", and 'Seven Natural Wonders' as one of the wonders of the London area, in an episode presented by Bill Oddie.

A wonderful crowd of 32 members gathered for the Friday 4th February Kurling Session. It was Jackie Boyle's first time and she thoroughly enjoyed it, as we all do. Running repairs had to be done on one of the "stones" when John Grognet propelled it so powerfully that it almost went through the brickwork and all the running gear of the stone went to all corners of the hall. Thank you Val for looking after "The inner man" with teas, coffees and biscuits and also being on the door collecting our £1.50's. Another great event Dave. Well Done!

ALL MEMBERS whether FULL or ASSOCIATE are welcome to attend these activities

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)

Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).

Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)

Ten Pin Bowling See the Events Calendar ( Dave Mayger 670034 )

Kurling. See the Events Calendar (Dave Mayger 670034)

Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at member's houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickinson (755350) to enquire about current events.

Buddy
On Thursday 3rd February, a full coach of 53 members left BarmARA HQ at Fant Lane for the Orchard Theatre in Dartford to see "Buddy" The story of the tragically short life of Buddy Holly. Remember these songs from our youth? "Peggy Sue., That'll Be The Day"., "Oh Boy"., "Heartbeat"., and "Everyday". "It was such a wonderful tribute to the man and his music that all of us of a certain age can remember. It was so lively that a few of our members were dancing in the aisles (I won't mention names) and all I could hear was the word "brilliant". We all came out with smiles on our faces and on the coach coming back people were still humming their favourite songs. Thanks for organising this trip Gloria.

Recognising A Stroke
Remember the '3'Steps, STR Read and Learn they could be vital!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S* Ask the individual to SMILE
T* Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today?)
R* Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Birthdays this day in history: 1857 Lord Baden-Powell, 1908 Sir John Mills,
1926 Kenneth Williams, 1926 Bruce Forsyth, 1933 Sheila Hancock, 1942 Christine Keeler.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Friday 4th March Kurling at TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. £1.50 (D)
Monday 7th March Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Thursday 10th March. 10-Pin Bowling. King Street Maidstone 10.00am (D)
Friday 18th March Coach to Royal Albert Hall for a Classic Music, Lasers, Lights and Firework Spectacular. All your popular classics including 1812 Overture, Land of Hope and Glory and Nessum Dorma etc. Leave Fant Lane at 4.30pm for 7.30pm performance. Cost £33. Contact (M)
Monday 21st March. First walk of 2011. Meet and Park at Mid-Kent Shopping Centre at 10.00am. Walk to Whatman Park and back along the River to the Malta and then back to start. Refreshment at the Thomas Wyatt. No Stiles, 3 to 4 miles easy walking. Contact Ken 720476
Tuesday 22nd March Barmara Meeting at Fant Hall
Monday 4th April Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 1000 to 12.00
Wednesday 6th April A Talk and Demonstration by Ray Austin about the Mystery of Digital Photography and is based on the use of the compact digital camera. Barming Parish Hall from 2.30 until 5.00pm. Contact Brian Wade 710967
Saturday 9th April A Barn Dance at Fant Hall. From 7.00pm until 10.30pm.
The Caller is Margaret Browning and the cost including a Ploughman's Supper
is £5.00p We are limiting numbers so get your ticket early.(D)
Thursday 21st April. Coach and Guided Tour of Legal London includes Morning Coffee and Carvery Lunch. Leave Fant Hall 8.30am. Cost £30 (M)
Tuesday 26th April BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm
Friday 29th April. For those BarmARIANS with an Invitation -The Royal Wedding
Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. A £30 deposit is required on Booking. See our web site for more details Contact (N)
Tuesday 24th May. BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. From 1.00pm
Wednesday 25th May A Mystery day trip has been arranged with Archie of New
Enterprise. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. Price £10 (G)
Friday 1st- Monday 4th July Paris by the Eurostar. 3 nights good quality hotel. Comprehensive sightseeing tour of Paris. Visit to Versailles.Visit to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Evening tour of Paris illuminations. Fully escorted by French speaking tour manager. Price for Bed and Breakfast and including coach to and from Ebsfleet - £260. 5 single places available at moment with supplement to be advised. (G)
Tuesday 20th December. Diary Christmas Lunch at Grangemoor Hotel. More details to follow
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066

We have no Speaker this month as Dave Mayger has planned a social afternoon.

In March, Almond Green will entertain us as will Jack Devlin in April when he gives a talk on "My Magic Life". In May, we have asked Nick Thomas to talk about his life as a "Comedy Writer". June sees the return of the Ex-Prison Warder John Mills talking on "Have our Communities changed over the years

BARMARA
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 66 January 2011.
www.barmara.org.uk

Chairman Neil Kenwright

HAPPY 2011

Having got rid of all that wrapping paper, and finally finished off the last of the turkey, it is time to look forward to a year full of BarmARA activities. But before we do, cast your mind back to pre-Christmas when about 100 of BarmARA members had our Christmas Lunch at the Oakwood House. Thank you Maureen and Gloria for organising it. Thanks also to Max Power for setting the table quiz and thanks to Dave and John for getting us all singing a variety of carols and Christmas flavoured songs. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" gave us all a lot of fun. On the 21st December we continued the Christmas theme when a coach full of happy Barmarians left Fant Lane for a brief sojourn in Covent Garden for a spot of Christmas retail therapy then back on the coach and off to the Albert Hall. Most of us had magnificent seats in the Upper Gallery although some members chose an "upgrade" down to the auditorium level seats. The programme was a good mixture of one or two carols and popular Christmas pop music and anthems; particularly our now favourite "12 days of Christmas" and the Wizard and Slade ‘70's perennials. They got us all going especially Angela Prince who really moved it! The coach was waiting for us right outside the Albert Hall we loaded up then off we went via the lights of Oxford and Regent Streets and reached Fant Lane shortly before the witching hour, tired but happy. It was a great trip thanks to Mo.

27 members turned up for the first Kurling session of the 2011. This is really a great social game as the hall is filled with laughter and the boasting of the winners and the excuses of the runners up! All this and tea, or coffee and biscuits for only £1.50.

On Monday 10th January, 28 members attended our first Coffee morning of 2011 when Eileen Jeffery's celebrated her 80th Birthday by supplying the biscuits. Congratulations Eileen.

On Thursday 13th January 17 members went 10-pin bowling at the Maidstone Bowl. For those not familiar with this activity, we pay £5.75 for 3 games, which also include Coffee and biscuits. Our organiser is much toof humble to mention it, but he had the best score however, Marion Gilham gave him a good run for his money with a score of 136 points.

On the 20th January we were back in Covent Garden again. This time is was for a visit to The Royal Opera House when Gloria had arranged a Tour of the Back Stage. A full report follows in our February Issue.

Answers to the November Quiz. - Thanks to Marion Gilham

Q1. Chicken Maryland. Q2. Baked Alaska. Q3. Schnitzel & Noodles. Q4. Spaghetti Bolognaise. Q5. Black Forest Gateau. Q6. Kedgeree. Q7. Potted Crab. Q8. Beef Wellington. Q9. Tournedos Rossini. Q10. Chilli Con Carnie Q11. Peach Melba. Q12. Bombay Duck. Q13. Knickerbocker Glory. Q14. Crepe Suzette. Q15. Zabaglione

QUIZ - January 2011 - This is a "B" Quiz, but, beware in some cases the "B" is in the question not the answer. Thanks again to Jen Cornish

Q1. From what do we gather Blackberries? Q2. How many books did Barbara Cartland write, 623, 723 or 823? Q3. Who won the 2010 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix? Q4. Which bridge is known as the "Coat Hanger"? Q5. Who is the famous father of actors Beau and Jeff Bridges? Q6. Name the National Park in Powys Wales? Q7. Which theatre was built in the City of London in the 1980/1980's? Q8. Anna Sewell wrote one book. What is it called? Q9. Who is the English Rugby Union Captain who also captained a team on BBC's Question of Sport? Q10. Which military rank is between Colonel and Major General? Q11. Which bear was 90 years old in 2010? Q12. Which is Britain's second city? Q13. What is a bellibone? Q14. Who said "Mr. Watson, come here - I want you" in June 1875? Q15. A musical about a circus opened in London in 1981, what was it called?

Answers please in the box at the next Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by the Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

Notice is given that a Special General Meeting will be held at the start of the February Meeting on Tuesday 22nd February. Your Committee wishes to make a small change to the BarmARA Constitution to enable them to set Membership numbers. Our normal Meeting will then follow and as we haven't booked a Speaker, this will be a Social Afternoon specially arranged by Dave Mayger; so it will be good. He is planning to have a "Guess the Committee Member as a baby." competition, A Maidstone Picture Quiz, Your most "Unusual" Photograph, Biggles Flying Circus and best of all he hopes you will bring in some of your personal photos and effects such as where you may have lived, you as a National Serviceman, your wedding group, Granny and Granddad, Letters from the famous etcetera, etcetera anything you think may be of interest to someone else.

Our Membership Secretary sent me a list of Members - Full and Associate - to make sure that a Newsletter reached everyone. Out of interest, I sorted all members by their Christian Names and guess what the most popular male and female names are? We have 14 members with the name of JOHN and we have 9 members christened PAT or PATRICIA. The next popular male name is PETER (9 members) and in the ladies camp we have 8 lovelies called BETTY.

Welcome to two new Associate Members Ken and Betty Hart of Allington Way.
ALL MEMBERS, FULL and ASSOCIATE are welcome to attend these activities

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)

Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).

Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)

Ten Pin Bowling See the Events Calendar ( Dave Mayger 670034 )

Kurling. See the Events Calendar (Dave Mayger 670034)

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickinson (755350) to enquire about current events.

The next Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday 8th February. If you would like to bring any matter regarding BarmARA to the attention of the Committee then please let our Secretary - Wendy Thorpe Tel: 729771 - have the details.

Those of us who went on the trip to the Royal Hospital Chelsea last year will remember our guide for the day - Sergeant Paddy Fox. Paddy was the subject of "A Life in the Day" article in the. 26th December issue of Sunday Times. I bet you ladies didn't know that he was engaged 4 times but never married!

This day in history: In 1533, Henry V111 Married Anne Boleyn. Robert Burns born in 1759 and Al Capone died in 1947. Cilla Black made her stage debut at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1963. In 1994 "Eastender" Gillian Tayforth lost her libel case against the Sun Newspaper.

Beechwood Hall Survey.

Here is a précis of the results of the Survey conducted to discover the member's views regarding a move from Fant Hall to Beechwood Hall. From the 250 fully paid up members (Full and Associate) only 94 replies (38%) were received. 62% of the members did not reply. Of those replies received, 77 were from Full members and 17 came from Associate members. Of the number of those members who replied, 46 were in favour of the move to Beechwood Hall and 39 members were against the move. 9 members were undecided. A significant proportion (88%) of Associate Members did not make their views known, whilst only 42% of Full members didn't reply. On the basis of the Survey Results it seems that there is a majority albeit small in favour of a move to Beechwood Hall. Hopefully we will get back more Survey Forms at the February Meeting so that we can get a better representative result.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Tuesday 25th January BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm

Thursday 3rd February Theatre trip to "The Buddy Holly Story" on the Anniversary of his death. Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Stall seats including
Coach £25. Leave Fant Hall 6.00pm. Money required at time of Booking (G)
Friday 4th February Kurling at TA Centre Boxley Road. 10am. Cost £1.50
Monday 7th February Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd February BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm

Monday 7th March Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd March Barmara Meeting at Fant Hall

Monday 4th April Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 1000 to 12.00
Saturday 9th April A Barn Dance at Fant Hall. From 7.00pm until 10.30pm.
The Caller is Margaret Browning and the cost including a Ploughman's Supper
is £5.00p We are limiting numbers so get your ticket early.(D)
Tuesday 26th April BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm

Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. A £30 deposit is required on Booking. See our web site for more details Contact (N)

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066

Today, Rod Legrar talks about the History of Chislehurst Caves. In February Dave Mayger is planning a social afternoon. In March, Almond Green will entertain us as will Jack Devlin in April when he gives a talk on "My Magic Life". In May, we have asked Nick Thomas to talk about his life as a "Comedy Writer". June sees the return of the Ex-Prison Warder John Mills talking on "Have our Communities changed over the years?". Ray Austin will visit us in July and tell us about "Guernsey, Herm & the German Occupation during WW2". August will be the AGM. Details of the Speaker for the September Meeting will be published later. In October, Ann Chance returns and tells us of her experiences "Sea Sick in the Sinai .

We have been busy analysing the results of the Survey of the member's views regarding a move to Beechwood Hall. We were very disappointed with the limited response. If you haven't replied to let the Committee know your views, pick up another Survey Form at this Meeting or phone Maurice on 669421 to get one sent to you. Please return the completed Survey Form at the February Meeting or post it to Maurice at the address shown on the Survey Form. (More info inside)

Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 65 December 2010.

The Committee wishes you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
As 2010 draws to a close we reflect on the past year. The snow and cold weather of last winter played havoc with some of our activities and made a lot of people house bound for several days. Let's hope for a milder winter this year. Just before going to press we have had the most snow for a while. Oh well stay in doors and keep warm. Although there is no meeting in December, BARMARA is providing Christmas themed entertainment for your enjoyment. This year we have a lunch at Oakwood House with everyone invited. The Ramblers, Singles and Art Groups are also holding their own Christmas lunches. On the 21st December, we have an outing to the Royal Albert Hall for White Christmas. This will include visiting Covent Garden prior to the show and a tour of the lights in Oxford /Regents Street on the way home.

We start the New Year off with Kurling on the 7th and our outings on the 20th with a trip behind the scenes of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. There are lots more activities planned for 2011 for you to look forward to. We may even be going to a new home, where we can accommodate more members and make new friends. So until then, see you all in the New Year

Neil
Chairman BARMARA

Answers to the October Quiz.

Q1. 10. Q2. S.S. Titanic. Q3. Muster. Q4. 5 points. Q5. Torquay. Q6. Geraldine Grainger.
Q7. Napoleon. Q8. Ricky Tomlinson. Q9. Neverland. Q10. The Artful Dodger.
Q11. Greyfriars. Q12. Stratford-on-Avon. Q13. Biscuits. Q14. Spinach. Q15. Battenberg
And the winner was........... Sue Brenton. Congratulations Sue

QUIZ - December 2010. Music and All That. Thanks to Jen Cornish

Q1. ITMA for what do these initials stand for? Q2. Name Maria's employer in the "Sound of Music"? Q3. Who was the first DJ on BBC Radio 1? Q4. The Actor's Church is in Covent Garden. To whom is it dedicated? Q5. What name is on LULU's birth certificate? Q6. What was BBC Radio 4 previously known as? Q7. Who is the Poet Laureate? Q8. Who lived at Smallhythe Place, Tenderden before the National Trust bought it? Q9. What are the first names of the original Bee Gees? Q10. Where in Wales was Katherine Jenkins born? Q11. Who founded the Promenade Concerts in 1895? Q12. Name the last UK entry song to win the Eurovision Song Contest and who performed it? Q13. Who was known as "The Swedish Songbird"? Q14. Which Musical features the song "I talk to the trees"? Q15. If mares eat oats and does eat oats, what do little lambs eat?

Answers please in the box at the next Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by the Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

The Speaker at our November Meeting was Laurie Manser who gave us a talk on his "Memories as a Garden Boy" Laurie has spent his whole working life - bar National Service - as a gardener and his memories took us through the long lost period when private houses were able to employ teams of gardeners as well as indoor staff. His first "governor" a Mr. Butcher was the Head Gardener at Broadwater. It was he that inculcated the disciplines and routines Laurie needed to become a "proper Gardener". Laurie is an advocate of the now old -fashioned practices and procedures, and listening to him you can understand why. One of Laurie's biggest thrills was wining First Prize in 2003 for "Ann's Blush" a daffodil that he developed. A very interesting and well presented talk.

Here is a request for information from our member Jean Wells: "Does anyone know who placed Memorial Crosses for WALTER WELLS and GEORGE WELLS at the Barming War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday? Walter was my Grandfather and George was his Brother - both were killed in the First World War. If anyone has any information could they please contact Jean Wells on 01622 727746 or by e-mail to: jeanannwells@tiscali.co.uk "

We all know that we should exercise more so here is something you can do at home to improve your fitness and muscle tone: Begin by standing on a comfortable surface where you have plenty of room at each side. Then, with a 5kg potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there for as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute and then relax. Each day you will find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10 Kg potato sacks. Then try 25 Kg potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 50 Kg potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a minute (I'm now at this level) After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each sack.

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of these activities.

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Ten Pin Bowling See the Events Calendar ( Dave Mayger 670034 )
Kurling . See the Events Calendar (Dave Mayger 670034)
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at member's houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.

Preliminary results of the Survey regarding a move to Beechwood Hall have indicated that of the 41 forms that have been returned, 63% of our members support the move from Fant Hall to Beechwood Hall. As of now only 20% of our members have responded.

We hope we will be able to publish the results in full of the recent Beechwood Hall member survey in the January 2011 issue so, will those members who haven't returned their completed Beechwood Hall Survey Forms please give them to a Committee member or send them to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, ME16 0QG. The more completed Survey Forms we receive the more data we will have in order to make the right decision for the members.

On Tuesday 30th November, 16 members of the Art Group fought their way through the snow to enjoy their Christmas Lunch that was arranged at the Waterside Restaurant in Wateringbury . Thanks to Sheila Malthouse for organising this event. A convivial and merry time was had by all. It was a grand introduction to the forthcoming Christmas festivities. It is pleasing to note that all of the calendars produced by the Art Group have been sold.

Unfortunately, because of the adverse weather conditions, we felt it prudent to cancel the Kurling session on Friday 3rd December. All being well, our next session will be held in the TA Centre in Boxley Road on Friday 7th January.

Christmas Cracker Jokes?
How do you know Santa has to be a man?
No woman is going to wear the same outfit year after year.

Good King Wenceslas phoned Domino's for a take away pizza.
The salesgirl asked him:- 'Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?'
Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions
Tuesday 21st December Trip to the Royal Albert Hall for "WHITE CHRISTMAS" with all time favourite Christmas Songs. Evening Performance 7.30pm Cost including Coach £33. Depart Fant Hall 2.00pm. The coach will drop us in Covent Garden to allow for lunch and a little shopping then collect us and head for the Albert Hall. After the Concert we will then see the Christmas lights in Oxford and Regent Streets on the way home. Contact (M)

2011
Friday 7th January Kurling 10am TA Centre Boxley Road, Maidstone
Monday 10th January Coffee Morning at the Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Thursday 13th January Ten-Pin Bowling 10.00am King St. Bowl Maidstone (D)
Tuesday 18th January Line Dancing Resumes (N)
Thursday 20th January A trip has been arranged to visit The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for a Backstage Tour plus optional visit to Transport Museum or St. Pancras Station. Cost including Coach £18. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am (G)
Tuesday 25th January BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Thursday 3rd February Theatre trip to "The Buddy Holly Story" on the Anniversary of his death. Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Stall seats including Coach £25. Leave Fant Hall 6.00pm. Money required at time of Booking (G)
Monday 7th February Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd February BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm
Monday 7th March Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd March Barmara Meeting at Fant Hall
Monday 4th April Coffee Morning at Parish Hall 1000 to 12.00
Saturday 9th April Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More Details to Follow (D
Tuesday 26th BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.00pm
Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. A £30 deposit is required on Booking. See our web site for more details Contact (N)
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066

Whilst we are not having an official Meeting in December we are having a Christmas Lunch when both full and associate members will be able to attend. In January 2011, Rod Legrar talks about the History of Chislehurst Caves whilst in February we are planning a social afternoon. In March, Almond Green will entertain us as will Jack Devlin in April when he gives a talk on "My Magic Life". In May, we have asked Nick Thomas to talk about his life as a "Comedy Writer". June sees the return of the Ex-Prison Warder John Mills talking on "Have our Communities changed over the years?". Ray Austin will visit us in July and tell us about "Guernsey, Herm & German Occupation during WW2". August will be the AGM and in October, Ann Chance returns and tells us of her experiences "Sea Sick in the Sinai".
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www.barmara.org.uk

Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 64 November 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk
The Chairman and the rest of the Committee welcome John Grognet on to the Committee. John volunteered to fill the vacant space. He is well known to you all and will be an able and active member.

Those members who were able to join us at our last meeting in Fant Hall will have noticed that the refurbishment of Fant Hall is just about complete. We have a new floor, new stage and is now fully redecorated.

A number of members led by Mo Smith celebrated Christmas and the New Year early when they all went off the see the Thursford Christmas Spectacular and then had 3 days at the Potters Hotel & Leisure Centre to unwind with the full range of sporting activities including swimming, saunas, steam room, fitness suite, archery, bowls, shooting, 10-pin bowling, karting, kurling, snooker, darts, tennis, badminton, squash and a beauty salon and afterwards take it easy being entertained by Gerry & The Pacemakers and P.J. Proby singing all the "Hits" that made them Superstars of the Sixties. Oh what memories!

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is the ultimate Christmas Musical Experience with a cast of over 120 professional singers musicians and dancers. This show really earns its title as a "Christmas Spectacular".

We have instituted a "Suggestion Box" facility as an opportunity for you to let us know of your concerns, requests and suggestions etc., At the last meeting, an anonymous suggestion made was to initiate a "car pool" to enable those members without transport to be put in touch with members who would be prepared to offer lifts. At the next meeting, as an experiment we will put out enquiry forms for those wishing a lift and for those offering lifts.

