November 16th
We were delighted to welcome Rachel Monger to tell us about ‘Bees Abroad’, a charity which encourages beekeeping in Africa. She moved with her family to Tanzania when her children were young and spent several years working with a charity, Emanuel International, encouraging villagers in conservation agriculture and tree planting. It was during this time she became interested in beekeeping and after much studying on the internet decided to build a Top Bar Hive. This is the simplest form of hive which can be built by a local carpenter. Beekeeping is a sustainable, cost-effective, and ecologically friendly way for communities to generate an income and a food source, and to build and grow a business. Demand for honey exceeds supply and conditions are often well suited to beekeeping. She told us many stories of her beekeeping adventures including having to look after the bees at night with red torches as they can be very fierce and defensive when disturbed during the day. The work expanded to include making candles and balms from the wax; indeed in some places the wax is more valuable than the honey. Bees Abroad continues to work with local communities and there is a significant opportunity to increase honey production in the countries they work in. A most interesting talk by a very enthusiastic beekeeper.
We were delighted to welcome Rachel Monger to tell us about ‘Bees Abroad’, a charity which encourages beekeeping in Africa. She moved with her family to Tanzania when her children were young and spent several years working with a charity, Emanuel International, encouraging villagers in conservation agriculture and tree planting. It was during this time she became interested in beekeeping and after much studying on the internet decided to build a Top Bar Hive. This is the simplest form of hive which can be built by a local carpenter. Beekeeping is a sustainable, cost-effective, and ecologically friendly way for communities to generate an income and a food source, and to build and grow a business. Demand for honey exceeds supply and conditions are often well suited to beekeeping. She told us many stories of her beekeeping adventures including having to look after the bees at night with red torches as they can be very fierce and defensive when disturbed during the day. The work expanded to include making candles and balms from the wax; indeed in some places the wax is more valuable than the honey. Bees Abroad continues to work with local communities and there is a significant opportunity to increase honey production in the countries they work in. A most interesting talk by a very enthusiastic beekeeper.
October 19th
David Cheesley has entertained us well before and he did not disappoint us this time. His talk ‘Return to Banjo Island’ was chosen partly to make our guests from Hanham club feel at home. Banjo Island is the local name for Park Estate, built in the 1950’s as Bristol overspill housing after the war and enlarged in the 60’s and 70’s. The green fields of Cadbury Heath, some already in Council ownership before the war, were a prime site for the land-hungry local authority. The building of the Park Estate created quite a 'culture shock' for the inhabitants of Cadbury Heath and Longwell Green, together with a dramatic rise in the population. Happily, the old and new residents learnt to live together amicably. David moved into the estate at the age of three and lived there during his early school days. His memories formed the basis for his talk with many pictures of his family and a tour of the area in pictures. The greatly enlarged community has forged a character of its own, centred on the long delayed Village Hall built in 1981. It is, however, a far cry from the community of the same name as it existed before the end of World War Two. Many of the audience could relate to the talk with memories of their own. A very satisfying talk, which recalled many stories from the area.
David Cheesley has entertained us well before and he did not disappoint us this time. His talk ‘Return to Banjo Island’ was chosen partly to make our guests from Hanham club feel at home. Banjo Island is the local name for Park Estate, built in the 1950’s as Bristol overspill housing after the war and enlarged in the 60’s and 70’s. The green fields of Cadbury Heath, some already in Council ownership before the war, were a prime site for the land-hungry local authority. The building of the Park Estate created quite a 'culture shock' for the inhabitants of Cadbury Heath and Longwell Green, together with a dramatic rise in the population. Happily, the old and new residents learnt to live together amicably. David moved into the estate at the age of three and lived there during his early school days. His memories formed the basis for his talk with many pictures of his family and a tour of the area in pictures. The greatly enlarged community has forged a character of its own, centred on the long delayed Village Hall built in 1981. It is, however, a far cry from the community of the same name as it existed before the end of World War Two. Many of the audience could relate to the talk with memories of their own. A very satisfying talk, which recalled many stories from the area.
September 21st
'Avon Wildlife Trust' (AWT) is the largest local charity working to protect wildlife and inspire people in the West of England and we were pleased to welcome Gill Sayzeland to our dinner to tell us about it. Gill is one of many volunteers who help AWT, in her case with practical field work at sites near Weston as well as giving talks. AWT works across the old county of Avon and cover the four local authority areas of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. They care for 31 nature reserves - from ancient bluebell woods to Iron Age forts, nationally important wetlands which are a haven for rare, wading birds, and wildflower meadows. Educational and community programmes help people of all ages connect with and benefit from the natural world around them - and take action themselves to help nature's recovery. They work with landowners in the countryside across our region to reverse the decline in wildlife by creating connected living landscapes. Gill’s talk was illustrated by many super pictures of the sites and work carried out there.
