Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
CLUBS ROUND-UP
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Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men (Canterbury Branch)
40 members of the local Canterbury branch were fascinated to hear a gripping talk of adventure and espionage by the well informed secret intelligence and spy story best-selling local author, Nigel West. We had been hoping for an insight in to the reasons for the success of the D Day landings in 1944 (75 years ago this June) and we heard tale after tale about the various ruses to misinform the German command in to believing that the landings would take place not in Normandy but elsewhere in the Pas de Calais. Many of the plans were completely fanciful and we wondered at the lengths by which the planned Normandy landings of June 6 1944 were disguised and kept a tightly held secret. This really was “fake news” in a different era. By feeding false information to the Germans on the eve of the D-day landings in WW2, Spanish double agent Joan Pujol Garcia (British codename Garbo) ensured that Hitler held troops back that might otherwise have defeated the Normandy landings, thus enabling the Allies to begin their onslaught against the Nazis in Europe with the element of surprise. The speaker was introduced by George Metcalfe and vote of thanks given by Branch Chairman, Tricia Shephard. Our next event will be a lunch at the Canterbury Golf Club, Thursday February 21. Members interested in going to Westminster Abbey in March, should note the date change to Tuesday March 26 (due to circumstances beyond our control).
Canterbury Active Retirement Association (CARA)
CARA Christmas activities included a Carol Service which, this year, took place at St. Peter’s Methodist Church, followed by a Christmas lunch at the Pilgrim’s hotel. On a separate day there was a Christmas party at St. Dunstan’s Church Hall. Booking is currently taking place for an outing to London for a guided tour called “The People’s Post”. It will take place on Wednesday April 3 starting 8.30am from the Wincheap Park and Ride and afterwards at the bus station and Rheims Way. It will cover the story of the Royal Mail including a visit to the Postal Museum and a ride on the special train which carried the mail beneath the streets of London. The cost is £55 which covers coach travel to London, the services of a Blue Badge Guide for the day, admission to the museum, morning coffee and lunch and all tips. As the Pilgrims hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment, Thursday coffee mornings will take place at the Marlowe theatre bar until further notice. The speaker at the February meeting will be the Canterbury M.P. Rosie Duffield. CARA is a social club for retired people who want an active social life. For more information contact the chairman, Colin Stevens, 452325 or secretary Heide Clark 275035.
Canterbury Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild
It was good to be back with “fellow guilders” when we held our first meeting of the year. Looking back over 2018, we had experienced some fun occasions, some delicious meals and gleaned some interesting facts along the way. This had all been rounded off with a seasonal Christmas lunch at the Cathedral lodge when gifts were exchanged. Our first competition of 2019 was homemade shortbread to commemorate Robbie Burns. Unfortunately there were only 2 entries and the rest of us had fun testing it. Next month it will be a pretty button to exhibit. ‘What’s on the bookshelf?’ continues with a wide selection of books to choose from. Our next meeting will be February 13, 2pm in Canterbury Baptist Church where we will have our own Question Time on the subject of recycling. Everyone is welcome. Contact Jeannie Newman 01227 463543 for more details.
Canterbury Film Makers Club
A Club to encourage the production of motion pictures as a hobby. January 11 was the first meeting in our new city centre location. We hope this location will make it easy, for all, to get to us. It all went reasonably well, and we were able to see five new films. You can see them on our website. We had a short demonstration of a members motorised “gimbal” stabiliser. The main talk was Part Two of the excellent Video Editing Training Session which members found to be extremely useful. This year we will enter two 2018 Club Films into the SERIAC and BIAFF Film Festivals. The next meeting will be February 8, All Saints Church Military Rd, Canterbury CT1 1PA. Our website www.canterburyfilmmakers.club Contact cfm@canterburyfilmmakers.club Why not come along and meet us, a warm welcome awaits new members in a friendly atmosphere.
