Basildon & Branch Patrons: Newsletter October 2019 Ethel Armstrong MBE Ken Jarrold CBE

Dear Member,

It is time for the last newsletter of this year. It has been a very interesting year for our Branch with our move to a new venue in Clays Social Club. I think it has been a good move for us, of course there are one or two teething problems but I know the committee will have your support over the next year.

Our August strawberry tea was very successful and we were able to boost our funds with £194.80p. Thanks to those members who took part in the craft display, they were all so impressive.

I have been working hard on our programme for 2020/21 and thanks to the Social Team for their help in producing what I believe will be interesting speakers. Your new membership card will be ready for next year when you pay your subs.

Sadly we have lost three of our faithful members since the last Newsletter, Vera Dunn, Pearl Cresswell and Colin Eve. I hope that you will keep their families in your thoughts.

You will remember that Vic told us at the September meeting that Ann Weston & Sandra Harris would be no longer organising the outings after this year, and Beryl Wilkins will be stepping down from organising the AGM & Christmas Lunches after Christmas.

It is so important that we have replacements for these organisers, we must not lose our Branch social activities. We have already lost our walking group and branch holiday.

The National Council is trying to find another company to organise a National Holiday which used to be undertaken by Della Holidays, so watch this space for any news.

Vic and I are moving very rapidly with organising our participation in retirement courses at our local hospitals. Vic has already been talking to HR directors of hospitals in Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford.

Membership numbers nationally are reducing at an alarming rate and we believe that this will be such a good way of bringing the Fellowship to employees who are thinking about retiring or who have retired but work part time. Of course the best way for our membership to increase would be for all current members to introduce one other, we would double our membership at one stroke.

I hope you have all received your new, improved Fellowship News. If you are interested in the Classic Golf Tournament, the date in 2020 is 20th August, not September as stated inside this edition.

There is a change to our programme for March 26th 2020. Mr. Wiltshire will now be coming in April 2020 at Stifford Clays. Replacement speaker for 26th March will be Mr. Martyn Lockwood with his ‘saucy postcards’ so please change that on your membership card.

Dates for your Diary:

Thursday 28thNovember – Stifford Clays – Music with Mr. Spiller. Returning by popular request. Thursday 12th December – Christmas Lunch at Hall Hotel. 12 for 12.30pm The Cost of the lunch is £27.50 for non-members and visitors, for members it will be £22.50 as the committee have agreed to subsidise the lunch again this year by £5.00. Friday 13th December – Outing to Hampstead and the London Lights. Cost £47.00. This trip will include a one course Turkey lunch, although you can purchase a sweet or drinks if you wish. Thursday 23rd January starts the New Year at Basildon Hospital – Speaker, Mrs. Julie Leggett with ‘Hearing Help, ’.

Vic has been in contact with Reverend Barlow at St. Andrews Church Grays for us to once again be part of his Carol Service. This is a lunch time service and this will be on Wednesday 12th December at 12.30p.m. Do try to come along.

Remember: Our excellent Welfare Officer, Berry Kipping. If you know of a member who is unwell or in hospital, please let Berry know. We can do nothing if we do not know.

By the way, I hope you all like the new Fellowship Logo.

It just remains for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas ……………………..

Contacts:

Vic Griffiths...... Chairman – 01708 228911 Audrey Harris...... Vice Chairman – 01268 282221

A. Harris

Please see below for our 2020 /21 programme of activities

NHS RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME FOR 2020/21 Basildon & Thurrock Branch

Date & Venue SPEAKER SUBJECT 23rd April ‘20 Mr. A. Wilshire Stifford Clays Social Humorous Hassell Club May ‘20 AGM ? Orsett Hall Hotel 25th June ‘20 Jack Kirby Chiropody Basildon Hospital 23rd July ‘20 Stifford Clays Social Mr. Peter Jones How I met Kylie Minogue Club 27th August ‘20 Stifford Clays Social Social Afternoon Strawberry Tea Club 24th September ‘20 Stifford Clays Social Dr. Melvyn Willin 21st century Witchcraft Club 22nd October ‘20 Mr. C. Haylock History of Spoken English Basildon Hospital 26th November ‘20 Stifford Clays social Mr. Martyn Harrison Christmas Waits Club December ‘20 ? Orsett Hall Hotel Christmas Lunch 28th January 2021 Kim & Chris Ford Food Bank Basildon Hospital 25th February 2021 Stifford Clays Social Beetle Drive Club 25th March 2021 Mr. Gary Baugh Bibles,Bugles & Bloomers Basildon Hospital

A. Harris 10.19