'Avon Wildlife Trust' (AWT) is the largest local charity working to protect wildlife and inspire people in the West of England and we were pleased to welcome Gill Sayzeland to our dinner to tell us about it. Gill is one of many volunteers who help AWT, in her case with practical field work at sites near Weston as well as giving talks. AWT works across the old county of Avon and cover the four local authority areas of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. They care for 31 nature reserves - from ancient bluebell woods to Iron Age forts, nationally important wetlands which are a haven for rare, wading birds, and wildflower meadows. Educational and community programmes help people of all ages connect with and benefit from the natural world around them - and take action themselves to help nature's recovery. They work with landowners in the countryside across our region to reverse the decline in wildlife by creating connected living landscapes. Gill’s talk was illustrated by many super pictures of the sites and work carried out there.
September 8th
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
At 9.00am on Friday 8th September fifteen of us Y’s Men boarded a mini bus hired by Jerry. We proceeded up the M5 and turned off for Broadway where our rail trip was to start. There was time for coffee on the station before the magnificent engine arrived to take us on our trip. We set off towards Cheltenham through the countryside. The scenery was very pleasant with the Malvern Hills on our right and Cotswolds on the left. We went through the second longest tunnel on any leisure railway in the country. We also went over a long viaduct, although it was difficult to see from the train.
We had a short stop at Cheltenham Race Course station before making our way back to Broadway, stopping at Winchcombe and Toddington. The smell of the steam engine brought back memories to Kath and I as we lived right opposite the railway line in Shortwood when we were first married. I was a really enjoyable trip even though it was the hottest day of the year at 32 degrees C! Thank you to Jerry and Sam for organising this great trip especially to Jerry for driving us to Broadway and back. Mike McBraida
See the Picture Gallery for images from the day
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
At 9.00am on Friday 8th September fifteen of us Y’s Men boarded a mini bus hired by Jerry. We proceeded up the M5 and turned off for Broadway where our rail trip was to start. There was time for coffee on the station before the magnificent engine arrived to take us on our trip. We set off towards Cheltenham through the countryside. The scenery was very pleasant with the Malvern Hills on our right and Cotswolds on the left. We went through the second longest tunnel on any leisure railway in the country. We also went over a long viaduct, although it was difficult to see from the train.
We had a short stop at Cheltenham Race Course station before making our way back to Broadway, stopping at Winchcombe and Toddington. The smell of the steam engine brought back memories to Kath and I as we lived right opposite the railway line in Shortwood when we were first married. I was a really enjoyable trip even though it was the hottest day of the year at 32 degrees C! Thank you to Jerry and Sam for organising this great trip especially to Jerry for driving us to Broadway and back. Mike McBraida
See the Picture Gallery for images from the day
June 15th
Our speaker was Margaret Roy telling is about her 'Wye Valley Walk', 136 miles along the beautiful River Wye. She did not do the walk in one session but over a year, averaging 8 miles per session. She was often accompanied by her daughters and was able to take many photographs on the journey. There is well defined route with 18 sites where a ‘passport’ can be stamped to record progress. Margaret started her walk in Chepstow and passed through well-known towns and villages in this beautiful part of the world on the way to the source of the Wye near Rhyd-y-benwch in Hafren Forest. The route often climbed away from the river providing a different perspective on the unfolding landscapes that are frequently, and sometimes literally, breath-taking. She did the walk in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis organisation and raised over £1,800.
Our speaker was Margaret Roy telling is about her 'Wye Valley Walk', 136 miles along the beautiful River Wye. She did not do the walk in one session but over a year, averaging 8 miles per session. She was often accompanied by her daughters and was able to take many photographs on the journey. There is well defined route with 18 sites where a ‘passport’ can be stamped to record progress. Margaret started her walk in Chepstow and passed through well-known towns and villages in this beautiful part of the world on the way to the source of the Wye near Rhyd-y-benwch in Hafren Forest. The route often climbed away from the river providing a different perspective on the unfolding landscapes that are frequently, and sometimes literally, breath-taking. She did the walk in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis organisation and raised over £1,800.
