Newsletter of Barming Active Retirement Association
Neil Kenwright - Chairman.
Barming Active Retirement Association
Issue No 77 Christmas 2011.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all
If you noticed that Barming was unusually quiet in the period from Monday 5th to Friday 9th December it was because BarmARA went continental. 30 plus members took their leave of Fant Lane and headed by coach to Dover en route to Rüdesheim am Rhein in Germany. Maureen (Mo) decided to try and catch an earlier train at Tunnel. It's a good job she did because the trains were delayed by an hour. David from Brookline drove us down to near Folkestone where we met Tracey our driver for the week. We travelled down the western side of the Rhine and caught a ferry from Bingen across to the Park Hotel in Rudesheim., arriving very tired at about 6.30pm. We were told dinner was at 7.30pm, so it was a bit of a rush. After dinner some of us went to find the Christmas market. Unfortunately, although it was open all day, it closed at 6.30pm, which was a shame. So we then returned to the Hotel for a drink before going to bed. The next morning at breakfast the main discussion was Gordon's interest in collecting train numbers. His room overlooked the railway and he was up most of the night taking notes of numbers!! Tracy drove us down to the Christmas market at Frankfurt, which was in the old part of the city around the Cathedral. There were many stalls selling all kinds of Christmas trinkets, food and gluewein (hot mulled wine with a generous dash of rum) Most people returned to the coach with something brought at the market. Wendy purchased a box of teabags, which she generously dished out, to members. Why? Because the Hotel advertised tea and coffee making facilities, but you had to buy a tea bag for 50p and a coffee strip for 80p. After dinner most of us roamed around Rudesheim ending up in a bar which had a musical entertainer and 1 litre beer glasses shaped like a lady's body. Most of the men had the beer and the ladies had Rudesheim Coffee, which was coffee with Asbach liqueur, topped off with a generous spoonful of cream. On Wednesday Tracy drove us to the market in Koblenz, which was very disappointing, partly because it was raining but, mostly, because the lack of stalls. We ended up walking round department stores for something to do. We were pleased to see the coach to take us back to the hotel. After dinner it was a quick walk round to the bar as the previous night. This time Tracy joined us for the evening and joined in the singing with the Barmarians. Our last morning, Thursday, was spent in Mainz Christmas market. Driving through the outskirts of Mainz we thought this isn't going to be so good, because there was so much industry, power stations, factories and railway depots. Once again the market was close to the cathedral and the main shopping area and what a delightful place it turned out to be. Wide pedestrian shopping streets all very clean. We arrived back in Rudesheim early afternoon, which gave us time to explore the market and buy last minute bits and pieces. Some braved the chair lift up to the Neiderwald monument. Our last night in the bar was a noisy affair with the Barmarian choir (led by Dave and Max) managing eventually to clear everyone out leaving us the only ones in the bar. We said our goodbyes to the bar owner and staff and retired back to the hotel. Friday was an early start back home with Tracy organising the suitcases. She also led us in singing, "We are Sailing" while crossing back to Bingen. The Park Hotel was comfortable with excellent food at dinner and a large choice for breakfast. All in all, a great winter break, thanks to Maureen, Airdale, Brookline and especially Tracy for a memorable holiday
Quiz. - Our winner of the November Quiz was Jackie Boyle
December 2011 Quiz.- This will give you something to think about when you are resting after the christmas pudding! Next month, the quiz questions were submitted by Gordon Stainton so watch out for these as the answers are probably not on the internet!
The following phrases describe which Christmas Songs or Carols?
Q1. Loyal followers advance. Q2. Have hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief of Christmas. Q3. Give attention to the melodious celestial beings. Q4. Monarchial Triad. Q5. Nocturnal noiselessness. Q6. The quadruped with the vermillion proboscis. Q7. Far off in a feeder. Q8. Our fervant hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season. Q9. Singular yuletide yearing is for twin anterior incisors. Q10. Castaneous coloured seed vesicated in a conflagration.
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.
Speakers 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." Marty Parkin has been booked for the June Meeting with a talk entitled "Yesterday's Newspapers".
Our Speaker at the November Meeting was the entertaining Martin Gurden and his dog. Martin gave a quite hillareous talk about his early life trying to "break" into journalism. From what he said he was very clumsy and got fired from many of his early jobs. He eventually found his niche writing about Motor Cars and the motor industry. Following up from his previous chickens talk, we also had a funny half hour with him talking about his ducks.
