Tigger - he could be yours!
Transcription
Tigger - he could be yours!
Issue 76 • February 2016 N AT I O N A L A S S O C I AT I O N O F A member of the Round Table Family CLUBS Susanne Nørager and Alex V oller, President s of TCI a nd NATC me et at the historic H alf Year Meeting in Birmin gham ON EDITI S I H T ub t Cl Tangen ebration y cel birthda ture a e F l a i Spec LPA’s re g g i T uld o c e h rs! u o y be SPRING N AT I O N A L A S S O C I AT I O N O F CLUBS Page 9 Well Travelled Tigger Page 4 Press Release Page 3 Page 7 Page 14 Out & About with Alex Voller Lasting Powers of Attorney International News NATIONAL PRESIDENT Alex Voller E: [email protected] Page 5 - What’ on • Page 6 - Now this is a REAL 4 Club Family!!! • Page 8 - Fundraising / Remembering Friends • Page 10 - Lets Celebrate • Page 12 - Out & About Page 13 - Half Year Meetings in Birmingham • Page 15 - You’re never too old to summit! VICE PRESIDENT & MEMBERSHIP Paula Farnfield E: [email protected] IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT & INTERNATIONAL Janice O’Neill May I wish you all a very happy New Year! As I near the end of my tenure as your Editor, it is a time to reflect and take stock. No doubt many will be facing challenges in the coming year but there will also be plenty to celebrate and be thankful for. E: [email protected] I recently spent a weekend with good friends; we chatted, laughed, shared meals and memories, voiced opinions and just relaxed in each other’s company. The time we shared, on the face of it, may appear unremarkable to many; but to me it was a golden memory, because it was the unspoken friendship within the group that was so precious. Throughout my time on the National Exec, I have been fortunate to share many Tangent memories, not only through my visits to clubs and events as your National Editor, but through the many articles and touching obituaries, many of you send to me. SECRETARY Melodie Brookes The golden thread that I see, working through the ‘Tangent experience’ has been the specialness of friendships made and sustained; many of them, over decades and long may that continue. I would like to encourage you to come to the AGM in Birmingham in April, but if you can’t be there, get involved by discussing the agenda that you will receive, and send a delegate to put forward your views. If you have any questions in advance… please get in touch and let the Exec know. We are all there to help. Jill Harris would particularly like to know if you have any financial questions so that she can make sure she has any necessary information prepared for you. E: [email protected] TEASURER Jill Harris E: [email protected] SALES & REGALIA OFFICER Sue Hill YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO SUMMIT! Most people moving into their fifties/sixties start looking at relaxation & retirement after years of working hard. For Potters Bar Tangent chairman Barbara Middleton and her friend Caer Rice-Smith however, with a combined age of 113 years, it is just the opposite, as they prepare to take on the ultimate challenge of trekking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro this February. They feel the time is right for this epic adventure, which they will be doing to raise money for The Alzheimers Society, which is Barbara’s chosen charity for her year as Chairman. “Whilst a little apprehensive about the challenges ahead, we’re both very excited” said Barbara “and will be supporting each other every step of the way to make sure we both Summit” The pair have been training regularly, completing a night hike up and down Snowdon, attending outdoor Bootcamp classes and of course walking 6-8 miles most days, changing their commutes to work in order to do so. Most recently they completed an 26k section of the Thames Path in just 6 hours, testing their waterproofs and stamina in their run up to the big climb. (Photo taken at the half way stage after a hot chocolate pitstop!) National Secretary Melodie is a musical lady – not only by name, and she has given us another spoof choral piece to be sung to the hymn tune for Immortal, Invisible Verse 1 Immoral, impossible, God only knows How tenors and basses, sopranos, altos At service on Sunday are rarely the same As those who on Monday to choir practice came. Verse 2 Unready, unable to sight-read the notes, Nor counting, nor blending, they tighten their throats. The descant so piercing is soaring above A melody only a mother could love. Verse 3 They have a director, but no one knows why; No one in the choir deigns to turn him an eye. It’s clear by his flailing, he wants them to look, But each singer stands there with nose in the book. Verse 4 Despite the offences, the music rings out. The folks in the pews are enraptured, no doubt. Their faces are blissful, their thoughts appear deep, But this is no wonder, for they are asleep. Please Please remember remember the the following following Tangent Tangent members members who who have have sadly sadly passed passed away. away. Nina Nina Andrewartha Andrewartha –– Shirley Shirley 86 86 Jenny Jenny Bickley Bickley –– Battle Battle 696 696 “We have both witnessed close relatives succumb to the ravaging effects of dementia” said Caer “We hope to raise as much money as possible to aid research and eradicate this condition.” Lydia Lydia Black Black –– Tiverton Tiverton 55 55 Both women will be funding the trip themselves and have set up Just Giving pages so that all monies raised go direct to The Alzheimers Society. If you would like to donate please visit their Just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/Kilibill2/ Margaret Margaret Janes Janes –– Bexhill Bexhill 356 356 Denise Denise Gray Gray –– Rothwell Rothwell && District District 513 513 E: [email protected] In this edition you will find reports of celebrations, anniversaries, fundraising and just fun activities. I am also pleased to include a feature by a member who is a solicitor who presents the benefits of a ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’. Do also try checking out the new sales items Tangent can get by clicking on http://www.tangentshop.co.uk and