Clubs and Societies, April 10, 2014

Members will be holding a Spanish theme night on Saturday, so come along and enjoy some great food, in great company.

Other upcoming social events are displayed on the club noticeboard and a programme of planned events over the next three months is featured on our website www.rafa-weston-super-mare.co.uk.

RAFA branches and clubs are renowned for their comradeship and friendly atmosphere - why not call in to see what we are all about and maybe join the association?

You would be sure of a warm welcome as are all members and visitors of other ex-service associations, whether local, on holiday in Weston or just passing through. A representative from SSAFA Forces Help is also available for advice and guidance in the club on a Wednesday between 10 am and noon.

WOW WI - A GROUP FOR ALL AGES:

Since its opening in October 2011, Weston’s Women’s Institute (WOW WI) has attracted over 100 members of all ages to its monthly meetings with a variety of speakers activities and outings. WOW WI is a ‘new wave’ WI and members of all ages are welcome. Women can attend as a guest before committing to full membership if wanted, at a cost of £4 per meeting.

Future meetings will include a talk and demonstration on sugar craft, cider making, foraging for food in the hedgerows and the usual creative crafts such as knitting, needlework and cooking that the WI is known for.

A ladies pamper night and sewing workshop are planned for later in the year, as are possible trips to Tyntesfield and Adams Farm. In addition to busy monthly meetings WOW WI organises regular craft events, occasional trips or outings and a monthly book group for avid readers.

WOW WI meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm (except August) at the museum in Burlington Street.

Interested? Email: WeAreWOWWI@gmail.com or find us on Facebook:Women of Weston-super-Mare Women’s Institute or twitter@WeAreWOWWI or have a look at our colourful blog: http://wowwi.blogspot.com.

WESTON BREATHE EASY:

We are a local part of the British Lung Foundation - a self- help group for anyone with a respiratory condition.

We meet at Weston Cricket Club, Windwhistle Lane, on the third Wednesday of each month at 2pm.

Our next meeting will be on April 16 when our speaker will be Liz Freeman from Care & Repair

Anyone with an interest will be welcome

Contact - Ann on 01934 513874 or Nick on 01275 873322.

MENDIP ART GROUP:

In January artist Peter Smith gave us a watercolour demonstration thoroughly enjoyed by all. Apart from doing our own artwork we had in February a vibrant printmaking workshop by artist Jackie Curtis and in March artist Richard Turner gave an informative pastel workshop.

We are now looking forward to our members exhibition 2014 from April 13-May 3 at the Old Town Quarry, South Road, Weston, BS23 2LU.

Opening times Tuesday to Sunday 10-30am-4.30pm.

Our friendly informal group meets on Tuesdays 10am-1pm at Banwell Village Hall, BS29 6BA.

You will be most welcome.

For details please contact Michele on 01934 645885.

WESTON BRASS:

Its a few weeks before the next concert and conductor Tony Osborne is using this opportunity to really put the band through its paces.

The band has an extensive library, built up over 50 years, and Tony has been selecting pieces from this huge resource, to test the band and create interesting programmes for our up and coming concerts.

The band has many fine soloists to call on, and Bb flat bassist Mark Mills’ name can be added to this list. He will be playing a surprise solo at Westonzoyland church on May 10.

Mark and his wife Bev both joined the band in 2013, and although they travel down from Bristol for our twice weekly rehearsals, have quickly become highly valued members of the band.

It very important for the band to always make new players welcome, they are supplied with an instrument and uniform, and both the training band and main band have a few vacancies for new players. Band secretary Gill Rogers can be contacted on 01934824461 or via our website www.westonbrass.com

WESTON CONSERVATIVE CLUB:

Entertainment on Saturday is with Shooting Stars, a boy/girl duo. Please come along and show your support to these fantastic entertainers.

The Easter Draw is now up and running. First prize is £200 with lots of other prizes on offer including spirits, wines and chocolates.

The website has been updated and shows forthcoming outings, entertainment and general information on what’s happening in your club. If you have any interesting stories or pictures you would like posted to the site, please email the secretary on wsmconclub@zen.co.uk

Date for your diary: April 21, Kathy Jane will be providing the entertainment on Easter Monday. There will also be a free buffet as well as the Easter Bonnet Parade. All are invited to participate in the fun.

WESTON CHESS CLUB:

Weston were gifted two points when the Chard/Ilminster club were unable to raise a team and conceded the match 6-0.

Against Wellington there was a win for Mike Townsend on top board. This was cancelled out by a loss on board two. Drawn games by Rob Will, David Wood and Oliver Isaac meant that the match was decided by the visitor’s bottom board default as had they arrived one man short so Weston won by 3.5 – 2.5.

WESTON YOUTH ORCHESTRA:

The orchestra will be holding its next concert on April 27 at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston. Join us at 5pm for an enjoyable evening of music performed by both our junior and senior orchestras.

For more information about Weston Youth Orchestra, including our concert diary and membership details, please visit our website: www.westonyouthorchestra.org.uk

WESTON GROUP OF FRIENDS:

At our monthly dinner meeting with our ladies, which as usual was enjoyed by all, our chairman Rod Gillard invited Tina Morrisen from Macmillan Nurses and Helen Harvey Foster from the Alzheimer’s Society to join us for dinner and to be presented with his cheques from his chosen annual charity donations.

They were both given £700.

Afterwards they each gave a talk about how their organisations operated. The chairman thanked them both for the work they were doing.

The meeting ended with a talk given by our member Bob Tinker on the seaside piers of England.

ARTHRITIS CARE WESTON BRANCH:

Our next social meeting will be at St Saviours Hall, Locking Road, on Monday at 2pm.

