The Club meets on first Wednesdays of the month - at 11.00 am.

Coffee beforehand in the west end of the church.
Lunch afterwards in the church halls.

Open to All. £3.50 Come Along! Bring friends!           

Amazingly, the 07/08 season has run is course and there is only one treat left - yes ..........

.............. on 2nd July it's the Annual OutingThis Tear - Polesdon Lacey

NEWS of the 2008-09 Season will be posted in late Summer - meantime make the most of the upcoming good weather.

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HISTORY OF EVENTS

2007/8 Season

5th November

“Dr. Mary Baines gave us a talk on “The Story of Hospice”.  Mary was involved with the movement from the very beginning.   David Tasman, who was dying of Cancer in 1948, donated £500 towards the foundation of the Hospice movement –this money was given to Dame Cecily Saunders who was the person who was principally involved in getting this movement started...   Eventually by 1957 the sum of £500,000 had been collected and the first St. Christopher’s Hospice was opened.

In the 1950’s the idea of a Hospice movement was considered a pipe dream.   The dying were put in large general wards which were totally unsuitable for the terminally ill.

 Dr Mary Baines joined the movement in 1968- her colleges considered her wish to joint as very detrimental to her career-such was the thinking in those days!!   Mary Baines was privileged to be taught by Dame Cecily Saunders, the founder of the movement.
 Now there is no need for someone to suffer from pain when we have such advanced cancer treatment.  In the UK there 228 patient units, 39 for  children.  There is also the hospital “Home care service” with 327 units and at least 300 teams in the General hospitals.

This movement has been copied world wide with people coming over to the UK to see how things are done.
Dr Mary Baines has been involved with establishing care centres in Uganda, India, and especially with Eastern Europe (ie Romania and the Balkans).
Romania has had special problems with HIV & aides –the previous government also had a policy not to give aide to people over 60 years old!
Dr  Mary Baines said that “ this work was doing the work of God for our time".

We also collected from all the 11 O'clockers, a total of £192 for the Hospice movement. £177 for The Hospice of Hope in Romania and £15 for St. Christopher's Hospice.

1st October

Margaret Taylor a retired English teacher has a job of Parish Archivist at Eltham Church she put her name forward for a teaching job in this new school.

Margaret gave us a most informative and amusing talk on her experiences of teaching in Papua New Guinea. 
The first missionary went out there in 1800-Anglican missionaries visited the island in 1891 now 96% of the population is Christian

The Anglican High school is in the highlands and now has 480 pupils with prefabricated buildings and some simple local native huts.
There are about 830 local languages –each child has to use his own language, pigeon English, and English the official language.

 In addition to English Margaret had to teach art, using charcoal on plain paper.  She also had to dance practise, she took 210 children on Hymn practise using 1 hymn book between 12 pupils-it was unaccompanied as well!!
Margaret taught maths, commerce, religious studies and agricultural lessons for the allotments!  Counting was difficult beyond 6 was many, many !!
Margaret also helped in sewing classes using hand operated sewing machines-helping the children make simple clothes.

Margaret and her friend Peggy used their allotment to grow vegetables and eventually managed to buy pasta, rice, and sweet potatoes to supplement their simple diet.
Lessons were 40 minutes with 40 lessons per week.
The children’s, meals were a dry biscuit and plenty of water for lunch but breakfast and dinner were the main meals.
Margaret was present at the ordination of a new priest for the local parish.  The service was conducted in pigeon English.

Many of the students when they arrived at the school had no surnames and had to be given them which caused some confusion.
Buildings were usually called houses. No words were available for "special buildings"
So a library = house books
A Garage= House car
Hospital = house sick!
I hope this gives you an idea of what it was like to be a teacher out there.

On 4th June we learned what police dogs actually get up to. Ian Harrison from The Met's dog training centre Keston, whose 15 acres house over 100 dog kennels. Ian first showed his Cocker Spaniel detecting drugs hidden around the grounds. His beautiful black Labrador then checked 25 of us, easily picking up the one carrying drugs (solely for this exercise of course !). Training enables the dogs to detect narcotic and explosive substances, as well as firearms and body remains. Artificial insemination and natural matings produce German Shepherd, English Springer, Cocker Spaniel and Labrador litters of the highest working ability. We were impressed.