if you are into cruising… check out the Fred Olsen offer on the back cover. EDITOR & WEBSITE CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Campbell Freddie Freddie Keey Keey –– Thornbury Thornbury 400 400 Sheila Sheila Lewis Lewis –– Bradford Bradford Fairfax Fairfax 319 319 Eve Eve Lockyer Lockyer –– Tiverton Tiverton 55 55 E: [email protected] Ann Ann Markley Markley –– Bletchley Bletchley 111 111 Ladies, as I sign off for the last time, thank you to the current exec for their support and encouragement and I wish Paula and her new Exec every good wish for the future. However, my greatest thanks goes to you, the membership who have followed me… sent in articles for the magazine, let me know about events for the website and supported my ‘stumblings’ into social media and Tangent Facebook challenges, that have enabled me to encourage some of you to write for the magazine. Please give your support to those members who stand for the National Executive. Everyone has something to offer…. and so I am leaving you with the following words from Anne Frank: Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.’ Ladies, you never know until you try – so please, never say never, and whatever challenges come your way, treat them as opportunities! Yours in continued friendship Pauline Campbell Please submit copy for the Summer edition of Tangent News by Friday 13th May to [email protected] 2. Irene Irene Mennie Mennie –– Inverurie Inverurie && District District 650 650 EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR Jackie Hampton Linda Linda Papworth Papworth –– Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare 314 314 E: [email protected] Anne Anne Winscom Winscom –– Petersfield Petersfield 66 66 REGARDING OBITUARIES… Although National Association of Tangent Clubs makes every effort to ensure accuracy, we can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. © All information in this publication is copyright of National Association of Tangent Clubs. 15. Did you know that we record the names of members who have recently died in the magazine, but you can also send a longer, written obituary for posting on the Tangent website? Your club can celebrate your member’s life, through your words and a photo if you wish. Please send anything you wish to be included to the Editor. Email: [email protected] for publication in Tangent News and inclusion on the website Enduring n i s p i h s d n e i r F Gloucester, nga Dixon & Mule Janice O’Neill, Past National President and International Officer was pleased to welcome Mulenga Tembo and her husband, Dixon to the Half Yearly Meeting (HYM) in Birmingham in October. Following the Charter of Tangent Zambia Copperbelt and Lusaka at the Tangent Clubs International (TCI) HYM in October, Mulenga and Dixon revisited their Round Table and Ladies Circle club in Gloucester, who are now 41 Club and Tangent. Gloucester Tangent kindly sponsored the pins for the Zambia members and were delighted to host Mulenga and Dixon after the HYM. Tangent UK are the godmother to Zambia who are now an Associate Member of TCI. In the photo with Mulenga are Jackie Lord, Sheila Paterson and Carole Brennan who shared many funny stories of their time together in Circle. As IRO I was delighted to attend the reunion and to see the friendships still continuing 23 years after Mulenga and Dixon returned to Zambia where Mulenga is working as a farmer. Her stories are fascinating and if any Tangent UK member would like to hear more, please contact me for email addresses. Janice O'Neill IPP and IRO National Association of Tangent Clubs Board Member of TCI Congratulations, Val Villa MBE !! Founder member of Hutton & Shenfield 666, Val Villa, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours. Val is a very active member of our Tangent and is affectionately known as ‘Mother’ as she started the club 31 years ago. Chairmen, Sue and Ken Copley with June Boden Friends Forever Val is very active in her community in Galleywood (near Chelmsford, Essex) with fund raising and organising Easter Egg hunts for the children. She also belongs to the local WI where she has been chairman several times. Val and her husband worked very hard in getting the local ‘Parish Hall’ up and running and encouraged the local community to use the hall. June Boden wrote to share her story of a friend’s move that has sparked new friendships between clubs. Some years ago, Sue and Ken Copley, members of Billericay (Essex) clubs “defected” to Martock & District 809 in Somerset. Sue kept in touch and from time to time would manage to visit us. But this year, Billericay decided the time had arrived to pay a return visit, so in September, 5 couples made the trip. It is a special year for Sue and Ken who are chairmen of Martock Tangent and 41 Club, respectively and June Boden, who is Chair of Billericay Tangent. Val’s husband Bob was Mayor of Chelmsford last year and she was very busy attending functions with him. Thursday evening brought club members from around Somerset for a meeting. On Friday the group enjoyed visits to some of the local sites…an apple brandy distillery, a smoker and a visit to Montacute House. The evening was rounded off by a great dinner. Val is not in the best of health, but is always ready to help anyone who needs it and has always had time for other people. We, in Hutton and Shenfield Tangent 666, are very proud of our ‘Mother’. Even the weather was glorious so a great trip all round and the friends are looking forward to the next get together. t u o b A r d e n t l a Ou ol V x e h l t A wi .. nt ...... e g n a Dear T nd. weeke e s ’ t n e sid e th sh, Pre ises to hav nce i r I y fm si om e eve o ce, which pr agical time ber. h t n o t em ast , eren nd m m Belf r 2018 conf n a manic a wrote in Sep o r f u to yo of ou s bee I last I write ere, the city factor. It ha be h WOW ted to V eligh I am d Firstly I ventured north of the Border for a whistle stop tour of Bonny Scotland, where a highlight was visiting the Kelpies and encountering many Janisism’s with the crazy CATS. This was closely followed closely by the ‘flyaway’ Scottish luncheon, where