Beechwood Hall update. There are still many unresolved matters between the Hall Management Committee (of which we are a member) and Maidstone Council and as soon as these are finalised we will inform you. A very important decision affecting BarmARA's future and thus all of the members will need to be taken shortly. It therefore beholds the Committee to decide whether to take the option of moving to Beechwood Hall. We will be sending out an information sheet and survey form shortly to poll the member's views regarding the possible move to Beechwood Hall. Please take time to read them and return the completed survey form so that we can gather your views to enable the committee to make a decision.

Our Membership Secretary - Peter Sargent - reports that he is still receiving applications to join our club. This must tell us that we have a very popular and friendly club. Unfortunately we have lost several members due to non-payment of their annual subscriptions, despite several requests.

Welcome to Colin & Pat Ballard and Chris & Netta Couch our most recent joining associate members.
Answers to the September Quiz. We received correct entries from Maggie Barclay, Jean Wells, Jen Cornish, Brian Baker, Brenda Sargent, Joan Hart, Betty Webb, Sue Brenton and Dorothy Tyler but it was Dorothy's name that was pulled out of the hat for the £5 prize.

Q1. Brighton. Q2. Morecombe. Q3. Western Super Mare. Q4. Ramsgate. Q5. Blackpool. Q6. Folkestone. Q7. Penzance. Q8. Newquay. Q9. Eastbourne. Q10. Cowes. Q11. Southport. Q12. Margate. Q13. St. Ives. Q14. Scarborough. Q15. Brixham. Q16. Broadstairs. Q17. Rottingdean. Q18. Southend.

QUIZ - November 2010. Clues to Well Know Dishes from Home and Abroad as compiled by Marion Gilham

Q1. Yankee Doodle Dandy? Q2. A very hot and cold dessert? Q3. Two of Julie Andrews favourite things? Q4. Sheep Toe Go Stabling? (Anagram) Q5. Eat on a walk in Germany? Q6. Fish for Breakfast? Q7. Crustacean Starter? Q8. Eat this with your Boots on? Q9. Italian Composers favourite Steak? Q10. Red Hot Mexican. Q11. Coloured Toast for Dessert? Q12. A Fowl from India goes fishing? Q13. Magnificent Trews? Q14. French Pancakes? Q15. Bag a Zillion? (Anagram)

Answers please in the box at the next Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by the Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

The Speaker at our October Meeting was Steve Pendleton. Steve has been to talk to us before. He was a serving soldier with the Green Jackets in Northern Ireland and was seriously injured causing him to lose his sight and his left leg. He was given a very warm reception. Steve's talk was about some of the problems that visually disadvantaged people have to contend with. A serious matter, but Steve's talk had plenty of humour. His talk focused mainly on his daily routine, telling the time, choosing which pair of socks to wear and do they in fact match? and so on. He brought some technological gadgets to show us one of which was able to detect colour, another was a small voice recorder that he attached to a tinned product for instance. Steve could speak and describe the contents and then it played back. Very handy when you wanted baked beans and not dog food. He also brought in pairs of spectacles to demonstrate the various vision disabilities. He did make a good point when asked about help. Don't be frightened to ask if a blind person requires help and if offered and accepted let the blind person take your arm and not take his. What a character and what an interesting talk.
.
As you know our Rambling Group have called a halt to our organised walks until the New Year. If you still want to go for walks on your own and do not know where to go, have a look at the Maidstone Council web site http://www.maidstone.gov.uk where you can get details of "Walk Maidstone" .I quote "Discover Maidstone and get fit with these fascinating and invigorating walks around Maidstone". There are maps and walking instructions for walks around Oakwood, Sandling, Penenden Heath, Bearsted, Otham, Loose and Mote Park that you can download..

A Reminder: From today, you only have 27 more Shopping Days left until Christmas Day.
32 of us turned up to play Kurling the other Friday. These numbers show just how popular this activity is. The location is so easy to get to by public transport and has plenty of parking spaces for those who travel there by car. Dave Mayger looks after the administration and sorts us into teams whilst Val Mayger looks after the "inner man" by providing tea, coffee and biscuits. It really is a good morning out. If you haven't been come along and try it out.

I know that there are many of our members who are interested in Family Trees and Genealogy. Many of us have computers at home as demonstrated by the number of members, who take this newsletter by email. But, if you don't have your own computer how can you access all the family History information now available on the Internet? Well, your local library now has several computers that you can use - free of charge - that will give you access to the Ancestry databases. The Internet address for this free access is http://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com (do not insert www.) If you don't know how to use computers, the library staff are only too willing to help out.

Our first 10-Pin Bowling session of the winter months took place at the Maidstone Bowl in King Street on Thursday 11th November ably organised by Dave Mayger. Only 10 members managed to turn up to play. No doubt many of our regulars were put off by the atrocious weather. Remember we had very strong winds and heavy rain. It was Storm Force 10 in the English Channel that day. Brian Wade managed to score 160 the highest of the day! I was told that he was apparently playing up to the ladies.

We are rapidly approaching the festive season and if you haven't got a suitable recipe for Christmas Puddings, try the following from Mrs Beeton.

Ingredients: ½ lb self raising flour, ¼ lb bread crumbs, 6 oz beef suet , 6 oz brown sugar, ½ tbsp black treacle, ½ apple, peeled and grated, ½ carrot, finely grated, ¾ lb mixed currants, raisins and sultanas, 2 oz mixed spice.
Method: Mix all ingredients together. Soak linen cloth in boiling water. Wring out. Sprinkle flour on cloth. Place mixture on flour. Secure tightly. Place a plate upside down in a saucepan of boiling water. Place the cloth bundle in the saucepan on top of the plate. Cook for 2½ hours. Remove from the pan and hang to drain in a cool dry place.

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of these activities.
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Ten Pin Bowling See the Events Calendar ( Dave Mayger 670034 )
Kurling . See the Events Calendar (Dave Mayger 670034)
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at member's houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.
Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions
2010
Friday 3rd December Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £1.50p (D)
Monday 6th December Ramblers Dinner at Riverside Restaurant Wateringbury. Contact Lorna Grognet 687415
Thursday 9th December Ten-Pin Bowling 10.00am King St. Bowl Maidstone (D)
Thursday 9th December The Annual KentARA Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm start. Tickets £9.00p. Contact (W)
Tuesday 14th December. BarmARA Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. Time of arrival 12 Noon until 4.00pm approx. Price £19.00 to include choice of 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 desserts. A £10 deposit will be required at the time of booking. (G or M)
Tuesday 21st December Trip to the Royal Albert Hall for "WHITE CHRISTMAS" with all time favourite Christmas Songs. Evening Performance 7.30pm Cost including Coach £33. Depart Fant Hall 2.00pm. The coach will drop us in Covent Garden to allow for lunch and a little shopping then collect us and head for the Albert Hall. After the Concert we will then see the Christmas lights in Oxford and Regent Streets on the way home. Contact (M)

2011 or Year of Earth 45000002011, Hebrew Year 5771, Arabic year 1433
Monday 10th January. Coffee Morning at the Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Thursday 13th January Ten-Pin Bowling 10.00am King St. Bowl Maidstone (D)
Thursday 20th January A trip has been arranged to visit The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for a Backstage Tour plus optional visit to Transport Museum or St. Pancras Station. Cost including Coach £18. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am (G)
Tuesday 25th January BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Thursday 3rd February Theatre trip to "The Buddy Holly Story" at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Fully Booked with a Waiting List. Leave Fant Hall 6.00pm. (G)
Monday 7th February Coffee Morning at the Parish Hall 10.00 to 12.00
Tuesday 22nd February BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall 1.00pm
Saturday 26th February Barn Dance to be held at Fant Lane. More details later
Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. This holiday is now fully booked. (N)
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066

At today's meeting we welcome Laurie Manser who will give us his "Memories of a Garden Boy". We do not have an official Meeting in December although we do have a Christmas Lunch when both full and associate members can attend - see events calendar above. In January 2011, Rod Legrar talks about the History of Chislehurst Caves whilst in February we are planning a social afternoon. In March, Almond Green will entertain us as will Jack Devlin in April when he gives a talk on "My Magic Life". In April, we have asked Nick Thomas to talk about his life as a "Comedy Writer".

As our new age Kurling sessions are proving so popular, Dave is investigating having a real Curling session ON ICE. More detail will follow when he has completed his enquiries.

Tommy Cooperisms: I went to the Doctors the other day and asked if he had anything for wind, so he gave me a kite. Sometimes I drink my whisky neat other times I take my tie off and leave my shirt out..

Issue No 63 October 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

A nice, bright sunny morning found us in Fant Lane waiting for the coach to take us to the Olympic site at Stratford, East London. The coach was half an hour late, which threw Gloria into panic mode, making many calls on her mobile. The driver, Jeff, took an ear bashing from Gloria after which he explained the reasons for his lateness was not his fault. Anyway, we got moving and Gloria started to calm down. We picked up our guide, Sean, who explained that firstly we go to the Railway Tavern pub for coffee, and then drive around the perimeter of the site before entering. After the visit, back to the pub for lunch then on to Woolwich via the ferry. The coffee was most welcome (as were the toilets!!). The ride around the perimeter was made interesting by Sean's obvious enthusiasm for the whole Olympic Dream. He pointed out facts about the area, the waterways, the derelict buildings, the new buildings and the logistics concerning such a project.

On entering the site we were escorted to a viewing platform and observation tower where Sean explained the layout of the site, which included the magnificent stadium, the velodrome, the water sports centre, and the indoor games buildings, all of which were in an advanced stage of construction. There were many workers beavering away at their various jobs. Sean tried to give us a picture of the site when the roads, grass and trees were established. It will be worth going back next year to see the improvements.

After an excellent lunch at the pub Sean took us down Green Street, West Ham, which was full of Indian shops mostly selling colourful sari's, past Upton Park, home of West Ham football club, then to the Excel building at London City Airport, where some water sports will take place in the old docks. After crossing the Thames on the Woolwich ferry we were taken round the Woolwich Arsenal area where the rifle shooting contests will be held. We stopped for tea at the very pleasant Woolwich Docks by the side of the Thames. Sean said his goodbyes at this point and Jeff got us home about 6.30.A most enjoyable day.

Well done Gloria and thanks to Peter Sargent for his excellent report on this trip.
Answers to the August Quiz
Q1. Lager. Q2. Nottingham. Q3. The Harry Potter books. Q4. The centre of the dartboard. Q5. The Marquis of Granby. Q6. The Red Lion Q7. The Nags Head. Q8. Long John Silver. Q9. The Angel Islington. Q10. Lion, Bull, Horse, White Hart, Swan.

QUIZ -October 2010. A Quiz in Four Parts- Thanks to Jen Cornish.
General: Q1. How many legs does a lobster have? Q2. Which famous ship made her last port of call at Cobh in Ireland? Q3. What is the collective name for a group of Peacocks? Q4. What is the points score value of the letter "K" in a game of Scrabble?
Television: Q5. What holiday resort was the setting for "Fawlty Towers"? Q6. What is the name of the character played by Dawn French in the "Vicar of Dibly"? Q7 In "Dad's Army" what was the ARP Wardens nickname for Captain Mainwaring? Q8 In the sitcom "The Royle Family" who plays Jim Royle?
Literature: Q9 Where would you be going if you took the second star to the right and then straight on till morning? Q10 What is the nickname of the Dickens character Jack Dawkins? Q11 What is the name of Billy Bunters School? Q12. Where was William Shakespeare born?
Food: Q13. Name the item of food that comes from the French word "baked twice"? Q14. Which vegetable gives the green colouring to Pasta Verde? Q15. Name the two-coloured oblong cake covered in almond paste?

Answers please in the box at the next Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

The Speaker at our September Meeting was Susan Pope. Susan gave us an interesting talk entitled "Lighter than Air". This talk was about the history and development of Airships which she coupled with her novel of the same name. Commercial development of airships came to a halt in the 1930's following the disastrous fire of the hydrogen gas filled German airship Hindenberg in New York and the crash in France of the British airship R101 whilst on passage to India. One surprising fact came out which was that the USA government refused to sell Helium gas to the Nazi Government in Germany. Had they done so the history of the airship may have been very different!

Our last Ramble took members around the Oare Marshes near Faversham, which is also a wildlife haven. If you are interested in wildlife and birds in particular, we in Kent have several RSPB reserves on the North Kent Marshes. One of the best is the RSPB Elmley Marshes Nature Reserve that is located on the Isle of Sheppey just over the new bridge and is well worth a visit and is well signposted. It is probably the best place to see birds of prey in southern England such as the Marsh Harrier, the Merlin, Peregrines and Hen Harriers as well as Redshanks, Lapwings and Avocets, Wigeons and Teals. There is a visitor's Car Park and toilets. Disabled and elderly visitors are encouraged and can arrange convenient parking closer to the "action". PS Check events calendar for Ramblers Dinner.

This is not a quiz, but could form the basis of one in the future or include it when we have our reminiscences meeting in February 2011. What was your favourite comic when you were a child? Beano, Dandy, Radio Fun, Knockout, Wizard, Rover, Adventure, Hotspur, Tiny Tim, Bunty, Eagle, The Girl etc, etc...
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Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of these activities.

Our Kurling session on Friday 8th proved how popular this activity is. Come along and have an enjoyable game with good company. .

The last Petanque Session of the summer season took place on Monday 11th October. We were lucky as it was a lovely sunny autumn morning. Ken Comber and Dave Mayger are arranging for these sessions to recommence early in the New Year - 2011. Full details will be published in the Newsletter in due course. There will not be any more Rambles this year as the weather cannot be guaranteed. Check out the Events Calendar and website for the date of the first Ramble in 2011.

Tuesday 19th October was a lovely bright autumn morning when a full coach of "Rockers" left Fant Lane for the start of our trip to see the Matinee performance of "Jersey Boys" at the Prince Edward Theatre. Despite heavy congestion in London, we arrived in time for refreshments before the show at 1500hrs. The thread of the show revolves around the career of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. We basked in the nostalgia of songs we remembered and some we had forgotten. Great performance from the "alternative" lead. Just a little downer from the occasional use of adolescent language, but a really enjoyable afternoon. It was a terrific show and the whole trip was enjoyed by all. Thanks Gloria

On Friday evening 22nd October at Barming Primary School 50 members exercised their brains and battled for the crown of Barmara's Masterbrains title. Quizmaster Richard and his wife Sue set some very tough questions. The team that included Sheila Malthouse and Maggie Barclay won with 74 points. The "Wizz Kids" team with a creditable 63 points was awarded the "Booby" prize (No names: No pack drill).

Members of the BarmARA Art Group are producing a 2011 Calendar featuring some of their original work. The anticipated cost will be in the region of £4.50p. A member of the Group will be on hand at the October and November Meetings to take orders or please contact either Sheila Malthouse on 728150 or Jo Phillips on 728183.
Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions
2010
Friday 5th November. Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £1.50p (D)
Thursday 11th November Ten-Pin Bowling 10.00am King St. Bowl Maidstone (D)
Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M)
Tuesday 23rd November BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Friday 3rd December Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £1.50p (D)
Monday 6th December Ramblers Dinner at Riverside Restaurant Wateringbury. Contact Lorna Grognet 687415
Thursday 9th December Ten-Pin Bowling 10.00am King St. Bowl Maidstone (D)
Thursday 9th December The Annual KentARA Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm start. Tickets £9.00p. Contact (W)
Tuesday 14th December. BarmARA Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. Time of arrival 12 Noon until 4.00pm approx. Price £19.00 to include choice of 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 desserts. A £10 deposit will be required at the time of booking. (G or M)
Tuesday 21st December Trip to the Royal Albert Hall for "WHITE CHRISTMAS" with all time favourite Christmas Songs. Evening Performance 7.30pm Cost including Coach £33. Depart Fant Hall 2.00pm. The coach will drop us in Covent Garden to allow for lunch and a little shopping then collect us and head for the Albert Hall. After the Concert we will then see the Christmas lights in Oxford and Regent Streets on the way home. Contact (M)
Thurtsday 13th January Ten-Pin Bowling 10.00am King St. Bowl Maidstone (D)
Thursday 20th January A trip has been arranged to visit The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for a Backstage Tour plus optional visit to Transport Museum or St. Pancras Station. Cost including Coach £18. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am (G)
Tuesday 25th January BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Thursday 3rd February Theatre trip to "The Buddy Holly Story" on the Anniversary of his death. Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Stall seats including Coach £25. Leave Fant Hall 6.00pm. Money required at time of Booking (G)
Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. A £30 deposit is required on Booking. See our web site for more details Contact (N)
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
(D) Dave 670034. (N) Neil 727066

Our Speaker this month, is Steve Pendleton who returns to talk about his world without vision. In November, Laurie Manser gives us his "Memories of a Garden Boy". We do not have an official Meeting in December although we do have a Christmas Lunch when both full and associate members can attend - see events calendar above. In January 2011, Rod Legrar talks about the History of Chislehurst Caves whilst in February we are planning a social afternoon.
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A reminder: to those who haven't yet paid their annual subscriptions. If you do not pay your Annual Subscriptions by 30th November, your Membership of BarmARA will cease.

Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 62 September 2010.