May 18th
Bob Cutts spoke to us in September 2015 about ‘Bride Ships’ taking ladies to British Columbia but this time he gave us an illustrated talk entitled Andean Journey. The talk covered the now largely defunct Transandine Railway between Santiago, the capital of Chile, and Mendoza in the wine-producing region of Argentina. The meter-gauge railway was planned and built by Juan and Mateo Clark, two brothers of British descent, who were Chilean entrepreneurs in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Parts of the railway were opened in 1892-93, and the whole line was opened by 1910. The line of some 226 miles in length was constructed through punishing terrain. Bob’s slides showed an arid, mountainous route with virtually all of the line above the height of Ben Nevis. At its height, the line was 3, 176m above sea level. Although much of the line was based on normal traction, some steeper parts of the line were based on rack haulage, where traction was assisted by the existence of racks between the tracks into which the locomotives engaged. The line passed through the Paso Internacional los Libertadores also known as Cristo Redentor, a pass in the Andes and Bob’s pictures showed some of the stations on the line along with the now-disused rack construction in the Uspallata Pass. Although there have been no trains along its length since 1984, when it closed, both governments have planned a reconstruction. However, little has been done and the traffic has been largely limited to a section in Chile between Los Andes and Rio Blanco, running freight trains, passengers between Santiago and Mendoza being limited to travel by bus, car or plane. Bob and his wife Pauline have travelled extensively in South America and his talk showed he has learnt a lot about the region.
Bob Cutts spoke to us in September 2015 about ‘Bride Ships’ taking ladies to British Columbia but this time he gave us an illustrated talk entitled Andean Journey. The talk covered the now largely defunct Transandine Railway between Santiago, the capital of Chile, and Mendoza in the wine-producing region of Argentina. The meter-gauge railway was planned and built by Juan and Mateo Clark, two brothers of British descent, who were Chilean entrepreneurs in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Parts of the railway were opened in 1892-93, and the whole line was opened by 1910. The line of some 226 miles in length was constructed through punishing terrain. Bob’s slides showed an arid, mountainous route with virtually all of the line above the height of Ben Nevis. At its height, the line was 3, 176m above sea level. Although much of the line was based on normal traction, some steeper parts of the line were based on rack haulage, where traction was assisted by the existence of racks between the tracks into which the locomotives engaged. The line passed through the Paso Internacional los Libertadores also known as Cristo Redentor, a pass in the Andes and Bob’s pictures showed some of the stations on the line along with the now-disused rack construction in the Uspallata Pass. Although there have been no trains along its length since 1984, when it closed, both governments have planned a reconstruction. However, little has been done and the traffic has been largely limited to a section in Chile between Los Andes and Rio Blanco, running freight trains, passengers between Santiago and Mendoza being limited to travel by bus, car or plane. Bob and his wife Pauline have travelled extensively in South America and his talk showed he has learnt a lot about the region.
April 20th
The booked speaker was unable to come so Wally gave a talk untitled ‘Four Exhibitions’ His first was the famous 1851 Crystal Palace event with the official title “The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations”. The idea of Prince Albert and staged in Hyde Park with 100,000 exhibits contained in a magnificent glass structure and opened by Queen Victoria in May 1851. Over six million visitors attended and a profit of £186,000 was used to build the Albert Hall, and the Science, Natural History and Victoria & Albert museums in Knightsbridge. In 1893 the “Bristol Industrial and Fine Arts Exhibition” was held in a specially built hall at the bottom of Colston Avenue on the city centre. It was 110 feet wide and 520 feet long and cost £11,000. It was lit by 20 electric and 400 gas lamps. The hall featured the first electric clock in Bristol. Around half a million people went and the event made a profit of £2,200 which was donated to local medical charities. Moving on the 1914 the talk featured the “Bristol International Exhibition” held on Ashton Meadows in the Bower Ashton area of Bristol. The site covered 30 acres next to the river Avon and included an International Pavilion, a concert hall, a replica of Bristol Castle, and the Dominions Pavilion. Other attractions included a Scenic Railway roller coaster. After the exhibition closed the site was used by the Gloucestershire Regiment. The last exhibition covered was the 1951 “Festival of Britain” held primarily in London on the south bank of the Thames and a Battersea Gardens. The exhibition was the brainchild of Herbert Morrison and had a budget of £1.2 million. International themes were absent and the event focused entirely on Britain and its achievements. The Skylon and the Dome of Discovery were the prominent features together with the Festival Gardens at Battersea Park. Over 8 Million visitors made it a great success and over half of the members present said they went to visit. An interesting talk well received by the audience.