we were expertly shown all the emergency exits by Julie White and her team of air hostesses! On the way back I visited brilliant Brampton Longtown & Border Tangent 555, learning all the secrets of Gretna Green, and was finally home after 7 nights away and 810 miles travelled. On 24 September I was honoured to attend the funeral of Past National President 1980-81, Anne Winscom, who I didn’t know personally, but I learned was an amazing lady and a great inspiration. On to the South West regional lunch and Pauline, Tigger and I stayed with the very efficient Sergeant Major Tracy Francksen. The venue was fantastic, and quite frankly my dear, the weather dare not disobey Tracy, and was glorious!! Jackie Hampton and I had so much fun and friendship at the first birthday party of Telford Tangle 937, and then, with lovely Jilly King, I enjoyed many laughs at Oxted & District 121 playing beetle drive which was very soon followed by the BCC Fashion Show. Next was a quick nip up to Northwich 426, with Super Shopper and Sales, Sue Hill, where I was very touched to receive a handmade and personalised cushion, by their Chairman, Claire. I would like to take this chance to thank my own Tangent, Wellingborough 371, for a fabulous 40th afternoon tea, which I am overwhelmed to say raised over £1000 for RTCW. The following day, one of the highlights of my year, saw Zoe Gaskill and I attending the Woman of the Year with my ‘good friend’ Nicole Kidman on the next table and a lady with Tourrette’s behind me!! Our first ever half yearly meeting was a jolly and interesting afternoon, full of discussion and banter, making it both fun and informative. Sunshine Coast 932 saw me discussing the attributes of matching underwear, and my singing challenge, for the first time, being accompanied by an ipod!! Then on Sunday 8 November the biggy – laying the Tangent wreath at the Cenotaph and parading down Whitehall with Terry Copper greeting the crowds regally and Prince William saluting the two of us!! On 11 November I was impressed to visit Knowle and Dorridge 175, who are our biggest Tangent with 74 members. 14. On Children in Need day I was up at silly o’clock to race over to Northampton Railway station and help collect pennies with Northampton Round Table, and then on to the South East lunch where astounding Adrienne had us all dancing in the aisles and Terry Cooper serenaded me rather beautifully. At Salisbury Tangent’s 40th charter, with our Super Sec Melodie, I was delighted to induct my now great friend and director of my chosen charity RTCW, Karen Winchcombe, into Tangent. Thank you to the 238 who attended my charity ball on 21 November at Gaydon Motor Museum. I am delighted to report we raised £14,000 for RTCW. Another huge thank you to Viv Wyss and the ever wonderful Lichfield Tangle for their Thanksgiving Supper that raised £600 for RTCW, which I am elated to say Viv went down to Bournemouth and personally presented. Christmas festivities saw Gwen and I dancing on the table at Dursley and District 582 joint do (Ed’s note: The photographic evidence can be found elsewhere in this magazine}. Paula, Jill and I then attended the Lamb at Christmas with a Loch Fyne luscious lunch, arranged by the ever enthusiastic David Leon. Finally after Bedworth 41 Club and RT Christmas Ball I got to hang up my Tangent hat and relax. So now I’m on the home straight, and I sincerely want to thank you all for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I have enjoyed being your figure head and meeting so many lovely ladies, who honestly do achieve fantastic fun and friendship and CARPE the heck out of that DIEM!! NATIONAL PRESIDENT ALEX VOLLER 3. Melodie Brookes – Ruth Sage – Candidate for National Vice-President Candidate for National Sales & Regalia Past National President Liz Morgan reports on the goings on of the PNO’s….. Hi All, my name is Ruth Sage and I am from sunny Southend-on-Sea in Essex, and I am proud to be an Essex Girl. Hello Ladies, You will no doubt be wondering, why after already serving four years on the National Executive as, firstly the last ever Secretary Elect and then three years as your National Secretary, I am offering to take on a further three years service! My Circling life started in Skegness where I was inducted into Leigh-on-Sea Ladies Circle during the National AGM! I then went on to hold many positions in Ladies Circle including Area 30 Chairman, which is where I know some of you from. I am not very good with names, so if you say hello to me and I have a blank look on my face or can’t remember your name please don’t take is personally. As I was born and brought up in Birmingham, having the Conference held there this year seemed a good omen. Being involved in my own Salisbury Tangent’s splendid 40th Anniversary Celebration Lunch, attending a delightful Friendship Evening in my old Ladies Circle Area 36, taking part in the wonderful camaraderie of the Iberian Cluster, representing NATC in Norway, and especially enjoying meeting some of you at the varied, spectacular Regional Lunches, I would relish the prospect of spending more time with the members of Tangent. Standing for Vice-President with the backing of Salisbury 389 and Bournemouth No 1, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. I was inducted into Southend no5 Tangent by Gill Young in 2009. I have been dinner secretary in 2012 and then in 2013 I was secretary and Vice Chairman becoming Chairman in 2014. This coming year in Tangent I am hoping to be the National Sales and Regalia Officer and, yet again, dinner secretary for my local club. I already have lots of ideas for the shop and if you have any thing that you would like to be able to purchase from the shop then please let me know and I will see if it’s possible or not. I like a challenge in life as some of you know; I have been a nurse for over 40 years which makes me feel very old and at present I am a Senior Nurse on nights. Jon, my late husband, and I rescued a 10 year old Staffie dog called Money last February to be company for Jon while I was working. Well Jon unfortunately died in April, but Money is now my best friend