NEWSLETTER – January 2012 (ISSUE 51)
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Chairman: Brian Llong
-01622 859733 Vice-Chairperson: Ann Whiteing – 01795 886075
Secretary and Membership Sec: Christine
Godden – 01622 858658
Emails to: Lenvalleyara@yahoo.com LenARA Website: www.lenvalleyara.org.uk
A Message from the Chairman
By the time you read this report Christmas will be over. I hope you all had a happy time and I wish you all a very Happy New Year. My thanks must go to the LenARA committee and all the members who organise the individual activities. Thanks also to the people who are there to help with chairs & tables etc before and after meetings of the club. 2011 has proved to be a resounding success. Brian
PAST EVENTS
Christmas Lights
On the 29th November
Jo & I joined the trip to see the London Lights. After travelling by coach to the O2 we boarded
our boat to travel upstream, taking in the lights along the river banks.
The weather by this time was
foul. Sudden gusts of wind and heavy
showers were catching the boat. This resulted in an incident as I
passed across the open deck to the upper cabin. The drinks tray I was carrying was caught by a
sudden blast of wind which cleaned everything off and sent it flying to the
deck. Managing to rugby tackle two
packets of crisps, that seemed determined to follow the cup of tea and small
bottle of beer disappearing over the side, I returned to the bar with an empty
tray ready for a repeat performance. However,
this time was successful and I managed to join Jo, cargo complete.
At the London Eye we rejoined
our coach and, as we drove around the capital, we were told many unknown facts
by our excellent guide. The displays in
the famous shopping streets were excellent. We watched the crowds, scurrying along with
heads bent against the weather, from the comfort of our coach. Leaving the coach behind at Somerset House we
enjoyed a wonderful display of ice skating, in a real Christmas atmosphere of
swirling skaters and festive music, before starting our trip home.
Our
thanks, once again to Phil and Ann for a great trip. Brian
LenARA Christmas
Social
The Social this Christmas was arranged by our Vice –Chair, Ann and was a great success. The buffet was provided by a different caterer, and we received many favourable comments about the variety of food. The excellent duo played quiet music while we were eating, and then livened things up afterwards, with many taking to the floor for a dance. There were many quality prizes in the raffle, and everyone left in a Christmassy mood.
Thanks to all those who helped setting up and clearing away after.
Christmas Dinner at the
Ridge Golf Club
This event was a ‘first’ and was
held on Monday 12th December 2011 and replaced the usual “Pub Lunch”. As it was
Christmas it was decided to try an evening meal. 105 members sat down at 6.30p.m and from our
experience it was an enjoyable evening.
From the feedback so far it
appears to have been successful (time will tell!). If in fact we do find that it was a success
then we will be happy to plan another Christmas Dinner.
For now,
we look forward to planning further pub lunches and wish everyone a Happy New
Year. Dave & Derek
Thursford Christmas
Spectacular
It was a lovely bright sunny morning when 43 happy Lenarians set off on Wednesday 14th December for what was to be a wonderful 3 day outing to see the Thursford Christmas Spectacular. Our coach was luxurious and driver first class, which made for a very pleasant ride to Ipswich where we stopped for our lunch break. Then onwards to the magnificent Dunston Hall Hotel, a huge Elizabethan style mansion set in 150 acres and golf course, and only 20 minutes from Norwich. We settled into our comfortable rooms before smartening up and meeting in the bar prior to enjoying an excellent meal [carvery]. Next morning [after our full English!] we were taken to Norwich, unfortunately it was a damp day but it didn’t stop us from enjoying this lovely old city. Then back to our hotel for even more food [carvery again] before it was time to go to Thursford about 1hr away. Our first experience was a visit to Santa’s Magical Journey into Christmas. Stunning winter and Christmas scenes, together with a unique collection of old steam engines, tractors and road rollers etc. Then after a glass of mulled wine…the show. Words simply could not describe it, the acting, dancing, singing, music, costumes, scenery, etc etc were just breathtaking, and non-stop, everything we had anticipated…and more. Back to our mansion before midnight, shattered and spellbound. Friday [after another full English] it’s time to go home. The weather had turned bad and snow had been forecast so our driver recommended the we didn’t go to Bury St Edmunds as planned, but head for home, good advice and we all arrived home safe and sound early PM.
The end of a wonderful break [put on about 4lbs] spent in friendly Lenarian company. With many many thanks to Phil & Ann for arranging such a lovely outing for us. Derek & Jeanne Davison
FUTURE
EVENTS:
Brick Lane Music Hall Tuesday 24th January 2012 Adult Pantomime - Aladdin
Departure times: Dog & Bear 11.30am - Roebuck 11.40am - Forstal Lane 11.45am - Ramada 11.55am
Please be at your pick-up point 15 minutes
before the departure time.