Chairman Neil Kenwright www.barmara.org.uk Best wishes to Jen and Brian Cornish on their 50th Wedding Anniversary PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OCTOBER MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER HAS HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED TO TUESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER. THIS IS DUE TO ESSENTIAL BUILDING WORKS BEING CARRIED OUT AT FANT HALL DURING THE WEEK OF OUR SCHEDULED MEETING The AGM took place at our previous meeting and all existing Officers and Committee members were re-elected. The Annual Accounts were presented by our Treasurer and were accepted. Tony Simms who has been our Auditor for many years stood down and Ron Joliffe was appointed as Auditor for the year 2010/2011. Any member wanting a copy of the Annual Accounts should apply to our Secretary, Wendy Thorpe. There were no changes to our Constitution or Rules. We couldn't possibly ignore the Barmara Showtime production that immediately followed the Annual General Meeting. Members who attended the AGM meeting were treated to a truly magnificent feast of delightful, enjoyable and pleasurable entertainment provided by members of BarmARA. The "Showtime was introduced in the inimitable style of our Treasurer, Peter Dickenson and featured the BarmARA Calendar Girls - Gloria Rayment, Angela Prince, Val Power, Maureen Kenwright, Maggie Barclay, Wendy Thorpe, Mo Smith, Lorna Grognet, Val Mayger, Betty Gay - with the surprise appearance of Miss February our honorary girl, Geoff Figgett MBE. Ken Comber as the "Music Man", your Membership Secretary Peter Sargent and Newsletter Editor Maurice Gay as the "Two Morris's". Pam Ayres disguised as Maggie Barclay called in and did a recitation of three of her poems - I wish I looked after my teeth, The day they pass the Buck and I wish I looked after my T*ts. - The last renditition had the house in fits of laughter. Dave Mayger, Neil Kenwright and Max Power appeared as the Beverly Estate Sisters. Neil brought the house down with his lack of dress sense. The singing of John Williams and the musical talent of John Bell nicely wrapped up the whole show. Chris Hall's experience and his sound and lighting equipment only enhanced the whole production, as did John Grognet as Stage Manager. Colin Prince acted as official photographer. The rest of his "snaps" portfolios are on our web site photo gallery. If anyone wants copies please contact Angela Prince on 728478. OUR THANKS TO Tony Simms who has now stood down as our Auditor after seven years of dedicated work for BarmARA and a warm welcome and thanks to Ron Joliffe who has taken over the important task of Auditor. A thanks also to all the ARA's who have sent us their own Newsletters, particularly RamsgrangeARA from Ireland. QUIZ JULY 2010 - Thanks to Jen Cornish - Answers Q1: Too Marvellous for Words. Q2: Noel Coward. Q3: Richard Stilgoe. Q4: The Lady and the Tramp. Q5: She was barefoot. Q6: High Society. Q7: Gustav Holst. Q8: Advance Australia Fair. Q9: Romeo & Juliet. Q10: You Can Leave Your Hat On. Q11: Alexander Borodin. Q12: Orpheus in the Underworld. Q13: Ode to Joy. Q14: At W.I. Meetings Q15: Robert Burns. And the winner was.........Jean Wells. Thanks to all those who submitted entries and although got right answers didn't get their name pulled out of the hat first. QUIZ -September 2010 - Seaside Towns. submitted by Enid Deakes (Thank you Enid) Q1. The light will improve. Q2. Ernies late partner? Q3. A wonderful horse in cowboy films? Q4. Access for male sheep only. Q5. You get dirty if you swim in this. Q6. The peoples rock. Q7. A writing instrument with insects. Q8. Needed with a different lock. Q9. Carried away from the West. Q10. Come here and enjoy the herd. Q11. They don't drink this up North. Q12. The entrance for mother. Q13. Patron of cockney beekeepers. Q14. Blemish on a district. Q15. Building material and sandwich filler. Q16. Not a narrow way up by any means. Q17. A clergyman is going mouldy. Q18. A compass point at last. Answers please in the box at the October 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!! Pétanque literally "Feet anchored" is the game you see played in every French village and is now being played enthusiastically by members of BarmARA. So it is time we learnt the language of pétanque. The gravel ground on which we play is the PISTE. The little ball used as a Jack is called a COCHONNET pronounced cosh-on-ay (literally, piglet). POINTING throwing your ball at the cochonnet. SHOOTING throwing your ball in order to knock an opponent out of the way or off the piste. TO DO THE BEC to knock one of your own balls closer to the cochonnet. If you want to buy your own set of BOULES a good web site to visit is www.pycpetanque.com. On Monday 13th September 26 members turned up to play. Our last meeting of the season will be on Monday 11th October so do come and try your hand at this very popular game. Did you see one of our members - Max Power - on BBC South East TV News? It was a news report regarding the protest about the proposed quarrying in Oaken Wood. Max was fronting for the Protest Group and explaining the reasons for the local resident's objections. His wife Val was hiding in the background. If you would like more information check out www.saveoakenwoods.co.uk or email powerval98@yahoo.co.uk. Line Dancing restarted on Tuesday 7th September and continues on the 1st 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Fant Hall. The Quiz Night is being held on Friday 22nd October and your Committee would like to see as many of you as possible. The Membership Secretary reminds you that the Annual Subscriptions for the year 2010/2011 are now due. There will be no increase this year so the subs remain at £5.00 for full membership and £3.00 (£5.00 per couple) for associate membership. All subs must be paid by November 31st. Failure to do so by this date will mean your membership will be terminated. BARMARA CHAIRMANS REPORT 2009/10 This year has seen the coldest winter for many a year. For the first time in our history we had to cancel a meeting and several activities. Also this year we have seen two of our previous Chairpersons, a secretary and several members with health problems we wish them all well. The club is still the place to be as our growing membership requests keep flowing in. We now have 136 full members and 125 Associate members. We are still accepting new members, as we still hope to move to Beechwood. This has been the case for three years now. The information to date seems to be that MBC has taken over the hall from Persimmons. The management committee for the hall are still not satisfied that all their requests have been met. A fence between the hall and the children's play area has yet to be built. We are still none the wiser as to the cost of the hire of the hall or what its fittings are going to be. Until these are resolved your committee cannot even consider a move. Now to the events of the year. We have seen Brian's choice of speakers for the year and I must compliment him on the varied and entertaining program. From our very own Geoff Figgett MBE, Bob Ogley with the "wind of change", Ann Chance saddle sore in Montana and ending the year with A forensic Response to the Tsunami. This being only a sample we experienced throughout the year. This year has seen us continuing quiz nights thanks to Maurice. A new evening event was arranged, a Barn Dance. This went down very well and was well supported. We continue to organise sessions of ten-pin bowling. Due to a drop in numbers towards summer this is now being concentrated on the winter months only. Petanque has been able to resume this summer thanks to Ken Comber and this is of course followed by a nice lunch in the Red Start PH . The Art club has I believe a full class now and is going from strength to strength thanks to the support of members Brian Cornish and Sheila Malthouse. A new activity has started this year ‘New Age Kurling' by Dave Mayger. This has become so successful that we now are the proud owners of five sets of our own equipment thanks to Gloria Rayment who arranged a grant from Grass Roots. A big "thank you" to those members who have continued to provide the monthly walks. They are well supported and always finish with an optional lunch at the local hostelry. The monthly Coffee morning still proves to be very popular with a regular attendance of 30. This gives the opportunity for Associate members to come along and socialise. As this is also attended by the Outings ladies this is an ideal opportunity to book and pay for outings. We also provide Line Dancing and Handicraft afternoons. These activities could do with a bit more support. I will not say too much about outings and holidays, as I'm sure that will be covered by the outings ladies report. I would like to thank you all for supporting the Outings, Holidays and activities we provide. Our Web site provided by Maurice has proved to be popular with several hundred hits recorded every month. The monthly newsletter is now emailed to a quarter of the membership. This is also useful for late cancellations or changes to outings or activities. I have tried to make the committee more visible to the membership. At meetings they now introduce the activities they organise and you can put names to faces. I also hope you feel you can approach them at anytime. Suggestions are always welcomed. With the recession and cutbacks, next year will pose some challenges. The committee are already putting together a varied programme. So as they say watch this space. For all those hard working committee members I have failed to mention, I thank you for your invaluable input to making this club so successful As I stated earlier I think your club is very healthy and going from strength to strength. Neil Kenwright. Chair BARMARA. 24/08/10 Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions 2010 Friday 8th October. Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £1.50p Mondy 11th October. Petanque Last of the season at Redstart Pub North Street 10.00am. Lunch afterwards at the Pub (D) Monday 18th October. Ramble Oare Marshes, Faversham. 4.5 miles of flat easy walking with lunch at the Castle Pub. Plenty of wild life so brings your binoculars. Meet at Maidstone Bus Station in time for the 9.15am No. 333 Bus. Contact Gordon or Pat on 726965 Tuesday 19th October. A theatre trip has been arranged to see the Jersey Boys at Prince Edward Theatre. Matinee performance, leaving Fant Lane at 11.30am. Price including coach £35 for seats in the stalls. This trip is now fully booked (G) Friday 22nd October BarmARA Autumn Quiz Night at Barming Primary School at 7.00pm.Tables of 8. Tickets cost £5.00p. Bring your own drinks, food and nibbles. Contact (MA). Tuesday 26th October BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm Friday 5th November. Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £1.50p (D) Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M) Tuesday 23rd November BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm Friday 3rd December Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £1.50p (D) Thursday 9th December The Annual KentARA Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm start. Tickets £9.00p. Contact (W) Tuesday 14th December. BarmARA Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. Time of arrival 12 Noon until 4.00pm approx. Price £19.00 to include choice of 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 desserts. A £10 deposit will be required at the time of booking. (G or M) Tuesday 21st December Trip to the Royal Albert Hall for "WHITE CHRISTMAS" with all time favourite Christmas Songs. Evening Performance 7.30pm Cost including Coach £33. Depart Fant Hall - Time to be advised later. Contact (M) Thursday 20th January A trip has been arranged to visit The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for a Backstage Tour plus optional visit to Transport Museum or St. Pancras Station. Cost including Coach £18. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am (G) Tuesday 25th January 2011 BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm Monday 2nd May to 6th. Holiday to Warners Cricket St. Thomas. Cost £333. A £30 deposit is required on Booking. See our web site for more details Contact (N) Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034. (MA) Maurice 669421 (N) Neil 727066 Our Speaker this month, is Susan Pope who will give a talk on "Lighter than Air"; while in October, Steve Pendleton returns to talk about his world without vision. In November, Laurie Manser gives us his "Memories of a Garden Boy". We do not have an official Meeting in December although we do have a Christmas Lunch when both full and associate members can attend - see events calendar above. In January 2011, Rod Legrar talks about the History of Chislehurst Caves whilst in February we are planning a social afternoon.

BARMARA Active Retirement Association
Newsletter Issue No 61 AUGUST 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

Here are a few words that Jen Cornish asked to be inserted in the Newsletter.

"I would like to thank the many people who have contacted me since Brian went into Hospital offering to chauffeur me or do shopping etc. Brian has recovered well from the Pulmonary Embolism that caused him to go into Hospital on 9th July, but unfortunately a further cause for concern has been found. He is home now, but attending the Hospital for tests etc. Jen Cornish"

I am sure we would all like to send our best wishes to Jen and to Brian for his speedy and full recovery.

It has been a busy month again. Since our last meeting we have had our regular coffee morning, played Kurling and Petanque, we have rambled around West Malling all in addition to our visit to and a trip on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. The RHDR was the realization of a dream of two men, Captain J.E.P. Howey and Count Louis Zborowski - he of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fame. The railway opened in July 1927 and runs for 13.5 miles. During the war the army who created an armoured train requisitioned it. The railway was used extensively for the building of PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) to supply petrol for D-Day and beyond. It was reopened in 1947 by those two heroes of our childhood - Laurel & Hardy - and it is still one of the railway wonders of the world. Our coach left Fant Lane at 9.00am and arrived at Hythe shortly afterwards. We had a nice wander around Hythe and then we boarded the front 4 compartments of the RHD railway that had been reserved for us and then departed Hythe for Dungerness and the Pilot Pub for a fish & chips and a "gooey" dessert lunch. The coach left for home at about 6pm and we arrived back safely, tired but happy after a very enjoyable day out.

It was a very pleasant summers morning when 25 of us - including some new faces - gathered on the Petanque Piste in the Redstart's garden on Monday 9th August. The highlight of the morning was when three men - Neil Kenwright, John Grognet and Dave Mayger -challenged a ladies team consisting of Maureen Kenwright, Theresa King and Maggie Barclay. To the embarrassment of the men, the ladies won by 13 points to 3 points. Well-done ladies. Once again Ken Comber had arranged a good deal with the pub landlord for the pub's lunchtime special and quiet a few players stayed to enjoy their meal. We are improving all the time and are looking almost professional.

QUIZ JUNE 2010 - Wordsearch
The hidden words in the word search quiz were: Tulip, Pansy, Poppy, Daisy, Iris, Viola, Lobelia, Salvia, Zinnia and Barmara. We had correct answers from Enid Deakes, David Tyler, May Pilbeam, Maggie Barclay and Jackie Boyle. Enid won the £5 prize, as her name was first out of the hat. Thanks to all those who entered.

QUIZ - AUGUST 2010
submitted by Gloria Rayment on the subject of Pubs and Inns.

Q1. What is "Amber Nectar"? Q2. In which Midlands city is "Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem" which claims to be the oldest public house in England? Q3. What series of books does the fictional inn "The Leaky Cauldron" appear? Q4. What is, or should be 5 feet, 8 inches off the floor in most pubs? Q5. The 18th century cavalryman John Manners, who set up many ex-soldiers with pubs as a means of a livelihood has had many pubs dedicated to him under what name? Q6. What is the commonest pub name in the UK? Q7. What is the name of the pub in TV's Only Fools and Horses? Q8. In Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island, who is the owner of the "Spyglass Inn" in Bristol? Q9. Which London area on the Monopoly board is named after a 17th century inn? Q10. Which five animals appear in the top ten pub names in the United Kingdom?

Answers please in the box at the September 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

Last month's speaker was ex-Metropolitan Policeman David Tadd who gave us a very thought provoking talk on "The Forensic Response To The Tsunami." His talk was on a deadly serious subject but was interspersed with some really hilarious moments. David was called on by Her Majesty's Government to create and lead a team of skilled and experienced Metropolitan Police forensic experts to go to Phucket in Thailand and identify the bodies of those British citizens who were killed in this dreadful event. Of the 5000 plus bodies found in the carnage of this disaster his team managed to identify some 183 United Kingdom citizens. Without modern medical technology and good old-fashioned police work it would have been an impossible task. It made us all gasp at the magnitude of the task and we cannot but offer our sincere thanks to David and his team for their superhuman efforts in such a grim and ghastly project.

Thanks to the following members who gave up their time for rehearsals to provide the entertainment this afternoon: David Mayger who organised it all, John Williams the lead singer, John Bell for his musical skill on the keyboard, Peter Dickenson as MC, our Calendar Girls, Geoff Figgett OBE, Maggie Barclay, Maureen Kenwright, Val Power, Angela Prince, Gloria Rayment, Lorna Grognet, Val Mayger, Betty Gay, Maureen Smith and Wendy Thorpe , The Beverly Estate Sisters, Dave Mayger, Max Power and Neil Kenwright, The Music Man Ken Comber, Maurice Gay and Peter Sargent as the Morris Dancers and our sound team Brian Wade and Chris Hall not forgeting our back room boy and stage manager John Grognet.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held today Tuesday August 24th 2010 in Fant Hall starting at 1.00pm immediately preceding our regular monthly Meeting.

Notice of the Annual General Meeting was published in the June Issue No. 59 of the Barming Active Retirement Association Newsletter. We had not received any Nominations for election to the Committee by the qualifying date so the existing Committee will continue until the next period for re-election.

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We had another successful Kurling Session on Friday 6th August. More members than ever turned up at this meeting and this just shows how popular this sport is becoming.; even Val Mayger was persuaded to leave her tea, coffee and biscuit stand to have a game.

The Singles Club hosted by Peter Dickenson and Wendy Thorpe continues to be a success and it is hoped that in the near future they will give us a report on their activities and trips.

We have been sending our Newsletter to all the KentARA associated ARA's - nearly 50 in all - and have received some good feedback. One or two clubs have reciprocated. It is interesting to read about some ARA's activities such as a Choir, playing Croquet and some have a Sunday Lunch Club and a joint ARA Carol Service at Christmas. Food for thought?

Please note that Line Dancing is closed for the Summer Break and will restart at Fant Hall on Tuesday 7th September when we look forward to seeing some new faces as well as our regular dancers. Contact Neil 727066

We are still looking for a volunteer who is a regular attendee at our meetings and other events who has an interest in or who has had some training in First Aid to act as our second nominated first aider. You will be sent on a comprehensive One Day St. John's Ambulance "Emergency First Aid at Work" (HSE approved Course) Training Course. If you are interested please let Maurice Gay have your name.

Our Web site continues to receive an ever-increasing number of visits each month. During July we had 441 visitors. This time last year we had on 273 visits.

A message from our Membership Secretary.

The annual Subscriptions for the year 2010/2011are now due. There will be no increase this year so the subs remain at £5.00 for full membership and £3.00 (£5.00 per couple) for associate membership. If you are not paying at the Meeting please send the correct amount to:
Peter Sargent,
84 Newbury Avenue,
Allington, ME16 0RD

Cheques should be made out to 'Barmara'. All subs must be paid by November 31st. Failure to do so by this date will mean membership will be terminated.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions
2010
Friday 3rd September Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road, 10.00am Cost £2.00p (D)
Monday 6th September. Coffee Morning Barming Parish Hall 10.00am to 12.00
Monday 13th September Petanque Redstart Pub 10.00am. (D)
Monday 20th September Ramble. Meet at Wateringbury Railway Station. Food available at the Riverside Restaurant Order before setting off. Take No. 6 bus from Barming Fountain bus stop at 10.00am. Nice easy walk along the River Medway to Teston and back (D)
Wednesday 22nd September. Coach trip to Olympic Site with Guide. Trip includes tea, coffee, biscuits AND Roast Beef Lunch. Please let Gloria know if a vegetarian option is required. Cost £27. Leave Fant Hall 8.45am (G)
Tuesday 28th September BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Friday 8th October. Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £2.00p
Tuesday 19th October. A theatre trip has been arranged to see the Jersey Boys at Prince Edward Theatre. Matinee performance, leaving Fant Lane at 11.30am. Price including coach £35 for seats in the stalls. This trip is now fully booked (G)
Friday 22nd October BarmARA Autumn Quiz Night at Barming Primary School at 7.00pm.Tables of 8. Tickets cost £5.00p. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Contact (MA).
Friday 22nd October KentARA Supper and Race Night at Ditton Community Centre 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Entrance Cost £6.00p per person. Contact (W)
Tuesday 26th October BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Friday 5th November. Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £2.00p (D)
Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M)
Tuesday 23rd November BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm
Friday 3rd December Kurling. TA Centre Boxley Road. 10.00am. Cost £2.00p (D)
Tuesday 14th December. BarmARA Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. Time of arrival 12 Noon until 4.00pm approx. Price £19.00 to include choice of 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 desserts. A £10 deposit will be required at the time of booking. (G or M)
2011
Tuesday 25th January 2011 BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall. 1.00pm

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498.(W) Wendy 729771.
                    (D) Dave 670034. (MA) Maurice 669421

It is our AGM today so there will not be a Speaker. Our Speaker in September, is Susan Pope who will give a talk on "Lighter than Air"; while in October, Steve Pendleton returns to talk about his world without vision. In November, Laurie Manser gives us his "Memories of a Garden Boy".   We do not have an official Meeting in December although we do have a Christmas Lunch when both full and associate members can attend - see events calendar above.

BARMARA

Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 59 June 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

BEST WISHES TO NEIL & MAUREEN KENWRIGHT ON THEIR
GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

On Thursday 20th May a full coach left Fant Hall for our trip to Bletchley Park. The home during WW2 of the Code Breakers who famously cracked the Enigma Machine Code and the development of "Colossus" the world's first digital computer The outbound journey was delayed by an accident that closed the M20 so we arrived a little later than planned. Nevertheless, when we did arrive, our Guide - Maurice - was waiting and showed us into the main Mansion where we had coffee and biscuits whilst he gave us some information on the history of Bletchley Park and its use during the War. Following a tour of the area, which included a visit to the Bletchley Park Post Office, we had a good lunch of Cottage Pie, which was followed by a tour of the historic huts that housed Colossus and the Enigma and Lorenz machines. Tea and cakes in the main house followed. We departed at about 4.30pm and arrived safely back in Maidstone after a very interesting day. It is sad to report that this National treasure is supported only by voluntary subscription and not by the State. Thanks once again to Gloria for organising a really great trip.

The BarmARA Petanque season started on the 14th June at the Redstart Pub thanks to Ken Comber and Dave Mayger. It was a lovely summer morning and over 20 members turned up to play. Ken reminded us of the Rules and supervised the team selection. Coffee or Tea was served mid-way and when we had all completed our games, most of us went into lunch. Ken had arranged for the meal and drink for a very reasonable £7.00p. An excellent start to the season! Our next Petanque session is at the Redstart Pub at 10.am on Monday 12th July at 10.00am and I urge you to come along and enjoy yourself.

Congratulations to Jackie Boyle on winning the April Quiz.. The answers were:
Q1. Desert Island Discs. Q2. Dick Barton Special Agent. Q3. The Billy Cotton Band Show. Q4. The Archers. Q5. Henry Hall's Guest Night. Q6. Children's Favourites. Q7. Paul Temple Q8. 2-Way Family Favourites. Q9. Top of the Pops. Q10. Down Your Way. Q11. Housewives Choice. Q12. Listen With Mother. Q13. Music While You Work. Q14. The Adventures of PC 49. Q15 The Shipping Forecast.

Commiserations to Dorothy Tyler and Jen Cornish who missed the prize by one wrong answer.

QUIZ JUNE 2010: Word Search
See if you can find nine common garden flowers and the name of our organisation

Answers please in the box at the July 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

We would welcome contributions for the Quiz from any Member. It could be on any subject providing it is legal and decent!!

BarmARA's name spreads far and wide. RamsgrangeARA all the way from Ireland contacted us through our web site. Here is a précis of the message " Hi all, we are an Active retirement group from Ramsgrange in the south eastern area of Ireland, and our group has been up and running since 2003 and have 107 members, we are affiliated to Active Retirement Ireland. We have 487 ARA,s around Ireland and 60 groups in the South East Region, the region covers 5 counties, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford and Tipperary.
Our group is in South Wexford area 20 miles outside Wexford town. We are a rural area and cover 5 parishes. Like you we have many outings and part of the activities are Bowls, Ti-Chi, Ballroom Dancing, Tea Dances, Arts and Craft classes, Walks, Fado Fado (Story Telling) evenings, dog racing and horse racing, swimming, we have just returned from a five day holiday to Cork and Kerry. 42 of our members went and had a wonderful time.
We meet on the first Monday of every Month where we have a speaker, like you we charge 2 Euro to come in and 15 Euro for year membership, all coach trips are subsidised. We also go to the theatre both opera and musicals. Tomorrow we are all going to Tintern Abbey Saltmills where we will tour the Abbey followed by poetry reading and most importantly tea
and cakes." We have responded likewise and gave RamsgrangeARA details of BarmARA and our activities. I thought the ARA movement was limited to Kent. Fado Fado intrigues me and perhaps we should ask Dave Mayger to organise something of a like nature, as he is the biggest storyteller I know!

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Barming Active Retirement Association will be held at Fant Community Hall on Tuesday 28th August 2010 at 1.30pm as a preliminary to the usual monthly meeting. Matters to be dealt with at the Meeting will be the delivery of Officer's Annual Reports, presentation of audited Accounts for the year, election of Officers and Committee and the appointment of Auditor for the year 2010/2011.Below is a list of current Officers and Committee Members with their specialisations and an indication of whether they are prepared to stand for re-election:

Officers
Chairman: Neil Kenwright Yes.
Hon. Treasurer : Peter Dickenson Yes.
Hon. Secretary: Wendy Thorpe Yes.
Hon. Membership Secretary: Peter Sargent Yes

Committee Members
Maurice Gay (Newsletter) Yes
Maureen Kenwright (Catering) Yes
Dave Mayger (Activities) Yes
Gloria Rayment (Outings) Yes
Maureen Smith (Outings) Yes
Judy Thompson (Raffles) Yes
Brian Wade (Speakers) Yes

You may nominate members to compete for any of the Officer or Committee posts using the appropriate form available from the Hon. Secretary. Any nomination should reach the Secretary at least 14 days before the Meeting. A nomination may be entered at the Meeting provided that the Nominee is present. In the event of more than one nomination being received, an election will be held.

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We have managed to secure funding from Grassroots Grants Kent Community Foundation in order to purchase our own New Age Kurling Equipment thanks to the efforts of our Vice-Chairman Gloria Rayment. Thanks to Gloria for all her hard work connected with this project. Our own Vic Jefferys was in the Kent Messenger news again when they printed a photograph of the residents of Dover Street at the time of the VE Day celebrations. A young handsome 16-year-old Vic can be seen. He was able to recognise most of the other people in the photograph. The Speaker at our May Meeting was Jackie Aviolet. Jackie runs a local plant nursery and she used her expertise and knowledge to relate our Christian names to flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables. Some of our members and their names did match the type of flower, but Peter Sargent our Membership Secretary as a Sweet Pea..... I think not. It was a fun and interesting talk.

Please note that Line Dancing has now closed for the Summer Break and will restart in September.

Shakespeare went into a pub and the Landlord said "You're Bard".