and she would make a great Tangent member as she likes a fuss made of her, to be taken out shopping and have things bought for her and she loves a good meal! Having close contact with the members and the clubs in my role as Secretary has given me an insight into some of your challenges, and an admiration for your commitment to ‘ Continued Friendship’ in its many forms. I look forward to the excitement and the responsibility of representing you to the best of my ability. Ruth Sage Melodie Brookes My name is Morag Daley and I am the nominee for Editor and Website Coordinator. I am married to Michael and we have two children, who are currently students. We live in Turriff in north east Scotland. Past National Officers on tour in St Albans Hi ladies, I’ve been married to Andy after meeting at Reading pop festival a lifetime ago. I joined Chesham Circle in 1990, and really enjoyed my circling days, becoming Circle Chairman1994-5, followed by Area Secretary then Area 43 Chairman in 1998-9, and Regional Sub-Editor for the East in 1999-2000. I progressed on to Tangent with the same groups of great friends and have been Chesham Tangent Chairman twice. I’ve attended as many Tangent Regional lunches and AGMs as I can, enjoying fun and friendship around the country. I supported Janice O’Neill during her year as Tangent President 2014-15, organising a successful charity lunch helping to raise funds for Janice’s charity Breast Cancer Care. PRESS RELEASE Formerly a member of Turriff & District Circle I am now a member of Turriff & District Tangent and also Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Cluster Tangent. I am an associate solicitor in private practice. My field is Family/Matrimonial work. To assist with this I am also a trained family mediator. I acted as Editor and website Coordinator for Ladies Circle during my time a Vice President and am pleased to say that one of my innovations remains to this day. Hopefully I will bring some experience to the role. My day job is Accounts Manager, having moved to this role only in the last few months, and I’ve managed to get down to 3 days a week which I’m thrilled about. I finally now have a bit of time to take on a role on the Tangent national exec. My background is secretarial, project management, databases, and co-ordinating events, and I believe all these experiences will be beneficial to the position of National Secretary. My wish is to maintain the high standards set by former holders of the post as well as add my own ideas and enthusiasm. Morag Daley Glynis Sutton Morag Daley – Glynis Sutton – Candidate for National Editor & Website Coordinator Candidate for National Secretary A new age …. Half Year Meetings in Birmingham!! In October 2015, history was made for our organisation in Birmingham; we hosted Tangent Clubs International Half Year Meeting and also, following agreement at our National Conference in Harrogate, we held the first Half Year Meeting for our own National Association. However, this was not enough for our home clubs and we were also pleased to host the 41 Club International Half Year Meeting and 41 Club GB&I who held their mid-year Council meeting all on the same weekend. Being married to the Convenor meant that by the time the weekend dawned, I could almost recite the names of every one attending, their clubs and even their dietary needs! The spreadsheet was awesome… and I did develop a love/hate relationship with it at times! Birmingham welcomed more than 200 Tangent and 41 Club members from more than 20 countries across the world and we were proud and delighted to welcome our very own membership too. The organisation was complex and could not have happened without the wonderful support from local 41 and Tangent Club members and Dave and I were very grateful. The weekend’s super heroes were Tom Atkins, BJ Brown, Hilary Mears and Andy Watkinson and their teams of support who ran the registration and transport from the hotel. TCI President Susanne Nørager welcomed everyone and each country gave their reports and invited members to attend future events. We were also pleased to welcome RTBI President, Marcus Jones who brought greetings and RTI Past President Jason Thompson who gave up to date information about All4Nepal, the charity that he has and continues to so successfully support. Every year the Past National Officers of Tangent with their husbands/partners get together for a re–union weekend. This year our weekend was organised by Past National President Beth Allen and in September, 34 of us gathered together in the bar at the Hotel St. Albans; a very impressive listed building just metres from the centre of the city. The noise level in the bar soon soared as greetings were exchanged and thirsty travellers downed gin and tonics, but Beth soon called us to order, and welcomed us to St Albans. She introduced us to Terry Turner who took us on a short, but informative and interesting guide of the ancient city of St Albans. Back at the hotel, we enjoyed good food, plenty of wine and talked and laughed ‘til we staggered off to our beds! (Editor’s note: I daren’t ask what time and who was last!!) After a leisurely breakfast the next morning, we met in St Albans Abbey for a guided tour of this amazing Cathedral, so rich in history. With free time to follow, we were able to explore the lovely city centre, with its ancient buildings, beautiful gardens and parklands, but of course many of us headed for the famous outdoor market and interesting high street shops. Some things never change! Our annual PNO’s meeting was held back at the hotel in the beautiful Sam Ryder Study. Sam Ryder was a keen golfer and instigated the Ryder Cup golf completion, but a less well known fact is that he had made his fortune in seeds and plants. Sixteen of us attended the meeting which Beth chaired and once again, B J agreed, to take the minutes. Apologies and greeting were received from those unable to join us and we were sad to hear that Past National President Ann Winscom had passed away just the week before. We have very little business but we agreed that the National Conference in Harrogate had