Issue 21 Page 1

BENFLEET

BULLETIN Issue 21: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

Website: U3Asites.org.uk/benfleet

FROM THE CHAIR: Hello Members

Summer has finally got its hat on and appeared, let hope it remains.

This is my last bulletin as chair as my term of office has come to an end. Thank

you all for your support and for letting me chair the Benfleet U3A. I’m sure that

whoever is elected to be your new chair person, you will give your support too.

By the time you read this bulletin you should all have had the AGM forms. The

AGM takes place this year at the 24 September Member’s meeting.

If you have not received the form please let any committee member know.

I’m just reading the bulletin from this time last year and I am going to repeat

myself to say that as we start a new year of Benfleet U3A going into our 8th year.

We are a friendly U3A and have a strong membership. If you sit next to a

member that you don’t know they maybe a visitor or a new member introduce

yourself and make them feel welcome.

I maybe standing down as chair but I will still be at the meetings.

Thank you and have a lovely summer

Sheila

Do YOU know the significance of this

building in Benfleet, situated just south

of Church Road and close to the

Zach Willsher pub?

NO? Turn to page 11 and explore!

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SPEAKERS & EVENTS AT FUTURE CLUB MEETINGS

Last Tuesday every Month (except December)

2019

30 July Toastmaster. Glen Mayes

27 August Tales of the Smithy. Roger Dorking

24 Sept. AGM Annual General Meeting. Followed by

Going Dutch. Janneke Jones

A talk about her early life growing up in Holland, with costumes, artefacts

and flowers.

29 Oct. The stories and songs of Marie Lloyd. Irene Bowkett

A talk, in costume, about the life and songs of

"The Queen of the Music Hall"

26 Nov. A life on the road with Peter King. Peter Regelous

A humorous talk about his life in the entertainment industry, with

anecdotes about the best and the worst experiences, on both BBC and

ITV, along the way.

31 Dec. NO MEETING IN DECEMBER

See the full 2019 list on the Benfleet U3A website

AGM Annual General Meeting Tuesday 24 September 2019

As Sheila has confirmed in her introduction, she will complete her term of office as

Chair of our U3A in September and will be standing down. I’m sure members wish

to thank her as a group and personally for the effort, time and conscientiousness

she has shown in managing and organising our U3A.

Well done and thank you Sheila.

Nominations at the AGM

We now require nominations for the role of Chair and an additional Committee

member. Nomination forms have been circulated to all members but if you have

not received one and wish to make a nomination then please contact

Mavis Regan at Business Secretary

Nominations MUST be received by Tuesday 27 August 2019.

Minutes of 2018 AGM

Members can view last year’s DRAFT minutes on our website by going to the home

page, U3Asites.org.uk/benfleet and selecting ‘AGM’ from the banner.

These minutes will be offered for approval by members at the 2019 AGM.

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SOCIAL OUTINGS

Thursday 15 August 2019

Outing: Eastbourne and Air Show

Status: CLOSED

Contact: Maria Kelly at

Outings Organiser

Cost: £15 per person includes

coach/gratuity only.

Last Payment Date: Already past!

Pickup: 9:00 Tarpots Coach Stop

In Eastbourne the day will be yours at

your own pace and leisure.

We are fortunate that the Eastbourne Air Show have an afternoon FREE display

from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August.

You could pop on the bus to Beachy Head or visit the Marina or stroll around the

shopping centre or sea front. Lots of places for Refreshments/lunch.

You will have 5 Hours free time in Eastbourne.

Tuesday 3 September 2019

Outing: Notcutt Nursery, Maidstone; Kentish Lady Cruise with Cream Tea;

and Allington Castle tour – wow!

Status: FULL - reserve list only

Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser

Cost: £45 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise/cream tea, castle tour.

Last Payment Date: 30 July 2019

Pickup: 9:00 Tarpots Coach Stop

In the morning, stop at Nottcutts Nursery, Maidstone for an opportunity to

purchase refreshments/Lunch/ and browse the various outlets at Newnham Court

Shopping Village.

See more on next page

To book or for further information on Outings please visit:

u3asites.org.uk/benfleet/page/19756 - or contact Maria Kelly via the

‘Outings’ page or Outings Organiser

If interested in any trip marked ‘FULL’, contact Maria for any cancellations.

Coach excursions are generally limited to 48 places: therefore seats will be

allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis.

Where food is included, please advise Maria of any dietary/allergy

requirements when booking.

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Coach to Maidstone to board The Kentish Lady,

with commentary. Cruise down the River Medway

to ALLINGTON CASTLE for a guided tour.

ALLINGTON CASTLE is privately owned so it’s a

rare opportunity to get permission to visit.