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. Keep Fit, Petanque and Kurling contact Dave Mayger 670034, 10-pin Bowling Contact John Grognet 687415
Drama Group
This activity is still under wraps and Dave Mayger expects to make an announcement soon.
On This Day in History:
1915. British and ANZAC troops evacuated from Gallipoli.
1928. Harry Ramsden opens his first Fish and Chip Shop.
1969. Rolf Harris reached No. 1 with his "Two Little Boys"
Ten-Pin bowling got off to a successful start today Nov 24th. All the regular bowlers turned up and we were pleased to see a few new members. The scoring was to a very good standard. I don't want to mention it but the organiser John G managed top score with 135. (Flash in the pan). Please remember that the next bowling session will be on the 26th January 2012.
The last Kurling session before Christmas was on Friday 2nd December. Dave Mayger promised us something special and Oh Boy, what a splendid session it was. On arrival, Val Mayger offered everone a "slug" of Mulled Wine and it was delicious and helped create a party atmosphere. Dave had devised a competition and split eveyone into teams of two with the promise of a super prize for the winning team. Fifteen teams each played 3 games. When the scores were finally counted one team came top. Thanks to the skills of Captain Lorna Grognet, she and her partner Maurice Gay won the "Strictly come Kurling" competition! In a close second place was the team of Freda Pearce and Tony Brenton. Thanks to Val for providing the wine, coffee, mince pies and biscuits and also to Dave for organising a great mornings kurling.
Our coach trip on Friday 25th November to Hampstead Village and the London West End Christmas Lights started from Fant Lane at 8.30am. After battling through the London traffic we arrived in Hampstead High Street just in time for a welcome coffee break at the King William Pub. Tables were laid with coffee cups and biscuits, which were soon dispatched. We boarded the coach with our "Blue Badge" Guide for a short ride to Whitestone Pond where we disembarked for a short walk around the highest point on the tour to see various properties previously owned or lived in by the good and great. People like John Constable, John Galsworthy, Ralph Richardson, Russell Crowe and a host of other celebs. Russell Crowe's house was the inspiration for the house in Mary Poppins. We walked back to the Pub via the cemetery, being the last resting place of more celebrities, and then on for a very nice roast turkey and trimmings lunch following which we boarded the coach again for another short trip to visit Kenwood House. This lovely house is set on top of the Heath and has spectacular views over London. We once more boarded the coach for a ride to see some of the Christmas lights in the West End stopping at Somerset House to view the Ice Skating. Whilst most of the members were in the coffee shop, four of us including Yvonne Jones bumped into Torvill & Dean. We left London en-route for Fant lane arriving tired but happy after a very good tour thanks to Mo once again for organising this trip.
P.S. 2012 is a Leap Year and therefore we have an extra day - 29th February - to enjoy ourselves. It is also Olympics Year as well as the Queen's Jubilee Year
The Chairman and all members of your Committee wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2012
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.
2012 Leap Year
HM. Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Year
Olympics Year
Thursday 5th January Keep Fit Class commence after Christmas break at St. Andrew's Church Hall from 2.00pm (D)
Tuesday 10th January 1st Art Group Meeting of 2012 (S)
Tuesday 10th January Line Dancing commences after Christmas Break (M)
Friday 13th January Keep Fit classes St. Andrew's Church Hall from 2.00pm (D) Monday 16th January BarmARA Ramblers Lunch at Riverside Restaurant (D)
Tuesday 17th January Art Group Christmas Lunch at Riverside Restaurant (S)
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 10 pin Bowling from 10.00am at King Street Bowl, Maidstone. Cost £5.75 for 3 games and coffee and biscuits (J)
Friday 10th February Kurling 10.00am TA Centre Boxley Rd. (D)
Thursday 23rd February 10 pin Bowling from 10.00am at King Street Bowl, Maidstone. Cost £5.75 for 3 games and coffee and biscuits (J)
Tuesday 28th February BarmARA Monthly Meeting at Fant Hall from 1.15pm
Wednesday 29th February 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. (Mo)
Thursday 29th March 10 pin Bowling from 10.00am at King Street Bowl, Maidstone. Cost £5.75 for 3 games and coffee and biscuits (J)
Saturday 31st March 2012. Barn Dance at Fant Hall. More details to follow (D)
Thursday 26th April 10 pin Bowling from 10.00am at King Street Bowl, Maidstone. Cost £5.75 for 3 games and coffee and biscuits (J)
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, (Mo) Maureen (Mo) 661498. (D) Dave 670034. (S) Sheila (760736)
(N) Neil 727066 (J) John 687415 (M) Maureen Kenwright (727066)