been enjoyed by all those who attended and that changes to the format of the National AGM were necessary and it was a brave National Executive who had instigated it. Life moves on! Beth was thanked for a wonderful weekend and Terrie Hewitt then invited all Past National Officers to join her and David in September 2016 year in Ironbridge, and it sounds as if it’s going to be a fantastic weekend. After a great dinner and another lively session in the bar for a few night caps, we retired for the evening. Next morning we all departed having laughed a lot, learnt a lot and renewed those special friendships with each other. We now look forward to Ironbridge next year. Getting down to partying The afternoon was given over to the very first Half Year Meeting for NATC. The meeting was well supported by Tangent members from GB as well as our international guests and some Ladies Circlers. Everyone was welcome to contribute and for me, this was a strength of the event. Unfettered by the formality and business of AGMs, members could debate issues including membership and subscriptions for those who are members of more than one club. There were no propositions and the meeting was relaxed and friendly. It was noted that the event had undoubtedly attracted a number of attendees because of the other events taking place during the weekend and that the Half Year Meeting to take place in 2016 would more likely reflect the real interest in the event when it ‘stood alone’. I hope that members will continue to support a half yearly meeting. It was lively but good natured and afforded the opportunity for the membership to bring issues to discuss with fellow members and the national executive. Pauline Campbell 41 Club IRO liaising with TCI ladies The HYM Team 4. 13. President Does Dinner with Dursley Dursley and District Tangent, together with their 41 Club, welcomed President Alex and husband Mark to their Christmas Dinner, held at the lovely Nibley House in Gloucestershire. A great evening was had by all and a cheque for £100 was presented to Alex for her Presidential Charity Round Table Children’s Wish! The money had been raised following a progressive dinner earlier in the year. Bromsgrove 91 – the Butcher’s Prime cut!!! Lynne Bedford, Dursley & District Secretary, reports that the evening went with a swing and a lot of fun. and included some high jinx.! In November a group of Bromsgrove 91 members and guests had the pleasure of visiting our local Butchers. We learnt about the art of sausage making, how to butcher a pig and about the cuts you can get from it. Jon and Denise Banner from Banners Foods in Bromsgrove treated us to a behind the scenes insight and history of the shop. Banners Foods was established over 100 years ago by Samuel Banner and his wife Kate in September 1906 and remains essentially a family run business as the current business is run by 3 Directors, 2 of whom are great grandsons of the original owner. Today, a retail fresh food shop still thrives on the original site in Bromsgrove and Banners is much more than a purely butchery business. GET GOING - LOOK WHAT’S ON WELSH REGIONAL LUNCH 2016 SOUTH WEST REGIONAL LUNCH 2016 Hosted by Sirhowy Tangent 885, the Welsh Regional Lunch will take place on Saturday 21st May 2016 at: Brynmeadows Hotel, Maesycwmmer, Nr. Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, South Wales, CF82 7SN. Wessex Link Tangent 881, South West Regional Lunch on Saturday 24th September 2016 Speaker: Suzanne Charlton, BBC Weather forecaster, keen sports fan and daughter of Sir Bobby Charlton. Entertainment will be from Rebecca Millet ~ ‘Songs from the Musicals’ At: Sequoia Suite, Holiday Inn Bristol Filton, Filton Road, Bristol BS16 1QX For more details and booking form please go to http://tangent-clubs.org/workshop/welsh-regional-lunch-2016/ Jon, one of Sam Banner’s great grandsons, happily showed us how to butcher a side of pig and explained that nothing on a pig is wasted and everything can be eaten, bar the “Oink”!!! After the informative talk we got down to making our own sausages and cure bacon. This was a highly amusing session and we got to take our efforts home afterwards. For booking details go to http://tangent-clubs.org/workshop/south-west-regional-lunch-2016/ NORTHERN REGIONAL LUNCH 2016 The bacon had to cure for 5 days after we took it home and it was well worth the wait as it was the best bacon we have ever had at home and we soon went back for more. Golfers Galore After removing our plastic pinny’s we enjoyed an excellent meal in the restaurant next door. The cost of the evening was worth every penny! Sue Jennings, Chairman of Louth Tangent, her members and their husbands/partners braved the cold and donned their sporty gear to try their hand at golf in September. Golfers were paired with a non-golfer… the golfer drove and played the fairway shots and the non-golfer did the putting until the last hole when the roles were reversed! Bromsgrove had a great time with their local butcher – so give your local butcher a call and see if they run sessions like we enjoyed. Bromsgrove had a great evening…. We learnt a lot, laughed a lot and managed to take the fruits of our labour home to share and enjoy AND support a local independent business. Everyone had a lot of fun but Sue reflected on the attraction to hardened golfer addicts when it was so cold! The wind doth blow across those Lincolnshire Wolds! Everyone ate heartily at the '19th' and prizes were handed out to the best pair and to the best individual golfer and non-golfer. Hosted by Cheadle & Gatley Tangent 448 on Sunday 3rd July 2016 at: The Deanwater Hotel, Wilmslow Road, Woodford, Cheshire SK7 1RJ. Coffee from 11.30am followed by lunch at 12.30pm, Speaker: Louise Croomba, Presenter on Tameside Radio. “Something for nothing. 