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Wembley & District Centre Meetings held on the third Thursday of the month at

Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, 809 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2LP

NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next Newsletter 19th April 2018 154 WINTER

2 Membership/Newsletter/Theatre

Group

8 2017 Holiday Summary/

2018 Holiday to Lincoln

16-19 Various Forms

3 Walking Group (NEW) 9/10 Lectures for 2018 20 Events at a Glance

4-6 Summer Outings 11 Summer Outing form 21-24 AGM Papers

6 Treasurer’s Report/Oak Leaf Club 12 Summer Outing Info

7 Last Winter Outing 13-15 Holiday Information

Dear Friends

Welcome to our January 2018 newsletter. I trust you all had a very enjoyable Christmas and new year,

and are now finishing off the last remaining mince pies and pieces of Christmas cake! 2017 was a busy

and successful year at our NT group, raising some £3,500 for worthy causes at Montecute and Nuffield

NT properties. However, I hope that the underlying motivation is that you continue to enjoy meeting up

with friends at our monthly talks at Sudbury, and look forward together to our programme of trips and

visits. The new year is a perfect time to invite friends and neighbours along to our group.

Since the last newsletter, we have invited speakers on a diverse range of subjects – Patrick Bronte, father

of the Bronte sisters, shoplifting, and latterly the development of Earls Court, Aristocracy to Aussies. We

were certainly intrigued by the revelations about shoplifters and the vigilance needed by security in

departmental stores and I certainly had not known of the origins of the Earls Court area with its

connections to famous families/houses including Zetland (Shetland), Northumberland, Warwick and

Percy.

Our 2017 holiday was a great success and we have since shown our appreciation to June Dray for the

organisation of this and many previous trips. Dawlish Warren proved to be a very good base to make

trips into the South Devon area, and the hotel was extremely comfortable. We shared mealtimes with a

group of ballroom dancers, and their evenings included fancy dress, so there were plenty of conversation

topics! Our daily excursions included visits to stately homes. Cathedrals and castles, trips on mainline

trains and steam trains, and a river cruise. A good time was had by all. Our thanks are now due to Val

Hirth in taking on the organising role for this year’s destination of Lincolnshire. Book the week 16 – 21

September now!

The AGM in March will be an opportunity to revisit some of last year’s venues, as we shall be showing

more of your photographs taken on the trips. Please send Val Hirth any photographic contributions

towards the presentation. We hope you will enjoy the evening as much as last year. With every good

wish for a happy and healthy 2018.

Kind regards - Phil Rankmore

OUR THANKS TO DANIELS ESTATE AGENTS WHO KINDLY PRINT OUR NEWSLETTERS FREE OF CHARGE

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MEMBERSHIP 2018 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

The annual subscription of £12 each is due for renewal on 1st January 2018. The renewal form is included

with this newsletter. If you wish your membership ticket posted to you please let me have a stamped

addressed envelope. The cut-off date for renewing membership is the end of March 2018

Sad news I’m afraid. Three of our long-time members have recently passed away. Barbara Martin who

was our treasurer for many years, Beryl Maizels who had been unwell for some time and Joan Margetts

who suffered a stroke and passed away just a few days before Christmas.

National Trust Senior Membership Rates

You may not know that if you are over 60 and have been a National Trust member for at least five years

within the last ten years, you can convert to Senior Membership which means a 25% discount on adult

prices.

To find out more, apply directly to the Supporter Services Centre (tel: 0344 800 1895) or look online

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/news/senior-membership-prices.

Data Protection Act

The contact details of members are held in a computer database for administration purposes only and will

not be passed to any third party.

NEWSLETTERS

Let me know if you have anything you would like to contribute to our newsletters that may be of interest

to our members. The publication dates are the Thursday of our meetings in January, April, July and

October. You will have to let me have any articles at least two weeks before the date of the meetings in

each of the months stated.

If you do not attend our monthly meetings to collect your newsletters we would be obliged if you could

send 3 stamped addressed envelopes or just the stamps which will help cut our postage costs. (It would

normally be 4 stamps for the year but as this is the first newsletter for 2018 you need only send 3

stamps).

Don’t forget to let me know if you change your email address or are now on the internet so your

newsletter can be emailed to you.

Jean Peacock – Newsletter Editor & Distributor.

THEATRE GROUP

I have reserved 40 seats for 42nd Street at £29.50 each on Wednesday 21st March booking form at end of

this newsletter. Please send a SAE if you are not able to pick your tickets up at a meeting, your payment

MUST be with me by Monday 29th January.

• My bed is a magical place where I suddenly remember everything I was supposed to do!

• The sad part about getting old is you stay young on the inside but nobody can tell anymore!

• Wife: “I have blisters on my hands from the broom.” Husband: “next time take the car, silly”

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NEW – FREE – WALKING GROUP

One of our members, Audrey Stafford, has offered to to run a walking group. There is no booking form

– just turn up on time! Audrey’s mobile – 07933 246 483.

WEST INDIA DOCK WALK- 90 minutes. WEDNESDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2018

Meet at Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Time: 11:00 am

South Quay Ticket Barrier

We will be walking along Dockside Walkway passing Jack Dash House. Crossing the Blue Bridge where

there are good views of the O2. Entering a quiet lane of colourful Dockers cottages and The Gun Pub

which served sailors, gunsmiths and foundry workers. Further up this lane we pass Nelson’s house, from

where Nelson was rumoured to have an underground passage to The Gun Pub where Lady Hamilton had

a room. Crossing the road, passing Bridge House, home of the Superintendent of the West India Dock

Company we walk through an opening in the original dock wall and follow the path around Poplar Dock

which is home for many canal boats. We then continue on to Blackwell Basin and arrive at Canary Wharf.

There are excellent views and smells of Billingsgate Fish Market as we come to West India Dock.

Colourful flower beds, fountains and sculptures can be seen as we make our way over the Floating

Bridge to view impressive Georgian Warehouses. Passing the Dockmasters House, we are just a short

walk from DLR Westferry.

Return to the Georgian Warehouses where you will find The Dockland Museum, free entrance, and The

Ledger Building, which is a Wetherspoons for lunch.

ROTHERHITHE WALK - 90 minutes. WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH 2018

Meet at Bermondsey Ticket Barrier - Jubilee Line Time: 11:00

Find out about Henry Wilson and his shipwreck off Ulong Island. What would happen if the Thames

Barrier hadn’t been built? Stand in the place where Turner painted the Temeraire and see where King

Edward III had his Hunting Lodge.