The booked speaker was unable to come so Wally gave a talk untitled ‘Four Exhibitions’ His first was the famous 1851 Crystal Palace event with the official title “The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations”. The idea of Prince Albert and staged in Hyde Park with 100,000 exhibits contained in a magnificent glass structure and opened by Queen Victoria in May 1851. Over six million visitors attended and a profit of £186,000 was used to build the Albert Hall, and the Science, Natural History and Victoria & Albert museums in Knightsbridge. In 1893 the “Bristol Industrial and Fine Arts Exhibition” was held in a specially built hall at the bottom of Colston Avenue on the city centre. It was 110 feet wide and 520 feet long and cost £11,000. It was lit by 20 electric and 400 gas lamps. The hall featured the first electric clock in Bristol. Around half a million people went and the event made a profit of £2,200 which was donated to local medical charities. Moving on the 1914 the talk featured the “Bristol International Exhibition” held on Ashton Meadows in the Bower Ashton area of Bristol. The site covered 30 acres next to the river Avon and included an International Pavilion, a concert hall, a replica of Bristol Castle, and the Dominions Pavilion. Other attractions included a Scenic Railway roller coaster. After the exhibition closed the site was used by the Gloucestershire Regiment. The last exhibition covered was the 1951 “Festival of Britain” held primarily in London on the south bank of the Thames and a Battersea Gardens. The exhibition was the brainchild of Herbert Morrison and had a budget of £1.2 million. International themes were absent and the event focused entirely on Britain and its achievements. The Skylon and the Dome of Discovery were the prominent features together with the Festival Gardens at Battersea Park. Over 8 Million visitors made it a great success and over half of the members present said they went to visit. An interesting talk well received by the audience.
March 16th
Bernard Merrick is an accomplished photographer and a keen observer of the many places he has visited with his wife Anthea. This talk was about the ‘Glories of Venice’. He promised us it would not be a holiday travel story and so it turned out. He told us a little of the history of Venice, how it was founded and built on piles driven through the mud into the underlying clay. A look at some of the canals was accompanied by Vivaldi music. He described how food was brought to places and rubbish removed, all by boat. The provision of clean water was difficult and the Venetians developed a system of collecting rainwater and filtering it into wells. The many gondolas are 36 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. They are constructed to a common design and the gondoliers have to undergo ten years of training, there are currently 400 of them, many with long family traditions. Photographs of costumes from the Venice Carnival, revived in 1979, gave us a colourful finale to the talk.
Bernard Merrick is an accomplished photographer and a keen observer of the many places he has visited with his wife Anthea. This talk was about the ‘Glories of Venice’. He promised us it would not be a holiday travel story and so it turned out. He told us a little of the history of Venice, how it was founded and built on piles driven through the mud into the underlying clay. A look at some of the canals was accompanied by Vivaldi music. He described how food was brought to places and rubbish removed, all by boat. The provision of clean water was difficult and the Venetians developed a system of collecting rainwater and filtering it into wells. The many gondolas are 36 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. They are constructed to a common design and the gondoliers have to undergo ten years of training, there are currently 400 of them, many with long family traditions. Photographs of costumes from the Venice Carnival, revived in 1979, gave us a colourful finale to the talk.
February 16th
This evening we were entertained by an educational talk by our President Wally about the 'Early History and Development of Y’sdom'. He was able to show a fascinating PowerPoint presentation illuminating our history from the beginning in 1922 through to the current time. This was followed by information about some of our international programmes and projects such as Time of Fast and Roll Back Malaria. The Time of Fast video was particularly appropriate as this was our TOF supper night. It was interesting to learn that individuals are not members of Y’s Men International but only members of their own clubs, with the Clubs being the member of International. More details are available at ‘www.ysmen.org’
This evening we were entertained by an educational talk by our President Wally about the 'Early History and Development of Y’sdom'. He was able to show a fascinating PowerPoint presentation illuminating our history from the beginning in 1922 through to the current time. This was followed by information about some of our international programmes and projects such as Time of Fast and Roll Back Malaria. The Time of Fast video was particularly appropriate as this was our TOF supper night. It was interesting to learn that individuals are not members of Y’s Men International but only members of their own clubs, with the Clubs being the member of International. More details are available at ‘www.ysmen.org’
January 19th
Julia Kennett is a guide at 'Dyrham House' and, as such, a knowledgeable person to lead us through the delights waiting for visitors there. She started with a history of how William Braithwayt inherited the estate in the early 1700’s and his family over the years developed the house and estate. The National Trust took over the house in 1956 and opened it to the public in 1961. In 1976 the park was purchased. Julia had many photographs which showed the architecture and interior of the house. She gave us a tour of the various rooms describing the features in great detail and showing us the glories there. The house contains some interesting and valuable picture but some were copies because the originals had been sold to support the upkeep of the property. Some of William’s successors had made tours of the continent, as was the custom in those days and brought back interesting furniture now displayed in the rooms. A carefully created talk giving us a wonderful feeling for the estate and house, which Julia clearly loves.