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions

Thursday 24th June. Coach Trip to Rye Market with time to shop and have lunch in this lovely town then in afternoon on to visit the Great Dixter Gardens at Northiam . Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost including Coach £16. (G)
Monday 5th July Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00am to 12.00
Friday 9th July. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Monday 12th July Petanque 10.00am Redstart Pub. North Street, Barming (D)
Friday 16th July Rehearsals for Musical Spectacular Parish Hall 2.30pm
Monday 19th July. Ramble. 4 miles circular walk with some stiles via Boxley, Boxley Abbey ruins and Cuckoo Wood. Meet 10.00am Penenden Heath Car Park. (Take care of Height Barrier) Lunch afterwards at The Bull Penenden Heath. (DT)
Thursday 22nd July. Coach trip to R.H.S Gardens at WISLEY. Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost £10.00 plus Coach. (M)
Tuesday 27th July. BarmARA Meeting at Fant Hall 1.00pm
Monday 2nd August. Coffee Morning at Barming Parish Hall 10.00am to 12.00
Friday 6th August. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Wednesday 11th August Leave Fant Hall at 11.00am for Coach trip with free time in Hythe then a ride on Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway followed by Fish & Chip Lunch at The Pilot Pub at Dungerness. Cost £30 (M)
Monday 6th September. Coffee Morning Barming Parish Hall 10.00am to 12.00
Wednesday 22nd September. Coach trip to Olympic Site with Guide. Trip includes tea, coffee, biscuits AND Roast Beef Lunch. Please let Gloria know if a vegetarian option is required. Cost £27. Leave Fant Hall 8.45am (G)
Tuesday 19th October. A theatre trip has been arranged to see the Jersey Boys at Prince Edward Theatre. Matinee performance, leaving Fant Lane at 11.30am. Price including coach £35 for seats in the stalls. This trip is now fully booked (G)
Friday 22nd October KentARA Supper and Race Night at Ditton Community Centre 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Entrance Cost £6.00p per person. Contact (W)
Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M)
Tuesday 14th December. BarmARA Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. More Details follow (G or M)
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034 (DT) Dorothy Tyler 726389

At our meeting today, we have the pleasure of Chris McCooey to give us his new Talk called Birds, Beasts and Bacchanalia of Kent & Sussex. On a more serious note we have a very interesting talk planned for July entitled "A Forensic Response to the Tsunami" .Our AGM will be held at our August Meeting.

With regard to our Meetings, would you please be aware that access to the Fant Hall for the monthly Meeting is from 1.00pm. If you arrive any earlier you may be refused entry until 1.00pm, as the Committee members will be setting out the chairs and tables.

Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 58 May 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MAUREEN KENWRIGHT
who celebrates her birthday today

On the 22nd April, we visited Burghley House. (See the report inside from Brian Wade.) Saturday 24th April a large crowd of BarmARAns attended our very first Barn Dance. The venue at Barming Primary School Hall proved to be an excellent choice. Our regular Meeting at Fant Hall on 27th April was also well attended and Steve Erickson who sung his way through very many popular songs provided entertainment. A very fine cream tea was also provided which was most enjoyable. Neil took a sizeable crowd off to Warner's Holme Lacey for the Spring Holiday. Our Kurling session took place on the 14th May and we had a coach trip to Bletchley Park on the 20th; and don't forget we also had a General Election. All in all it was a very busy month.

And chaos reigned - no, not the volcanic ash cloud - but the Barn Dance at Barming Primary School. Sixty of us turned up for the first Barmara Barn Dance. Our caller, Margaret, was superb with a great sense of humour and loads of patience. Not everybody knew the dances but that did not deter from the enjoyment that we all had, in fact, it helped make the evening when going wrong and trying to catch up and put things right. It was even fun for those not taking part, just watching everybody else making a mess of things!! The food laid on by Maureen was good, as usual. With all the exercise and laughter that took place it must have done us all good. Well done, Dave, for organising the first, but hopefully, not the last Barn Dance. (And thanks to Peter Sargent for this Report)

There was another good turnout including a couple of first time members for our Kurling session on Friday 14th May. It is such good value for £2.00p each, for which you get a bundle of fun and also coffee and biscuits. If you haven't been come along on 11th June as you will definitely enjoy it.

Our own "Brain Box" Jen Cornish once again proved that she has an IQ of about 300 by winning the 11+ Arithmetic questions. :and the answers were:
Q1.12,012 Q2. 21 1/2 Q3. 18.02 Q4.30 Q5. 1hr 45 mins Q6. 2 minutes Fast.

QUIZ MAY 2010:
Q1 Where can you see the following inscription "Decus et Tutamen"? Q2 What does that inscription mean? Q3 What is a Ragged Robin? Q4 Convert £1.65p into pre-decimal £SD Q5 We all know what BarmARA means, but what is SYNARA? Q6 "I am a weakfish speller" is an anagram of what famous person? Q7 In France he is called Étienne but what is he known as in England? Q8 Why was Gillian Duffy in the news recently? Q9 We have recently heard of Eyjafjallajökull but what is the name of the world's largest one? Q10 What was the name of Billy Cotton's Band lead female singer?

Answers please in the box at the June 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday before the meeting so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

Thanks to Brian Wade for this interesting report on the recent visit to Burghley House.

"For some years now I have made visits to Stanford mainly due to the fact that my Son and Daughter-in-law live in the East Midlands. It was on a visit to Stilton village with the family to acquire and see Stilton cheese produced, which we found out to our surprise is not produced there.( To be able to call cheese, Stilton cheese it has to be made within a twenty mile radius of Stilton,) After a nice Lunch of Stilton Cheese we decided to head for Stanford, the road to Stanford took us past Burghley House and I said to myself that's a place I must visit in the future. So I was more than pleased when Barmara laid on a visit soon after.

Burghley House is not on our doorstep but the three-hour journey is well worth it, I am sure the company of Barmara members eased the journey. The Elizabethan house built between 1555—1587 is truly magnificent, the décor and furnishings are very interesting and in excellent condition. We were lucky on the day of our visit as the number of visitors was small which allowed us to spend more time looking and talking to the very friendly and informative guides. I must mention the Orangery Restaurant where most of us had lunch, this must be one of the most delightful and relaxing places to have a meal anywhere.
As it was a nice sunny day the gardens were a delight, and we were allowed access to the private South garden to see the spring bulbs. One garden which was different was the Garden of Surprise, many water features, where our Chairman, Mo and myself worked hard turning pump handles to pump a ball up a glass tube, they say little things please little minds, but it was hard work and we had to retire to the café for more refreshments. We must say thanks to Mo for organising a long but delightful day, and Mo it didn't RAIN"

At the April Meeting, Steve Erikson entertained us by singing a range of pre-punk era popular songs. Steve had a fine Irish voice and when he was singing certain songs I thought we had booked Val Doonican. He managed to get us all singing when he went into a medley of Al Jolson's songs. My favourite however was Steve's version of "The Fields of Athenry" It's a great song for the Harmonica in the key of Eb!

The Raffle at the last monthly meeting was enhanced by a prize that the Committee won when attending the KentARA AGM.. Quite unselfishly, Gloria and the rest of the Committee decided to pass on this good fortune to you all by including the bottles of wine and box of chocolates in our raffle.
Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of these activities.
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Ten Pin Bowling See the Events Calendar ( Dave Mayger 670034 )
Kurling . See the Events Calendar (Dave Mayger 670034)
Petanque. See Events Calendar (Dave Mayger 670034)
Rambles. See Events Calendar
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at member's houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.
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The spring holiday this year was at Holme Lacy House, a 14th Century manor house set in 52 acres of Herefordshire countryside. The house was well preserved and we took our meals in a tall ceilinged wood panelled room, which used to be the ballroom. As usual the food was good and plentiful. BARMARA members enjoyed pistol shooting, Croquet, Putting Green and Petanque to name but a few. We even enjoyed New Age Kurling in the Pavilion the evening entertainment venue. The shows were very good. For excursions out we went to the Black Country Museum in Dudley nr Birmingham. This is a recreated canal-side village in Victorian times and even had a fish and chip shop that did the cooking in beef dripping. Some of us enjoyed a trip into a drift coalmine, all donned in helmets and torches to one candle. The next day a half-day trip to Hereford which by chance had a festival going on with attractions in the centre. One or two of our members took themselves off to the Cathedral see the very famous "Mappa Mundi". This featured in a television programme recently and is about 700 hundred years old and depicts the then known world and shows Jerusalem at it's centre On the final day we had a lovely trip around the local area and the Forest of Dean with a lovely guide (Leigh). She fitted in with our group very well and showed us the best place to watch the "Severn Bore".. We even encountered a 71-year-old forest wood carver who entertained us with stories and a song. I might add that this was not planned he was just a man selling his wares. Due to a late change to the coach driver we all enjoyed Peter and you know how he can add to a holiday. We all came home to Maidstone by 2.30pm happy but tired. Here's to next year.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions
Thursday 27th May. 10-Pin Bowling 10.00am AMF Bowl King St Maidstone (D)
Friday 11th June. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Monday 14th June. Petanque. Our first session of the Season at the Redstart Pub, North Street Barming. Meet 10.00am. Meals available at the Redstart. Contact (D)
Monday 21st June. Ramble from Staplehurst Church. Meet and park in Kings Head Pub car park at 10.00am. Lunch at Kings Head Pub. Choose menu before walk starts. Cost £10 for 2. Contact (P)
Thursday 24th June. Coach Trip to Rye Market with time to shop and have lunch in this lovely town then in afternoon on to visit the Great Dixter Gardens at Northiam . Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost including Coach £16. (G)
Friday 9th July. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Thursday 22nd July. Coach trip to R.H.S Gardens at WISLEY. Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost £10.00 plus Coach. (M)
Friday 6th August. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Wednesday 22nd September. Coach trip to Olympic Site with Guide. Trip includes tea, coffee, biscuits AND Roast Beef Lunch. Cost £27. Leave Fant Hall 8.45am (G)
Tuesday 19th October. A theatre trip has been arranged to see the Jersey Boys at Prince Edward Theatre. Matinee performance, leaving Fant Lane at 11.30am. Price including coach £35 for seats in the stalls. Must request payment at time of booking. (G)
Friday 22nd October KentARA Supper and Race Night at Ditton Community Centre 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Entrance Cost £6.00p per person. Contact (W)
Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M)
Tuesday 14th December. BarmARA Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. More Details follow (G or M)

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen (Mo) 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034 (P) Pauline Comber 720476
(A) Ann Barfoot 738762

At our meeting today, Jackie Aviolet's talk is entitled "I am a Tulip what are you?"
For the June Meeting we have the pleasure of Chris McCooey to give us his new Talk called Birds, Beasts and Bacchanalia of Kent & Sussex. On a more serious note we have a very interesting talk planned for July entitled "A Forensic Response to the Tsunami" With regard to our Meetings, would you please be aware that access to the Fant Hall for the monthly Meeting is from 1.00pm. If you arrive any earlier you may be refused entry until 1.00pm, as the Committee members will be setting out the chairs and tables.

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates are always welcome.
Editor: Maurice Gay. 21, Howard Drive. ME16 0QG
Tel: 01622 669421. Email: secondfiddle1@btinternet.com

BARMARA
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 57 APRIL 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

Alma Baker, a long-term member of our Committee, has decided to move to other parts to be closer to her family. We

are sorry to lose her but thank her for all her hard work as a BarmARA Committee member and hope she will be very happy in her new home.

I apologise for the lack of Newsletters at the March Meeting, I reduced the print run on the basis of the last couple of month's take up. I'll make sure we have adequate copies this month. Quite a lot has happened since our last meeting. We had a group visiting the Tower of London, 10-pin bowling, Kurling, Auditions for the August Meeting, A Riverside Ramble, a coach trip to Burleigh House, KentARA Tea Dance and the Barn Dance. With regard to the forthcoming Bletchley Park visit, if you require the vegetarian option (Vegetable Lasagne) for lunch please let Gloria (720515) know right away.

Our second Kurling session brought out 20plus members on a lovely bright warm sunshiny day to the TA Centre in Boxley Road. Once again it was a very successful morning and everybody enjoyed themselves. I believe that MaidARA will be challenging us to a match! If you haven't tried Kurling yet come along. It is not too strenuous but it is good fun. Thanks to Val Mayger for providing teas, coffees and biscuits. See the events diary for the next session date

We have been in touch with the new landlord of the new refurbished Redstart Pub regarding starting the new season for Petanque. They will welcome us back and look forward to our first session of the year. Keep a look out on the Newsletter Events and Activities Diary and the web site Events Calendar

A goodly number of BarmARAn's turned up on the 9th April for the first planning meeting for the August Music Experience and from what I've heard it looks like being a terrific "entertainment". Don't forget that next Monday - 3rd May - is the Spring Bank Holiday and that the Coffee Morning has been moved to the following Monday 10th May.

We had three winners of the February Quiz Jean, Wells, Jen Cornish and Jackie Boyle. But as we can have only one winner of the £5.00p prize, Jean's name came out of the hat first, :and the answers were:
Q1.High Tide Q2. Town Hall Q3. Queen Victoria Statue Q4.Samuel PepysQ5. 1sr Floor above 89-90 Bank Street Q6. Sir Thomas Wyatt Q7. The Russian Gun 13th Q8. Century stone bridge seen from Palace Gardens Q9. Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake Q10. Sir Joseph Bazelgatte. Q11 Fairmeadow. Q12. Corpus Christi Hall. Q13. Maidstone Museum and Bentiff Art Gallery. Q14. 55-57, Week Street. Q15. Sir Joseph Banks.

QUIZ APRIL 2010: Radio Memories: What programmes did the following tunes introduce?
Q1 " By the Sleepy Lagoon" Q2. "The Devil's Gallop" Q3. "Somebody Stole My Girl" Q4. "Barwick Green" Q5. "Its Just The Time For Dancing "Q6. "Puffing Billy" Q7. "Coronation Scot" Q8. "With a Song In MY Heart" Q9. "At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal" Q10. "Horseguards - Whitehall" Q11. "In the Party Mood" Q12. "Bercuese from the Faure's Dolly Suite Q13. "Calling All Workers" Q14. "Changing Moods" Q15. "Sailing By"

Answers please in the box at the May 25 th 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 24h May 2010 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

Thanks to Brian Wade for submitting this interesting report of the visit to the Tower of London

"When it was announced that Barmara had organised a trip to the Tower of London Joan and I knew this was one trip we could not miss. I had been to the Tower many times in my youth with my parents but Joan had never been and all through our married life Joan kept on to me to take her, now was her chance. On arrival at the Tower we were met by our guide for the day Owen, and what a great guide he turned out to be, with a fountain of knowledge he had about the Tower and surrounding area. Before we could enter the Tower we seemed to have gained an extra member, Owen soon sorted this minor problem out and into the Tower we went. Our guided tour included The Traitors Gate, White Tower, Bloody Tower, and of course the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels are very impressive and well displayed, a bit different to the last time I viewed them in my youth, they were then in a dark cold room in one of the towers in small display cabinets. After lunch we toured the Tower precincts, which included the execution site, The Merchant Seamen's Memorial and St Olave Church one of just eight city churches to have survived the Great fire of London. Above the gates to the church Memento Mori skulls still greet visitors and Charles Dickens called this church St Ghastly Grim, I think it must have changed a great deal since Dickens day I didn't find Ghastly. I am sure we all had a very interesting and enjoyable day, so many thanks to Mo for organising another great BarmARA outing."

Truisms??
Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.
Bills travel through the post at twice the speed of cheques.
If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of mortgage payments
Love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.

Our Speaker at the March Meeting was Andrew Clarke brought back a lot of memories for our members when he presented his talk and showed photographs about Long Lost Maidstone. He provided the following poem about Maidstone 1945.

Hail Maidstone, Noble Medway's bride Thy suave and fruitful atmosphere
Kent's citadel of civic pride! Embalmed with toffee, gas and beer.
Hail stately County Hall, and hail They meditate how affluence dwells
Thou formidable County Jail! Amid the reek of caramels,
Majestic buildings line thy stream And turns their noble Medway's flood
Where red sails match the sunset gleam - Into a multi-coloured mud:
Though these be slender consolations Their High Street, they observe with thanks
To strangers at thy Railway Stations Is lined with shops and bulging Banks:
Who stagger, hot and unimpressed, With fumes internally combusted
From Maidstone East to Maidstone West Their lungs are seared, their nose disgusted -
Thy burgers in St. Peter's Street But who should such effluvia mind
Lift their proud noses high to greet If affluence be unconfined?

(From Kentish Rhymes By John Alden 1945)

Jokes to amuse your grandchildren:
What do you get if you cross an elephant and a kangaroo? Big holes all over Australia!
What is the best thing to do if you find a gorilla in your bed? Sleep somewhere else.
What lies on its back, one hundred feet in the air? A dead centipede.

Events Diary - List of Activities, Trips and Excursions
Monday 3rd May until 7th May. Spring Holiday at Warners Holme Lacey. Cost £299. Contact Neil for more information. (N)
Thursday 13th May. August Musical Extravaganza Meeting. 10.00am Barming Parish Hall (D)
Friday 14th May. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Monday 17th May. Ramble. Meet at Holy Cross Church Car Park Bearsted at 10.00am for ramble around Bearsted and Otham. Lunch at Newnham Court. (A)
Thursday 20th May. Coach Trip to Bletchley Park, a Splendid Victorian Mansion and during WW2 home of the Code Breakers of the Enigma Machine. Guided Tour with coffee and biscuits on arrival, Lunch then Tea and Muffins. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Cost £20 plus coach cost. There is currently a waiting list for this trip (G)
Thursday 27th May. 10-Pin Bowling 10.00am AMF Bowl King St Maidstone (D)
Friday 11th June. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Thursday 24th June. Coach Trip to Rye Market with time to shop and have lunch in this lovely town then in afternoon on to the Great Dixter Gardens at Northiam . Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost including Coach £16. (G)
Friday 9th July. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Thursday 22nd July. Coach trip to R.H.S Gardens at WISLEY. Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost £10.00 plus Coach. (M)
Friday 6th August. Kurling 10.00am TA Hall Boxley Rd. £2.00p (D)
Tuesday 19th October. A theatre trip has been arranged to see the Jersey Boys at Prince Edward Theatre. Matinee performance, leaving Fant Lane at 11.30am. Price including coach £35 for seats in the stalls. Must request payment at time of booking. (G)
Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M)
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034 (K) Ken Comber 720476
(A) Ann Barfoot 738762

At our Meeting today, we welcome Steve Erikson for "Songs and Entertainment" and a Cream Tea. At our May Meeting, Jackie Aviolet's talk is entitled "I am a Tulip what are you?" The June Meeting we have the pleasure of TBA. On a more serious note we have a very interesting talk planned for July entitled "A Forensic Response to the Tsunami"

With regard to our Meetings, would you please be aware that access to the Fant Hall for the monthly Meeting is from 1.15pm. If you arrive any earlier you may be refused entry, as the Committee members will be setting out the chairs and tables.

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates are always welcome.
Editor: Maurice Gay. 21, Howard Drive. ME16 0QG
Tel: 01622 669421. Email: secondfiddle1@btinternet.com

BARMARA
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 56 MARCH 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

Congratulations to John & Irene Cornell who were married 50 years ago on Friday 12th March and I'm sure you would all like to join the Committee in hoping that that it brought back lots of cherished memories and they had a very happy GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Our last 10-pin bowling session on February 25th, turned out to be a gender battle with supporters on both sides cheering the bowlers. Neil Kenwright narrowly pipped Marion to clinch the highest score of the day. Our next session is booked for Thursday March 25th so come along and enjoy the game, the exercise and the company. You will have noticed from our web site events calendar that we have organised Curling or Kurling sessions at the TA Hall in Boxley Road on Friday 12th March and Friday 9th April.. New age Kurling is a form of the original curling game, but adapted so that it can be played indoors on any smooth, flat surface, such as a sports hall, rather than on ice. Importantly, the game can be played by both able-bodied and disabled people of all ages alike. If you have access to the Internet check this Kent Sports web site as it gives much more information; or speak to Dave Mayger the organiser.

http://www.kentsport.org/pdfs/new_age_kurling_factsheet.pdf

On the 12th March session, 32 members turned up at the TA Centre in Boxley Road for our first taste of New Age Kurling. Only a few had played before so most of us were rookies. It didn't take long to understand the rules of the game supplied by Ron Harman of MaidARA.. The stones (?) slid easy over the floor surface either by pushing direct onto the stones or using a very handy broomstick for those less able to bend . Towards the end of three games everyone was using the sticks. The teams were made up from a random selection of playing cards given out by Neil, the idea being that we all played with different members each game. An excellent way to mix and meet members. The most strenuous task was holding the cups of tea and coffee ably supplied by Max. All in all a great time was had by all. Can't wait until next time (Friday 9th April). Our thanks to Dave and Val Mayger for setting it all up.

OThe winner of the January - Quiz of the Decade was won by Joan Wade. The runners up were; Betty Webb, Dorothy Tyler and Jackie Boyle and the ANSWERS to January 2010 Quiz of the Decade are:
Q1. Year 2000 - Millennium. Q2. 9/11 Twin Towers World Trade Centre NY
Q3. World Cup Rugby final. Q4. Brendan Cole. Q5. Hurricane Katrina
Q6. John Prerscott. Q7. An Earthquake. Q8. Terminal 5, Heathrow. Q9. Swine Flu. Q10. April 2006
QUIZ MARCH 2010 - 11 Plus.
How would you cope with some questions from today's 11 plus Maths examination?
Q1. Write in figures twelve thousand and twelve. Q2. 6 ¾ of 4 2/3- 10 5/6 divided by 1 ½ = ?Q3 1.06 x 2.04 divided by 0.123. Q4 Find the sum of all the numbers between 1 and 13 that are divisible exactly by 3. Q5 The road from a town "A" to another town "B" is uphill for the first 2 miles, level for the next 3 miles, and downhill for the last 2 miles. If I can walk at the rate of 4 miles an hour on the level, 5 miles an hour down hill and 3 miles an hour uphill, how long shall I take to go from "A " to "B"? Q6. A clock is 12 minutes slow, but is gaining 5 seconds per hour. A watch is 20 minutes fast, but is losing 7 ½ seconds per hour. How many minutes fast will the watch be when the clock shows the right time?