This is an interesting walk along the Thames path to Rotherhithe, ending at the Brunel Tunnel Museum,

entrance fee £4:00. Lunch can be had at The Mayflower or The Angel, both historical pubs.

Journey home – either a 20-minute walk back to Bermondsey or from Rotherhithe Station overgound,

change at Shadwell onto the DLR then alight at Bank (central line) for your homeward journey.

SOUTHWARK WALK – 90 minutes. WEDNESDAY 18th APRIL 2018

Meet at London Bridge Station Tooley Street Entrance Time: 11:00

We head across the road into Borough Market, passing Drake’s Golden Hind, Winchester Palace and the

Globe Theatre. Entering into an area of bear batting and prostitution we find Shakespeare’s original

Globe Playhouse. Passing an area that once was the biggest brewery in the world, producing 235,000

barrels of beer a year, we come across Octavia Hill’s affordable houses, Crossbones where 15,000

prostitutes are buried and Marshalsea Prison Wall. Find out the reason why St George the Martyr

steeple clock has three white and one black face.

Walk back up Borough High Street where there are many historic pubs, also the Old Operating Theatre

Museum, entrance £6:50 but half price for National Trust members. It is well worth a visit but there are a

lot of stairs!

Returning home from London Bridge Station.

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2018 SUMMER OUTINGS

Below are the Summer Outings for this year. Hopefully you can find something you like. Please

remember you can bring family and friends along with you.

HENLEY AND NT NUFFIELD PLACE SATURDAY 14th APRIL 2018

Price National Trust Members - £21.00 Non-NT Members - £31.00

We start our visit in Henley-on-Thames. Henley’s historic heart sits just a few strides from the River

Thames. The main street has many Georgian frontages covering older buildings and among the 300

buildings within the town designated ‘of special architectural or historical interest’ are St Mary’s Church,

the Town Hall, Market Place and the 18th Century stone bridge. We then go on to Nuffield Place the

home of the founder of the Morris Motors. Lord Nuffield lived in this pleasant but unostentatious house

in the Oxfordshire countryside. Perched on the Ridgeway, this house and garden typify early 20th-

century taste and thrift and reveal the home life of a couple who with fortune behind them still enjoyed

the simpler things of life.

WINDSOR AND EDWARDIAN AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE TUESDAY 15th MAY 2018

Price - £41.60

We will be dropped off in Windsor where there will be time to get coffee and lunch or look around the

shops. But don’t eat too much we have an Edwardian afternoon tea on the boat. We will be picked up

and taken to the boat where we have a three-hour cruise on the Thames. We will be served a delicious

afternoon tea from their finest silver tea ware with a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream

and jam, and cakes. There is a commentary during the cruise, table top games and a sing along with

classics of the era.

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RHS WISLEY SATURDAY 23rd JUNE 2018

Price National Trust Members - £29.00 Price RHS Members - £18.00

Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society. It is a large and diverse garden covering

240 acres (971,000 m²). In addition to numerous formal and informal decorative gardens, several

glasshouses and an extensive abrotanum, it includes small scale "model gardens" which are intended to

show visitors what you can achieve in your own gardens, and a trials field where new cultivar are

assessed. There are several places to get refreshments and a very large shop and garden centre.

GUILDFORD AND LOSELEY PARK THURSDAY 26th JULY 2018

Price including tea/coffee and bite sized cakes - £32.00

We travel first to Guildford where you can purchase coffee, have a look around the shops and then get

lunch. The coach will pick us up and take us to Loseley Park. This is the place where the famous ice

cream was once made. We have a guided tour of the house where you will see many fine portraits and

other works of art, and panelling from Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace. This house is still very much a family

home – hence the special warmth and peaceful atmosphere. There is a 2.5 acre Walled Garden split in a

series of ‘rooms’, where you can walk and sit and enjoy the peace. Before we leave we go to the 17 th

century Tithe Barn for afternoon treats, including tea/coffee and bite-sized assorted cakes (included in

the price) before our journey home.

NT MOTTISFONT SATURDAY 11th AUGUST 2018

Price National Trust Members - £21.00 Price Non-NT Members - £31.00

Once across the crystal-clear river we will enter a garden paradise. Ancient trees, babbling brooks and

rolling lawns frame a lovely 18th century home with a medieval priory at its heart. The former home of

Maud Russel who fell in love with the house in 1934. This house was cunningly crafted from a medieval

priory and set in beautiful riverside gardens. There is a wall garden, shop and second-hand bookshop.

The Old Kitchen offers lunches and refreshments and there is also a Coach House Café serving lighter

lunches and snacks.

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JORDANS MILL AND KNEBWORTH HOUSE SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2018

Price including tea/coffee cream scone - £37.00

Price HHA Members including tea/coffee cream scone £25.50

We first travel to Jordans Mill on the banks of the River Ivel near Biggleswade for morning coffee. At one

time there were over 400 mills in Bedfordshire, Jordans Mill is now only one of a handful of working

watermills in the country. We will have coffee and cream scone (included in the price) in the lovely

Riverside Café and there will be time to walk around the Mill Gardens. From there we go back to

Knebworth House set in 250 acres of rolling Hertfordshire countryside. It is one of England’s most

colourful stately homes. It is remarkable for having been in the Lytton family for more than 500 years

with its romantic gothic exterior complete with turrets, domes and gargoyles concealing a much older

Tudor red brick house. We will have a guided tour of the house and there will be time to get a light

lunch in the Garden Terrace Tea Room and look round the gardens. These have been at Knebworth

since the 17th Century but the present layout dates largely from the Edwardian era.

Valerie Hirth – Summer Outings Organiser

TREASURER’S REPORT

The excess of income over expenditure for the year ended 31st December 2017 amounted to £3,177.29.

Many thanks to everyone whose efforts contributed to this excess.

The Committee agreed that an amount off £2,500 should be donated to Nuffield Place and £1,000 (this

sum includes £400 from 2016 which had not been allocated) to Mottisfont.

Phil Hirth – Treasurer

OAK LEAF CLUB

Winners for the months of October-December 2017 were:

October November December

1st Prize Ann Crosby Val Goldie Val Goldie

2nd Prize Connie Holmes Phil & Jane Rankmore Nancy Ferrrari

3rd Prize Jean Forth June Dray Joyce Fletcher

The Oak Leaf Club year ends with the draw at the March 2018 meeting. An application form is attached

at the end of the newsletter for you to complete for year commencing April 2018. Each share in the club

costs £12 and you may purchase as many shares as you like giving you more chances to win a prize.