Julia Kennett is a guide at 'Dyrham House' and, as such, a knowledgeable person to lead us through the delights waiting for visitors there. She started with a history of how William Braithwayt inherited the estate in the early 1700’s and his family over the years developed the house and estate. The National Trust took over the house in 1956 and opened it to the public in 1961. In 1976 the park was purchased. Julia had many photographs which showed the architecture and interior of the house. She gave us a tour of the various rooms describing the features in great detail and showing us the glories there. The house contains some interesting and valuable picture but some were copies because the originals had been sold to support the upkeep of the property. Some of William’s successors had made tours of the continent, as was the custom in those days and brought back interesting furniture now displayed in the rooms. A carefully created talk giving us a wonderful feeling for the estate and house, which Julia clearly loves.
December 15th
It being Christmas time we had a pantomime, but with a difference. Tim Lewis and Sheila Furneaux entertained us with an unusual version of 'Dick Whittington'. Sheila played the piano and Tim supplied the words and songs. He started with a short history lesson on the real Sir Richard Whittington who was born in Gloucestershire in about 1350. He became a very successful businessman and was indeed Lord Mayor of London three times. He died childless but left £7,000 (about £7 million now) in his will to form a charity, which still exists doing good work. The pantomime was based on the Ladybird book of Dick Whittington with many delightful pictures used to illustrate Tim’s songs. He has a knack of writing suitable words to familiar tunes and we enjoyed joining in with some of the choruses. Following the panto Sheila led us in some favourite carols and we finished with a few traditional Christmas songs. A super evening to celebrate Christmas together.
It being Christmas time we had a pantomime, but with a difference. Tim Lewis and Sheila Furneaux entertained us with an unusual version of 'Dick Whittington'. Sheila played the piano and Tim supplied the words and songs. He started with a short history lesson on the real Sir Richard Whittington who was born in Gloucestershire in about 1350. He became a very successful businessman and was indeed Lord Mayor of London three times. He died childless but left £7,000 (about £7 million now) in his will to form a charity, which still exists doing good work. The pantomime was based on the Ladybird book of Dick Whittington with many delightful pictures used to illustrate Tim’s songs. He has a knack of writing suitable words to familiar tunes and we enjoyed joining in with some of the choruses. Following the panto Sheila led us in some favourite carols and we finished with a few traditional Christmas songs. A super evening to celebrate Christmas together.
November 17th
An interesting illustrated evening presented by Chris Bigg on 'Lost Bristol'. Many old photos from the early days of photography depicting the city before 'modern' times overtook horse horse-drawn transport and pre-1940 when the heart of Bristol was dramatically re-drawn. Some (most?) of us were able to relate to the devastation in the city following 1945 and how it took some years to become what we know today. To some the iconic images of the Rover’s ground, replaced by Ikea, brought tears to their eyes. Chris is a talented photographer and many of the old images were contrasted by newer photos he had taken. He had plenty more information to impart about our city photographic history which there was just not time to see on the evening. I'm sure Wally will ask him back again at some future date.
An interesting illustrated evening presented by Chris Bigg on 'Lost Bristol'. Many old photos from the early days of photography depicting the city before 'modern' times overtook horse horse-drawn transport and pre-1940 when the heart of Bristol was dramatically re-drawn. Some (most?) of us were able to relate to the devastation in the city following 1945 and how it took some years to become what we know today. To some the iconic images of the Rover’s ground, replaced by Ikea, brought tears to their eyes. Chris is a talented photographer and many of the old images were contrasted by newer photos he had taken. He had plenty more information to impart about our city photographic history which there was just not time to see on the evening. I'm sure Wally will ask him back again at some future date.
October 11th - Fellowship, Fun & Food (of course!)