Cinderella on Ice Thursday 8th March 2012
Trip to Eastbourne to include a
visit to the Congress Theatre to see Cinderella on Ice. Internationally acclaimed Russian Ice Stars in
a truly magical production of the fairytale Cinderella. Cost approx £32.00 (includes coach) and is for
the 2.30pm show. 50 Theatre Tickets are
being held until the end of January. Tickets
will need to be paid for at the January Club meeting on Wednesday 25th and the
cost will be £19.50. (Cost of coach to be advised)
Phil
01622 851217
Mountbatten Festival Thursday 12th April 2012
This concert is now full with a
waiting list. Mary Henderson 01622 880625
Trip to Cornwall Friday 20th April 2012
Cost approx £230 per person. Book now with £30 deposit. 4 nights at Barrowfield Hotel Newquay, half board. To include visits to Trevarno Gardens, Marazion and the cider factory; Landhydrock House and Truro; The Eden Project and Charlestown. Phil 01622 851217
Trip
to Kew Thursday
June 14th 2012
Trip to Kew Gardens, Kew Palace
and ride on the Land Train. Cost £36.00 Phil 01622 851217
Royal
River Explorer Thursday August 16th 2012
Trip starts at the old feudal
village of Dorney, visits the 12th century Church where Kate Middleton’s
parents married, then takes a short drive to Eton. Here we break for Lunch. After lunch we board the boat for a cruise up
stream lasting one and three quarter hours and arrive at Boulters Lock Pier at
approx 4pm and head home. Cost for this
trip is £18.95. (cost of coach to be advised) The walking involved in this trip is suitable only
for folk without really pronounced walking difficulties.
Tinsel & Turkey - Isle of Wight Monday 3rd December 2012
Cost approx £155 per person. Book now with £30 deposit. 4 nights at Daish’s Hotel Shanklin IOW, half board with evening entertainment. Planned visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on the way to the IOW. Optional excursions can be booked from hotel reception. Phil 01622 851217
Travel Insurance
Would all members please remember that you are required to obtain your
own travel insurance if you join in any of our outings or trips away. LenARA cannot be held responsible for any
members not covered by insurance.
PLEASE
REMEMBER TO LOOK AT THE NOTICE BOARD AND WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS OF THESE
TRIPS
Events Calendar
January
|
Wed
11 |
11.00 |
£4.00 |
10 Pin
Bowling/Fish & Chips |
Whitstable |
Pat 01622 743658 |
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|
Wed
18 |
12.30 |
|
Pub
Lunch |
To
be Advised |
Dave 01622 859010 |
||
|
Tue
24 |
See item |
£37.00 |
Brick
Lane Adult Panto |
London |
Phil 01622 851217 |
|
|
|
Wed 25 |
14.00 |
Members’ Meeting – Speaker is Mr M
Parkin on ‘Survival byMagic’ |
|||||
February
|
Wed
8 |
11.00 |
£4.00 |
10 Pin
Bowling/Fish & Chips |
Whitstable |
Pat 01622 743658 |
|
|
Wed
15 |
12.30 |
|
Pub
Lunch |
To
be Advised |
Dave 01622 859010 |
|
|
Wed 22 |
14.00 |
Members’ Meeting – Speaker is Mr Mel Rees
on ‘My Family & Other Setbacks’ |
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March
|
Wed
14 |
11.00 |
£4.00 |
10 Pin
Bowling/Fish & Chips |
Whitstable |
Pat 01622
743658 |
|
|
Wed
21 |
12.30 |
|
Pub
Lunch |
To
be Advised |
Dave 01622 859010 |
|
|
Wed 28 |
14.00 |
Members’ Meeting – Speaker is Veronica
Wiseman on ‘Kent Air Ambulance’ |
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April
|
Wed
11 |
11.00 |
£4.00 |
10 Pin
Bowling/Fish & Chips |
Whitstable |
Pat
01622
743658 |
|
Thur
12 |
See item |
£40.00 |
Mountbatten
Festival |
London |
Mary 01622 880625 |
|
Wed
18 |
12.30 |
|
Pub
Lunch |
To
be Advised |
Dave 01622 859010 |
|
Fri
20 |
tba |
£230.00 |
Trip
to Cornwall |
See Item |
Phil 01622 851217 |
|
Wed 25 |
14.00 |
Members’ Meeting – Speaker is Mrs J
Aviolet on ‘I am A Tulip’ |
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May
|
Wed
9 |
11.00 |
£4.00 |
10 Pin
Bowling/Fish & Chips |
Whitstable |
Pat 01622
743658 |
|
|
Wed
16 |
12.30 |
|
Pub
Lunch |
To
be Advised |
Dave 01622 859010 |
|
|
Wed 23 |
14.00 |
No Speaker – AGM
|
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June
|
Wed
13 |
11.00 |
£4.00 |
10 Pin
Bowling/Fish & Chips |
Whitstable |
Pat 01622
743658 |
|
Wed
20 |
12.30 |
|
Pub
Lunch |
To
be Advised |
Dave 01622 859010 |
|
Wed 27 |
14.00 |
Members’ Meeting – Speaker is Mr M
Gurden on ‘Chicken’ |
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Weekly Events
|
Date
|
Time |
Cost |
Event |
Location |
Organiser |
|
Tues |
10.30 |
£3.00 |
Pitch
& Putt (9 hole round) |
Great
Chart Golf |
Dave
01622 859010 |
|
Tues |
10.30 |
£3.00 |
Archery |
Great
Chart Golf |
Frank
01622 859000 |
|
Tues |
1.45 |
£2.00 |
Kurling/Short
Mat Bowling |
Lenham
CC |
Jim
880625 Derek 880650 |
|
Weds |
19.30 |
£4.50 |
Line
Dancing |
Lenham
CC |
Maureen
01622 858714 |
|
Fri |
14.00 15.00 |
£5.00 £3.00 |
Keep
Fit Keep
Fit (Seated) |
Lenham
CC |
Maureen
01622 858714 |