Shareholders You MUST be a member of the Wembley & District Centre although not necessarily a

member of the National Trust. Rules of the Club will be issued to new shareholders.

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LAST WINTER OUTING

THE MAGIC CIRCLE MONDAY 5th MARCH 2018

12 Stephenson Way Doors Open – 11:00am Cost: £21 each

Kings Cross, London NW1 2HD

This is an opportunity for you to see if you can find out how magicians do their tricks! We will meet

inside the building which opens at 11:00am the actual visit starts at 11:30am. We start the visit with

tea/coffee followed by an introductory talk. We will then have a magic show in their own theatre. One

of our members, Bob Loomis, is the librarian at the Magic Circle and will show us around the library, a

privilege as this does not usually form part of the tour. These events will finish about 1:15pm. My

thanks to Wendy Loomis for helping me to arrange this outing. This visit may look expensive for a

winter outing but it includes a different type of theatre outing! Please apply early for places which are

limited and note that as payment has to be made in advance there can be no refund if you cancel unless

there is a waiting list.

Travel 1: Stephenson Way is only a short walk from Euston Square Station (Metropolitan, Circle and

Hammersmith/City lines). Take the Euston Main Line exit into the Euston Road. Turn right and take the

first turning on the right into North Gower Street. Stephenson Way is first right again.

Travel 2: Euston Main Line Station – walk up Euston Road to Euston Square Station and follow the above

directions.

Sheila Peckett – Retired Winter Outing Organiser

This is the last and the end of our Winter Outings. They started 20 years ago by Dennis Turner with 5

people on the committee. For various reasons from 2003 it had dwindled down to 2, Jean Ewan and

myself. After Jean’s death Diane White kindly joined the committee until she resigned last year. My

thanks to all who have supported us and I hope you have enjoyed the outings. Of course, they also

contributed to the funds of our Centre. I shall be resigning after this last outing.

Sheila Peckett

HUMOUR

I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbour call the Highways Department to request the

removal of the 'DEER CROSSING' sign from our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars on

this stretch of road! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing, any-more.' Story from

Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.

*****************

My daughter went to a local Kentucky Fried Chicken and ordered a Taco. She asked the person behind the

counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had Iceberg Lettuce.

*****************

The traffic light on the corner buzzes when the lights turn red and it is safe to cross the road. I was crossing

with an intellectually challenged friend of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained

that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'what on earth are blind people

doing driving?!

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OCTOBER 2017 HOLIDAY - SUMMARY OF THE ‘DEVON DELIGHTS’

A successful and enjoyable holiday was had by all on our trip to Devon and luckily the weather was kind

to us again. It was great to meet up with our driver Ron and Marie again and, as on past trips, they did

us proud with their care, help and humour.

We stayed at the excellent Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish Warren with their warm welcoming staff,

good facilities and an excellent menu with a good choice of food and large enough portions to suit our

appetites, especially the lashings of clotted cream!

We had a very full and busy itinerary with visits to the houses, castles, abbeys and beautiful gardens –

the breath-taking scenery of our countryside cannot be beaten.

Just a few of the places on our itinerary: Mompession House was our first stop then Salisbury for lunch.

A visit to Killerton House with their vast gardens, onto Powderham Castle and a lovely cream tea.

Dartmouth and a ferry to Greenway House which was Agatha Christies home, with lots of interesting

facts about her life. Dartmouth Steam Railway to Paignton and back to the hotel for a rest! We had a

day of leisure in a very blustery Teignmouth. We were accompanied by a very knowledgeable guide on

our visit to the Tamar Valley Railway then onto Cotehele House and gardens. Lunch then on to Buckland

Abbey, once the home of Sir Francis Drake and his legendary drum which was followed by a scenic tour

across Dartmouth National Park in glorious sunshine. Our last day was a visit to Stourhead House and

gardens for lunch to arrive home early evening. We all shared so many laughs, it was a real joy and a

tonic. You had to be there to appreciate Bill and Pat’s song titles and singing for every occasion –

Rosemary’s three door entrances and best of all the “crème brulee” event - it beat the pea shoots!

Lastly - thank you all so much for my beautiful flowers and chocolates but as I have said on all our trips it

is down to the splendid, caring, friendly, humorous company of you all that make the holiday so

successful.

It was a truly grand holiday for me to bow out on and I now hand over to Val with the best of wishes and

look forward to our holiday to Lincoln in 2018.

June Dray - Retiring Holiday Organiser

2018 SUMMER HOLIDAY

I will be organising the holiday this year and would like to thank June for all the previous year’s trips and

also, in advance, for the help I will probably need this year. We will be using Simply Groups again this

year. The holiday will be to Lincolnshire and will include:

Burghley House Lincoln City & Cathedral

Doddington Hall Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre

Petwood Hotel (Dambusters) Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens (NT)

Grimsthorpe Castle Belton House (NT)

Full details are at the back of the newsletter. If you would like a booking form you can pick one up at

the next meeting or by sending me a stamped addressed envelope: Valerie Hirth, 14 Elms Gardens,

Wembley, Middlesex HA0 2RU - Tel: 020 8931 6906

Valerie Hirth – Holiday Organiser

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MONTHLY LECTURES 2018

Thursday 18th January 2018 - “Odd Pets and Other Stories” by Simon Brown

This is a return visit after many years. Simon retired from the Metropolitan Police and now volunteers as

a zoo keeper at London Zoo. They say you should never work with animals or children, advice that seems

to have passed him by. He says that in so doing you either experience, or if you are lucky, hear many

stories, some involving pets, others zoo related, that often leave you wondering, who is “Top Dog"

around here.

Thursday, 15th February 2018 - “The Art of The Follies” by Russell Bowes

Russell last visited us in 2014 with his talk “Say It with Poison”. His new repertoire now includes tonight’s

talk about Follies. Most of us over many years of visiting National Trust houses and estates will have seen

many Follies and often wondered why they were built and the entertaining stories behind their creation.

Russell will reveal all in his talk.

Thursday 18th March 2018 - Annual General Meeting followed by your pictures of 2017 outings

Your chance to vote for Officers and air your views. This will be followed by a PowerPoint Presentation

by Val Hirth of member’s photographs from our various visits during the past year. As it was so popular

last year, it has been decided to continue with a similar format. A chance to see each other “at play”.