52 weeks, 50 challenges and 1 volunteer.” BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE 2016 Conference is rapidly approaching and plans are coming together well!!! It is now less than 100 days until the event kicks off on 14 April and we would love to welcome you joining us for a 'wild' weekend. There are still some rooms left in the conference hotel but these will have to be released so do book in soon. We would also like to remind you to book into the Tangent lunch (£18), this is a buffet being served in the conference hotel restaurant. There are no other food outlets within the hotel so you will need to go out onto Broad Street to purchase a sandwich. We are taking over the whole restaurant, which seats 180 people. You can book into this directly on the conference website (www.41clubconference.co.uk) or amend your booking by contacting Hospitality Guaranteed (tel:03448223227) and they will send you an amended confirmation. Look forward to seeing you in BIRMINGHAM. 12. NOW THIS IS A REAL 4 CLUB FAMILY!!! ARE THEY UNIQUE? GOING POTTY?? TEACHER TURNS STUDENT! We believe we may be a first in the Round Table family! Jean Pinkey writes… Our daughter Julia McClean is Chairman of Chelmsford Ladies Circle this year 2015 and her husband Stuart is Chairman of Chelmsford Round Table. Both of them asked me (Jean Pinkney) a member of Tangent and Doug Pinkney a member of 41 Club, to be their respective Presidents for their year. Our picture therefore shows us all in our year of office. Bridging the generation gap…. Julia says: “Born in Chelmsford to parents who were in both Ladies Circle & Round Table, I grew up with a whirlwind of social madness around me as well as approximately 30 ‘surrogate like’ parents. Seeing my parent’s friendships with all these people and the events and charity work they did was a valuable lesson as a child. In my adult years I spent many years working abroad, but in recent years returned to Chelmsford with a husband who knew no one in the area apart from my Dad. Curiously, my husband joined Round Table via my Dad to create his own network of friends - I then naturally ended up joining the Ladies Circle.” Happy 40th Farnborough (Hants) Farnborough (Hampshire) Tangent Chairman, Audrey Walker welcomed 46 members, past and present, including 41 Club, to a celebratory dinner for our 40 years in September 2015. The Club was originally set up by Dorothy Thompson, who unfortunately wasn’t able to be present, but Audrey was our second Chairman in 1976. Walkie, Talkie with Amersham 68 Bridget Makinson, shared a visit Amersham 68 made to the Skygarden at the top of the Walkie Talkie building. You have to book in advance but Bridget reports it was a great day out; good views of London, lunch in the café… a bit of Walkie and a lot of Talkie with good friends…… a recipe for a great day out!!! The after dinner speaker was Trevor Sapey from the Mary Rose Trust. Trevor gave a light hearted talk about a Sailor’s Life and Death on the Mary Rose. He brought along many artefacts from the ship which he passed around for us all to handle and there was a lot of laughter with his explanations of the various uses of the items. To find out more go to: http://skygarden.london/sky-garden Although we only have 21 members we do a variety of things such as visits to museums and exhibitions in London, pub meals, film evenings and many more which keeps our friendship going. The New Milton Marathon Team 2015 Jean adds: “I have been associated with Ladies Circle and Tangent for some 32 years. I was Chairman of Circle in 1988/9 and Chairman of Chelmsford County Tangent in 1994/95. As Julia has said, the long and valuable friendships with so many people, the involvement with all different types of events and the fundraising element, are key to having an exciting and fulfilling life. This of course means a very busy life, but one that is never dull. 33 years of Fun, Friendship and Service ……..and learning from each other The quote ‘You only get out what you put in’ is so true and Circle life is one not to be missed and there is even more fun later in life in Tangent!!” Doug remembers “I joined Chelmsford Round Table in the autumn of 1974. I was chatting to a neighbour of mine who was a member, and he suggested I came along to a meeting. I was in the process of moving to a house that was semi derelict and I knew this project would absorb all my spare time. I needed an escape, maybe RT could be the answer. This was a time when membership was thriving and at my first meeting I found the members very welcoming, and used to new faces turning up. Soon I felt very much part of an organisation that was able to offer a great social life, fellowship, travel, the opportunity to work and help others in the community. Most importantly it has enabled me to make good friends. The process continues in 41 Club. I was a Milkman’s Daughter It was lovely to receive the following report from New Milton 120! It reminds us that doing a bit of community service can give back as much as you give… Sally Reed, Chairman of Lymington Tangent 336 writes about recording her life and memories for her family in a special book. A team of 15 people turned up at a popular beauty spot known as Wootton Stream in the New Forest first thing on a Sunday morning in September 2015 to continue a tradition which New Milton Tangent has maintained since 1982. We were due to man a drinks station supporting the re-invigorated New Forest Marathon. Fellow Tangent Members, how many of you, have at the request of your children been asked to write about your life? Can you find the time to put pen to paper and create a Legacy for your Family? As always, the event was a mini street party with the best of atmospheres, congratulating the leaders, exhorting the masses to achieve, and encouraging and reassuring the trailing tail-enders. We had extra responsibility this year, as we were the station designated to hand out jelly babies! Looking back it’s amazing how a chance meeting 40 years ago changed my life for ever.” Stuart sums up the situation I was always intrigued by the great and varied group of friends that seemed to surround Doug and Jean whenever we visited them in Chelmsford. There was no end of social events and community based projects going on which on occasion would always call for careful diary management when we were in town. Coulsdon & Purley 36, have written to Tangent News, to share a visit they made with friends and family to a local pottery. The party ranged in age from 4 to 74 years young! It was therefore a natural progression when we moved into the area over 4 years ago to get involved. I now have a great group of guys that I spend far too much time with and to top it all a new business partner who joined on the very same day as me. It is an honour to be Chairman of Chelmsford 132 alongside Julia in Circle and to have the support of Doug and Jean is amazing in this busy year. The group were guided by a young lady called Helen, who Coulsdon & Purley Chairman Kate Nash had taught in primary school, eleven years previously; so a complete turn round for Kate!! The afternoon was spent, creating masterpieces which everyone took home…. a lovely memory of the day, and of the fun and friendship they had enjoyed. 