Answers please in the box at the April 27th 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 26th April 2010 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

                                        A LETTER TO MY FRIEND
Just a line to say I'm living                       and sometimes when its night time
That I'm not among the dead                  with my nightcap on my head,
Though I'm getting more forgetful           I'm not sure if I'm retiring
And mixed up in my head.                        Or just getting out of bed.
I've got used to my arthritis,                    If its my turn to write dear
To my dentures I'm resigned.                   I hope you wont get sore,
I can manage my bifocals;                        I may think that I have written,
But, Oh God, I miss my mind.                   And don't wont to be a bore.
At times I can't remember,                       So remember I do miss you
When I'm standing by the stair,               And wish that you lived near,
If I'm going up for something                   but its time to post this letter
Or I've just come down from there,         and say goodbye my dear.
And beside the Fridge so often               BLAST
My mind is filled with doubt;                    I stood beside the Post Box
Now did I put some food away?             And my face is really red,
Or come to take it out?                           Instead of posting this to you
                                                               I've opened it instead!

My thanks to Brenda Sargent for submitting this lovely poem. It certainly ticks a few of my boxes!

Following the AGM this coming August, your Committee is planning to entertain you with a Musical Extravaganza using "home grown" talent. So if you would like to join in as a singer or you can play an instrument then turn up at Barming Parish Hall on Friday 9th April at 2.00pm to learn more.
ur Book Club is looking for members. If you like reading and discussing the merits of otherwise of the Book with other like-minded members then contact Dave Mayger. (670034)

If you didn't make the February Meeting, you missed a very humorous and entertaining talk by Ann Chance. At the age of 64, having been influenced by the "Western" films of her childhood, she decided that she would go on a cowboy cattle drive in Montana USA even though she could not ride a horse. For eight months she took riding lessons from Patrick. There followed many funny and adventurous stories about horses that couldn't spell Canter, about being caught up by her knickers. She did get to Montana was given a horse called Houdini and learnt of the dangers of Ticks and that Rattlesnakes couldn't strike above 18". The temperature regularly reached 105 degrees. She was posted to the riding position of "Drag". This is at the rear of the herd and had to sweep up the loose and wayward cattle. After a variety of lively horses she was give one called Cherokee. Her riding ability improved and as she was able to stay in the saddle she was nicknamed as Bostic. Story upon story came about Pommels, bull whips, lassoes, beans, camp fires, Jacuzzis and sing songs like "Amazing Grace" which at the end of her talk we all joined in. - Ye Ha!.

On Monday 15th March, with beautiful weather the Rambling Group led by Ken Comber went on a four-mile walk over level ground with no stiles. The walkers started from Tonbridge Castle and took in Haysden Park and then took lunch at Weatherspoons. If you are interested in joining in future rambles, Phone Ken on 720476. or Dave Mayger 670034

I literally bumped into Peter Franklin in the Library the other day, me with my walking stick and Peter driving his hi-speed walking frame. Peter used to be Editor of this fine Newsletter and is waiting for a new hip. We wish him well and a speedy recovery.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Cyril Mayhew who passed away on the 4th March and we send our condolences to his family and friends

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Thursday 25th March 10-pin Bowling. Meet 10.00am at the Maidstone AMF Bowl in King Street Maidstone. (D)
Friday 9th April Kurling at TA Centre Boxley Road, Maidstone 10.00am Cost £2.00p (D)
Friday 9th April We are holding Auditions for the BarmARA Spectaclular. 2.00pm at Barming Parish Hall. We want Singers and Musicians. Contact (D)
Friday 16th April KentARA Tea Dance at Ditton Community Centre, 2pm - 5pm (Doors open 1.30pm). Dancing to Stephens Dance Music. Cost £3 (W)
Monday 19th April Ramble. Meet 10.00am at Waitrose Car Park (Newbury Ave., Allington) 2 hrs River Walk to Whatman Millennium Park and back. Lunch (optional) at the Thomas Wyatt Pub. (D)
Thursday 22nd April Coach trip to Burleigh House and Stamford. Cost £22. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 8.00am (M)
Saturday 24th April Barn Dance to be held at Barming Primary School Hall, Belmont Close. 7.00pm to 10.00pm Dancing to professional Caller Cost £5 includes Ploughman's Supper. (D)
Monday 3rd May until 7th May. Spring Holiday at Warners Holme Lacey. Cost £299. Contact Neil for more information. (N)
Thursday 20th May Coach Trip to Bletchley Park, a Splendid Victorian Mansion and during WW2 home of the Enigma Machine. Guided Tour with coffee and biscuits on arrival, Lunch then Tea and Muffins. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Cost £20 plus coach cost. There is currently a waiting list for this trip (G)
Thursday 24th June. Coach Trip to Rye Market with time to shop and have lunch in this lovely town then in afternoon on to the Great Dixter Gardens at Northiam . Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost including Coach £16. (G)
Thursday 22nd July. Coach trip to R.H.S Gardens at WISLEY. Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost £10.00 plus Coach. (M)
Thursday 18th November to Monday 22nd November Lunch and Christmas Spectacular at Thursford followed by weekend break at Potters 5* hotel including 4 meals a day and entertainment. £360. Contact (M)

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034 (K) Ken Comber 720476.

Andrew Clarke will be talking to us today about "Old Maidstone". In April (Easter Meeting) there is "Songs and Entertainment" with Steve Erickson and a Cream Tea. At our May Meeting Jackie Aviolet's talk is entitled "I am a Tulip what are you?"

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates are always welcome.
Editor: Maurice Gay. 21, Howard Drive. ME16 0QG
Tel: 01622 669421. Email: secondfiddle1@btinternet.com

February Issue 55

Chairman Neil Kenwright
www.barmara.org.uk

Sadly, Nora Harvey passed away during her sleep at Maidstone Hospital on Saturday 30th January. She was a gentle kindly lady and a good member of the Art Group. We will miss her and send our condolences to all her friends and family

The BarmARA Committee meet once a month under the Chairmanship of Neil in the Barming Parish Hall generally two weeks before the main Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall. It is at these meetings that matters pertaining to the efficient running and strategic direction of the club are discussed. An Agenda of matters to be discussed is drawn up by our Secretary - Wendy Thorpe - under various headings such as; Treasurer's Report, Membership Secretary's Report, Outings Organiser's Reports, discussions about existing or new activities for the Members. We review the Draft Newsletter, Hear about KentARA and our Area 4 Matters and deal with anything else that affects or is relevant to BarmARA.. To use a naval simile, this is like the engine room, bridge, wheelhouse and Chart Room all rolled into one. This month, details of Speakers for the forthcoming months were discussed as was Beechwood Hall and the Closing of Fant Lane and local roads for essential road works. So if you would like anything brought to the Committee's notice just let us know.

Our website is still attracting a lot of visits and the statistics show that on average we have about 300 visitors a month - and they are not all me. Talking about websites, KentARA has a web page - www.kentara.co.uk - that also has a link to our site and we have had several enquiries about membership via that link and I believe that one or two new members have joined us via that source.

Are you plagued with Junk Mail? Maidstone Borough Council is looking into this issue and is keen to hear the views of local residents. If you have a view then write to Ester Bell, Overview and Scrutiny Officer at the Council Offices or telephone her on 01622 602463.

The winners of our November and December Quizzes were Jen Cornish and Dorothy Tyler. This is the first time that either of them has won so CONGRATULATIONS to you both. It will be a surprise for Dot as she was in Australia on the day of our last meeting.
QUIZ February 2010 - How well do you know Maidstone
Q1. What leaves Chatham and arrives 27 minutes later at Allington? Q2. In 1793, where would you have found Maidstone Gaol? Q3. What did Alexander Randell give to Maidstone in 1862?. Q4 Who wrote in his diary, " ...having walked all round the town and found it very pretty"? Q5 Where do Lord Avebury, Sir Lawrence Washington, William Caxton and an Archbishop of Canterbury now stand? Q6. Who caused Maidstone to lose it's Royal Charter? Q7. What did Lord Pamure give to Maidstone in 1858? Q8. What is one of Maidstone's oldest structures now hidden under a modern road junction? Q9. Who was 12 times Mayor of Maidstone? Q10. What do the London Sewage system and a Maidstone Bridge have in common? Q11. Where are seven Protestant martyrs commemorated? Q12. Where until 1871 did Maidstone Grammar School stand for the previous 322 years? Q13. What is Chillington Manor now known as? Q14 If you were a Pargeter in 1680 where can your work still be seen? Q15. Who donated the almshouses in St. Faith's Street?
Answers please in the box at the March 23rd 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 22nd March 2010 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw
Answers to the January Quiz
Q1. The mnemonic for the Millennium Year 2000 Q2. The date of the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York 9th November 2001.Q3. World Cup Rugby final. He kicked the winning Goal. Q4 Brendan Cole was the first Professional Dancer to win. He was partnered by Natasha Kaplinski Q5. Hurricane Katrina. There are the names given to Hurricanes in the Gulf. Q6. John Prescott. He was photographed playing Croquet when as Deputy Prime Minister he was running the Country acting as PM.Q7. An Earthquake measuring 4.3 in the Richter Scale.Q8.Terminal 5 Heathrow was not ready when opened to Flights, chaos reigned. Q9. The first reported case of Swine Flu. Q10. The first reported case of Bird Flu during April 2006 in the UK

On Thursday 21st January 11 members met at the Maidstone Bowl for a 10-pin bowling session. This was the first session this year after all the over indulgence at Christmas and it showed. That is all except for Freda Pearce. Freda must have spent the whole holiday period practising as she managed to attain the highest score of the day. We also welcomed Marie Everett (an Associate Member) for the first time. For those who have not been with us, it is great fun and a very enjoyable way of taking a little easy exercise. The cost £5.75p for three games, which also includes coffee and biscuits. We usually start at 10.00am and are finished by lunchtime.
Our Chairman Neil and Dave Mayger have been looking for other activities that might interest members and they tried out "Curling". The trial practice session proved to be very enjoyable so the Committee are looking into the possibilities for BarmARA.
I dream of a better tomorrow.. where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives. I was standing in the park one day wondering why Frisbees get bigger the closer they get,; and then it hit me!

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of these activities.

Bob the January Meeting speaker took us on a voyage down the Medway, from Allington Lock to Sea Buoy No. 1 at the confluence of the River Thames and River Medway off Sheerness where the remains of the "Richard Montgomery" awaits! What was once a mighty trading River is now almost all recreational. This very interesting talk was illustrated with many photographs and was well received.

This is not strictly BarmARA business, although I suspect it could interest or affect many of our members. Earlier this month I was scheduled for elective surgery, a Total Knee Replacement, at Maidstone General Hospital. I was naturally apprehensive considering the adverse publicity the local NHS Trust has received recently. I need not have been anxious for I can now report that the care, compassion, respect and professional treatment I received from every Department in the Hospital was well beyond my expectation and can only tell you that if you are due to be admitted for treatment you will be in the hands of some truly special people.

The Chinese New Year was on February 14th and this year, 2010, is known as the year of the Tiger or more formally as Geng Yin. In Chinese calendar terms, 2010 is the year 4707. Their year zero was equivalent to our 2698 BC. If the Chinese have New Year, we have St. Valentine's Day. This day has now become a day when your love for someone can be declared. The following quotation seems to me to be quite appropriate.

"Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age"

*********************************************
Because of the Bank Holidays, the Coffee Morning scheduled for Monday 5th April has been moved to Monday 12th April and similarly, the Monday 3rd May Coffee Morning will now be on Monday May 10th. Please put a note in your diary.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Thursday 25th February 10-Pin Bowling. Meet 10.00am at the Maidstone AMF Bowl in King Street, Maidstone (D)
Thursday 18th March Coach trip to the Tower of London. Cost £34. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 9.00am. (M)
Thursday 25th March 10-pin Bowling. Meet 10.00am at the Maidstone AMF Bowl in King Street Maidstone. (D)
Friday 16th April KentARA Tea Dance at Ditton Community Centre, 2pm - 5pm (Doors open 1.30pm). Dancing to Stephens Dance Music. Cost £3 (FREE to first 4 to apply) Contact Wendy (W)
Thursday 22nd April Coach trip to Burleigh House and Stamford. Cost £22. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 8.00am (M)
Saturday 24th April Barn Dance to be held at Barming Primary School Hall, Belmont Close. 7.00pm to 10.00pm Dancing to professional Caller Cost £5 includes Ploughman's Supper. Contact Dave for more information (D)
Monday 3rd May until 7th May. Spring Holiday at Warners Holme Lacey. Cost £299. Contact Neil for more information.(N)
Thursday 20th May Coach Trip to Bletchley Park, a Splendid Victorian Mansion and during WW2 home of the Enigma Machine. Guided Tour with coffee and biscuits on arrival, Lunch then Tea and Muffins. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Cost £20 plus coach cost. There is currently a waiting list for this trip (G)
Thursday 24th June. Coach Trip to Rye Market with time to shop and have lunch in this lovely town then in afternoon on to the Great Dixter Gardens at Northiam . Leave Fant Lane at 9.00am. Cost including Coach £16. Contact (G)
Monday 15th November to Friday 19th November "Turkey and Tinsel" at Potters, Great Yarmouth. Cost £385. Full Board plus Suppers, Cabaret and includes trip to see the magnificent THURSFORD SPECTACULAR and use of all Potters facilities. These details may change Contact (M) for more information
Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034

The Speaker today is Ann Chance whose talk is intriguingly entitled "Saddle Sore in Montana".

In March, we will be closer to home for Andrew Clarke's talk on "Old Maidstone." In April (Easter Meeting) there is "Songs and Entertainment" with Steve Erickson and a Cream Tea. At our May Meeting Jackie Aviolet's talk is entitled "I am a Tulip what are you?" Then in June, Dave Mayger will be offering something special!!

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates are always welcome

********************************************************************************************

Issue No 54 January 2010.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS
In December, our visit to see the Alan Titchmarsh Show being televised was a great success although it was a very long day. We left Fant Hall at 9.45am and did not return until about 9.00pm. Gloria booked a new coach company - Enterprise Coaches - for this trip and the driver entertained us by pointing out some interesting landmarks on the way. We arrived close to lunchtime and many of us explored the massive Westfield Shopping Centre before taking lunch there. We all met at 2.00pm at the BBC Studios, which was just opposite and after a little wait, we were admitted to the Studio. The "warm up" man kept us entertained until the show started. We saw 2 shows, the first was transmitted Live and the second was recorded for transmission the following day. Guests included two Reindeers, Jamie Cullum, Julia McKenzie and Brian May (from Queen) as well as Alan's regulars. If you haven't been into a TV Studio you will be amazed at all the lighting and sound paraphernalia as well as the hoards of people with headsets and clipboards. One of our party won a bottle of "Bubbly"! On the way back home we found ourselves in Oxford Street to see the Christmas Lights. It was an enjoyable, interesting but long day and thanks to Gloria for organising this trip. Barmara Christmas Lunch Can you remember as far back as the 15th December 2009? What a lovely winters day it was. Dry, frosty and the sun shinning in a beautiful blue sky. Maureen and Gloria worked hard to organise this event that was attended by 125 members. Thanks also to Brian Wade for his part in organising the entertainment by "Spare Parts" The room was decorated nicely. There were crackers, party poppers, whizzer balloons and hats on the tables along with a quiz for us to do during the meal. We were all given a glass of bucks fizz before being served with our meal, which, considering the numbers being catered for, was very good. Once we had had our coffee our Chairman Neil said a few words thanking the organisers and the caterers. He congratulated Eileen and Vic Jefferys on their forthcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary on Boxing Day. Maureen then presented them with a cake. It was then on to the entertainment by "Spare Parts". They started by singing "When your old wedding ring was new" to Eileen and Vic, which brought tears to a few peoples eyes including Eileen's. Most of the songs were either Christmas ones or Carols, which everyone joined in with. The highlight of the afternoon was "The 12 days of Christmas" with every table being one of the days. Christine, the leader of Spare Parts, was running up and down the hall making sure each table was doing their bit. Festivities over we all made our way home about 4.30pm. Once more Maureen and Gloria did us proud. Thank you girls and thanks to Max for his quiz.

The winners of our November and December Quizzes will be disclosed at this meeting, as there wasn't a meeting in December.

QUIZ January 2010 - Over the last decade
Q1. What was Y2K ? Q2. 110901 refers to what? Q3. J. Wilkinson helped us win what? Q4. Who was the first strictly professional winner? Q5. Who came before Rita and after Emily? Q6. Croquet at Dorneywood was popular with whom? Q7. At 4.3 what agitated Folkestone ? Q8. T1-4 were OK but what famous five wasn't? Q9. Why did H1N1 have us all worried in 2009? Q10. What year did H5N1 first fly in?

Answers please in the box at the February 23rd 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 22nd February 2010 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

Answers to November Quiz:
Q1. Mathew Web 1875 in 22 hrs. Q2. Sheppey. Short Bros. 1909.Q3. Broadstairs 1916. Q4. Cars, Reliant, Oldsmobile and Sunbeam.Q5. 6 (1+2+3). Q6. Golden Elephant. Q7. November 1989. Q8. Lord Haw-Haw.Q9. The Houses of Parliament. Q10. Harry Patch.

Answers to December Quiz:
Q1. Jacob Marley. Q2 Christmas cracker. Q3 Holiday Inn. Q4. Nine Ladies dancing. Q5 Cupid. Q6.Hen. Q7. The Queens Speech. Q8. Christmas Rose Q9. (a) Pacific 2pm Friday 1st or (b) Indian Ocean 7 am Friday 1st Q10. 14th February
Quizmaster he say, "Whoops, I didn't realise there were two Christmas Islands until Peter D enlightened me! I'll take either answer to be the correct one.

I have been asked by Vic and Eileen Jefferys to pass on their special thanks to everybody who took the time and trouble to send them messages of congratulations, best wishes and good luck on the occasion of their DIAMOND Wedding and especially to Maureen K and the Committee for the Diamond Wedding cake and for Brian arranging for "Spare Parts" to sing that lovely song. Vic & Eileen also pass on their thanks to Val Power for designing and making such a magnificent card. Many of you will have seen the report in the Kent Messenger, but for those who didn't ...they first met aged 16 and 17 on the Flat Iron on the Broadway, continued their romance in the Waverley Café. The "question" was popped on a bus and on Vic's first leave from the Navy 3 years later they tied the knot at All Saints Church with Eileen wearing a borrowed dress and holding the reception in her mother's front room. Quite a change from nowadays when the whole wedding plan can cost thousands of Pounds.

I also understand that there might be an 80th birthday coming up, but I would never give a lady's age away.

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of these activities.

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Ten Pin Bowling Thursday 25th February 2010 at 10.00am Maidstone Bowl King Street (Contact Dave Mayger 670034 )
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at member's houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.

New Year Resolutions:
I wonder how many of our new years intentions we have given up? These are the Top Ten resolutions according to a "Survey" 1. Stop Smoking. 2. Get Fit. 3. Lose Weight. 4. Enjoy Life More. 5. Quit Drinking. 6. Get Organised. 7. Learn Something New. 8. Get Out of Debt. 9. Spend More Time With the Family. 10. Help Others.

I look forward to the New Year, as it is the opportunity to restart old habits.
May this New Year bring newly found prosperity, love, happiness and delight in your life
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Have you heard about that 66-year-old Romanian woman being the world's oldest mum? I don't know what all the fuss is about, my mum's 85. Beat that! These so-called speed bumps are a joke. If anything, they slow you down!

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It was Wednesday 13th following a long period of snow and freezing conditions when the Coffee Morning and the Art Group was cancelled, we wondered if our planned theatre trip to see "Sister Act" would also be cancelled. To help everybody out, Gloria arranged for Brookline to schedule various alternative pick-up points in addition to Fant Lane. At a few minutes before 12noon the coach left London Road, Allington for the journey to London with a coach load of brave people to see the enjoyable and "feel good" musical show - Sister Act. It was just what everybody needed to buck them up, put a smile on the face and get off to a good start in the New Year. From the comments we have received we think it was a success that makes all of Gloria's work in re-arranging worthwhile and our thanks go also to David of Brookline for his help in difficult circumstances. PS, the Nuns won

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Monday 22nd February The Ramblers Annual Luncheon. 12.00 Noon at The Running Horse (Harvester) Sandling Road. All Walkers Welcome Contact Dorothy 726389

Thursday 18th March Coach trip to the Tower of London. Cost £34. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 9.00am. (M)

Thursday 22nd April Coach trip to Burleigh House and Stamford. Cost £22. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 8.00am (M)

Saturday 24th April Barn Dance to be held at Barming Primary School Hall, Belmont Close. 7.30pm to 10.00pm Dancing to professional Caller Cost £5 includes Ploughman's Supper. Contact Dave for more information (D)

Monday 3rd May until 7th May. Spring Holiday at Warners Holme Lacey. Cost £299. Contact Neil for more information.(N)

Thursday 20th May Coach Trip to Bletchley Park, a Splendid Victorian Mansion and during WW2 home of the Enigma Machine. Guided Tour with coffee and biscuits on arrival, Lunch then Tea and Muffins. Leave Fant Hall 9.00am. Cost £20 plus coach cost. (G)

Monday 15th November to Friday 19th November "Turkey and Tinsel" at Potters, Great Yarmouth. Cost £385. Full Board plus Suppers, Cabaret and includes trip to see the magnificent THURSFORD SPECTACULAR and use of all Potters facilities. (M)

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (D) Dave 670034

The Speaker today is Bob Ratcliffe. He will talk about " A trip down the River".