Thursday 19th April 2018 - “Children of the Dark; Life and Death Underground in Victoria’s

England” by Alan Gallop

Alan Gallop returns to us with another of his interesting lectures. His talk will tell the story of Queen

Victoria’s invisible subjects – women and children who laboured underground harvesting coal to fuel the

forges and furnaces of the Industrial Revolution. Following the fortunes of 7-year-old Joey Burkinshaw,

Alan will recreate the events surrounding the 1838 Huskar Pit disaster at Silkstone, North Yorkshire – a

disaster which ironically led to better working conditions for miners.

Thursday, 17th May 2018 - “Rock Steady - The Gibraltar Story” by Maj. (Ret’d) Paul Whittle

Due to popular demand, we welcome back Paul Whittle with another of his illustrated travel experiences.

It is a fascinating tour of this tiny historic British military bastion – its heritage, fortifications and tourist

attractions. This tiny peninsula off the south coast of Spain has been a British Overseas Territory since

1713. Situated on the narrow gap between Europe and Africa, from this spot, a Navy can control

shipping in and out of the Mediterranean, much of it coming from Asia via the Suez Canal. The UK, a key

member of NATO has a naval and military base there for that reason.

Thursday 21st June 2018 - To be announced.

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Thursday, 19th July 2018 – “The Rudolph Hess Coverup” by Tony Eaton

A return visit by Tony Eaton with the second of his 3 “Air Mysteries”. After his talk on Glen Miller’s

Curious Disappearance, we now have the Rudolph Hess Coverup, where he reveals the hidden secrets

behind the Rudolph Hess Peace Mission, arriving in Scotland in 1941.

As Hitler’s Deputy Furher, what was his reason for going on this flight????? and why is the Government

still refusing to open its files today. Do you have an answer or your own theory, perhaps Tony will help

you make a decision?

I am always interested to hear of any subject or speaker you would like to have included in our

programme and to get your feedback afterwards and welcome suggestions for talks for the remainder of

2018.

Lorraine Maguire - Lectures Organiser

HUMOUR

How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it …..

A cartoonist was found dead in his home; details are sketchy …….

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes’

England has no kidney bank, but does have a Liverpool…

I tried to catch some fog, but I mist…

Jokes about German sausages are the wurst…

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me…

This girl said she recognised me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore….

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down….

I did a theatrical performance about puns, it was a a play on words….

I didn’t like my beard at first, then it grew on me………

Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils ……….?

When you get a bladder infection you know urine trouble……

Broken pencils are pretty much pointless……

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus

I dropped out of the communism class because of lousy Marx….

All the toilets in New York’s police stations have been stolen, it appears the police have nothing to go on…..

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded the dough………

Velcro –what a rip off……..

I used to be a banker but then I lost interest…

And God promised man that good and obedient wives would be found on all corners of the world, then he

made the earth round and laughed and laughed and laughed.

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE

SUMMER OUTINGS 2018 - BOOKING FORM

NAME(S) OF

PERSON(S)...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

ADDRESS....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................TELEPHONE NO......................................................................................................

EMAIL ADDRESS............................................................................................. .........................................................................................................

Please tick through preferred Pick-up Points

Wembley Park Preston Road St John's St Cuthbert’s

9.00 9.05 9.15 9.20

VENUE DAY& DATE COST TOTAL NEXT TO

HENLEY AND NT NUFFIELD PLACE SAT. 14th APRIL

NT Member £21.00

Non-NT

Member £31.00

WINSOR AND EDWARDIAN TEA

CRUISE

TUESDAY 15th MAY £41.60

RHS WISLEY

SAT. 23rd JUNE Non-RHS £29.00

RHS Member £18.00

GUILDFORD AND LOSELEY PARK

THURSDAY 26th JULY £32.00

NT MOTTISFONT

SAT. 11th AUG

NT Member £21.00

Non-NT

Member £31.00

JORDANS MILL AND KNEBWORTH

HOUSE SAT. 8th SEPT

Non HHA

Member £37.00

HHA Member £25.50

WEMBLEY PARK Outside Ark Academy, a short walk from Wembley Park Station.

PRESTON ROAD In Preston Road near bus stop opposite The Preston Pub.

ST JOHNS In Crawford Avenue, Wembley

ST CUTHBERT'S In Carlton Avenue West near the junction with the Watford Road near St Cuthbert's

Church. Outside Event Day Area for Parking

Please send this booking form to:

Mrs V Hirth, 14 Elms Gardens, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 2RU - Tel: 020 8931 6906

An addressed/stamped envelope is required if you know you will not be present at the next Lecture meeting.

PAYMENT METHODS:

1. Bank transfer. Account Details. Sort Code 40-46-10. Account No. 51033468. Account: National Trust

Wembley & District Centre.

2. Either enclose one cheque to cover all trips you wish to take but please take note this will be cashed

immediately.

3. Enclose separate cheques for each outing. They may be left undated or dated not later than ONE MONTH

to the date of the outing when they will be cashed.

If you have not been allocated a place your cheque or a refund will be made.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ON OUTINGS

PICK-UP & SET DOWN POINTS

Wembley Park Outside Ark Academy just down from Wembley Park Station

Preston Road In Preston Road near the bus stop opposite The Preston Pub. At end of day, set down outside

The Preston Pub.

St John’s In Crawford Avenue, Wembley

Watford Road Opposite St. Cuthbert’s Church, in The Crescent– this is outside the event day area for parking

BOOKING FORM:

You are asked to indicate the point at which you wish to join the coach, and also, whom you may like to sit next to.

When your ticket is issued it will show your seat number and the time at which the coach will leave the point you

elected to join the coach.

PAYMENT METHODS:

1. Bank transfer. Account Details. Sort Code 40-46-10. Account No. 51033468. Account National Trust

Wembley & District Centre.

2. Enclose one cheque to cover all trips you wish to take but please take note this will be cashed

immediately.

3. Enclose separate cheques for each outing. They may be left undated or dated not later than ONE MONTH

prior to the date of the outing when they will be cashed.

If you have not been allocated a place your cheque or a refund will be made.

TICKETS:

Ticket’s for an outing will be issued as soon as possible and will usually be available at the next Lecture meeting.

CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellation within 14 Days of outing - If seat is not filled a 50% charge will be made.

Cancellation within 24 hours - no refund will be given.

Some trips have to be paid for in advance - in these cases no refund will be made.