Once more, Sherry and Bob invited club members to their home for a fun and games evening. A good crowd turned up; had there been many more we would have been out in the garden! A number of board games were laid out on the many tables with some exotic names such as Skib-Bo, Lama and Sequence etc - the playing of which was, for a while, as mysterious as to the origins of the names. Eventually, most people got the hang of what went on and the clock soon moved on to the very important time everyone enjoys when visiting the Gray household - Supper! As usual, a very good spread had been laid on by Bob & Sherry and soon a silence descended onto the room as everyone tucked in. After mains and puddings it was back to the games again for an hour or so then home time after a very enjoyable evening. Our thanks, once again, to our hosts for a special evening which had the additional benefit of extra funds in the kitty for the Club.
See us enjoying ourselves in the Picture Gallery
Once more, Sherry and Bob invited club members to their home for a fun and games evening. A good crowd turned up; had there been many more we would have been out in the garden! A number of board games were laid out on the many tables with some exotic names such as Skib-Bo, Lama and Sequence etc - the playing of which was, for a while, as mysterious as to the origins of the names. Eventually, most people got the hang of what went on and the clock soon moved on to the very important time everyone enjoys when visiting the Gray household - Supper! As usual, a very good spread had been laid on by Bob & Sherry and soon a silence descended onto the room as everyone tucked in. After mains and puddings it was back to the games again for an hour or so then home time after a very enjoyable evening. Our thanks, once again, to our hosts for a special evening which had the additional benefit of extra funds in the kitty for the Club.
See us enjoying ourselves in the Picture Gallery
September 22nd
We had a different style of Dinner Night this time. Our meal was a generous portion of delicious mushroom soup followed by a choice of three cheeses with biscuits, then tea or coffee. All provided in expert fashion by Bob & Christine. To reduce our costs we did not have a speaker but instead played BINGO! Bob pulled out the numbers and Sherry checked the results. We played six games with three prizes each time, one row of numbers, two rows and then ‘full house’. The prizes for each game grew in value for the winners from a lollipop to packets of biscuits. No £1,000 prizes but still fun to win. A good evening with friends, and a profit of over £250 for the club funds.
Look at the Picture Gallery to see the concentration of the members engrossed in the games!
We had a different style of Dinner Night this time. Our meal was a generous portion of delicious mushroom soup followed by a choice of three cheeses with biscuits, then tea or coffee. All provided in expert fashion by Bob & Christine. To reduce our costs we did not have a speaker but instead played BINGO! Bob pulled out the numbers and Sherry checked the results. We played six games with three prizes each time, one row of numbers, two rows and then ‘full house’. The prizes for each game grew in value for the winners from a lollipop to packets of biscuits. No £1,000 prizes but still fun to win. A good evening with friends, and a profit of over £250 for the club funds.
Look at the Picture Gallery to see the concentration of the members engrossed in the games!
July 2nd
Jerry had the bright idea of using the Tynings School for the President Handover, he seems to be in charge there so could make the arrangements. There are plenty of opportunities for games at the school so it was decided to combine this with ‘Family Fun Day & BBQ’. Skittles, Archery, Jenga Blocks, Curling and Pistol shooting (with elastic bands!) were all laid on for our amusement. The barbeque was well organised by Bob and Christine with strawberries and cream to follow. When well fed and worn out with the games we settled down to hear President Pete install Wally as the 2022/3 President. A pleasant afternoon at a very convenient venue, thanks to Jerry for organising the event.
See the Picture Gallery for images of the event.
Jerry had the bright idea of using the Tynings School for the President Handover, he seems to be in charge there so could make the arrangements. There are plenty of opportunities for games at the school so it was decided to combine this with ‘Family Fun Day & BBQ’. Skittles, Archery, Jenga Blocks, Curling and Pistol shooting (with elastic bands!) were all laid on for our amusement. The barbeque was well organised by Bob and Christine with strawberries and cream to follow. When well fed and worn out with the games we settled down to hear President Pete install Wally as the 2022/3 President. A pleasant afternoon at a very convenient venue, thanks to Jerry for organising the event.
See the Picture Gallery for images of the event.
July 1st – Remembering Robin and Jean
We did not have the opportunity to remember Jean and Robin Short when they both died within six months of each other in 2021. His son, Robin Junior, was aware that this had happened and determined to make such an occasion happen. This became available when most of the immediate Short family met on July 1st at 27 Overndale Road. He invited members from the Kingswood Y’s Men, Bromley Heath Probus and Robin’s Rambler group to join the family. Hundreds of photographs were on view, all carefully labelled with dates, names and places, typical of Robin’s attention to detail. The family had kept family pictures but those involving Robin’s interest groups were there to be taken if wished. Splendid refreshments were available, supplied by Hannah. The younger members of the family plied us all with tea. Robin Jr. gave a short speech thanking all for joining the family and others added their voices with fond recollections times with Robin and Jean. It was a lovely chance to share memories with a house full of their friends and family.
