February 17th - Time of Fast Dinner Night - Ian Brailey
Our speaker was an ideal match for the annual Time of Fast dinner when we have a simple meal of soup and bread. Ian Brailey spoke of the work of the Bristol Street Pastors. The Bristol city centre can offer entertainment for up to 35.000 young people and some get into difficulties. The Street Pastors were formed in 2012 and go out on the weekend evenings in teams of three or four to offer help and guidance to revellers that may be the ‘worse for wear’. The Street Pastors do not judge or place blame they are only concerned to give support. The first part of the evening is often spent clearing up glass and rubbish which may cause injury later in the evening. Young ladies often find their shoes uncomfortable and remove them, leaving them open to possible harm. Later in the night more young people need assistance so they carry supplies of flip-flops, space blankets, water and minor injury first aid. Often the Street Pastors find they can disarm potential problems with a kind word or a lollipop. The team coordinate their work with the police and para-medics, the CCTV centre and have radios provided by the council to get alerts to potential problems. Cities have a ‘purple flag’ system, similar to the ‘blue flag’ beaches and the Bristol Street Pastors are proud to have earnt this recognition. A fascinating talk by an enthusiastic speaker who has been made an MBE for his work.
Our speaker was an ideal match for the annual Time of Fast dinner when we have a simple meal of soup and bread. Ian Brailey spoke of the work of the Bristol Street Pastors. The Bristol city centre can offer entertainment for up to 35.000 young people and some get into difficulties. The Street Pastors were formed in 2012 and go out on the weekend evenings in teams of three or four to offer help and guidance to revellers that may be the ‘worse for wear’. The Street Pastors do not judge or place blame they are only concerned to give support. The first part of the evening is often spent clearing up glass and rubbish which may cause injury later in the evening. Young ladies often find their shoes uncomfortable and remove them, leaving them open to possible harm. Later in the night more young people need assistance so they carry supplies of flip-flops, space blankets, water and minor injury first aid. Often the Street Pastors find they can disarm potential problems with a kind word or a lollipop. The team coordinate their work with the police and para-medics, the CCTV centre and have radios provided by the council to get alerts to potential problems. Cities have a ‘purple flag’ system, similar to the ‘blue flag’ beaches and the Bristol Street Pastors are proud to have earnt this recognition. A fascinating talk by an enthusiastic speaker who has been made an MBE for his work.
January 20th - Dinner Night - Andy March
Andy is the chairman of the Children's Chernobyl Lifeline, Bristol Link and told us about the work they do. It is part of a national charity founded in 1992 by Victor Mizzi OBE. There are currently over 45 active 'Links' that have been established throughout the United Kingdom, raising money to support the children of Belarus, whose lives will be forever affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.
The Bristol group’s work is focused on the following core activities:
Raising the funds to bring up to sixteen children to Bristol each summer for four weeks of fresh air, uncontaminated food, fun, love and attention as well as dental and eye check-ups. They come from the town of Osipovichi in Belarus and surrounding villages, (including Protachavici - see below).
Supporting three schools in Protachavici village where the children help to grow the vegetables for the canteen and collect scrap metal to sell for learning resources. The charity has funded the refurbishment of the playground to make it safe and enjoyable for the children.
Andy is a committed speaker who brought to life the joy given to the children chosen come to Bristol each year and the help given to those not fortunate to be selected.
Andy is the chairman of the Children's Chernobyl Lifeline, Bristol Link and told us about the work they do. It is part of a national charity founded in 1992 by Victor Mizzi OBE. There are currently over 45 active 'Links' that have been established throughout the United Kingdom, raising money to support the children of Belarus, whose lives will be forever affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.
The Bristol group’s work is focused on the following core activities:
Raising the funds to bring up to sixteen children to Bristol each summer for four weeks of fresh air, uncontaminated food, fun, love and attention as well as dental and eye check-ups. They come from the town of Osipovichi in Belarus and surrounding villages, (including Protachavici - see below).