GENERAL: Members are reminded that an amount for a gratuity for the driver is included in the amount you have

paid for the outing. Should you find yourself unable to attend an outing please telephone to let me know you are

not coming, even if this is fairly late on the evening before the outing. We may have members on a waiting list who

could take your place. When visiting National Trust properties and other similar properties you are asked to ensure

that you are wearing suitable footwear – NO SHARP HEELS.

SAFETY & INSURANCE

Members and guests who participate in visits do so entirely at their own risk and the Wembley & District Centre or

other participants cannot accept any liability.

A reminder that the National Trust insurance does not cover people over 80 years old and therefore anyone to

whom this applies should be aware of this.

Also, please use your seat belt when travelling as, in the unlikely event of an accident, insurance companies will not

pay out if the seat belt is not being used.

Members are advised that many properties and grounds have steps, slopes and uneven surfaces that require extra

care. Good sturdy shoes are a must. If you are unable to cope unassisted for whatever medical, physical or other

reason throughout an excursion you must bring a carer with you as neither the organiser nor participants of an

excursion can be responsible for you. The carer need not be a member of the National Trust.

ICE (In case of emergency): Please ensure you put a number to be contacted in the case of emergency under “ICE”

on your mobile and carry an ICE Card (or some form of note) with you, giving the name of a person to contact in an

emergency and a list of your medication.

ALWAYS HAVE YOUR NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH YOU as an unscheduled stop may be

made. If changes have to be made you will advised if there were reasonable time in which to do so. Non-

National Trust members will have to pay entry fees at all National Trust Properties

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NT Wembley & District Centre

LINCOLNSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS

HOW TO BOOK

Complete the attached booking form and return with your

non- non-refundable deposit + Insurance premium if required

to:- Valerie Hirth, 14 Elms Gardens, Wembley, Middlesex,

HA0 2RU. Tel. 020 8931 6906

This tour is operated by Simply Groups, Dalton House, Hawksworth Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9DU 1

TEL 01943 605999 info@simplygroups.co.uk

www.simplygroups.co.uk

WHAT’S INCLUDED

days / 5 nights’ duration 6

Sunday 16th - Friday 21st September 2018

Return Executive Coach Travel

nights half board 5

*Best Western Plus Bentley Hotel, Leisure Club & Spa 3

Excursion package as detailed overleaf

PRICES & SUPPLEMENTS

Minimum 40 paying persons £659pp Two share

Minimum 35 paying persons £679pp Two share

Minimum 30 paying persons £699pp Two share

Sole use supplement £49pp max. 20 rooms -

Deposit £100pp (non-refundable or transferable)

Balance due in full by 03.08.18

Optional Travel Insurance £40pp

No upper age limit (conditions apply)

HIGHLIGHTS

Burghley House

Lincoln City & Cathedral

Doddington Hall

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre

Petwood Hotel (Dambusters)

Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens (NT)

Grimsthorpe Castle

Belton House (NT)

Belton House Fishing Lodge

Burghley House

Petwood Hotel

Grimsthorpe Castle

Lincoln

Battle of Britain Memorial

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Sample Itinerary

Sunday Day 1 – Departing approx. 9am, we travel north to the pretty Lincolnshire town of Stamford, said to be the

"finest stone town in England". Its prosperity was originally drawn from the wool trade and from in years gone-by it

being a mail-coach inter-change point on the Great North Road almost halfway between London and York.

Stamford is idyllic enough to have formed the backdrop for television costume dramas such as Middlemarch and

the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice. You will have some free time here and can purchase lunch before our afternoon

visit to the nearby Burghley House, William Cecil’s ancestral home. This palatial Elizabethan prodigy house is still a

much-loved family home and you can explore its historic collection of paintings, ceramics and works of art, many

of which still stand where they were first recorded in 1688. We include a guided tour of Burghley’s 18 dramatic

State Rooms, and you will have some free time to enjoy the ‘Capability’ Brown parkland located at the centre of

this working traditional Estate. Departing here later this afternoon, we continue towards Lincoln, where having

checked in to the hotel, your evening meal is included.

Monday Day 2 – Today is dedicated to the historic city of Lincoln where we include a guided walking tour around

one of England's most beautiful & historic cities which has more than 2000 years of heritage. We also include a visit

to Lincoln Cathedral accompanied by a guide, which is one of Europe’s finest Gothic Cathedrals and this stunning

building dominates the skyline for miles around. Surrounded by medieval cobbled streets, Lincoln Cathedral has

been a centre of religion for 1,000 years in a city blessed with over 2,000 years of history and heritage. Parts of the

nave, the cloisters and the chapter house were also used to film scenes in the Da Vinci Code. By Norman times,

Lincoln was the third city of the realm in prosperity and importance and even had its own mint for making coins. In

1068, two years after the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror began building Lincoln Castle (entrance extra),

on a site occupied since Roman times. To enlarge the site, 166 Saxon houses were demolished and this fine

building dominated the skyline until the Cathedral was built. It is one of only two castles in Britain built with two

mottes. For 900 years the castle has been used as a court and prison. The coffin-like pews in the chapel were to

remind prisoners of their fate and to ensure that they could not see each other. Many prisoners were deported to

Australia and others executed on the ramparts. It is also home to the Lincoln Magna Carta, dating from 1215.

This afternoon’s included visit is to Doddington Hall, a fine late Elizabethan Mansion which was completed in 1600,

where a guided tour is included. It was originally built by Robert Smythson for Thomas Tailor, the registrar to the

Bishop of Lincoln. Smythson also designed Longleat, Hardwick Hall and Burton Agnes. Doddington’s high

symmetrical outlines and huge windows symbolise the security and confidence of Queen Elizabeth’s prosperous

age. In 1749 the Hall was inherited by John Delaval of Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. He carried out an

extensive redesign of the interior in a bold Georgian manner, however he did not change the house externally

which remains as it was in 1600's, including the gatehouse, courtyards and formal gardens. In 1830 George Jarvis

inherited the house from his lady friend Sarah Gunman who was heiress to the property; the present owners are his

direct descendants. Returning to the hotel dinner is included tonight.

Tuesday Day 3 – Today begins with an included visit to the fascinating Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor

Centre, where a guided tour is included. This centre operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two

Chipmunks, and a Dakota. In 1986, under a unique arrangement between Lincolnshire County Council and the

Royal Air Force, it became possible to view these historic aircraft at their base at RAF Coningsby. These aircraft are

no museum pieces, as they all still fly and can be seen at a variety of air shows in the summer months.