Do look at the Picture Gallery for photographs.
We did not have the opportunity to remember Jean and Robin Short when they both died within six months of each other in 2021. His son, Robin Junior, was aware that this had happened and determined to make such an occasion happen. This became available when most of the immediate Short family met on July 1st at 27 Overndale Road. He invited members from the Kingswood Y’s Men, Bromley Heath Probus and Robin’s Rambler group to join the family. Hundreds of photographs were on view, all carefully labelled with dates, names and places, typical of Robin’s attention to detail. The family had kept family pictures but those involving Robin’s interest groups were there to be taken if wished. Splendid refreshments were available, supplied by Hannah. The younger members of the family plied us all with tea. Robin Jr. gave a short speech thanking all for joining the family and others added their voices with fond recollections times with Robin and Jean. It was a lovely chance to share memories with a house full of their friends and family.
Do look at the Picture Gallery for photographs.
June 16th Dinner Night
How lucky we are to have Graham Walker as an honorary member of Kingswood club. Graham’s hobby is researching and creating PowerPoint presentation on subjects which interest him. June’s dinner was enhanced by his talk on the Life and Music of Irvin Berlin. Born in Russia in 1888 he moved to the United States at the age of five. He was a musical prodigy and published his first song in 1907. His first major international hit was Alexander’s Ragtime band in 1911. Graham ran through many of his most famous tunes with videos and photographs to accompany the music. During his 60 year career Berlin wrote an estimated 1,500 songs and we were able to sing along to many of the more famous ones. He wrote the scores for 20 original Broadway shows and 15 Hollywood films. His song “God Bless America” has become an unofficial anthem for the USA. Graham’s extensive research found many delightful images and tunes to entertain us the whole evening.
How lucky we are to have Graham Walker as an honorary member of Kingswood club. Graham’s hobby is researching and creating PowerPoint presentation on subjects which interest him. June’s dinner was enhanced by his talk on the Life and Music of Irvin Berlin. Born in Russia in 1888 he moved to the United States at the age of five. He was a musical prodigy and published his first song in 1907. His first major international hit was Alexander’s Ragtime band in 1911. Graham ran through many of his most famous tunes with videos and photographs to accompany the music. During his 60 year career Berlin wrote an estimated 1,500 songs and we were able to sing along to many of the more famous ones. He wrote the scores for 20 original Broadway shows and 15 Hollywood films. His song “God Bless America” has become an unofficial anthem for the USA. Graham’s extensive research found many delightful images and tunes to entertain us the whole evening.
May 19th - The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Speaker Phil West’s grandson had an accident while on holiday and he was picked up by the Great Western Air Ambulance, the swift and expert response greatly reduced the effect of the accident. He has since given his time to spread the word of the value of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC). Phil was keen to emphasise that it is a charity reliant on public donations. They receive no money from the Government or NHS, but around half of the Specialist Paramedic costs are funded by South Western Ambulance Service. They treat an average of five critically ill or injured patients a week. Each mission costs an average of £2,000. The team who travel are specialists in emergency treatment and carry the equivalent of a small operating theatre with anaesthetics and blood products. They don’t simply fly people to the nearest hospital; the priority is to get to the patient fast. People are treated at the scene, on the road and in the air, providing complex interventions to stabilise and treat the patient and give them the best chance of a positive outcome. We usually think of helicopters when seeing GWAAC but in fact nearly two thirds of call outs are by one of three critical care cars, which carry the same vital equipment as the helicopters. One big advantage of the cars is the ability to work in bad weather and at night. It costs about £4 million a year to run GWAAC out of their base at Almondsbury and public support is vital. We have recently donated to GWAAC and it was an interesting and valuable talk for the members to hear where the money goes and what it achieves.