On 7th May our regular filmic wizard Stephen Kuhrt brought us more from the celluloid era with a discourse called "Reflecting on the Weepies". We sniffled a bit, but heartily enjoyed ourselves.

On 2nd April we received a musical entertainment from the Eshowe Clarinet Quartet arranged through Trinity College. The group owes its name to the town of Eshowe in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa which is a place of great significance to them. They played a wide range of music -classical, samba and many other numbers, some with a South African flavour. We enjoyed ourselves a lot, and so did the musicians - who all stayed to lunch afterwards.

On 5th March Glenn Jones, from The London Fire Service, spoke on the threat of global terrorism, suicide bombers and responsive action. A New Dimension programme has 10 units in London to cover: rapid response, urban search, flooding and huge fires,explosions and decontamination . They are able to handle walking wounded. They have gas tight chemical protective suits. There is increased cooperation with the Police and Ambulance services. We were all assured that the modern fire service is well placed to tackle almost any emergency! Finally we were given leaflets for us to complete if we wanted a fire officer to check our home for safety

On 6th February we heard how Mavis Righini was asked by the head mistress of the school where she was an auxiliary teacher to look after 4 orphaned baby hedgehogs. She took them home and after many attempts, managed to feed them and one - Prickles - lived to 3 years old, the normal age for a hedgehog. The local papers ran articles, people started to bring her hedgehogs, the Prickles Hedgehog Haven came into being. She has rescued over 2000, and currently has 30 of them. Mavis explained that due to inbreeding hedgehogs can be born blind, have back leg paralysis, or never learn to spike up(turn themselves into a prickly ball). In these cases it is not possible to release them again. She bought a lovely 2 year old called Charlotte who does not spike up and suffers from rhinitis. We were all able to touch her! Mavis wore a small silver cross. She is a Christian and is sure she is doing the Lord's work - she used to be a nervous person but since she has done this work she can speak confidently in public. We can vouvh for that.

On 9th January Ian Curtis, our insider at the Department for International Development, outlined what he and the Dept get up to to help save the planet and cut poverty especially in the world's poorer countries. Often work is carried out in war torn countries, e.g. in Mozambique where DFID and the Swiss government with Anglican and RC help negotiated peace first before they were a ble to help the local population. Ian's first jobs were in Nepal and Kenya on hydro electric projects for development. In both countries the very poor people often have to borrow from money lenders and on death the debt is passed onto the children. Some facts: 1 Billion of people in the developing world live on less than $1 a day. 800 million in the world are illiterate 2/3 are women. In Africa 11 million children die each year from preventable deseases.
In 2006 UK gave 0.5% of GDP 7th out of 22 donors. And currently Ian is covering issues to do with climate change Ian ended with 2 bible quotes: Psalm 24:1 "The earth is God’s, with its fullness; the world, and all who dwell therein." and Micah 6:8 "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?".

On 3rd October, Sandra Winter, National Sectetary of The Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, demonstrated her dexterity in ringing the bells, with some excellent tunes. We were told about the construction of the bells and the difference between American and English bells. We saw a bell from the 1770s and found out that ringing of tunes was really a Victorian creation, exported to USA by Phineas Barnum. We learned how to hold the bell with the clapper nearest you and ring away from yourself. Then we used "belleplates" which looked a lot like "paint scrapers" with a clapper! Seven of the audience rang these to play Elvis Presley's "Love me Tender" .

On 7th November it was a musical affair with the Blackheath Conservatoire Ladies Choir. Garden-inspired music by Cecil Sharp, Benjamin Britten, and Handel, was followed by 4 "flower" songs by contemporary composer Michael Hurd, on violets, primroses, roses and meadows. Mozart's beautiful and moving "Laudate Dominum" then preceded the traditional "Water of Tyne" and 5 sea songs of different character; the last being a lively "Bobby Shaftoe"

HISTORY OF EVENTS 2006/7 Season

On 4th July we had our annual whole day coach outing. This time it was to Leeds Castle and we all had a thoroughly good time..