The entertainer will be Paul Temple. Why not join us whether you have arthritis or not?

Arthritis Care exists to help, advise and support all people with arthritis.

Arthritis Care helpline service is available on 0808 800 4050, 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday. For further details telephone Sandy on 01934 622808 or 07803 746323.

FRIENDS OF THE TOWN QUARRY:

The talk for April is to be held on Tuesday, 7pm at the Quarry, South Road. The topic is ‘The great crane project’. Doors open at 6.30pm and to cover costs entrance is £2 for members and £3 for non members. We look forward to another interesting evening.

WRINGTON VALE:

The chairman of District 20 Inner Wheel Clubs, Rita Jollife has ‘Wizzy Bugs’ as her chosen charity this year.

Wizzy is the name given to the motorised wheel chair designed by the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering for disabled children. Each buggy costs £4,250.

Inner Wheel member and district treasurer Pru Witter and Claire Bracewell decided to do a sponsored bike ride to raise money for this cause. Their ride began last Saturday and their plan was to cycle from Sandford to Telford where the Inner Wheel conference is to be held.

With the sponsorship money it is hoped to purchase at least one buggy which will give mobility to a handicapped child.

HUTTON LACE AND CRAFT GROUP:

The club will meet in Hutton Village Hall (small hall) on Saturday at 9.30am

This month there will be a flower arranging class as well as other craft activities including lace making.

Visitors and new members are always welcome. Just turn up or ring Anne on 01934 822871.

RAFA CONCERT BAND - BLAKEHAY RESIDENT BAND:

Not long now until our first eagerly awaited concert appearance in Weston this year on April 26, the annual Music in the Air concert at the Blakehay.

Tickets are on sale now from the box office. We have a few vacancies for competent players to join us so if you can you hit the right notes please visit our website www.rafaconcertband.org.uk or ring 01934 820205 for details.

Future engagements include: April 26 - Music in the Air concert, Blakehay; May 8 - formal dinner, Bristol; June 20 - National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas;

June 21 - Armed Forces Day, Weston.

CONGRESBURY OVER 60S CLUB:

Members were delighted to welcome back one of their favourite entertainers as vocalist Chris Rainbow treated them to a wonderful selection of songs and instrumentals taking in ballads, rock and roll and Country and Western songs along the way. We look forward to welcoming Chris back in December.

At the next meeting on Tuesday the speaker will be Richard Ballinger who will give a talk on ‘Teaching with magic’ and as it is the meeting nearest to Easter members will be able to enjoy a hot cross bun with their cup of tea.

The first outing of the year will be on April 22 when members will visit Stratford upon Avon. There are a few vacancies available for prospective members who would enjoy making new friends at this lively club, please telephone 01934 832004 for further details.

WRINGTON FRIENDSHIP CLUB:

Members enjoyed an extremely nostalgic afternoon when popular speaker Terry Merrett-Smith gave a talk on Rogers and Hammerstein illustrated by songs from their wonderful musicals.

The songs ranged from musicals such as Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music and these prompted many memories of enjoyable hours spent at the cinema.

At the next meeting on April 25 Eileen Jackson will give a talk about memories of Winford Hospital.

New members aged fifty plus will be made very welcome at this friendly club which meets at Wrington Memorial Hall, Silver Street on alternate Fridays at 2.30pm. For further details please contact Fred Parsons (Chairman) on 01934 863562.

The Wrington minibus brings many members to the hall, if you would like to use this service please contact Gina Moss on 01934 862911.

THE NOTABLE (NOT-ABLE) CLUB:

Members enjoyed lunch at the Woolpack, St Georges, and Robbie Burns was welcomed to give a talk ‘Don’t put your daughter on the stage’. This was an entertaining talk of his experiences on the theatre stage including local productions and personalities he has met.

An early spring visit to Sanders Garden World was enjoyed by members as was socialising and Bingo the following week.

Dr Francis Burroughs visited to give a presentation entitled ‘Bristol Blue Glass’. This was a very interesting, informative and often humorous history of glass from BC to the present day with many beads, necklaces, shapes and sizes examples for each period of time. Members enjoyed lunch in a return visit to the Brewers Fayre, Carlton Street.

The Notable Club is a weekly, socially active lunchtime club for physically disabled people aged 16 to 60 years, contact Dina on 07845220349 for further information.

MARK FRIENDSHIP CLUB:

The chairlady welcomed 30 members, with a special welcome back to Alan Hitchcock. The meeting began with the singing of a hymn, and Lily invited members to observe a minute’s silence in memory of two former members, Doris Bilverstone and Mary Mulvey. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

Birthday cards were given to Ethel Petherham, Ruth Morgan and Kath Powell.

A lively auction took place with Peter Waller in top form, and then a most interesting talk with slides by Bob Thomas all about old Burnham.

Tea and a raffle brought the afternoon to a close, and we meet again on April 17 for the annual Easter bonnet competition judged by Isabel Lillico.

BLEADON PHOTOGRAPHIC:

The group had Clive Rathband FRPS, FPSSA, EFIAP and Joan Ryder Rathband FRPS, FPSSA from Devizes Camera Club who gave a presentation on a new approach to judging photographic competitions. Using members’ digital images, assessments were made depending whether the image was from a beginner, intermediate or advanced. Points being allotted accordingly, rather than first, second and third with some very worthy images being left out. Members found it an absorbing evening and food for thought.

On April 22 the group have their annual competition, with Mr. Eddie Lane ARPS, DPAGB as judge, whose speciality is with nature and travel images.

Bleadon Camera Group meets on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the Coronation Hall, Bleadon. Why not come along, new members are welcome? Our website is www.bleadonphotographic.moonfleet.com or contact Tony Gilbert on 01278 760956.