Speaker Phil West’s grandson had an accident while on holiday and he was picked up by the Great Western Air Ambulance, the swift and expert response greatly reduced the effect of the accident. He has since given his time to spread the word of the value of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC). Phil was keen to emphasise that it is a charity reliant on public donations. They receive no money from the Government or NHS, but around half of the Specialist Paramedic costs are funded by South Western Ambulance Service. They treat an average of five critically ill or injured patients a week. Each mission costs an average of £2,000. The team who travel are specialists in emergency treatment and carry the equivalent of a small operating theatre with anaesthetics and blood products. They don’t simply fly people to the nearest hospital; the priority is to get to the patient fast. People are treated at the scene, on the road and in the air, providing complex interventions to stabilise and treat the patient and give them the best chance of a positive outcome. We usually think of helicopters when seeing GWAAC but in fact nearly two thirds of call outs are by one of three critical care cars, which carry the same vital equipment as the helicopters. One big advantage of the cars is the ability to work in bad weather and at night. It costs about £4 million a year to run GWAAC out of their base at Almondsbury and public support is vital. We have recently donated to GWAAC and it was an interesting and valuable talk for the members to hear where the money goes and what it achieves.
April 21st - A Beetle Drive
We were asked by the Barn to finish early this month so decided not to have a speaker but to entertain ourselves with a Beetle Drive. Do look on the Picture Gallery page for images of us at play.
We were asked by the Barn to finish early this month so decided not to have a speaker but to entertain ourselves with a Beetle Drive. Do look on the Picture Gallery page for images of us at play.
March 17th - Making the Earth Flat
Chas Ashley clearly has an in depth knowledge of maps and how they have changed over the ages he was able to entertain and educate us at the same time. His talk was a master class in the development of maps from the earliest to the modern GPS maps.
Early Roman maps were centred on Rome and had little detail beyond the Mediterranean region. They did develop a type of linear map showing routes from one place to another.
The first major development to show the world a flat surface was in 1569 with the publication of maps using the Mercator projection which turned the globe into a distorted image. It was used primarily for navigation at sea and relied on astral observations.
In the 1600’s acts of parliament made the enclosure of common land a requirement and better quality land maps were needed to show ownership. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century the national mapping of commercial land, that is not mountains, moorland or useful space, became a necessity and so called tithe maps were produced. They were in effect tax maps.
With the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 the army found great difficulty in tracking the rebels but the British army eventually beat the Jacobite forces at the battle of Culloden. The rebellion showed the need for better quality mapping and it was decided to create a national map. William Ross had a major influence in mapping as he developed triangulation as the means of ensuring accuracy and detail in maps. Trig points still exist in many places in the UK as a lasting monument to his work. The first series of OS map was published in 1860 at a scale of 25 inches to the mile. The advent of the railways allowed more people to travel to see the countryside and soon commercial companies and eventually the maps were reproduced at the more convenient scales of 6 inches and 1 inch to the mile.
Chas finished his talk with some fascinating detail about modern mapping using the Global Positioning System (GPS) now readily available on your phone and car sat nav. This mapping no longer relies on physical land based triangulation but uses multiple satellites and extremely accurate time to establish detailed maps freely available to all. The method still has to use the triangulation method devised by Ross in the 18th century!
Chas Ashley clearly has an in depth knowledge of maps and how they have changed over the ages he was able to entertain and educate us at the same time. His talk was a master class in the development of maps from the earliest to the modern GPS maps.
Early Roman maps were centred on Rome and had little detail beyond the Mediterranean region. They did develop a type of linear map showing routes from one place to another.
The first major development to show the world a flat surface was in 1569 with the publication of maps using the Mercator projection which turned the globe into a distorted image. It was used primarily for navigation at sea and relied on astral observations.
In the 1600’s acts of parliament made the enclosure of common land a requirement and better quality land maps were needed to show ownership. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century the national mapping of commercial land, that is not mountains, moorland or useful space, became a necessity and so called tithe maps were produced. They were in effect tax maps.
With the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 the army found great difficulty in tracking the rebels but the British army eventually beat the Jacobite forces at the battle of Culloden. The rebellion showed the need for better quality mapping and it was decided to create a national map. William Ross had a major influence in mapping as he developed triangulation as the means of ensuring accuracy and detail in maps. Trig points still exist in many places in the UK as a lasting monument to his work. The first series of OS map was published in 1860 at a scale of 25 inches to the mile. The advent of the railways allowed more people to travel to see the countryside and soon commercial companies and eventually the maps were reproduced at the more convenient scales of 6 inches and 1 inch to the mile.
Chas finished his talk with some fascinating detail about modern mapping using the Global Positioning System (GPS) now readily available on your phone and car sat nav. This mapping no longer relies on physical land based triangulation but uses multiple satellites and extremely accurate time to establish detailed maps freely available to all. The method still has to use the triangulation method devised by Ross in the 18th century!
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 2022 - 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.