In February, Ann Chance will be "Saddle sore in Montana" whilst in March we will be closer to home for Andrew Clarke's talk on "Old Maidstone." In April there is "Songs and Entertainment" with Steve Erickson.

Beechwood Hall. We have nothing further to report at this time.

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates are always welcome

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BARMARA
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 54 January 2010.
Chairman Neil Kenwright
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS
In December, our visit to see the Alan Titchmarsh Show being televised was a great success although it was a very long day. We left Fant Hall at 9.45am and did not return until about 9.00pm. Gloria booked a new coach company - Enterprise Coaches - for this trip and the driver entertained us by pointing out some interesting landmarks on the way. We arrived close to lunchtime and many of us explored the massive Westfield Shopping Centre before taking lunch there. We all met at 2.00pm at the BBC Studios, which was just opposite and after a little wait, we were admitted to the Studio. The "warm up" man kept us entertained until the show started. We saw 2 shows, the first was transmitted Live and the second was recorded for transmission the following day. Guests included two Reindeers, Jamie Cullum, Julia McKenzie and Brian May (from Queen) as well as Alan's regulars. If you haven't been into a TV Studio you will be amazed at all the lighting and sound paraphernalia as well as the hoards of people with headsets and clipboards. One of our party won a bottle of "Bubbly"! On the way back home we found ourselves in Oxford Street to see the Christmas Lights. It was an enjoyable, interesting but long day and thanks to Gloria for organising this trip.

Barmara Christmas Lunch
Can you remember as far back as the 15th December 2009? What a lovely winters day it was. Dry, frosty and the sun shinning in a beautiful blue sky. Maureen and Gloria worked hard to organise this event that was attended by 125 members. Thanks also to Brian Wade for his part in organising the entertainment by "Spare Parts" The room was decorated nicely. There were crackers, party poppers, whizzer balloons and hats on the tables along with a quiz for us to do during the meal. We were all given a glass of bucks fizz before being served with our meal, which, considering the numbers being catered for, was very good. Once we had had our coffee our Chairman Neil said a few words thanking the organisers and the caterers. He congratulated Eileen and Vic Jefferys on their forthcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary on Boxing Day. Maureen then presented them with a cake. It was then on to the entertainment by "Spare Parts". They started by singing "When your old wedding ring was new" to Eileen and Vic, which brought tears to a few peoples eyes including Eileen's. Most of the songs were either Christmas ones or Carols, which everyone joined in with. The highlight of the afternoon was "The 12 days of Christmas" with every table being one of the days. Christine, the leader of Spare Parts, was running up and down the hall making sure each table was doing their bit. Festivities over we all made our way home about 4.30pm. Once more Maureen and Gloria did us proud. Thank you girls and thanks to Max for his quiz.

BARMARA
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 53 December 2009.
CHAIRMAN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

This is the time of year when we think of and enjoy family life. I like to regard BARMARA as a family and my committee and I would like to spread a little bit of Christmas joy to you the members.

The December meeting/lunch is the ideal time to bring everybody in the club together to enjoy themselves. The festivities start with a welcome Bucks Fizz and then after the meal we have organised entertainment. We hope everyone will be in fine voice to have a Christmas sing along.

Over the past year we have tried to provide a varied programme of activities to cater for as many members tastes as possible. We do hope you have found something to suit you. New ideas are always welcome. Looking forward to the New Year, your committee have organised lots of goodies to keep you entertained at meetings, and exciting outings. New activities are also being considered.

I am sure you would like to join me in congratulating and in sending our best wishes to Eileen and Vic Jefferys who celebrate their DIAMOND WEDDING on Boxing Day, 26th December.

In conclusion my committee and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. See you all at our next meeting on Tuesday 26th January 2010.

Neil Kenwright
BARMARA Chairman

The winner of our November Quiz was Daphne Sutherland. Once again, a big Christmas "Thank You" to all those who entered this quiz. The answers to the October Quiz are: Q1. Rabbit's Cross. Q2. Loose. Q3. Crouch. Q4. Sandwich. Q5. Thong. Q6. Greenhill. Q7. Snowdown. Q8. Warmlake. Q9. Ware. Q10. Stanstead

QUIZ December 2009.
Q1. What was the name of the ghost that visited Ebenezer Scrooge? Q2. What Christmas item did a London baker and wedding cake specialist invent in 1847? Q3. In what film was the song "White Christmas" first performed? Q4. "My true love brought to me. "Nine" What? Q.5 Comet, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donner, Blitzen; who is missing? Q 6 What is a female turkey called? Q7 "Pee's quench sheet" is an anagram for what? Q8 What is Helleborus Niger better known as? Q9 When Big Ben strikes midnight on 31st December 2009, what day and time is it in Christmas Island? Q10. When does the Chinese New Year Fall?

Answers please in the box at the January 26th 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 25th January 2010 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

November Speaker
Bob Ogley was our guest speaker in November and he reminded us about the great storm that occurred during the night of 15/16th October 1987, that is 22 years ago!! Little did he know at the time but it would change his life TOTALLY! The Fox and Hounds Pub also seemed to play a part in his story. Bob was woken up at 2.30am thinking that an express train was rushing through the house. He went out into his garden, narrowly being missed by a flying rabbit hutch and couldn't see the 400 acre wood that he had walked through coming home from the Fox and Hounds the previous evening. A fallen oak squashed his car. On his walk to work in the morning could only hear the sound of chainsaws. He passed a cottage where the occupants had miraculously escaped injury when a large tree fell on the cottage. He had the spark of an idea and hired a plane to fly over Kent so that he and a colleague could take photographs of the scenes of devastation. These photos were to be the basis of a best selling book called "In the Wake of the Hurricane." This book was in the Booksellers top 10 for 8 months and enabled Bob to donate £65,000 to the Woodland Trust; and from the profits build his wife a swimming pool, which he says they use every day even during the hardest winter days. He left his job as Editor of the local paper and became a full time writer and publisher of such books as "Biggin on the Bump" "Doodlebugs", "Kent at War ". He then gave us his views on unpredictable weather patterns and is not fully convinced about the experts explanation of climate change and global warming. When asked, he said that the book he would have liked to have written would have been about the evacuees during WW2. Perhaps the best lesson he learnt when researching information for a book is not to trust potential contributor's memories, as they tend to become exaggerated and improved over the years. It was a good talk and well received by the members.

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities.

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing Recommences on Tuesday 12th January and continues on the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Ten Pin Bowling Thursday 21st January 2010 at 10.00am Maidstone Bowl King Street (Contact Dave Mayger 670034 )
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at member's houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.

Some interesting facts about Christmas
In AD 440 Pope Julius I declared Christ's birthday as December 25th. The colours in Santa Claus' suit, red and white, were the creation of artist Haddon Sundblom. Sundblom was commissioned by the Coca-Cola Company to redesign Santa Claus, although, Thomas Nast was the first artist to illustrate Santa Claus. The first Christmas card was designed by John Horsley in 1840 but was not sold until 1843. England has only known seven white Christmases in the entire 20th century according to the records of the Meteorological Office snow fell on Christmas Day only in 1938 and 1976. Christmas festivities were banned under the Puritan Government from 1647 until 1660. Santa Claus has many different names around the world including Father Christmas in the UK, Pere Noel in France, Kriss Kringle in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark, Dedushka Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost) in Russia and the Three Kings in Spain and Mexico. The film star Humphrey Bogart was born on Christmas Day 1899.

Ho Ho Ho....
What did the Spanish fireman call his two sons?     Hose A and Hose B.
What lies at the bottom of the sea and shakes?      A nervous wreck!
Why do Marxists only drink herbal tea?                   Because proper tea is theft.

And finally for 2009
What did the people say after watching a burglar speed away after stealing from the Louvre? Look at his Van Gough! (Think about it)

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Wednesday 13th January Theatre trip to see "Sister Act" at London Palladium Matinee performance at 3.00pm. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 10.30am. This trip is now fully booked with an extensive waiting list. (G)

Monday 22nd February The Ramblers Annual Luncheon. 12.00 Noon at The Running Horse (Harvester) Sandling Road. All Walkers Welcome Contact Dorothy 726389

Thursday 18th March Coach trip to the Tower of London. Cost £34. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 9.00am. (M)

Thursday 22nd April Coach trip to Burleigh House and Stamford. Cost £22. Coach leaves Fant Hall at 8.00am (M)

Monday 3rd May until 7th May. Spring Holiday at Warners Holme Lacey. Cost £299. Contact Neil for more information.(N)

Contacts: - (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771. (MG) Maurice 669421 (D) Dave 670034

The Speaker for our January meeting is Bob Ratcliffe. He will talk about " A trip down the River". In February, Ann Chance will be "Saddle sore in Montana" whilst in March we will be closer to home for Andrew Clarke's talk on "Old Maidstone." In April there is "Songs and Entertainment" with Steve Erickson.

Notable BarmARA Dates in 2010

BarmARA Meetings Dates in 2010

January 26th., February 23rd, March 23rd, April 27th, May 25th, June 22nd, July 27th, August 24th, September 28th, October 26th, November 23rd, December 14th,.

Coffee Mornings in 2010

January 4th, February 1st, March, 1st June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd,
September 6th, October 4th, November 1st, December 6th

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates are solicited by the Editor and will also be welcome

BARMARA
Chairman - Neil Kenwright
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 52 NOVEMBER 2009
Also available on WWW.barmara.org.uk

The Beast of Barming
Our Speaker at the October Meeting was Neil Arnold. Neil has been researching sightings of "Big Cats" in Kent man and boy for over 20 years. He is convinced that there is a big cat roaming around the Barming area as well as Blue Bell Hill, Bluewater and Sheppey. He receives information on about 150 sightings a year and has evidence such as paw-prints, livestock kills, faeces, fur samples and video footage. Once during a nigh time investigation in to a sighting he was shot at by some night time poachers and fell through a bramble bush in his efforts to escape. On another nighttime occasion in the Rochester area he interrupted some devil worshipers practising their black arts. Until the 1970's when the law on keeping wild animals was tightened up you could quite legitimately buy a pet puma, leopard or lynx. After that time it seems that these owners released the animals in to the wild rather than pay for Licences or make the living accommodation secure. It is the descendents of these animals that are roaming Kent. So beware. Check your garages and outhouses!!

On Monday 16th November a group of intrepid BarmARA travellers under the direction of Mo Smith were transported forward through time to 2010 via Christmas 2009. Their destination was the Delmont Hotel in Scarborough. There were 4 nights packed with festive merriment, including a Sherry reception, candle lit Christmas dinner and a visit from Santa with presents for all, a staff panto, a New Year party night, a daily festive quiz and entertainment each evening. One day we went to Whitby where we had a lovely fish & chips lunch. The next day we went to "Heartbeat" country in TV land known as Adensfield but actually called Goathland where we went to the Adensfield Arms pub. We also had a day in the lovely old city of York. One trip was to the Eden Camp on the North Yorkshire Moors. This is a special award-winning Museum in an original Prisoner of War Camp built in 1942 where we experienced the sights, sounds, even the smells of those dangerous wartime years. We took lunch in the NAAFI, which brought back memories for some of us. Everybody joined in to make this break a lovely holiday. The hotel and food was good, there was a nice atmosphere and the journey home went smoothly apart from some heavy traffic near Stamford. Once more our thanks go to Maureen Smith for organising this years excellent "turkey & Tinsel" holiday in Scarborough.

If you are still in holiday mood why not book in for Neil's Spring Holiday Warners Holme Lacy.

Maggie Barclay came in as Winner of the "50" Quiz. Many congratulations. Thanks to all who entered and better luck next time.

Answers to Issue 50 September Quiz: This was based around the figure 50 to commemorate the 50th issue of the newsletter

Q1. Al Martino singing "Here in my heart." In 1952. Q2. 7.07106781
Q3. Golden. Q4. The first Governor, Sir John Houblon on the reverse.
Q5 Thursday 129th February. Q6. L or 50. Q7. Warrington and Leicester
Q8. Hawaii. Q9. Alfred Balfour. Q10 Mini

QUIZ NOVEMBER 2009. Because there is no actual December Meeting, Answers to be in by the January Meeting
Q1. Who was the first recorded person to swim the English Channel? Q2. Where was the world's first aircraft factory built? Q3. Where was the politician Sir Edward Heath born? Q4. Other than types of swords with what else are these names associated Scimitar, Cutlass and Rapier? Q5 What number between 1 and 10 is Perfect? Q6. What was the Fremlin Brewery Trademark? Q7. What month and year did the Berlin Wall come down? Q8. William Joyce lived in Whitstable in 1936. Under what name was he better known as? Q9. What building is pictured on a bottle of HP Sauce? Q10. We recently said goodbye to the last 1st World War veteran, what was his name?

Answers please in the box at the January 2010 Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 25th January 2010 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

Did you know: that in 1704 the first ever recorded game of cricket was played at West Malling and that after the ravages of the Black Death (1348 - 1349) there were only 15 survivors left in West Malling.

Peter Sargent, our Membership Secretary, thanks everyone who renewed their membership for another year. Our newish committee member - Dave Mayger - has arranged for 10-pin bowling in January, so do try and come. It is a lot of fun and of course good exercise.

November is the month of Remembrance, particularly the First World War. Here is the first verse of a poem written by a Canadian Army Doctor named John McCrea

                                                      In Flanders fields the poppies blow
                                                       Between the crosses, row on row
                                                      That mark our place, and in the sky
                                                       The larks, still bravely singing, fly
                                                       Scarce heard amid the guns below

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing is held on the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Ten Pin Bowling Thursday 21st January 2010 at 10.00am Maidstone Bowl King Street (Contact Dave Mayger 670034 )
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled effective November but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at members houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events

The Quiz Night last Friday was a great success, 60 brilliant minds battled it out for the supreme accolade of Barmara Quiz Team Champion. Richard the Question Master's usual standard of questions made us all open up our brain boxes searching for the right answers. Maureen Kenwrights Ploughman's Supper, taken half way through the Quiz was as usual most excellent. It came at the right time giving us all a chance to re-charge our brains batteries. Many thanks also to all of Maureen's helpers. After robust scrutinising of the answers and the score count, it was found that two teams, Dorothy Tyler's Team and the "Tinkie Winkies" led by "Sliv" tied. A tie-break was called and a member from each team battled head to head.The Tinkie Winkies just piped Dorothy's team to win the coveted prize. Wendy Thorpe and her Team honourably received the "Booby" prize. It was a good evenings entertainment enjoyed by all who braved the terrible weather. A raffle was held which was superbly organised by Judy Thomson as she seemed to arrange for most of the prizes to be won by your Committee Members!!

Your Editor is almost too modest to report that the winning team - Peter & Brenda Sargent, Una Whale, Sid and Pam Witham, Maurice and Betty Gay and Sylvia Lichfield also won the previous Quiz Night.

Did you know? In just two days from now tomorrow will be yesterday

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Wednesday 9th December. The Alan Titchmarsh Show at BBC TV Centre and the Westfield Shopping Centre. Leave Fant Hall at 9.45am. Price £10. This trip is now fully booked with a waiting list (G)
Thursday 10th December KentARA Annual Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm Start (W)
Tuesday 15th December Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. Glass of Bucks Fizz on arrival and with entertainment by "Spare Parts". 12.00 Noon until 4.30pm. Cost £19. The full amount will be collected at the October/November meeting Don't forget, Associate Members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. More details to follow (G) (M)

2010
Wednesday 13th January 2010. Theatre trip to see "Sister Act" at London Palladium. Matinee performance 3.00pm. Leave Fant Hall at 10.30am. This trip is now fully booked with an extensive waiting list (G)

Monday 3rd to Friday 7th May - Spring Holiday 2010. Warners - Holme Lacy - Cost £299. (N)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771 (Maurice) 669421 (D) Dave 670034

Our Speaker today is the well-known author Bob Ogley who will be talking about the "Wind of Change." December is the Christmas Lunch when we want to see as many of our members - Full and Associates - as possible

SPEAKERS FOR 2010

January - Bob Ratcliffe - " A Trip Down the River "
February - Ann Chance - " Saddle Sore in Montana "
March - Andrew Clarke - " Old Maidstone "
April - Steve Erickson - Songs and Entertainment

I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad I take something for it
Corduroy pillows are making headlines
Red meat is good for you, green meat is bad!

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

BARMARA
Chairman - Neil Kenwright
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 51 OCTOBER 2009
Also available on WWW.barmara.org.uk
Congratulations to BarmARA members Rosemary (Wilson) and Graham Taylor who were married at St. Margaret's Church, Barming on the 2nd September. Rosemary is a keen and talented member of the Art Group. We wish them both every happiness for the future. (Is this BarmARA's first wedding?)

Steve Pendleton was the speaker at our September Meeting. Steve was a member of the Royal Green Jackets. He joined the army as he was influenced by his family's military background and the posters saying "Join the Army and see the world". He managed to see Northern Ireland and Dover! During his service at the time of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, he was involved in a terrible and tragic helicopter accident. The result of which left Steve terribly injured. The list of his injuries is too long to list, but it left him blind and with one false leg. His eventual recovery assisted by the worthy charity, St. Dunstans, formed the basis of his very interesting, emotional and most times very funny talk. He is a man not deterred by his misfortune. He married Michaela and has three lovely children, he learnt and teaches Braile, he is a qualified chef and is a great ambassador for St. Dunstan's. There was no official collection for his charity - St. Dunstans -, but he went away with a collection box full to the brim. His story about toothpaste just brought home to us sighted folk the difficulties that those less fortunate than us have to contend with on a daily basis. What a man!

The Chairman gave us an update on Beechwood Hall. Watch this space for further developments, as things seem to be happening.

On the 7th October, Gloria sent us back a few years to the 1940's when we went up to the Churchill Theatre in Bromley to see the "Glenn Miller Orchestra" in the shape of Ray McVay and "The Andrew Sisters" posing as the "Moonlight Serenaders" After such a wonderful programme of smooooth evocative music we were transported "Back to the Future" after having a great time. Another good one Gloria.

A note from the Membership Secretary, Peter Sargent
To all those who have paid their subs - thank you very much! To all those who haven't paid their subs - you have only a few days left to remain members! As stated in our previous newsletters the final date to renew is 31st October. If there is a problem please do not hesitate to give Peter a call on 01622 693755.

Once again the winner of the Quiz was Tony Brenton.
John Bell, Dorothy Tyler and John Barton got all the correct answers but were not successful on the ballot draw. Thanks to all who entered especially Enid Deakes.

Answers to Issue 49 August Quiz :
Q1. Richard Sellers. Q2. Vivian Hartley. Q3. Reginald Harrison Q4. Michael Dumble-Smith Q5. Reginald Dwight. Q6. David White Q7. Mavis Fluck. Q8. Lesley Hornby Q9. Maurice Micklewhite. Q10. Brian Rankin.

And the answer to the hidden phrase was BARMING ARA

QUIZ OCTOBER 2009. Can you identify these Kentish Villages?
Q1. An upset bunny. Q2. Not tight. Q3. Bend down. Q4. An Earls snack. Q5. Modern underwear. Q6. This one is "Far away". Q7. A Welsh mountain. Q8. Not a cold expanse of water. Q9. Where? Q10. An Essex airport.

Answers please in the box at the November Meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 23rd November 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

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Throughout history, October seems to be a month when quite violent things happened i.e.

1066 - The Battle of Hastings.
1805 - The Battle of Trafalgar
1854 - The Charge of the Light Brigade
1914 - The First Battle of Ypres
1942 - Battle of El Alamein commences
1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis
2008 - Lewd phone calls made by Jonathon Ross and Russell Brand

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The Editor is looking for a photograph or some Art work from our Art Group with BarmARA or local interest that could be used on the 2010 BarmARA Calendar - Any offers?

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Can this be true?
Wife: "Do you want dinner?" Husband: "Yes please! What are my choices?"
Wife: "Yes or no."

Elderly Man: "I don't feel old. In fact I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap."

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing Recommenced on the 8th September and thereafter will be on the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Handicrafts The meetings at St. Andrew's Church Hall have now been cancelled effective November but the Handicrafts Group will continue to meet at members houses on the 3rd Friday of each month. Please contact Mo Smith 661498 for more information.
QUIZ NIGHT Friday 13th November at Barming Primary School, Belmont Close. 7.00pm. Cost £6 includes Ploughman's Supper but bring your own drinks. We can promise you a good fun evening (Maurice 669421)

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events
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I have been asked to include the dates of the forthcoming BarmARA Meetings in the Newsletter so you can make a note in your diary. They are on the 4th Tuesday of every month except December. We hope to print a 2010 Calendar and this will show all of the Meeting Dates and other important dates. Our next Meeting at Fant Hall is on the 24th November. The December Meeting will be on the 15th at Oakwood House for a Christmas Lunch; and don't forget, both Full and Associate members can attend. Please let Gloria or Maureen know if you want to come along.

Unfortunately, due to the strength of the Euro against the £ Sterling and the lack of support due to the economic climate; Gloria will not be arranging the foreign holiday in 2010. Also, please note that the proposed trip to the Brick Lane Music Hall on Saturday 7th November has also been cancelled, as there were not sufficient members interested.

Don't forget to book in for the Quiz Night; this is a really jolly and fun evening.