Supporting three schools in Protachavici village where the children help to grow the vegetables for the canteen and collect scrap metal to sell for learning resources. The charity has funded the refurbishment of the playground to make it safe and enjoyable for the children.
Andy is a committed speaker who brought to life the joy given to the children chosen come to Bristol each year and the help given to those not fortunate to be selected.
December 16th - Dinner Night - Speaker David Cheesley
David Cheesley has been a regular contributor to our Dinner Nights and on 16th December he began by recalling legendary shopping stores in what he termed “The Golden Age of Shopping” and these were such stores as Woolworths, the International Stores (later Somerfield) and the Home and Colonial, together with the Penny Bazaar later to be the Pound Shop.
David focussed specifically on the opening and completion of the Broadmead area between 1952 and 1963 during which time many events occurred including the opening of Marks and Spencers in 1952 (sadly to close early next year), the opening of the new Woolworths in 1953 and the ending of the ration book system also in 1953. Other well-known stores opened in this period including John James and Currys and in 1957 Jones's, later to be Debenhams and Lewis's, followed by Bentalls and then John Lewis. David treated us to a slice of “The Golden Age of Shopping” evoking many memories.
David Cheesley has been a regular contributor to our Dinner Nights and on 16th December he began by recalling legendary shopping stores in what he termed “The Golden Age of Shopping” and these were such stores as Woolworths, the International Stores (later Somerfield) and the Home and Colonial, together with the Penny Bazaar later to be the Pound Shop.
David focussed specifically on the opening and completion of the Broadmead area between 1952 and 1963 during which time many events occurred including the opening of Marks and Spencers in 1952 (sadly to close early next year), the opening of the new Woolworths in 1953 and the ending of the ration book system also in 1953. Other well-known stores opened in this period including John James and Currys and in 1957 Jones's, later to be Debenhams and Lewis's, followed by Bentalls and then John Lewis. David treated us to a slice of “The Golden Age of Shopping” evoking many memories.
November 21st - Dinner Night - Speaker Jackie Baker
An excellent talk was given by Jackie Baker who has been the chairperson for the Downend and Bromley Heath in Bloom group for six to seven years. Her energetic and vibrant presentation explained how from Cleeve Hill Tennis Club beginnings a voluntary and self-financed group started to fill our local streets and roads with displays of flowers every summer. A wide range of plants from daffodils, tulips, bluebells, polyanthus, and primroses are planted each year into a wide range of pots, containers, four stage planters, pouches and displays on poles. Some are bought-in displays, self-planted arrangements, and tree plan<ng encircled with plants. Experiments with wildflower meadow arrangements also have been tried. Around £15k this year has been spent on the area wide scheme which included plants, poles, soil, with a total of some 241 arrangements displayed. The watering contract alone costs £3k!
An excellent talk was given by Jackie Baker who has been the chairperson for the Downend and Bromley Heath in Bloom group for six to seven years. Her energetic and vibrant presentation explained how from Cleeve Hill Tennis Club beginnings a voluntary and self-financed group started to fill our local streets and roads with displays of flowers every summer. A wide range of plants from daffodils, tulips, bluebells, polyanthus, and primroses are planted each year into a wide range of pots, containers, four stage planters, pouches and displays on poles. Some are bought-in displays, self-planted arrangements, and tree plan<ng encircled with plants. Experiments with wildflower meadow arrangements also have been tried. Around £15k this year has been spent on the area wide scheme which included plants, poles, soil, with a total of some 241 arrangements displayed. The watering contract alone costs £3k!
October 21st - Dinner Night - Speaker Chris Bigg
The talk was entitled "Bristol - City of the Sea" and despite the title he began by referring to the 1957 crash of the Bristol Britannia in Downend when 15 people were killed. He went on to John Cabot setting sail for Newfoundland in 1497 and talked about Bristol's links with the slave trade between 1696 and 1807. During this period there were 2,000 voyages and 500,000 slaves transported.