We then continue on to Woodhall Spa and the Petwood Hotel, which although originally built for an Edwardian

Baroness, was made famous by RAF 617 or the ‘Dambusters’ squadron who placed Petwood on the map. The hotel

is home to a collection of fascinating memorabilia which is testament to the intrepid RAF officers who found the

house and grounds a ‘splendid place’ to return to after their daring wartime raids.

A light lunch is included here before your included visit to the Kinema in the Woods where you will have an

included private showing of ‘Down Memory Lane’, an 80-minute nostalgia show featuring their resident organist

and includes vintage slides, newsreel clips and even a singalong. Dating from 1922, this was the only fully

functioning cinema in the UK to employ back projection. The building that houses the Kinema was originally a farm

building, and after that, a concert pavilion. In 1906, it became the cricket pavilion for Petwood House (later the

Petwood Hotel) and was converted in 1922 into the Pavilion Cinema. The Pavilion Cinema (as it was then known)

was only the 68th cinema to be opened in Britain - and the unique rear projection system is still used today in the

original screen (screen 1). We return to the hotel where dinner is included this evening.

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Wednesday Day 4 - Today, we head to the coast where we include a visit to the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre.

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Great Grimsby as the ‘world’s premier fishing port’ at this award-

winning attraction. Discover life for British trawlermen in a job described as ‘the most dangerous peacetime

occupation in the UK’. Climb aboard the historic ‘Ross Tiger’ trawler to experience the conditions aboard one of the

earliest surviving diesel side-trawlers! Fishing has often been described as one of the toughest jobs in the world.

The Heritage Centre aims to take you back 60 years to discover life for our trawlermen and their families, both at

home and at sea. Experience the sights, sounds, smells and even the movements of life as a 1950’s trawlerman. The

beautifully crafted interactive displays are either carefully recreated or made from original trawler fixtures and

fittings, accurately reassembled. Lunch can be purchased here before we travel through the Lincolnshire Wolds, the

highest land in eastern England between Kent and Yorkshire. This living, working landscape, with woodland,

grassland and abandoned chalk pits provide important habitats for rare flowers and wildlife. Most of this region

was designated as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in 1973 following considerable local campaigning.

Our final visit today will be Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens (NT). This was the home of the Massingberd family

from 1700 until 1967 and today, it still feels cherished and lived-in. Exploring three floors, you can easily imagine

you’ll bump into one of the family at any moment. Enjoy garden colour with its abundant spring flowers and

summer roses. We return to the hotel where dinner is included this evening.

Thursday Day 5 – Today is a leisurely day at Grimsthorpe Castle. Your visit begins by being greeted on arrival with

morning coffee and biscuits. This will be followed by a one-hour guided tour of Grimsthorpe Park in your coach.

The tour takes in the 3,000 acres of Grimsthorpe Park encompassing rolling pasture, landscaped lakes and historic

oak woodland, little changed since the visit of Henry VIII. It includes the site of a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey, the

grand designs of 18th Century landscape architects and centuries of association with the Castle. Natural history is

diverse, with three species of wild deer, teeming bird life on the lakes, ancient trees, rare flowers and butterflies.

Returning to the Castle, lunch is included after which you will enjoy a one-hour private guided tour of the Castle,

the centrepiece of the Estate being a large quadrangular house with a central courtyard. Each section has a

different appearance, reflecting the different architectural styles that have been employed here since building

began in the 13th Century. Once inside you can see the collection of paintings, furniture, tapestries and objects

d’art that fill the state rooms. Thrones and furnishings from the House of Lords are some of the more unusual

items on view. Afterwards you will have some free time to explore the gardens which surround the Castle on three

sides. To the South lies a formal lawn with topiary squares beyond. These contain small ornamental pools. To the

West of the Castle a long herbaceous border provides colour during the summer months. The neatly trimmed yew

hedge is cut low enough to give spectacular views to the lake. On the East of the Castle a formal rose parterre is

lined with small box hedges and beyond lies a walled kitchen garden. We re-join the coach and return to the hotel

where dinner is included.

Friday Day 6 – Checking out of the hotel this morning, we begin our homeward journey making a stop at

Boundary Mills for a little retail therapy before our final visit of the day to Belton House (NT).

This is one of the finest historic restoration houses in the country and was the "star" of the BBC’s 2006 Jane Eyre TV

adaption. Belton’s garden covers 35 acres to the north side of the historic home, with formal Italian, Dutch and

English gardens as well as a vast informal area. The gardens offer variety and choice for every taste. We depart here

later this afternoon continuing homeward, as we return you to your original departure point(s) later today.

Please note that at older attractions there are multiple stairs and walking is involved throughout this tour.

Simply Groups reserve the right to make minor changes to this itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE - THEATRE GROUP BOOKING FORM

42nd STREET

WEDNESDAY 21st MARCH 2018

2:30pm Matinee - £29.50 (face value £75)

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF

Directions to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from Covent Garden Tube Station:

Piccadilly line to Covent Garden Tube Station, take the lift to street level. On exiting the station turn right

down James Street (towards 'The Market'), cross over Floral Street, take the next left into a 50-metre

covered colonnade with shops on the left and the Covent Garden market building on the right. Follow

the colonnade as it turns right (at the rear entrance to the Royal Opera House), take the next left into

Russell Street. Continue walking over Bow Street/Wellington Street, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane should

start to come into view ahead of you on the right-hand side. At the next road, Catherine Street, turn right

and you will in front of the theatre. In total a distance of around 400 metres, approximately a 6-minute

walk

The Storyline:

As the curtain opens on America in 1932 at the heart of the Great Depression, chorines and gypsies get

wind that acclaimed Broadway producer Julian Marsh is casting his new musical show. As an extensive

tap audition begins, we're introduced to fresh-off-the-bus Peggy Sawyer, a talented and enthusiastic

young star who manages to pass her audition and join the company.

Dorothy Brock, an over the hill star is set to be the leading lady in 'Pretty Lady', and her beau Abner

Dillon has $100,000 to invest in the production, despite the fact that the Dorothy has fallen in love with

one of her old stage partners Pat Denning. As the group head to Philadelphia for their out of town try-

out, Dorothy breaks off her relationship with Dillon in a move that threatens the entire production. On

opening night Peggy bumps into Dorothy during a routine, sending the star to the floor with a broken

ankle forcing the curtain to come down. The question now is, who will take over the role and be the new

star, as the show must go on...

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………..……………..

