Open Meeting Thursday 9th March 2023 2pm The Orpheus Centre by Ann Lovelace MBE
Ann Lovelace, who is a member of Westerham u3a, is a retired secondary teacher of English and a former author and educational consultant. She talked about the Orpheus Centre, where she is a volunteer. Orpheus is an independent specialist college in Godstone, founded by entertainer and broadcaster Sir Richard Stilgoe, that increases the confidence and skills of young disabled adults through the performing arts. Ann also introduced a surprise guest - Angus, a former Orpheus student with a fabulous voice who sang several songs for us. His rendering of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables, brought tears to our eyes!
Ann Lovelace, who is a member of Westerham u3a, is a retired secondary teacher of English and a former author and educational consultant. She talked about the Orpheus Centre, where she is a volunteer. Orpheus is an independent specialist college in Godstone, founded by entertainer and broadcaster Sir Richard Stilgoe, that increases the confidence and skills of young disabled adults through the performing arts. Ann also introduced a surprise guest - Angus, a former Orpheus student with a fabulous voice who sang several songs for us. His rendering of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables, brought tears to our eyes!
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Open Meeting Thursday 9th February 2023 2pm Kent’s Suffragettes by Jennifer Godfrey
Jennifer Godfrey, author of SUFFRAGETTES OF KENT, gave an interesting talk on the hope, determination, courage and sacrifice of those campaigning for women’s suffrage in Kent. Topics covered included a peaceful suffrage pilgrimage, suffrage van tours and militant action in Kent. She brought the characters to life with stories of Ethel, a Kent working class maid arrested and imprisoned for window-smashing in London as well as the boycotting of the 1911 census and the horrors of forcible feeding. After the talk she signed copies of her book |
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Christmas Lunch December 2022
On the coldest day of the year so far, around 90 members were hardy enough to attend the Christmas lunch at Westerham Golf Club. The temperature outside was -3℃, the sky was blue and the sun shone brightly on the frosty greens and sparkling fountain. Inside there was a warm welcome and in the beautifully decorated dining area a lovely 3-course festive meal was served with coffee and mince pies to follow. In addition to the digestive treats there was also a raffle with heaps of prizes and the inevitable brain exercise in the form of 3 quizzes: Christmas songs/singers, Cryptic clues for UK towns and Old Kent words. Tony thanked all those who had contributed to a most successful occasion. A great opportunity to chat with friends old and new - roll on next year! (Thanks to Kathy Johnson for this report) |
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Visits to Tollsworth Manor, June 2022
During three separate visits over 60 members spent a most interesting and memorable afternoon at the home of Gordon Gillett in his beautiful Grade II* Listed Hall House. Gordon described the history of the site since 675 AD, including its use as a Monastic Farm with links with Merton Abbey. After the Reformation the property was owned by Henry VIII but there was no evidence of him actually residing there. More recently it was owned by the YHA in a somewhat dilapidated condition and Gordon purchased it with his late wife Carol in 1983. Gordon gave us a most humorous and informative presentation of Tollsworth Manor saying how they could see it’s great potential and subsequently made a heartfelt decision to restore it. Gordon concentrated on the interior of the Manor and with Carol’s love of gardening, she created a beautifully stocked cottage garden with a very old huge Sycamore tree which stands in all its glory in the back garden. Gordon and Carol started raising money for Cancer related charities with Christmas Fairs in 1984 and since 1990 with Open Gardens. As a result of Westerham U3A’s visits, over £1,400 will have been raised for St Catherines Hospice as our payments have been matched by other funders of the Hospice. Next year’s Open Garden for St. Catherine’s Hospice is on 11th June 2023. |