6. Well I did, and I have entitled my story 'I was a Milkman’s Daughter'. I lived in a village in Wiltshire and married a Hampshire man in 1960. We and our 4 children enjoyed a busy life which included Round Table and Ladies Circle, followed later by Tangent. We have experienced a wide range of weather conditions over the years, and had some interesting encounters, such as passing burglars, challenging and imperious horse riders, angry car drivers, and the odd celebrity. We have also received number of sweaty hugs! Following the death of our daughter Victoria I undertook a Bike Ride across the Sinai Desert in aid of Mencap. Five years later, at 65yrs and still in good health I trekked across the Great Wall of China. Michael and I have just celebrated our Emerald Wedding Anniversary with many longstanding friends from our Round Table and Ladies Circle days attending our party. We have had our children accompany us in pushchairs, on roller skates, scooters and bicycles as they grew up, including one year when a member’s newly married daughter handed out water in her bridal gown! We now welcome grandchildren. There is nothing like a community event to bring out the best in people, and Tangent members do it in style! SO DO think about writing YOUR STORY, while you can still remember interesting details of your LIFE because your grandchildren will love reading YOUR BOOK. 11. Its a bir Special Feature a z n a n o thday b A member who is a solicitor has written the following thought provoking article about Lasting Powers of Attorney. If you would like to contact her, please email [email protected] for her contact details. Happy 30th Shepton Mallett Happy 1st Birthday Telford Tangle September saw Shepton Mallet Tangent celebrate their 30th Birthday. Celebrations began at their July meeting when the National President, Alex Voller, paid a surprise visit and joined us for our meeting at The Manor, Ditcheat, famous as the local for Paul Nicholls the race horse trainer whose stables are just down the road. Lasting Powers of Attorney Members were delighted to welcome Alex as some had been present at the A.G.M. in Bournemouth when she had been elected. Her enthusiasm was as infectious ‘in the flesh’ as it had been making her election speech from the stage! She had researched the beginnings of the club and also explained why Round Table's Children's Wish is so important and is her choice of charity for the year. What Are They? Why Do I Need One? A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a document by which you give certain powers to someone of your choice. Giving you the ability to give power to someone else to sign things on your behalf either because it is convenient, or because you are no longer able to sign things yourself. There are two distinct types of Power of Attorney: If you become ill and do not have a LPA it is very difficult for anyone else to manage your affairs. It may then be necessary to make an application to the Court of Protection, which can be costly and take months to obtain. If you have a Power of Attorney in place, your family can help immediately and respond to any difficulty you may have. A lively meeting was brought to a close when Chairman Francis presented Alex with a miniature ‘rock flock’ sheep, best used as a door stop as it’s too heavy for anything else. Anyone who passes down the A37 past Shepton Mallet will see a flock of these stone sheep on a roundabout outside the town and recognised by many as a sign they have nearly reached the site of the Glastonbury Festival!! President Alex Voller and Chairman Cheryl Weymouth leading the way at the Mad Hatters Tea Party. On Sunday the 4th October Telford Ladies Tangle celebrated their first Birthday in style ... well if style is a word to describe ladies wearing Mad Hatters Hats that’s us... !! We decided to celebrate our actual 30th anniversary by holding our September meeting at Ston Easton Park Hotel and having a ‘posh’ afternoon tea. Ladies Circle sadly closed years ago, but we have the jewel and scrapbooks and with those from the 30 years of Tangent there were many memories awakened. It is very sad to think that our Tangent has been in existence longer than our Circle. The team had been organising this day for a long time .... each of us making cloth triangles so we could have our very own bunting ... collecting tea cups and saucers and Tea pots from Charity shops.. and thinking of mad games to play.. Members of 41 Club, gave each member a gift of an engraved wine glass, the purpose of which became apparent when proceedings were interrupted by ten of their members who, led by president Neville Dyke, serenaded us with 'Congratulations' and filled the glasses with champagne for a toast. Chairman Francis Moreland had researched The Journal for events we had all been involved in 1985 and a very enjoyable meeting was brought to a close with the cutting of a cake provided by member Sue Voisey and remembering Jane Sharples, Di Cannings and Jenny Slade who are sadly no longer with us to celebrate our motto of 'continued friendship'. Invites went out saying please come along to our ' Mad Hatters Tea Party' to celebrate our 1st Birthday but we also wanted to make it a Charity day and we had decided on our local children's hospice in Shropshire called Hope House. Alex Voller the National President attended together with Jackie Hampton from the National Exec, (how honoured we felt to have them both) and we were also supported by Lichfield Ladies Tangle, Lichfield Circle, Stourbridge Circle and our very own Telford Circle and Tangent. The Health and Welfare LPA is particularly important if you have a stroke and need help immediately. It is no use if your family goes to a solicitor once you lose capacity as you are no longer able to give instructions to put the LPA in place. The only option then, is for your family to make the application to the Court of Protection which takes a minimum of 6 months and in the meantime, they havelimited power to influence any decision made, and no power to manage your finances. 