On the return trip to Maidstone on the Kentish

Lady an included Cream Tea will be served.

Then back on the coach for our journey home.

Saturday 19 October 2019

Outing: RHS Wisley "Tints of Autumn"

Status: Open for booking

Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser

Cost: Depends on if you are a RHS Member includes

coach/gratuity/entrance.

For RHS Members £15 per person

RHS Members can admit 1 guest free (Coach £15 per person)

For NON RHS Members £27-50p per person

NOTE: RHS Members MUST have their membership card on the day

Last Payment Date: Tuesday 27 August 2019

Pickup: 9:30 Tarpots coach stop

Friday 22 November 2019

Outing: Bury St. Edmunds, Christmas Market

Status: Open for booking

Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser

Cost: £15 per person includes coach/gratuity only.

Last Payment Date: Tuesday 24 September 2019

Pickup: 9:30 Tarpots coach stop

Monday 16 December 2019

Outing: Thames Lunch Cruise and London Lights

Status: Open for bookings FROM 28 July 2019

Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser

Cost: £50 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise, lunch and lights tour.

£10 non-refundable deposit at time of booking

Last Payment Date: 16 October 2019

Non-refundable deposit at time of booking

Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop – time TBA

With early booking, Maria has been able to secure this trip at 2018 prices. Well done.

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Wednesday 6 November 2019

Outing: The Evening Tower of London

7:30 to 11:30pm in the Tower

Status: FULL - CLOSED

Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser

Cost: £36 per person incl. coach/gratuity, Meal, Ceremony of the Keys.

Last Payment Date: 24 September 2019

Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop – time TBA

This is a very special and privileged visit only

accessible with a personal contact at the Tower.

Many thanks to Jenn Duggan for enabling this

visit, which includes:

A 2 course meal at the Tower Hotel. A guided tour by a Yeoman Warder.

Witness the very famous Ceremony of the Keys.

Visit to the Warders club/bar where you can

purchase drinks - cash only.

Please note that the Tower do impose strict rules and regulations for visitors, which

everyone must abide by or will be turned away, e.g. appropriate dress. We are sure

this will not be a problem and Maria will circulate these rules with further details of

how to book.

Community News - non-U3A activities

Items listed are for your information only and are not U3A organised.

Havens to Havens Walk – 11 am on Sunday 1 September 2019

This charity walk raises funds for the Havens hospices, specifically towards building

the New Havens hospice in Prittlewell and was well supported last year by our U3A

members. It’s repeated this year and members are invited to take part. For details

search for ‘Havens to Havens Walk’ or phone 01702 220337.

Haven Hospices Part 2: they have asked if there is anyone that would be willing

to volunteer to provide clinical supervision. They must not be retired more than 3

years and have had palliative care experience.

If interested please contact Faye Kadesh at Volunteer Services on 01702 556645

or email her at fkadesh@havenshospices.org.uk

Essex Libraries: you may already know that:

“Essex drops library closure plans following sustained public protests”.

So well done all you riotous, rowdy and robust U3A protesters!

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RECENT OUTINGS

WROXHAM

BUCKINGHAM AND CHILTERNS TOUR

Chequers – Boris’s new country home.

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PROJECTOR and SCREEN – are available for group use.

Please contact Sheila Sears at Chairperson

GROUP NEWS

A full list of group contacts is given on page 10

Group Contact’s Meeting

We held a gathering of all of the Group

Contacts on 6 June. This was primarily a

thank you to all the contacts that every

month organise and run your group meetings

and trips.

Secondly, to get feedback on how things are working and

ideas for new activities or adjustments.

Lastly, to ensure that group contacts are aware of updates to

our operation. For example, use of emergency contact details

for each member; health and safety responsibilities and

considerations when meetings/trips are outside our homes.

NEW GROUPS?

Your suggestions for new activities/groups are always welcome. Iris has a

suggestions list at each member’s meeting and is happy to discuss ideas – as are

any of the committee members.

GRUMPY OLD MEN – has been suggested, can’t think why! And for balance an

equivalent Grumpy Old Women, even more astounding. If you are interested

please contact Iris Mead at Interest Groups Coordinator

YOUR GROUPS:

Tell us about what activities your group are doing, provide a few photos and we will

include in both the next bulletin and on the Benfleet U3A website.

A taster of group activities is shown in pictures below. More photos available at the

group webpages.

