Reports Page
We now have this page starting in 2024 to show what members have been doing during the course of the year.
March
At our March meeting we welcomed Mary Winder as our speaker on the topic of 'My Time as a Magistrate', telling us that this is a voluntary, unpaid role (although expenses may be claimed} which she has performed for many years, together with a professional career, plus as a volunteer helper for 30 years with Barming Cubs and Scouts.
Mary then explained the differences between Crown Court and a Magistrates Court - the former consisting of a Judge and Jury but not in the latter and the variations in the types of penalties/sentences which can be imposed on those who appear before them. Amongst whom, it was shocking to learn, that she had children as young as 10 years old in her court, as well as members of some families appearing many times.
As a means of illustrating the variety of cases with which she has dealt, some of our members participated in 'action role-play', such as Criminal Damage, Drink-driving, Speeding, Burglary and Murder. After 'questioning' them individually, she then gave her 'verdicts' and the penalties imposed on them, including transfer of one case to a Crown Court. It was a most informative eye-opening talk, for which Mary kindly donated her Speakers Fee to a charity of our choice, Demelza.
(Many thanks to Maggie Barclay for submitting this report)
February
This month 39 of us have been on a very wet, five day trip to Bournemouth staying at the superb Riviera Hotel.
Cathy booked the holiday through The Holiday Shop, based in the Isle of Wight, where a coach comes over from the island to Barming and Allington then takes us all the way down to Dorset.
Unfortunately the weather was awful. Rain, rain then more rain, which of course limited what we could do.
Our coach driver, Kieran, took us out on a couple of trips to Christchurch, Lymington and the New Forest one day, then to Swanage, Corfe Castle and Poole on another, again all in the wet.
On the Wednesday some stayed in the hotel all day but some brave souls walked into town and back again getting soaked each way.
The rooms and facilities at the hotel, including a gym and swimming pool, were superb and, along with the terrific choice of food for breakfast and dinner, made for a lovely holiday.
Our Chairman, Colin, celebrated his 87th birthday on Tuesday and Cathy presented him with a chocolate cake and candles
The Bournemouth Barmarians
More pictures in the Photo Gallery
Also this month at our regular meeting we had a very interesting talk from Dean Caston on the history of The Royal Variety Performance. Many pictures of past celebrities and various venues were shown on the screen along with lots of anecdotes relating to stars such as Tommy Trinder, Arthur Askey, Gracie Fields, Flanagan and Alan, Cilla Black, Jimmy Tarbuck, Norman Wisdom, Bruce Forsyth, The Beatles and many more.
January
What a start to 2024 last Tuesday 23rd January. Our first meeting of the year was a belated 'Christmas Meal' organised by Brenda at the Masonic Centre at Tovil. Excellent food, good company {70 of us}, and Mike Harris entertaining us on his Guitar with music for us to dance to.
A really cheerful gathering of people enjoying themselves after Christmas.
Brenda chatting to Jen, Maggie, Sandra and Brenda Some of the dancers
Ron is actually singing!!