BOOKING FORM – 42nd STREET – WEDNESDAY 21st MARCH 2018

Please print your name ….…………………………..………..……………………………………………………

Number of tickets: …………………………………..……………………………..………………….…………….

Telephone No: ………………………………………………..………………………………………….……..…….

Post to: Mrs Jean Peacock, 129 Rugby Avenue, Wembley HA0 3DP

Your cheque for £29.50 made payable to NT Wembley & District Centre

MUST be with with me by MONDAY 29th JANUARY

Please send a SAE if you are not able to collect your tickets at a meeting.

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE

APPLICATION TO JOIN THE WEMBLEY OAK LEAF CLUB - 2018

BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE

Member’s Name: (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) …………………................................................................................……………………….

I wish to purchase …………………………. shares at £12 each and enclose my cheque for £ …………………………….

Cheque made payable to: WEMBLEY OAK LEAF CLUB

Please return to: Miss S Peckett

13 Westward Way

Harrow HA3 0SE

The Oak Leaf Club’s year commences in April, shares are £12 each share for one year and you can have

as many shares as you like. You can join at any time of the year deducting £1 for each month you have

missed.

You MUST be a member of the Wembley & District Centre although not necessarily a member of the

National Trust.

Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you wish your Oak Leaf share number to be posted.

Sheila Peckett – Administrator

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL - 2018

The annual subscription stays the same at £12 per person and is payable on 1st January yearly.

Cheques should be made payable to NT Wembley & District Centre. Cutoff date for renewal is the

end of March. We would, of course, be delighted should you wish to make a donation in addition to

your membership fee!

If you would like your new membership card/s posted to you, please enclose a stamped addressed

envelope together with your renewal form and cheque, or you can collect your card/s at the next

monthly lecture meeting. Please complete and return the form below, as it is essential for our records,

together with your cheque. Please remember to fill in the National Trust Membership number and

expiry date – not your pink Wembley & District number.

Mrs Jean Peacock

129 Rugby Avenue

Wembley HA0 3DP

(020) 8902 1324

.….…..…..…..…..…..…..….…...….….….….….…. … …. …

• (I am a) (we are) paid up members of the National Trust and wish to renew my/our membership of

the Wembley & District Centre.

• I am NOT a member of the National Trust. (Please delete whichever does NOT apply)

BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE

Mr/Mrs/Miss (first name & surname)………………………………………........................................................

Mr/Mrs/Miss (first name & surname)………………………………………........................................................

Address…………………………….......................................................................................................................

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Post Code………………………………………..……................Tel………………………………………………..………

Email address: ..………………………………………………………….Mobile………………………………………….

MAIN NT Membership No/s ………………………………………….....Expiry Date ………………..…………….

(Not Wembley & District No)

………………………………………….…Expiry Date………………….……………

Total sum enclosed at £12 per person……………..……………………………………………………….…………

Signature/s ………………………..………………..…..... / ...................................................................................

I would like to make a donation of: £…………

Data Protection Act: The contact details of members are held in a computer database for administration

purposes only and will not be passed to any third party.

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE

WINTER OUTING - 2018

I/we wish to join the Winter Outings (indicated by a tick in the appropriate column)

Name: ………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………….……………..…………….….

Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….………………….……….

………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………….….………………………..….

Phone No: ………………………………………………………..……………………..……………………………….……..….…………………….

Mobile No: ………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………...…………..……..……….

Outing Date and Time Number Cost per Head Total Amount

Magic Circle

Monday 5th March 11.20 am £21.00 each

1) PLEASE SEND A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE FOR A REPLY

2) Please make your signed cheque payable to the ‘NT Wembley & District WO a/c and send with

this application to:

Mrs Sheila Peckett

13 Westward Way

Harrow HA3 0SE

3) If for any reason you are unable to attend the outing, please inform me (020) 8907 7863. We

are unable to refund the cost of the outing as we have already paid for the visit unless there is a

waiting list.

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2018 PULL-OUT EVENTS DIARY AT A GLANCE

Thursday 15th February Lecture The Art of the Follies

Wednesday 21st February NEW Walk West India Dock Walk

Thursday 15th March AGM AGM followed by members’ pictures

Wednesday 14th March NEW Walk Rotherhithe Walk

Saturday 15th April Outing Henley & Nuffield Park

Wednesday 18th April NEW Walk Southwark Walk

Thursday 19th April Lecture Children of the Dark; Life and Death Underground in

Victoria’s England

Tuesday 15th May Outing Windsor & Edwardian Afternoon Tea Cruise

Thursday 17th May Lecture Rock Steady - The Gibraltar Story

Thursday 21st June Lecture To be announced

Saturday 23rd June Outing RHS Wisley

Thursday 19th July Lecture The Rudolph Hess Coverup

Thursday 26th July Outing Guildford & Loseley Park

Saturday 11th August Outing Mottisfont NT

Saturday 8th September Outing Jordans Mill & Knebworth House

16th – 21st September

Holiday Lincoln

Please do not sit on the chairs beyond our tea table – many thanks

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Wembley & District Centre for the National Trust

will be held at Sudbury Day Centre

on Thursday 15th March 2018 at 8:00pm.

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for absence

2. To approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 16th March 2017

3. To receive a Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2017

4. Chairman’s Report

5. Sectional Reports

i) Summer Outings

ii) Winter Outings

iii) Lectures

iv) Refreshments

v) Holidays

vi) Membership

vii) Newsletter Editor/Distribution

viii) Theatre Group

ix) Oak Leaf

6. Election of the Committee

In accordance with the Constitution, all officers retire:

Motion: that the AGM is asked to approve the election of the following officers and Members of the

Committee

Chairman - Mr Phillip Rankmore

Secretary - Mrs Margaret Hayward

Treasurer/Newsletter Editor - Mr Philip Hirth

Holidays - Mrs Valerie Hirth

Lectures/Winter Outings - Mrs Lorraine Maguire

Membership/Distribution/Website - Mrs Jean Peacock

Summer Outings - Mrs Valerie Hirth

Oak Leaf - Miss Sheila Peckett

Coffee/Teas, Bring & Buy Table - Mrs Barbara Dearsley

7. To confirm the annual subscription rates for 2018/19

8. To appoint Independent Examiner for the coming year

9. Any Other business

Margaret Hayward

Secretary 2018 AGM Agenda

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WEMBLEY and DISTRICT CENTRE

A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS

Minutes of the 38th Annual General Meeting held at the

Sudbury Day Care Centre, Sudbury

on Thursday 16th March 2017

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies for absence were received from: Vivien Tobitt, Miss J Fletcher, Mrs M Hippolite,

Mr F Waddington, Mrs D Larkin, Mrs J McHugh, Mrs E Ryan, Mrs J Sturgess, Mr R Barker and Mr J Branch.