Canterbury Society of Art
The first Canterbury Society of Art Monday evening meeting of 2019 got off to a colourful start on January 14, with a Victorian Costume Model for members to paint or draw. The evening was again very well attended with some very impressive work being produced. The programme for the next month will include a practical clay modelling evening, guided by Sue Moreton, with the advice “come dressed for a mess”. Another evening will feature a demonstration of portrait painting in oils by Penny Bearman, followed by practical evenings of still life painting, and a “Have a go” at portrait painting of other Society members. Our first exhibition of 2019 will be held April 9-13, St.paul’s Church, 15 Church Street, Canterbury CT1 1NH. 10am-4pm. Admission FREE. The exhibition will include paintings in several mediums including, oil, watercolour, acrylic, mixed media and also ceramics. For full details of the Society’s activities please visit our website at ww.canterburysocietyofart.org.uk
Fleur Ladies
Thursday January 17, the Fleur Ladies monthly meeting celebrated 6 birthdays including those of Pam Croucher and Jenny Elvey. We had answers for our Christmas Quiz. Our interesting speaker Peter Marsh talked on Dementia Awareness. He emphasised that Dementia is a physical illness and how people can be more supportive. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month, 10am-12pm, United Church, Faversham. All welcome.
Herne & Broomfield LHG
At our recent meeting Geoff Doel spoke to us about Charles Dickens and how Christmas celebrations especially food, figured largely in his writings. The next meeting of the Group is Tuesday February 5, 7.30pm, entitled, Let’s go to the Pictures. Group member and dedicated film enthusiast Ken Finch will show a specially created film about local cinemas and the films they once featured. Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm, Institute Hall, Canterbury Road, Herne, opposite Strode Park CT6 7HE. Visitors £2 are welcome. For more information contact Chairman Alan Dilnot 01227 373695 or Secretary Sylvia Mckean 01227 281257. The Group’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/herneandbroomfieldhistory/home or find us on Facebook.
Herne Bay Photographic Club
This week we welcomed Tony Bentley ARPS CPAGB back to provide members with the critique for an evening of prints. The main subject was Landscape. Tony is a regular face at Herne Bay and his gentle, encouraging style is ideally suited to the club’s new, non-scoring format. Tony enjoyed talking through the prints, using his experience and knowledge to offer praise and feedback in equal measure. When asked to name his top three images, he gave first place to “Cotswold Stream” by Aliy Fowler, second place to Steve Roberts with “Rapidly Changing Light over the Langdale Pikes”, and third was “Where the desert meets the Mountains” by Denise Smith.
Inner Wheel Club of Canterbury
President Pat Wakeham and several club members presented bed linen and towels to the Bereavement Suite of the Maternity Department at QEQM hospital in Margate. This gift was funded using money donated to the Club in memory of Jenny Bickerton, a member of Canterbury Club and a former nurse. The Suite is soundproofed so that bereaved parents are spared from hearing the sounds of babies crying or parents of newborn babies celebrating.
Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Association
The bumper New Year Newsletter was delivered to every home in the OHSCA area highlighting all the Association’s activities and inviting new members to join. Spring Party with dinner, wine and quiz, March 1, 7pm, Kent and Canterbury Club, Old Dover Road. Tickets £25 from Sophie Scott 456285. We invite new members to join, just complete the membership form on www.ohsca. org.uk. Annual subscription £5 per household.
The Arts Society Canterbury
Members and guests packed the Ashford Road Community Association Hall on January 16, to hear a talk, entitled rather intriguingly “Clara: Rhino Superstar and Wonder of the Grand Tour”. Prior to the talk Chairman Stuart Field informed those present of the sad death of Henry Shackelton, a very longstanding and loyal member. The lecturer Clive StewartLockhart, who was a member of the expert team at the BBC Antiques Road Show for over 20 years did not disappoint. The next lecture is February 20, when Anthea Streeter will talk about the achievements of the great 21st century architect Thomas Heatherwick. The talk will be preceded by the AGM at 10.30am.