There was, of course, mention of Brunel and in particular his first ship the Great Western Steamship which just failed to be the first ship to make an Atlantic crossing in 1838. This was followed in 1843 by the grand launch of Brunel's SS Great Britain with its subsequent historic links with the city. Another legendary ship was the HMS Flying Fox and coming right up to date was the description of power boat racing in the city docks. So an interesting and informative talk and slides which evoked many memories for us all.
The talk was entitled "Bristol - City of the Sea" and despite the title he began by referring to the 1957 crash of the Bristol Britannia in Downend when 15 people were killed. He went on to John Cabot setting sail for Newfoundland in 1497 and talked about Bristol's links with the slave trade between 1696 and 1807. During this period there were 2,000 voyages and 500,000 slaves transported.
There was, of course, mention of Brunel and in particular his first ship the Great Western Steamship which just failed to be the first ship to make an Atlantic crossing in 1838. This was followed in 1843 by the grand launch of Brunel's SS Great Britain with its subsequent historic links with the city. Another legendary ship was the HMS Flying Fox and coming right up to date was the description of power boat racing in the city docks. So an interesting and informative talk and slides which evoked many memories for us all.
September 16th - Dinner Night - Speaker Peter Sheppard
Our speaker called to say he was unwell and President Pete stepped in to give a talk on his working life with a Swedish company. This involved often spending a week at a time in Mojlby where he was able to experience Swedish culture and food. His abiding memory was of the hospitality he was treated to. Often the food was dominated by fish; lots of pickled herrings and eels accompanied by schnapps.
From a business perspective the factory was in a middle of a forest just outside of the town. Most of the forklift trucks were built by team’s which assembled them from start to finish. Robots were introduced from the early 1980 to weld the chassis together. An entertaining talk given at quite short notice without notes.
Our speaker called to say he was unwell and President Pete stepped in to give a talk on his working life with a Swedish company. This involved often spending a week at a time in Mojlby where he was able to experience Swedish culture and food. His abiding memory was of the hospitality he was treated to. Often the food was dominated by fish; lots of pickled herrings and eels accompanied by schnapps.
From a business perspective the factory was in a middle of a forest just outside of the town. Most of the forklift trucks were built by team’s which assembled them from start to finish. Robots were introduced from the early 1980 to weld the chassis together. An entertaining talk given at quite short notice without notes.
August 19th 2021 - Indoor Picnic
After over a year away from our base at the Barn we were back. The tables were well spaced and members and wives were able to socialise. Graham Walker gave us a PowerPoint presentation of the music and videos selected by members. Graham has had to leave the club due to poor eyesight meaning he can no longer drive at night. The club had decided to honour him with honorary membership so that he would feel welcome to join us whenever he could.
Our President for 2019/20 was reinstalled as President for 2020/21 since his year in office had been so interrupted.
A super evening to restart our activities.
We also restarted out monthly Coffee Mornings on September 4th.
See the gallery for a slide show of pictures
Our President for 2019/20 was reinstalled as President for 2020/21 since his year in office had been so interrupted.
A super evening to restart our activities.
We also restarted out monthly Coffee Mornings on September 4th.
See the gallery for a slide show of pictures
2020/21
The club completed a year of weekly virtual Coffee Mornings on Zoom. During the meetings we have welcomed visitors from Australia, Germany, France, Japan’ Russia and Canada. Members have made donations in lieu of the money they would have spent at real Coffee Mornings and have raised over £3,500 which we have donated to local charities who have lost income through the pandemic.
From August 2021 we returned to normal meetings.
The club completed a year of weekly virtual Coffee Mornings on Zoom. During the meetings we have welcomed visitors from Australia, Germany, France, Japan’ Russia and Canada. Members have made donations in lieu of the money they would have spent at real Coffee Mornings and have raised over £3,500 which we have donated to local charities who have lost income through the pandemic.
From August 2021 we returned to normal meetings.
May 2020 - August 2021
Do look at the Gallery page for pictures of these events
Do look at the Gallery page for pictures of these events