Forward information to Alan Aldridge at Bulletin Editor

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Recent Group Activities

Wildlife - Belfairs

Garden Visits –Leonardslee Gardens

Walking over 5 miles- Limehouse and Regents Canal

Local Interest – Southend Museum

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Wildlife – Page Woods, Bowers Gifford

Walking over 5 miles – Canvey Wall

Flower Arranging

Photography – Hanningfield Reservoir

Wildlife- Bower Gifford Marsh

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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

SUBJECT CONTACT MEETING DATE

Badminton 1 Brian Boyce Mon. pm weekly

Badminton 2 Robert Gray Thurs 7.30pm weekly

Book Club Pat Cluness Monthly: variable

Card & Board Games Ann Sayer 2nd Wed. pm

Comparative Religion Cheryl Kirby 2nd Tues. pm

Culinary Experience Barbara Webb 4th Mon.

Darts Chris Hicks Last Wed. pm

Discussion 1 Jenny Brown 2nd Mon. pm

Discussion 2 Jenny Brown 1st Tues. am

Family History Grahame Harris 1st Tues. 2-4pm

Flower Arranging Brenda Liberty 2nd Fri. am

French Linda Aldridge Wed am Monthly variable

Garden Visits Theresa Sergeant Various

Gardening Jenny Brown Monthly: variable

Keep Fit Suzanne Worland Mon pm. Evening term time

Knit & Stitch Pauline Everett 2nd Tues. pm

Local Interest Sue Lewsey 1st Wed

Lunch Iris Mead On hold [see group note]

Meditation Richard Newall Tues. am; weekly

Naval & Military History Phil Lloyd-Worth 2nd Wed. 2pm

Paper Craft 1 Ann Sayer 1st Fri.am

Paper Craft 2 Ann Sayer 3rd Fri. am

Photography Sue Lewsey 3rd Mon. pm

Scrabble Doreen Curran Alternate Mon/Thurs weekly

Sewing Joan Daly On hold - restart soon

Singing Linda Burdett 2nd & 3rd Thurs.

Spanish Sheila Radford Wed. pm weekly

Ten Pin Bowling Jim Regan 3rd Fri. am

Walking Group upto 5 miles Eve Burgess 1st Thurs. am

Walking over 5 miles Doreen Wiggans 4th Thurs. Am

Walking over 5 miles-Group 2 Freda Antoniou 3rd Wed. am

Wildlife Janet Humphrey 2nd Thurs. am

Women in History Jean Askew 3rd Fri

To join a group please call the contact number given above. If full, or for any

queries, please contact Iris Mead via Interest Groups Coordinator

Monthly unless specified

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What’s in a name? Continuing our series regarding local history:

What we didn’t say was that it is also close

to MANOR ROAD.

There’s a clue.

This building is on the site of the original

‘manor’ from which we get Manor Trading

Estate and Manor Road and probably many

other Local names.

This particular building dates from the 16th century and the manor house was more

commonly called Thundersley Hall. However, the original ‘manor’ is believed to

have been designated around 1066 and quickly moved into the hands of the

Sweyne family [related to the Sweyne Park School].

The associated lands were used for hunting and King John was apparently a

frequent visitor – hence the King John School.

Amongst the many owners was Thomas Cromwell, then Earl of Essex. He only

owned it for 3 months when he was executed on 28th July 1540.

William Parr was also an owner and Earl of Essex. His sister, Catherine Parr, was

the surviving wife of Henry Viii.

Who would have thought all this when enjoying a pint at the Zach Willsher?

For more fascinating Benfleet history please visit the

Benfleet Community Archive, which is available at benfleethistory.org.uk and

search for Thundersley Hall. There is a Part 1 and Part 2

D Day Flypast on 5 June 2019

As most of you know there was a flypast of World

War II aircraft over Essex as they made their way to

the D Day commemorations in Normandy on 6 June.

Many of our members, particularly the Local

Interest and Photography groups, waited patiently

as the flight was delayed by about 2 hours and were

rewarded as the photos reveal.

See all the photos at:

https://u3asites.org.uk/benfleet/page/96956

Issue 21 Page 12

Committee Members

Chair

Sheila Sears

Chairperson

Vice-Chair

Marion Coleman

Vice-Chair

Treasurer

Jill Parr

Treasurer

Business Secretary

Mavis Regan

Business Secretary

Group Coordinator

Iris Mead

Interest Groups Coordinator

Membership Secretary

Bob Munson

Membership Secretary

Outings Organiser

Maria Kelly

Outings Organiser

Bulletin Editor

and Webmaster

Alan Aldridge

Bulletin Editor

Committee Member

Philip Lloyd-Worth

Committee Member 1

Committee Member

Suzanne Worland

Committee Member 2

Bereavement and Unwell:

Please contact Suzanne Worland via Committee Member 2 to confirm details of

any bereavement or illness, and an appropriate card will be forwarded.