New
We now have this page starting in 2024 to show what members have been doing during the course of the year.
September
Busy month, September. The quiz was very successful, 36 of us tried to answer all the questions set by Dave Mayger on subjects entitled 'Dogs','Literature', 'Famous women', 'Horses', 'Musicals' and many others. Neil helped Dave with the marking which resulted in the winners shown in the photo below
There was also a walk round Mote Park and a visit to Buckingham Palace, where King Charles and Queen Camilla invited our own 'Queens' Cathy and Linda for a photoshoot.
And then at our regular meeting we had a very informative talk by Wilf Lower about the 'BBC Television Golden Years'
He referred, with film and video shots, to many old series such as 'Steptoe and Son', 'Some Mothers do Have Them', 'Morecombe and Wise', 'Dads Army' and many more that most of us remembered back in the 1960's and 70's. Even the 'Black and White Minstrel Show'!!
August
This month we had our AGM. Colin Wallsgrove stood down as Chairman after seven years. He did not intend to stay that long in charge of us but Covid had its effect for two years. Peter Sargent agreed to stand in as Chairman for one year.
Peter presented Colin with a rose bush on behalf of us all
thanking him for his seven years as Chairman.
Then we had our regular meeting when Linda introduced Sue Spiel who gave us some history and insight into Pam Ayers, the comic poet and read many of her funny poems including 'I wished I looked after me teeth' and 'I have a sat nav in my car'.
A good afternoon's entertainment.
July
No Holidays this month, just our regular gatherings of Coffee Morning, Petanque, Kurling, Bus Ride - this time to Tonbridge- and the usual Monthly Meeting were we had a very interesting talk by Emma Batten who spoke about her desire to become a writer.
She started with a 'one off' book based in the Romney Marsh area and succesfully progressed to selling in Waterstones bookshop. A very interesting and humorous talk.
June
Another holiday away with our friends from Barmara, this time to Warners at Holme Lacy in Herefordshire.
Dave and Neil, along with Dunwood, booked us in for five days with a couple of trips out and about.
The journey took six hours to get there from Barming so was very tiring. Our driver, Damon, tried cheering us up with anecdotes and jokes to make it a little easier.
The dining arrangements at Warners were a bit chaotic with changes every other day to a different restaurant, one being waiter service, the other self service.
On the tuesday Damon arranged a trip out to Gloucester to see the the docks area, the cathedral, and of course the shops. Unfortunately part of the cathedral was closed to visitors so some were dissappointed.
A few stayed behind at Holme Lacy, after being tired from the journey, to explore the lovely grounds and relax in the lounge areas.
On wednesday we had a forty minute boat trip on the river Wye going by Symmonds Yat, a very pretty village set in steep woodland. Then on to Ross-on-Wye for some retail therapy or a walk along the river. A very enjoyable day!!
Thursday was a 'do what you like' day with plenty of the usual Warners activities on hand.
At our regular meeting this month Linda introduced Katherine Cook who gave us details of her company 'Sloe Seduction' that produces Sloe Gin ( sloes picked from local area in Marden) then incorporates it into chocolate derived from cocoa beans from around the world. Tasty samples were supplied by Katherine to the delight of members.
May
This month Linda arranged for Jason Allen to come along and entertain us with his superb singing. He sang a complete range of songs from the 60's and 70's inviting the audience to join in as well. A very enjoyable afternoon.
Fifty of us also had a grand day out to Pevensey for lunch at The Star Inn. We stopped off at Battle for coffee then on to Pevensey via some country lanes. We were due to go on the A259 via Bexhill, but a serious accident closed the road and our driver, Damon, from Scotland and Bates chose an alternative route through lanes that were not meant for coaches!! A bit hairy at times but good driving. The menu at the Star had the full range of pub Starters, Main Meal and Desserts to choose from. All served up by very efficient waitresses.
After the meal Damon took us into Eastbourne so that we could walk off the meal.
The weather was scheduled to be wet and windy but we were very fortunate because the sun came out!!
A great day out.
April
The committee arranged a 'Spring Tea' for this month's meeting consisting of scones with strawberry jam and lovely Devon cream along with a glass of Prosecco and teas and coffees. The tables were laid out with posies of flowers and quizzes were made available as well.
There was also a display of paintings produced from the Art Group which attracted a lot of attention.
Over 80 members attended with lots of chat and laughter, all in all a great meeting. Pictures are in the Photo Gallery page.
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!!