There were approximately 50 Members present.

2. MINUTES:

The Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting were read and approved and duly signed.

3. ACCOUNTS:

Philip Hirth thanked members for their donations. He also mentioned that printing the magazine does

not cost us anything due to Jean Peacock’s contacts with Daniels Estate Agents. We donated last year

£2,400 to the National Trust. £2,000 went to 575 Wandsworth Road and £400 handed over to the

National Trust for this year.

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

Phil Rankmore remarked on how quickly his first year as Chairman had passed and thanked the members

of the Committee for their support and hard work. A full programme of meetings and outings had been

provided for the enjoyment of the members and we now look forward to new lectures and visits in

2017/2018. He said our main challenges for the future remain the recruitment of new NT members for

our group and the appointment of new Winter Outing organiser(s).

5. SECTIONAL REPORTS:

i) Summer Outings:

Valerie Hirth asked for support from family members or friends to support the Summer Outings.

ii) Winter Outings:

Sheila Peckett thanked all members who have supported the winter outings and that the profits were

just over £300. She mentioned that we had done 8 trips this year instead of the usual 10. Sheila said that

when she started in 1998 there were 5 people on the Winter Outings Committee. For many years there

have been only 2, with Diane White filling the vacancy after Jeanne Ewen passed away. As you know,

Diane has now resigned and we need a replacement. So far there have been no applicants. Diane is quite

willing to show whoever may like to take over, what the job entails. If no one comes forward by the end

of May there will be no more Winter Outings.

iii) Lectures:

Lorraine Maguire hoped that the members enjoyed the two lectures that she had arranged while she was

away “down under”. During the past 12 months there has been a varied selection of speakers covering a

wide range of subjects. Feedback has been good and the speakers were well received. So far, she has

only arranged the April speaker but by the time the next newsletter is out she hopes to have another

selection of talks arranged for you. The notice board will keep you informed of the next 4 month’s

arrangements. She is always on the lookout for new speakers (with an aim to stay below £100), so if

anyone has a subject or a speaker that they would like her to consider, please say so. Lorraine said that

she would be pleased to continue for the next 12 months arranging the evening lectures.

23 | P a g e

iv) Refreshments/Bric-a-Brac:

Barbara Dearsley thanked all those members who have kindly donated to our bric-a-brac and book

table. Every little helps towards supporting the Centre. She mentioned that any items or books which

have been around for some time are taken along to St Luke’s Charity shop, and because they are gift

aided she receives notification of how much they have raised. Between the period October 2016 -

February 2017 the sum was £112.93 so helping another worthy cause. She thanked all those members

who had volunteered their services with refreshments but said she still needs help from July onwards and

asked for more volunteers to put their names down.

v) Tours:

June Dray said that she has had a good response for the Torquay holiday, with 5 twin rooms left and that

it was now open to non-NT members. She mentioned that this would be her last year as Holiday

Organiser on the Committee and asked if someone would like to take over.

vi) Membership:

Jean Peacock thanked those members who had made a donation over and above their membership fee.

She said that only 104 members had renewed so far but she was chasing the rest. 14 are non-NT

members and we also have 4 new members. She mentioned that we need to recruit new members and

asked the floor to ‘spread the word’.

vii) Newsletter:

Once again Jean Peacock thanked Phil Hirth and Phil Rankmore for getting on their bikes to deliver our

newsletters. She said that the price of a second-class postage stamp is now 54 pence and is due to go up

again on 29th March to 55 pence. She asked members to let her know if their email address changes.

viii) Theatre Group:

Jean Peacock informed the meeting that in January we saw Billy Elliott, in June Mrs Henderson Presents

and in November went to see the Play That Goes Wrong, which was very funny. She mentioned that this

year she has booked for members to see Beautiful on 28th March and that she will keep an eye open for

favourable prices for future theatre outings.

ix) Oak Leaf Club:

Sheila Peckett said it was good to report an increase in the number of shares issued this year to 73

compared to 65 the previous year. She thanked all members who have participated in making a profit of

£270 for the Centre. It is not too late to apply for shares for the year starting in April 2017. Please apply

by 7th April.

6. ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE:

Phil Rankmore asked the floor to show a vote of thanks to the Committee for all their work over the last

year. A show of hands was asked for a block vote for the election of the Committee Members willing to

stand. A unanimous vote of yes was received from the floor. This was proposed by Alvina Doughty and

Jean Forth and seconded by Nancy Ferrari.

7. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATE FOR 2017

The Committee agreed that membership should remain at £12 for 2017.

8. APPOINT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER FOR THE COMING YEAR

Philip Hirth informed us that Suresh Kamath has agreed to examine the accounts for the following year.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

None.

The Oak Leaf was drawn and the meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.

Margaret Hayward

Hon. Secretary

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NATIONAL TRUST WEMBLEY & DISTRICT CENTRE

NOMINATION FORM

I propose the person/persons named below to serve on the Committee for the term from the end

of the AGM. on 15th March 2018 to the end of the AGM March 2019

Proposer: (In capitals) ……………….………………………. Signature: …………………………………….…….

Name

Proposed

(Capitals)

Signed

Assent of

Nominee

Position Name &

Signature

of Seconder

Present

Holder of

Position

CHAIRMAN

MR P RANKMORE

TREASURER

MR P HIRTH

SECRETARY

MRS M

HAYWARD

HOLIDAYS

MRS V HIRTH

LECTURES

MRS L MAGUIRE

SUMMER OUTINGS

MRS V HIRTH

MEMBERSHIP

WEBSITE

THEATRE OUTINGS

MRS J PEACOCK

OAK LEAF

MISS S PECKETT

WINTER

OUTINGS

VACANT

POSITION

COFFEE/TEAS

BRING & BUY

MRS B DEARSLEY

You may also propose up to three more Committee members but you must have the written consent of

the person you nominate and the name and signature of a seconder. If more than one nomination is

received for any of the offices, an election will be held at the Annual General Meeting.

All voting papers must be returned to the Secretary by 1st March 2018

Mrs Margaret Hayward, 151 Aboyne Road, Neasden, London NW10 OEY

2018 Nomination Form