On 26th June What do bishops get up to ? Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Woolwich, told us that though everyday he did very different things around the diocese, he sees his task as outreach to individual people to give a message of hope and to encourage local churches to support their immediate communities, overcoming people's increasing tendency to keep their lives to themselves.

On 2nd May Asha (Hindi for hope) was our topic and Freddy Martin told us how this charity helps the urban poor of Delhi, where 4 million live in slums, missing out on India's economic growth. Where Asha works child deaths have been eliminated, access to computers has been achieved and there are 12 Christian churches.. "God hears our prayers and answers them" said Freddy

On 4th April we heard another excellent illustrated talk from Margaret Taylor, Eltham Parish Archivist & international detective, on the mundane, mysteries and even murder. Eltham church [in the Domesday Book 1086] has records back to 1554, including many on servants, workmen, gardeners and carpenters from Eltham palace. The suspect in the murder of Christopher Marlow in a tavern brawl at Deptford was an Eltham man, Ingram Frizer, who later became a church warden! Another Eltham character was Nancy Ashburnham who as a child in 18thC went to India with her father, and returned, only to commit suicide - or was she murdered!

On 7th March, Stephen Kuhrt, film buff [and vicar], treated us to another lively morning from his archives with extracts from 4 war-linked movies from the 30s /early 40s : Gone with the Wind, Waterloo Bridge, Angels with Dirty Faces, and Casablanca. Gumption summarised the mind set of the various characters, facing right and wrong choices. The Christian ethic of putting others before oneself, and other aspects of the films were drawn out in stimulating and jovial fashion.

On 7th February we were entertained with a choral production from the children of the Blackheath Nursery and Preparatory School Choir.

On 3rd January we heard a very interesting and informative talk from Jacob Lepstein on "Voyages to The New World". Jacob, of the National Maritime Museum, was at one time a military officer, and previously lectured on Tudor and Stuart history in a Hampton Court Palace classroom that was one of Cardinal Wolsey's toilets! Jacob's well illustrated talk detailed voyages of discovery from 1606 onwards, telling us of the explorers, their ships and the materials, clothes and provisions the settlers took with them to Virginia. We were encouraged to visit the Museum to follow up for ourselves.

On 6th December there was a big gathering in the church halls, where 72 people enjoyed a top quality Christmas lunch with hats and all the trimmings, followed by entertainment from Frank Allen.

On 4th October the topic was "Three Times a Week" For triathlon athlete Vernon Thomas that is how often he peels off some overwear and gets down to serious training.

On 1st Novemberwe reflected on the question "Should more Journalists be put behind bars?" John Bartram, journalist, lecturer and cricket fan, talked about his experiences in visiting prisoners and other aspects of staying informed

HISTORY OF EVENTS 2005/6 Season

On February 1st we had a return visit from Trinity College Music Students, with a flexible chamber group called 'Ensemble Suavis ' who combine wind instruments with 'cello. The Ensemble comprised Flute, Oboe and Clarinet and they played English Compositions by Malcom Arnold, Elgar and Handel. 68 people sat down for lunch and we had to go and buy extra food!

On January 4th everyone enjoyed a talk from Joan Connolly about her work with children with special needs.  She has just retired from teaching but as an examiner and inspector for schools who wish to take autistic children, she proved very knowledgable and instructive about the different special needs of children and how they are catered for in boarding school.

On December 7th we had a Christmas Dinner starting at the unusual time of 12.45 with canapes and drinks.  Then we served a full roast Christmas meal followed by Christmas Pudding, trifle and mince pies at festive tables and candles . Frank Allen sang and played and got everyone joining in. The guests were really appreciative - several were going to spend Christmas alone and were thrilled to come to an early Christmas meal.

On November 2nd  we enjoyed a very varied choral programme of mainly English compositions from the Blackheath Conservatoire Ladies Choir. There were a dozen in the choir which had a very energetic conductor and a young, very competent pianist. Everyone seemed to enjoy it enormously.