The 39-ers had another 70th. Congratulations to Max P.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Friday 13th November. KentARA Tea Dance at Ditton Community Centre. 2pm - 5pm. First six to apply admission is Free, thereafter Tickets £3.00p each (W)
Monday 16th November Holly and Mistletoe Festive Break at The Delmont Hotel, Scarborough. Cost £229 includes 4 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and 3 excursions to North York Moors and Whitby, York and the Eden Camp. (M)
Wednesday 9th December. The Alan Titchmarsh Show at BBC TV Centre and the Westfield Shopping Centre. Leave Fant Hall at 9.45am. Price £10. (G)
Thursday 10th December KentARA Annual Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm Start (W)
Tuesday 15th December Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. Glass of Bucks Fizz on arrival and with entertainment by "Spare Parts". 12.00 Noon until 4.30pm. Cost £19. The full amount will be collected at the October/November meeting Don't forget, Associate Members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. More details to follow (G) (M)

2010
Wednesday 13th January 2010. Theatre trip to see "Sister Act" at London Palladium. Matinee performance 3.00pm. Leave Fant Hall at 10.30am. Price for Stall seats including coach is £32. Full amount to be paid at time of booking. (G)

Monday 3rd to Friday 7th May - Spring Holiday 2010. Warners - Holme Lacy - Cost £299. (N)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771 (Maurice) 669421 (D) Dave

Today's Speaker is Neil Arnold and he will tell us about the "Mystery Animals of Kent" whilst in November the well-known author Bob Ogley will be talking on the "Wind of Change." December is the Christmas Lunch when we want to see as many of our members - Full and Associates - as possible

SPEAKERS FOR 2010
January - Bob Ratcliffe - " A Trip Down the River "
February - Ann Chance - " Saddle Sore in Montana "
March - Andrew Clarke - " Old Maidstone "
April - Steve Erickson - Songs and Entertainment

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

BARMARA
Chairman - Neil Kenwright
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 50 SEPTEMBER 2009
Also available on WWW.barmara.org.uk

This issue is something of a milestone as it is the 50th edition of our Newsletter. Thanks to all the previous Editors - John Bell, Peter Franklin and Peter Sargent.

The Annual General Meeting took place at Fant Hall on Tuesday 25th August. The Chairman's Report was very encouraging and the Treasurer's Financial Report indicated to us that BarmARA's finances are being managed very prudently and that our club has a sound financial base. The existing Officers and Committee Members were all re-elected. Dave Mayger was proposed and seconded to be a member of the BarmARA Committee and he was elected unanimously by the membership. Welcome Dave! The Chairman advised us all that printed copies of Minutes and Reports were not being distributed but copies could be obtained from the Secretary if required. The AGM was closed and our normal Meeting took place. Our special guest Speaker and member of BarmARA was Geoff Figgett MBE. Geoff gave us an insight into life as the "Keeper of the Silver" for Kent County Council and how the Honours process works. He also told us how to approach and "chat-up" Her Majesty The Queen. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry and the MBE is awarded "for outstanding service to the community that merits public recognition".

Our BarmARA 10-pin Bowlers had a great time at the last bowl-up. Pat Barton managed a series of three strikes. The Whatford's were up to their usual standard and Dorothy Tyler was on form whilst Ken Coomber tried to lighten Pauline's laundry load by leaving his old sweaty socks behind; but he didn't get away with it. Better luck next time Ken!

Subscriptions for the coming year 2009/2010 are now due. They are the same as last year: - £5.00 single, (£10.00 double) for full members and £3.00 single, (£5.00 double) for associate members. If posting please make cheques payable to ‘Barmara' and send to Peter Sargent, 84 Newbury Avenue, Allington, ME16 0RD. It will be assumed that members who have not paid by 31st October 2009 do not wish to continue their membership unless mitigating circumstances are submitted to the membership secretary Peter Sargent at the above address or by telephone 01622 693755.

The winner of the July Quiz was Tony Brenton, but once again Maggie Barclay got all the correct answers but was not successful on the ballot draw. Thanks to all who entered.

Answers to Issue 48 July Quiz :
Q1. £1459.20p. Q2. April 4th. Q3. Allan Willett CMG. Q4. Peter Dickenson. Q5. Marylebone Cricket Club. Q6. DNA. Q7. Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport. Q8. 120/80. Q9. Beauvais. Q10. 1960. Q11. 2011. Q12. 2112. Q13. Jock (Anderson) and Snowy (White). Q14. The Earl of Shaftesbury. Q15. Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP

QUIZ SEPTEMBER 2009
Q1. The hit parade started in the early 50's. What was the very first UK No. 1 based on record Sales? Q2. What is the square root of 50? Q3. What anniversary is 50 years of marriage? Q4. Other than the Queen, who is depicted on the current (E Series) Bank of England £50 note? Q5. In the year 2009 on what day did day 50 of that year fall? Q6. What do you get if you subtract DCCCL from CM? Q7. Where in England does the A50 trunk road start and finish? Q8 What State was made the 50th State in the USA. Q9. Who was the 50th Prime Minister of Great Britain? Q10. What was the product designed by Sir Alec Issigonis that first went on sale 50 years ago?

Answers please in the box at the September meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 26th October 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

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Our Speaker today is Steve Pendleton who is going to tell us all about "St. Dunstan's and his time in Northern Ireland."

Did you know that:
Lawrence Washington, great-uncle of the more famous George, was buried in 1619 in All Saints, Maidstone. In September 2005 unleaded petrol cost on average 82.0p per litre, New Orleans was still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina and England draws final test match against Australia and wins the Ashes.

Out of the mouths of babes:-
When my grandson asked me how old I was, I replied, "I'm not sure". "Look in your underwear Granddad" he advised, "Mine says I'm four to six"

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing Recommenced on the 8th September and thereafter will be on the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Handicrafts on the 3rd Friday of each month at St. Andrews Hall, 2pm to 4pm. (Contact Mo Smith 661498)
10-Pin Bowling. Thursday 15th October Meet AMG Bowl King Street Maidstone at 10.15am (Maurice 669421)
Friday 13th November Quiz Night at Barming Primary School, Belmont Close. 7.00pm. Cost £7 (Maurice 669421)

Indoor Bowling at Mote Park Wednesday 30th September. Open Day from Noon to 16.30. Free. Coffee and Tea included. (Dave Mayger 670034)
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events
The trip to Lullingstone Castle on Thursday 10th September, which was a resounding success. We all enjoyed meeting Tom Hart-Dyke in his World Garden. Our Blue Badge Guide told us all about the history of the house and church both set in a wonderful landscape. We then went on to Polehill Garden Centre for refreshments. We were very lucky with the weather; it was sunshine all the way.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Wednesday 7th October The Glen Miller Orchestra a brand new show with Ray McVay with the Sound of the 1940s with tribute to the Andrew Sisters and many more Artists. Moonlight Serenaders and the swinging jazz sounds. At The Churchill Theatre, Bromley .7.30pm performance. Leave Fant Hall 5.45pm. £26 includes coach (G)
Saturday 7th November. A wartime Music Hall Show "There will always be an England" at Brick Lane Music Hall Cost £44 includes coach, 3-course meal and dancing. Leave Fant Lane 4.30pm. (M)
Friday 13th November. KentARA Tea Dance at Ditton Community Centre. 2pm - 5pm. First six to apply admission is Free, thereafter Tickets £3.00p each (W)
Monday 16th November Holly and Mistletoe Festive Break at The Delmont Hotel, Scarborough. Cost £229 includes 4 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and 3 excursions to North York Moors and Whitby, York and the Eden Camp. (M)
Thursday 10th December KentARA Annual Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm Start (W)
Tuesday 15th December Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House with entertainment by "Spare Parts". Don't forget, Associate Members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. More details to follow (G) (M)
Wednesday 13th January 2010. Theatre trip to see "Sister Act" at London Palladium. Matinee performance 3.00pm. Leave Fant Hall at 10.30am. Price for Stall seats including coach is £32. Full amount to be paid at time of booking. (G)
Spring Holiday 2010. Warners - Holme Lacy - for the Spring Holiday Monday 3rd to Friday 7th May. Cost £299. Booking opens 25th August. (N)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066,
(W) Wendy 729771 (Maurice) 669421

In October Neil Arnold will tell us about the "Mystery Animals of Kent" whilst in November the well-known author Bob Ogley will be talking on the "Wind of Change." Our December Meeting is the Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House. (Members and Associates welcome)

Thanks to Gloria Rayment and Freda Pearce for their contributions on the visit to Lullingstone Castle. More pictures on our website.

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

BARMARA
Chairman - Neil Kenwright
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 49 AUGUST 2009
Also available on WWW.barmara.org.uk

Many of our members who knew Iris Duffy will be sad to hear that she passed away on the 8th August at home sitting in her chair.

The BarmARA web site is still proving popular; averaging some 300 visits a month. As we regularly publish updates during the month it is worth having a look at our site. After the Annual General Meeting Peter Dickenson and your Editor will be seeing if you can identify photographs of the area around Barming.

Unfortunately, the planned cruise from Gravesend to Whitstable on Friday 14th August on the MV Princess Pocahontas had to be cancelled. We understand that the boat's engines developed a technical fault that could not be repaired in time for our cruise. Princess Pocahontas (1595-1617) was a Red Indian princess, daughter of a powerful chief, who intervened to save the life of Captain John Smith, leader of the British Colony of Virginia. In 1614, she married colonist called John Rolfe, who brought her to England in 1616, when she was received at Court. Becoming ill, she was returning to Virginia when she died on board ship off Gravesend. Pocahontas was buried in the chancel of the old St. George's Church. A statue of Princess Pocahontas is located in the grounds of St. George's Church, Gravesend

A note from our Membership Secretary:
Subscriptions for the coming year 2009/2010 are now due. They are the same as last year: - £5.00 single, (£10.00 double) for full members and £3.00 single, (£5.00 double) for associate members. Full members will be able to pay at our September meeting. Associate members will be able to pay at the coffee morning on September 7th. If posting please make cheques payable to ‘Barmara' and send to Peter Sargent, 84 Newbury Avenue, Allington, ME16 0RD. It will be assumed that members who have not paid by 31st October 2009 do not wish to continue their membership unless mitigating circumstances are submitted to the membership secretary Peter Sargent at the above address or by telephone 01622 693755.

The winner of the June Quiz was Pat Whatford.
ANSWERS to Issue 47 June 2009 Quiz
Q1. Sir Peter Viggers. Q2. Kent International Gateway. Q3. Lewis Carroll. Q4. Neil Kenwright. Q5. Big Ben. Q6. Rowing. Q7. Western Mediteranean. Q8. Laurel. Q9. On a plant. Q10. Bear Grylls. Q11. 89. Q12 Fibonacci. Q13. J. Lyons & Co. Tea Shops. Q14. An Apple. Q15. Sophie Rhys-Jones
10 members entered this quiz. The winner of the £5 prize was drawn by ballot between Pat Whatford and Maria McCarthy who both got 13 answers correct. Pat's name came out first in the ballot. Well done Pat and thanks to all who entered.

QUIZ AUGUST 2009
Find out the real names of the following celebrities and select the letter as required from the real name and then re-arrange these leters to form a well known two word phrase:-
Q1. Peter Sellers 5th letter of real christian name. Q2. Vivian Leigh 2nd letter of real surname. Q3 Rex Harrison 6th letter of real christian name. Q4. Michael Crawford 4th letter of real surname. Q5. Elton John 4th letter of real surname. Q6. David Jason 3rd letter of real surname. Q7. Diana Dors 1st letter of real christian name. Q8."Twiggy" 4th letter of real surname. Q9. Michael Caine 4th letter of real christian name. Q10. Hank Marvin 1st letter of real surname

Answers please in the box at the September meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 1st September 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

********************************

The Speaker at the July Meeting was the ex-Headmaster of the Dover Grammar School - Reg Colman - who spoke without notes for over an hour on the subject of Winston Spencer Churchill and his wife Clementine. Reg set the scene by reminding us of the social, political and economical situation at the time of Winston's birth. "Winnie" was born in 1874 into a very aristocratic and privileged background although he was never financially sound. He met Clementine Hozier at a Ball and they married in 1908. Both of their early lives were less than happy and his life was rarely without drama. Their marriage produced 5 children. "Winnie" was a politician, author, artist, bricklayer and a depressive. Although Clementine had an independent mind, she gave her husband 100% support, but because of the various pressures of his duties, they wrote letters to each other. Winston, and because of her support, Clementine, made a huge contribution to the history of Great Britain and the world. It was a very interesting talk.

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing Is now closed for the summer break and will recommence on the 8th September and thereafter on the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Tai Chi at the Parish Hall, 2pm every Wednesday (David Arnold 01732 871538)
Handicrafts Restarts on Friday 18th September and thereafter on the 3rd Friday of each month at St. Andrews Hall, 2pm to 4pm. (Contact Mo Smith 661498)
10-Pin Bowling. Thursday 3rd September. Meet AMG Bowl King Street Maidstone at 10.15am (Maurice 669421)
BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.

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On this day; 25th August,
1930 Sir Sean Connery was born.
1944 Paris Liberated as Germans surrender
1958 Midland Bank announced it would be offering personal loans from next month- the first bank to offer such a facility.
1960 Rome XVll Olympic Games open
1983 The Milk Marketing Board launched a new soft butter, which could be spread straight from the fridge.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Thursday 10th Sept. Visit to Lullingstone Castle with guided tour by Tom Hart-Dyke also visit to the Polhill Garden Centre, Badgers Mount. Price including coach £15.50. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. (G)

Friday 13th November. KentARA Tea Dance at Ditton Community Centre. 2pm - 5pm. Tickets £3.00p (W)

Monday 16th November Holly and Mistletoe Festive Break at The Delmont Hotel, Scarborough. Cost £229 includes 4 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and 3 excursions to North York Moors and Whitby, York and the Eden Camp. (M)

Thursday 10th December KentARA Annual Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm Start (W)

Tuesday 15th December Christmas Lunch at Oakwood House with entertainment by "Spare Parts". Don't forget, Associate Members are welcome to and are encouraged to attend. More details to follow (G) (M)

2010

Wednesday 13th January 2010. Theatre trip to see "Sister Act" at London Palladium. Matinee performance 3.00pm. Leave Fant Hall at 10.30am. Price for Stall seats including coach is £32. Full amount to be paid at time of booking on 25th August Meeting. (G)

Spring Holiday 2010. Warners - Holme Lacy - for the Spring Holiday Monday 3rd to Friday 7th May. Cost £299. Booking opens 25th August. (N)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498.
(N) Neil 727066, (W) Wendy 729771

The August meeting is our Annual General Meeting and we have a surprise special Speaker.

In September - Steve Pendleton will be speaking about "St. Dunstan's and his time in Northern Ireland." And in October Neil Arnold will tell us about the "Mystery Animals of Kent" whilst in November the well-known author Bob Ogley will be talking on the "Wind of Change."

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

JULY 2009

BARMARA
Chairman - Neil Kenwright
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 48 July 2009
Also available on WWW.barmara.org.uk

Hopefully everybody was made aware that this July meeting had to be brought forward by one week because of Maintenance to Fant Hall.

The Loire Valley

"The climate is mild, the sun envelopes all things. This is a land of chateaux, wine and love". Our trip started with a visit to the French National Equestrian Centre at St. Hilaire Florent. Although there were no horse displays in the arena we were entertained by a wonderful and large Brass Band rehearsing for a concert they were giving later. It was tremendous and everybody thought it was a bonus and didn't want to leave. We followed up this by a visit to the Caves at Bouvet-Ladubay that has eight miles of caves carved into the Tuffeau. Lunch was taken in Saumur. On Sunday, we drove to Chateau Villandry that is possibly the best Loire chateau, as it has something for everyone. Ch. Villandry is known worldwide for its gardens because of the most spectacular ornamental, herb, kitchen and water gardens. Villandry is also the confluence of the Rivers Loire and Cher. On our return to our hotel in Angers, we called in at Bourgueil where we learnt a good deal from the English owner about wine making. Bourgueil is an Appellation d'origine contrôlee (AOC) for wine in the Loire Valley region, and produces primarily red wine from the grape variety Cabernet Franc. On Monday we had a morning visit to Chateau Brissac which has seven storeys altogether, making it the tallest chateau and commonly known as "Giant of the Loire Valley". Following a very informative guided tour we ended our visit with a wine tasting of "Anjou Villages Brissac" and a "Rosé d'Anjou" , an AOC for an area of less than 100 hectares. The afternoon was left to explore Angers, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in France. We have received many compliments to pass on to Gloria for her organising skills and for making this a superb holiday. The Chateau at Villandry with its spectactular gardens. Gardens abound at this chateau. There are 8 full time gardeners that raise and plant out 60,000 vegetables and 45,000 bedding plants a year for the kitchen and flower garden. The plants are arranged in colourful geometric designs and considered a typical Renaissance garden. We all had a wonderful time.

Thanks to Gloria from all who went on this Loire trip. PS there are more photos in our website photo gallery.

See Maureen K. pole dancing.

The winner of the MAY Quiz was Pat Barton.
ANSWERS to Issue 46 May 2009 Quiz
Q1. Drive. Q2. Pot. Q3. Horse. Q4. Fancy. Q5. Horn. Q6. Paper. Q7. Water. Q8. Long. Q9. Elder. Q10. Gas. Q11. Curtain. Q12. Star. Q13. Rag. Q14. Box. Q15. Dolly. Q16. Back. Q17. Eye. Q18. Bore. Q19. Current. Q20. Gentle

15 members entered this quiz and many got 100% correct answers. The winner of the £5 prize was drawn by ballot and Pat Barton's entry was successful.

QUIZ July 2009
Q1. What is the Council Tax levy 2009/2010 for Barming Band D? Q2. What date is Easter Day 2010? Q3. Who is the current Lord Lieutenant of Kent? Q4.A Committee Member's name anagram is "Citroen Desk Pen" Who is it? Q5. What do the initials MCC stand for? Q6 What is Deoxyribonucleic Acid more commonly know as? Q7. Which women's singles title final was the longest match in Wimbledon's history lasting 2 hours 45 minutes? Q8. What is the generally accepted normal blood pressure? Q9. Which town is twinned with Maidstone? Q10. What year was the Maidstone By Pass opened? Q11. When will analogue TV transmissions in our area be switched off? Q12. When will the next palindromic year occur? Q13 Who were Dick Barton's sidekicks? Q14. What does the Statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus commemorate? Q15. What is the name of the present Speaker of the House of Commons?

Answers please in the box at the August AGM meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 24th August 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

The Speaker at the June Meeting was Fred Jepson who gave a very entertaining talk on the History of Irons. He took us from the Chinese Emperors through to specialist irons for top hats; choirboy ruffs and miniature dolls house irons. The early friction irons must have been immensely tiring so let us all be grateful for the invention of the electric iron.

The MULLINS Brothers. I was diverted from the Mullins brothers when by chance the address Edinburgh Villas Barming Heath caught my eye. Frederick Curtis and Albert Waterman who both paid the supreme sacrifice in WW1 both lived at this address. These two men were stepbrothers. Frederick was in the Welsh Guards and killed on 31st July 1917 whilst Albert was in the Bedfordshire Regt. and killed 27th September 1918. A second local family who lost two sons! Edinburgh Villas must have been a very sad place as by the end of the war in 1918 another two local sons had been killed - Arthur Ashby and Walter Wells who both lived at no. 3 and 8 respectively.

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Male or Female? A hot air balloon is Male because you have to light a fire under it to make it go anywhere

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)

Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).

Line Dancing Is now closed for the summer break and will recommence on the 8th September and thereafter on the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)

Tai Chi at the Parish Hall, 2pm every Wednesday (David Arnold 01732 871538)

Handicrafts on the 3rd Friday of each month at St. Andrews Hall, 2pm to 4pm. (Contact Mo Smith 661498)

10-Pin Bowling. Thursday 6th August Meet AMG Bowl King Street Maidstone at 10.15am (Maurice 669421)

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.

************************************************************
On this day; 21ST July 1969, Neil Armstrong becomes first man to step on the moon, in 1796 Robbie Burns died and in 1926 Bill Pertwee " Mr. Hodges in Dad's Army" was born.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Thursday 23rd July. 2nd KentARA Crafts and Hobbies Fayre. Ditton Community Centre from 11.00am. Free Entry (W)

Friday 14th August MV. Princess Pocahontas. Gravesend to Whitstable £30. Leave Fant Hall 8.30am (M)

Thursday 10th Sept. Visit to Lullingstone Castle with guided tour by Tom Hart-Dyke also visit to the Polhill Garden Centre, Badgers Mount. Price including coach £15.50. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. (G)

Friday 13th November. KentARA Tea Dance at Ditton Community Centre. 2pm - 5pm. Tickets £3.00p (W)

Thursday 10th December KentARA Annual Christmas Concert at Mote Hall. 7pm for 8pm Start (W)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498.
(N) Neil 727066, (W) Wendy 729771

Our Speaker today is Reg Colman who will be revealing all about "Winston and Clementine"

The August meeting is our Annual General Meeting.

September - Steve Pendleton speaking about "St. Dunstan's and his time in Northern Ireland."

October - Neil Arnold telling us about the "Mystery Animals of Kent"

November - Bob Ogley and the "Wind of Change."

