Radley Retirement Group – Newsletter December 2016

What we have been doing

Over the past year we have had a variety of speakers and outings.  In January we had our annual “Auction of unwanted Christmas gifts “, which is our fund raising meeting, and our “Anniversary lunch” which this year was held at Coseners House.   In February we had a talk by Irene Tyack called the “Yellow Hat Tribe” which was about her art work.  This was followed by our AGM and a talk about “Maggies centre” at the Churchill hospital. In April it was reminisces of The Queens reign with a Royal Quiz and a buffet tea.  Keeping to the royal theme Ian Scott Hunter came to talk about being a “Royal Valet” in May and  in June Kate Lace spoke to us about “From guns and roses to hearts and flowers”.  In July we had our summer meeting and then in August we had Kate Lace’s husband to tell us about “Forty years of bomb disposal”. September was a talk about the “Wilts and Berks canal” and this was followed by “The Radcliffe Infirmary”.  November was supposed to be a talk from one of our regular speakers Malcolm Nelson but he unfortunately was unable to come and Joy Riley bravely stepped up and gave an impromptu  and amusing  talk about her time as a nurse who bathed  people in their own homes.

Diane had organised some very interesting outings for us some of which unfortunately  had to be cancelled due to lack of support.  However we did visit the “Black country museum” in Dudley, “Adam  Henson’s Cotswold farm park”, “Newbury races” and  our seaside trip to “Poole”.  Savill gardens and Hughenden Manor were two which had to be cancelled and instead of the Mystery tour a tour of the Sheldonian Theatre and St Mary’s Church in Oxford was organised.  In November we visited Westfields shopping centre for some retail therapy.  As well as all of these things Dot Hewlitt has organised two holidays this year, one to Northumbria in May and another to Skegness in November.  We also had the “Christmas Bazaar” in November, so you can see that we have had quite a busy but very interesting year. 

We have also had some very interesting visits to the Playhouse theatre to see a variety of plays, namely “Single Spies”,”Brideshead Re-visited”,”Relatively Speaking”, and “Sand in the Sandwiches”.

Future dates……

Looking ahead Diane is working hard to plan and book outings for next year.  We can look forward to some new and interesting places to visit when we see next year’s programme.  Everything will depend on the number of people who sign up to go.  We were particularly disappointed that the outings to Hughenden Manor and the Savill  gardens had to be cancelled due to lack of support.  Coaches are now very expensive and we need to have most of the seats occupied in order to cover the costs.  Friends, family, visitors and other local people are welcome on outings.  If you can’t come yourself, then do please pass the word on to anyone who might be interested in future outings.

If anyone is interested in going on any of our  trips  please contact Diane Shaw on 01235 527158 to see if there are any spaces.

Judith has been busy planning our speakers for next year and Andrea will again be organising visits to The Playhouse.

If you are interested in going on a theatre trip please see Andrea Saunders. Payment must be made at the time of booking.  Again these are open to anyone.

Holidays….

• Exmouth and Devon towns in May 2017

This is a tour of Devon Coastal towns based in Exmouth at the Manor Hotel, situated close to the beach, with views across Exmouth Bay.  All the rooms have en-suite facilities.  The hotel has a bar and a lift to all floors.

On the journey to Devon we call at the Donkey Sanctuary near Exmouth.  Other days we visit Sidmouth, Dawlish and Teignmouth and have a circular tour crossing the river Dart spending time in Torquay.  There will be a free day to do your own thing and use your bus pass if you wish.

The cost of the holiday is £395 with the deposit of £40 to be paid in January.

All holidays are open to family and friends so if you are interested in our holidays please contact Dot Hewlett  on Ab 531082

• The trip to Spain, organised by Judith through Saga goes ahead in March.

Our next meeting 

Our next meeting is on  Tuesday 13^th December  which will be our annual Christmas “Bring and share” party with entertainment.

Doors are open at 1.30pm and the meeting starts at 2pm.

Membership:  Just a reminder that membership is open to anyone  over 50 who is retired.  You will be made very welcome, so why not give us a visit.   The annual subscription is £8 or £14 for a married couple.

Jenny Jones