On October 5th the jewel in the crown of our meetings so far - an illustrated talk by Jim Newson all about The Crown Jewels

HISTORY OF EVENTS 2004/05 Season

On July 6th there was an Outing. 46 people filled a hired coach and went off for the day to Finchcocks near Goudhurst in Kent. This is a fine early Georgian manor of 1725 in a beautiful unspoilt setting.. There is a fully restored garden, an orchard for wild flowers and a lovely walled garden. The house now contains over 100 historical keyboard instruments - pianos, and a number of barrel organs, musical boxes and other mechanical instruments. We were given an enthralling, instructive and amusing presentation by Richard Burnett, owner of Finchcocks and a professional pianist about the history and connections of 10 of the historic instruments, with live performances on every one of them.

On June 8th it was Desert Island Discs  Our castaway was the Ven. Norman Warren, a musician - both composer and performer. - and author of a best selling book. He is a keen sailor and has many other interesting hobbies. His wife is a counsellor and they have five children and a large family of grandchildren. So we got plenty of anecdotes and refreshing music.

On May 4th we heard from a Robin Hood enthusiast. Stephen Kuhrt. Stephen is also curate at Christ Church New Malden and his mother is our own Director of Music. He greatly entertained us with amusing tales of the greenwood of Sherwood Forest and of its celebrated residents Robin Hood and company - with illustrations from many movies.

On April 6th for the culinary minded Angela Misson a Food and Nutrition Advisor and Teacher, spoke to us about quick and easy cooking for small servings. She demonstrated how to prepare roasted vegetables, including sweet potatoes, butternut squash, celeriac and fennel. A large quantity could be cooked, stored in the fridge and reheated in the microwave over several days, so people could easily meet the quotient of five veg or fruit a day. Then she gave us lots of hints on how to use couscous as a quick and easy alternative to potatoes or rice. She also demonstrated how to 'butterfly' a chicken breast to cook it quicker and make an ideal surface for toppings. She gave out recipe sheets and answered innumerable questions. It was a very useful, interesting and enjoyable meeting.

On March 2nd we heard an account of life and customs and of the way the state operated in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic where Maggie & Chris Holland worked for 3 years. We all learned to say a few phrases of the Lao language, including the common early enquiry of any new friend "Are you married yet?" We saw Lao woven silk and other crafts, heard Lao music, and learned the traditional Lao dance the Lam Wong.     Sabaidi, lok can.[goodbye good luck]

On February 2nd an audience of 40 was treated to an extra-special PCC meeting in the shape of a play 'St Stephen's Pulpit' read by its author Raymond Jones Davies and a strong supporting cast of four. The issue before the PCC was a request to move the pulpit and this was discussed with innumerable entertaining diversions, as the chairman struggled to make sense out of chaos

On January 5^th radio producer Liz Lickiss shared her many and varied experiences in describing how radio programmes get put together. She is with a broadcaster called FEBA which puts out, in many countries, programmes that explore ethical and faith issues. She brought with her an ordinary suitcase, which when opened contained a complete mobile studio, with which programmes could be created on the spot anywhere in the world and uploaded to the internet for immediate broadcasting. Liz also works with local commercial radio station in Surrey, producing both a weekly hour of faith-limked programming on Countdown and and also a short sharp 30 second slot with punchy thoughts for the fast modern generation on Eagle. Nearly fifty people attended and learned a great deal about radio and radio outreach.

On December 1^st seven students from Trinity College of Music performed a highly varied programme for 40 clubbers. Two solos cello suites and a solo violin piece from Bach, guitar pieces by Manuel Falla and Silvius Leopold Weiss, and pieces for a sax quartet by Stalling, Buttall and Booth, including The Lone Ar-ranger goes Sax Mad.

On November 3^rd Acting Inspector Danny Butler gave a fascinating account of the Met's Mounted Police, from their introduction in 1760 to combat highwaymen, through to the present day when they play a major role in maintaining public order at large events, take part in ceremonial parades and offer a re-assuring presence on the beat. The Met has 80 horses, 10 of them stabled in Lewisham; and after the talk two of those came along: one of them being Tony, a vastly experienced older horse who led the Queen Mother's funeral procession. One of many things we all didn't know was that the names of the horses take their initial letter from the year they join the force - we are on H this year, so you can work out how long ago Tony was signed on

On October 6^th Frank Allen entertained us hugely with stories and music about his life as a professional musician