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

JUNE 2009

BARMARA
Chairman - Neil Kenwright
Newsletter of the Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 47 June 2009
Also available on WWW.barmara.org.uk

Please Note that the date of the July Meeting has been changed to Tuesday 21st July

On Wednesday 27th May we arrived at Caversham, on the northern side of Reading, and we were greeted with light rain, slippery pavements and a view of boats bobbing unenthusiastically on the River Thames. But soon we were dining and wining from the Carvery of the nearest inn and later, braving the wind and spots of rain, boarded the river boat for the up-river run to the dock at Mapledurham mill-house. The Miller treated us to a fascinating tour of the oldest mill on the Thames still in commercial operation and reminded us that many mill-related products would be available for us to buy before we departed. The mill, church, house and associated buildings have been used as locations for many film and TV productions, notably ‘The Eagle Has Landed' starring Michael Caine. After touring the house we enjoyed an excellent cream tea that was largely sourced from local ingredients.

We are glad to say that Gloria feels fully recovered from her tumble on the coach on the Mapledurham trip and she thanks everybody who 'phoned to show their concern

Dave Mayger rounded up some 35 members for an indoor bowling session at Mote Park Indoor Bowling Club on Wednesday 3rd June. Many of us had not bowled before but the Bowls Club made us all very welcome and was able to loan the proper shoes and "woods" to those who didn't have their own. The club has 8 rinks and each was fully occupied which meant most of us novices used all of the available area chasing our bowls when we bowled with the bias on the wrong side. It was a very good couple of hours of fun and lets hope the Bowling Club will let us back again soon now that we have learned the language of the game; skip, jack, woods....

On Tuesday 16th June, at 0945hrs., 40 of us boarded the "Brookline Battlewagon" at Fant Lane to visit the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners. Gloria had arranged for a guided tour to start at 13.30hrs. We arrived in time to have lunch in the National Army Museum next door. At 13.30hrs sharp, we were met at the gates of the Royal Hospital by our Guide and raconteur Staff Sergeant Paddy Fox ex-Dragoon Guards. The tour took us through the grounds, the wonderful Wren Chapel and into the Great Hall where in In-Pensioners have their meals. Paddy was a great host and champion of the Royal Hospital and he told us of the history of the Hospital and a great many anecdotes both very funny and sad. One of our group started talking to one of the Pensioners and asked how he felt about Ladies being admitted as In-Pensioners, He apparently had no idea that 300 years of tradition had been overturned and that Lady Soldiers were living in! Paddy told us that living as In-Pensioners puts at least 10 years on their lives as they have absolutely no worries. Everything but everything is provided for them. No council tax, their own hospital, a five course breakfast should they want it. It was a wonderful day out and Thanks to Gloria.

The winner of the April Quiz was Dorothy Tyler.

ANSWERS to Issue 45 April Quiz
Q1. Christopher Isherwood. Q2. Mat Follas. Q3. Jane. Q4. Snowdrop. Q5 Picasso. Q6. Victoria Cross. Q7 Barming Parish Councillor. Q8. The last Public Hanging. Q9. Albert Einstein. Q10. 12 if using Americal notation or 18 using UK notation.

Thanks to Jen Cornish, Daphne Sutherland, Jean Wells, Jackie Boyle, John Barton, Maggie Barclay, Tony Brenton, Maria McCarthy for entering this quiz.

QUIZ June 2009
Q1. Who was in the doghouse over a duck house? Q2. These days what do the initials KIG stand for? Q3. Who is Charles Lutwidge Dodgson better known as? Q4. "He knelt wiring" an anagram of who's name in Barmara? Q5. What striking reminder is 100 years old this month? Q6. What sport is the Wyland Challenge Cup presented? Q7. Where would you find the Alboran Sea? Q8. Cinnamon is the dried inner bark of what tree? Q9. Where would you find a Petiole? Q10. Who is the Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories? Q11 What number comes next in this sequence 8,13,21,34,55? Q12. What is this sequence of numbers called (Q11)? Q13. Where would you have seen a "Nippy"? Q14. What type of fruit is a "Maidstone Favourite"? Q15. What Kentish girl married into the Royal family in 1999?

Answers please in the box at the July meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 27th July 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

The Speaker at the May meeting was Martin Gurdon. We all appreciated his very entertaining talk. We heard all about Trevor the rheumatic Cockrell and his mate Fred the one eyed itinerant together with the transsexual goose-stepping Yvette. Would you believe that Natasha Kaplinski, Brahms, sexing chickens, penguins and prisons could all be mentioned in one talk? Well it was, and it was fun!

P.S. Martin is now keeping Doves. Listen out for another talk.

Our Speaker today is Fred Jepson speaking on the "History of Irons".

The MULLINS Brothers. Stanley Harold Mullins. Enlisted with the Royal Engineers at Chatham. His service number was 18650. He saw service with the 1st Field Squadron in France from 1914 until he was killed in action on 24th May 1915 aged 27. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres. He was awarded the Victory, British and 1914 Star Medals. More to follow.....

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities

Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)

Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).

Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066) Last meeting 14th July then closed for summer break

Tai Chi at the Parish Hall, 2pm every Wednesday (David Arnold 01732 871538)

Handicrafts on the 3rd Friday of each month at St. Andrews Hall, 2pm to 4pm. (Contact Mo Smith 661498)

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe (729771) or Peter Dickenson (755350) to enquire about current events.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries

Wednesday 15th July Petworth House and Gardens. Cost £20 or £11 for National Trust Members. Coach leaves Fant Lane 9.30am (M)

Thursday 23rd July. 2nd KentARA Crafts and Hobbies Fayre. Ditton Community Centre from 11.00am. Free Entry (W)

Friday 14th August MV. Princess Pocahontas. Gravesend to Whitstable £30. Leave Fant Hall 8.30am (M)

Thursday 10th Sept. Visit to Lullingstone Castle with guided tour by Tom Hart-Dyke also visit to the Polhill Garden Centre, Badgers Mount. Price including coach £15.50. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. (G)

Friday 18th Sept. KentARA Supper and Race Night. Ditton Community Centre. 7.30 - 10.30pm. Tickets £6.00p per person. (W)

Monday 30th November Holly and Mistletoe. Esplanade Hotel, South Cliff Scarborough. Cost £233 includes Bed and Breakfast and evening meal with lunch on "Christmas Day" and 4 excursions to North Yorks Moors, Whitby, Beverley and York The Esplanade Hotel holds a commanding position above the cliffs overlooking Scarborough and the South Bay. More details to follow (M)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498.
(N) Neil 727066, (W) Wendy 729771

Our Speaker today is Fred Jepson speaking on the "History of Irons"; and in July we are to be entertained by Reg Colman when we will be told all about "Winston and Clementine"

The August meeting is our Annual General Meeting. More about this to follow. Don't miss out, make sure all these dates are in your diary

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

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MAY 2009

Issue No.46

Our Quiz Night in April was a great success and we all had a good nights entertainment thanks to our Quiz Master Richard Warner and of course to Maureen Kenwright who provided a superb Ploughman's Supper. Thanks also to the ladies who helped Maureen to "Plate up" and congratulations to the winning table. If you were unable to be there, do try and make our next Quiz Night. (Details will be announced later)

This is the first time that Warner's is not the spring holiday destination. So those of us who had no previous visits to the Toorak Hotel Torquay wondered what to expect. We had no need to worry as most people enjoyed the experience. We started off on Bank Holiday Monday in two coaches bound for Torquay. After a scheduled pit-stop at Salisbury we arrived in Torquay about 16.00. The Toorak hotel in sunny Torquay was to be home to the Barmarans for the next few days in May. The arrival was handled very quickly and we were all settled into our rooms in no time at all. The evening meal went down well, it was then onto the evening entertainment. This was split around several of the hotels in the complex with a small ballroom in our hotel. This proved to be popular with several of BARMARA quests with many a good time being had throughout our stay. The closest Peter Dickenson came to dancing was when he joined in a few of the less demanding Barmara community dances later in the evening. Without knowing any actual steps we performed wonderful routines that owe a passing acquaintance to the dancing-round-your-handbag school of terpsichorean artistry. Others enjoyed Bingo (with a couple of good wins) and cabaret in the starlight room.

The first day's outing to the Eden Project although quite a long journey, was greatly enjoyed.

Various attractions close to Torquay formed the focus of Wednesday. It was a day to relax and do your own thing. This was the first time we have done this but it seemed to be quite popular. Dartmouth and the River Dart featured strongly on the third day. Dartmouth proved an ideal place for a morning browse round the shops. After a quick snack we boarded a steamer for the 90-minute voyage up-river to Totnes, passing the Britannia Royal Naval College then under the cliffs of Agatha Christie's home 'Greenway' en route. We finished the day with a short call in to Buckfast Abbey, set on the south edge of Dartmoor, for prayers and a cream tea. Friday was time to go home. There was a slight delay on leaving the hotel but this did not stop us having lunch in Winchester and a visit to King Arthur's statue in order to complete the cultural aspect of our holiday. We arrived home about 16.00. New friends were made and lots of happy memories. Here's to next year.

Holidays, doctors and dentist's appointments meant that several of our regular 10-pin bowlers were unable to join us last thursday. Freda Pearce nearly missed the session as her transport -the number 8 bus - turned up very late. However, two new associate members added to our numbers when Pat and John Barton decided that they would like to see what 10-pin bowling was all about. It seemed that they hadn't bowled for over 20 years. They soon got back into the swing as Pat put in some very high scores, so well done Pat. We were also very glad to see Jen and Brian Cornish bowl a bowl or two. Brian as usual was getting some good scores as was Jen once she got the hang of how to use the "rails" to her advanage.

As we are approaching summer and the experts are saying that it will be a scorcher we will be moving outdoors to the Petanque (Boules) terrain at the Redstart pub. Our first date is Thursday 18th June. Meet at 10.00am at the Redstart. If you haven't played before, don't worry Ken Coomber will be on hand to give any help or advice that might be needed. If you have any Boules please bring them along but if not Ken will be able to provide a few sets. Can you please let Ken Coomber or Maurice Gay know if you will be joining us. The pub will be putting on tea ,coffee and biscuits during the morning and a lunch for us, the cost and menu details will be available shortly so come back to this page in the next few days for more information.

Following the Kentara Hobbies and Crafts exhibition at Ditton on Thursday 23rd July, at our meeting on July 28th, as well as our Speaker there will be a display showing the various skills used by our members in the Art and Handicrafts Groups. Members of the groups will be available to answer any questions.

We had 2635 hits on our web site during April. Let's hope all our visitors went away with a good impression of BarmARA. The KentARA web site now includes a link to our Internet website so anyone looking at the KentARA pages can be directed to our site. (We are the first!)

The winner of the APRIL Quiz was Betty Webb with Dorothy Tyler coming a very close runner up.

ANSWERS to Issue 44 MARCH Quiz - Mostly TV (thanks to Jo Buchanan)
Q1. Firstly that she is wise, secondly that she is a woman. Q2. A Chicken. Q3. Mister Preview. Q4. Paul Merton. Q5. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Q6. James (Jimmy) Beck. Q7. Cassandra. Q8. (Red) Pick-up Truck. Q9. Joan Simms. Q10. Cat. Q11. Triumph Stag Mk 2 Green. Q12. PWR 233P.

QUIZ May 2009: The three words in each set each have a fourth word in common but not necessarily connected; Find the fourth word. The number at the end of each set indicates the number of letters in the word you are looking for e.g. Bank, Blue, Milk (6) linking word and answer is "BOTTLE" (Thanks to Maggie Barclay for this quiz)

Q1. Economy, Whist, Tarmac (5) Q2. Hot, Luck, Noodle (3) Q3. Clothes, Race, Hobby (5) Q4. Dress, Free, Goods (5) Q5. Hunting, Cape, Shoe (4) Q6. Weight, Daily, Shredder (5) Q7. Fall, Hot, Table (5) Q8. Distance, Jump, Winded (4) Q9. Statesman, Berry, Church (5) Q10. Natural, Bag, Laughing (3) Q11. Bead, Call, Net (7) Q12. Fish, Pole, Quality (4) Q13. Rug, Student, Time (3) Q14. Chocolate, Theatre, Clever (3) Q15. Bird, Corn, Mixture (5) Q16. Bone, Chat, Up (4) Q17. Glad, London, False (3) Q18. Hole, Severn, Twelve (4) Q19. Electric, Account, Air (7) Q20. Touch, Giant, Folk (6)

Answers please in the box at the June meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 22nd June 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

The Speaker at the April Meeting was Paul Harris. Paul is well known as a Radio Kent Presenter. He gave us an extremely funny talk on that long gone breed of Theatrical Digs Landladies. They were real dragons. Intertwined with these stories he told us some memorable tales about other well known performers and celebrities and the antics they got up to trying to beat the all seeing eyes and ears of these gorgons.

Our Speaker Today is Martin Gurdon who will talk to us about his "Travels with Chickens"

The MULLINS Brothers. Do you remember in the last issue regarding these brothers? Just a few minutes searching on the Internet gave me more information. Their father James was born in India, came back to "blighty" and worked as an Asylum Nurse. He had six sons, three of whom fought in WW1. Stanley was killed in action and Edward died of his wounds. Bartholomew served in the RAMC (Medical Corps) and survived. The family lived at Woodside Cottages and Edinburgh Cottage, Barming Heath. Several members have an interest in this subject and perhaps we can publish details of other Barming Men who served in WW1. More to follow..........

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of the following activities
Art Group. Meets every Tuesday except the 4th in the month at the Parish Hall 10am to 12 noon. Cost £2 for two hours including coffee and biscuits. (Contact Sheila Malthouse 728183)
Coffee Morning on the first Monday in the month (Except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Hall, cost £1.00p. (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066).
Line Dancing On the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Fant Hall 2 to 3pm. Cost £3.00 for Members and £3.50 Non-members (Contact Maureen Kenwright 727066)
Tai Chi at the Parish Hall, 2pm every Wednesday (David Arnold 01732 871538 )
Handicrafts on the 3rd Friday of each month at St. Andrews Hall, 2pm to 4pm. (Contact Mo Smith 661498)
10 Pin Bowling Thursday 21st May 10.15am AMF Bowl, King Street Maidstone (Contact Maurice 669421)
Indoor Bowls Wednesday 3rd June from 1.30pm to 4.00pm at Mote Park leisure Centre. Cost £3.00p. (Contact Dave Mayger 670034)
Rambles: Monday June 15th. Stroll around Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells with lunch in the Park Café. Meet at Barming Bus Stop "C" opposite Fountain Inn for the 10.04 Bus Service No. 6. Contact: Jill Tugwell 727992

Monday July 20th. Circular walk around Bearstead and Otham.Meet 10.00am at the Holy Cross Church Car Park, Bearstead. This can be found by turning right between Bearstead Green and "The Oak on the Green" Pub and following road to the end. Contact:

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe 729771 or Peter Dickenson 755350 to enquire about current events.

PLEASE NOTE
We have been told that the Parish Hall will be closed for maintenance and redecoration for 9 days from Monday 1st June until Wednesday 10th June both dates inclusive. This will affect the Art Group, Coffee Morning and Tai Chi; so please make a note in your diary.

List of Trips and Excursions for your diaries. Also see the Events page

Wednesday 27th May Visit to Mapledurham House & Watermill, Nr.Reading with
Guided tour, Boat trip and cream tea. Price £29 including coach. Leave Fant Hall at 9.00am. (G)
Tuesday 16th June Visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Pensioners with a Guided tour A limit of 40 people. Price £12.50 including coach. Leave Fant Hall at 9.45am. (G)
Friday June 26th - 30th Holiday to the Loire Valley. Half Board with excursions to 3 Chateaux with wine tasting included. Price £387 Sorry, all single room allocations have gone but 3 twin rooms still available ( G)
Wednesday 15th July Petworth House and Gardens. Cost £20 or £11 for National Trust Members. Coach leaves Fant Lane 9.30am (M)
Thursday 23rd July. 2nd KentARA Crafts and Hobbies Fayre. Ditton Community Centre from 11.00am. Free Entry (W)
Friday 14th August MV. Princess Pocahontas. Gravesend to Whitstable £30. Leave Fant Hall 8.30am (M)
Thursday 10th Sept. Visit to Lullingstone Castle with guided tour by Tom Hart-Dyke also visit to the Polhill Garden Centre, Badgers Mount. Price including coach £15.50. Leave Fant Hall 9.30am. (G)
Friday 18th Sept. KentARA Supper and Race Night. Ditton Community Centre. 7.30 - 10.30pm. Tickets £6.00p per person. (W)
Monday 30th November Holly and Mistletoe 4 nights Festive Break Esplanade Hotel, Southcliff, Scarborough. Includes excursions and christmas dinner. Cost £233. More details to follow (M)

Contacts: (G) Gloria 720515, (M) Maureen 661498. (N) Neil 727066, (W) Wendy 729771

Our Speaker today is Martin Gurdon who will be telling us about his "Travels with Chickens". Our speaker for the June Meeting is Fred Jepson speaking on the "History of Irons"; and in July we are to be entertained by Reg Colman when we will be told all about "Winston and Clementine"

The August meeting is our Annual General Meeting. More about this to follow. Don't miss out, make sure all these dates are in your diary

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome

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APRIL 2009

This is our first one so it can only get better. We haven't got a spellchecker yet so bear with us and humour the editor

Issue No 45 APRIL 2009

It was raining when a full coach left Fant Hall to go to Duxford and Cambridge. It was mainly the men who "de-bussed" at Duxford to visit the Imperial War Museum's Aviation Museum whilst the girls went of to Cambridge.Thankfully the weather cleared and it was a reasonable although quite chilly day. However, we were all wrapped up so it really didn't matter. The Duxford visitors were told that they had 5 hours before being collected and then pick up the ladies. We thought 5 hours was far too long but as it turned out it was not nearly enough time to see all of the exhibits. We saw all the iconic aircraft including the first flying Concorde, the massive Boeing B52, the plane that never was the TR2, a Lysander and of course the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane and every make and model in between. Colin Prince added to the enjoyment of this visit by imparting his immense knowledge of aviation when asked questions. The ladies in the meantime visited Kings College and the Chapel, punted down the River Cam (thanks to Gloria who negotiated a good rate with a "nice young man") and had a fine lunch in a riverside pub. We all enjoyed this day out thanks to Maureen and Peter our driver.

Unfortunately, we have to report that our Committee member Brian Wade was admitted to hospital following a serious medical condition, but happily we can report that he is now home resting and recuperating and running Joan ragged, but, we all wish him a speedy recovery to full health so that he can continue with his excellent work in booking Speakers for our monthly meetings. Our Treasurer - Peter Dickenson still continues to make progress and we hope to see him back in harness shortly.

Following the Kentara Hobbies and Crafts exhibition at Ditton on Thursday 23rd July, an exhibition will be on display at our meeting on July 28th, as well as the usual speaker, showing the various skills used by our members in the Art and Handicrafts Groups. Members of the groups will be available to answer any questions.

The winner of the February 2009 Quiz was Betty Webb. Thanks to all those who entered.

Answers to the March Quiz:
Q1. Ode to Joy. Q2. 9th May. Q3. 27. Q4. 10. Q5. Krahule is generally accepted although there are 5 other claimants. Q6 It is the symbol of Perfection, Completeness and Unity. Q7. 23. Q8. 6. Q9. 1st January 2002. Q10. 1973

April Quiz
Q1. Whose short stories inspired the musical "Cabaret"? Q2. Who was the winner of the 2009 TV Programme "Master Chef"? Q3. 3 x Catherines, 2 x Annes but who is missing? Q4. What is the common name for "Galanthus"? Q5. Who had a "Blue Period"? Q6. What in 1856 was first issued "For Valour"? Q7. What does "Fay Gooch" mean to you? Q8. What first happened in Maidstone on the 28th April 1868? Q9. Who is conect with "e=mc2"? Q10. How many noughts are there in one trillion?

Look out for next months Quiz it has been compiled by Maggie Barclay and it is a real brain teaser.

Answers please to this months (APRIL) quiz in the box at the May meeting or to Maurice Gay, 21 Howard Drive, Allington or by email at secondfiddle1@btinternet.com by Monday 25th May 2009 so that they can be included for the £5 prize draw

The Speaker - Richard King - at our March meeting gave a highly amusing and very enthusiastic talk on his travels around the world in a double decker bus. Overcoming various difficulties - finding the right bus to use and lack of funds - he and his eight companions set off on their adventures. 4 years later having survived many technical hitches and having funded their journey by singing bawdy rugby songs to delighted audiences along the way, they arrived back at their local pub to claim their pint of beer as their promised reward.

Have you ever noticed the Roll of Honour on the wall in the Parish Hall during the Coffee mornings or at the Art Group or other visit? Have you seen the two Memorials to the dead of WW1 and WW2 within St. Margaret's Church? I have an interest in genealogy and WW1 and surprisingly the two interests are conjoined. The name "Mullins" caught my attention. Two Barming brothers - Edward and Stanley Mullins - paid the supreme sacrifice, but who were they? I know that they were the sons of James and Bertha Mullins who lived at 3, Woodside Cottage, Barming Heath and that they both enlisted in the Royal Engineers. Stanley was killed in action on the 24th May 1915 and Edward died of wounds on the 21st August 1915. More to follow...

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a word are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe.

Associate Members are very welcome to attend any or all of our following activities full details on EVENTS and/or the ACTIVITIES Page

Art Group, Coffee Mornings, Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Line Dancing, Handicrafts, 10-Pin Bowling, Petanque, Rambles and Quiz Nights.

BarmARA Singles meet to share social and intellectual experiences. Please call Wendy Thorpe 729771 or Peter Dickenson 755350 to enquire about current events.

For all our Trips, Excursions and Holidays see full details on the Events Page

Did you know....
A committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing, but as a group decide that nothing can be done!

You cannot lick your elbow!

Contributions to the Newsletter from Members and Associates will always be welcome