1) Property & Financial Affairs LPA which gives full power to your attorney to sign anything on your behalf. This means they can completely manage your affairs, paying bills and even selling your house or they can assist you in particular parts of your affairs and; 2) Health & Welfare LPA gives your attorney the power to make medical decisions on your behalf. What that means is your attorney can ‘give or re fuse consent to life sustaining treatment’ on your behalf. It also allows your attorney to influence to your benefit, care provided by the hospital or agencies whilst you are at home. By making Lasting Powers of Attorney you take control and are able to decide who you wish to make important decisions for you and not who the Court of Protection decides. They are enormously important and should be made by everyone over 55 or for whom old age and illness may be on the horizon. As a solicitor I often hear clients say, I don’t need a Power of Attorney, I have a Will and my husband/wife knows what I want. Unfortunately, whilst that may be the case, without a formal LPA being in place they have no legal right to any information about you, your health or your finances. So even if you would want them to be given information or access your bank account to pay for your own care, the banks hands are tied and they will not release your money EVEN if it is in your best interests for them to do so. Leaving your loved ones with no option but to apply to the Court of Protection, which is a very lengthy and costly process. Everyone made a real effort and were wearing their Mad Hats, the venue had also got into the mad theme and guests were welcomed with a glass of Mad Prosecco (had melon liqueur in, which made it green) a wonderful collection of sandwiches, 'Eat Me' biscuits, scones with coloured cream and amazing mad cakes. Lasting Powers of Attorney and Wills are mutually exclusive; We played games including a bizarre raffle where you paid for a prize and chose how many you paid for... they were all wrapped up so nobody knew what they were , then when they had all gone, tables were given large Dice and if you rolled a 6 you could go and steal someone else's prize .... this lasted for an hour and at the end you could open what you had on your table ... some really good prizes some not so much ... a very funny game and ladies ended up with maybe a potato. fish food... packets of salt and pepper... or some lovely prizes of gift vouchers, alcohol etc .. as you can see still sticking with Mad theme. LPA’s are operative whilst you are alive and may have lost mental capacity, and cease on your death. Wills kick in from the moment you die but have no legal bearing whilst you are alive. Happy 40th Seisdon & District So please, don’t wait to deal with this. Treat LPA’s like you treat an insurance policy; put them in place and forget about them. Hopefully they are never needed but if they are, then you can be assured YOU made your choices and YOU have chosen the people YOU want to be your attorneys. Tell your attorneys what you want to happen to you in the future then they will know what to do if the unthinkable happens. Don’t leave your important decisions to fate or worse, someone else. Seisdon & District Tangent 387 celebrated their 40th Anniversary on Sunday, 11th October with lunch at the Himley Country Hotel in Staffordshire. Tangent members were joined by their husbands and members of 41 club, and their wives. It was a most enjoyable occasion with good food, wine and lovely weather spent with new and old friends. Sheila Dady who was our founder member, lit the friendship candle to start the proceedings. We raised £350 to go to our chosen charity so thank you to all the wonderful ladies who attended. To end a lovely afternoon of Fun and Friendship we were delighted that Alex could induct 5 new members to our Tangle... onwards and upwards. 10. 7. Fundraising in the sunshine Leamington Spa & District 243 support Children in Need It’s hard to remember those lovely balmy days of last summer now, but Bournemouth North 632 have written to share a lovely, sunny, Sunday afternoon leisurely lunch in the garden of their Chairman. Marcia Caton reports it was all in a good cause as the group raised £405 for the Dorset Blind Association, the club’s chosen charity for the year. Leamington Tangent Club helped to raise £448 this year in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre in Leamington Spa for Children in Need. A large sheet with Pudsey Bear's picture drawn on by Leamington Ladies Circle members over a decade ago was put on the ground in the shopping area. Children and adults were encouraged to cover Pudsey with coins all day long. Tangent members volunteered to spend an hour or so during the day to look after Pudsey at all times. Kathy Oldershaw took over the Pudsey collections from Ladies Circle three years ago when they disbanded. Kathy hopes to continue to raise money for Children in Need with the help of the Tangent ladies for as long as possible. It is a fun day and Kathy would like to thank all the Tangent members for their help. Editor’s note: This is a lucky group! The last time I received a photo from them they were selling their sandcastles on the beach!! Well done Ladies!! Tigger - the stripey guy reveals what really happened!!!! Breaking News: Well Travelled Tigger, in need of New Home Most of you will have already met Tigger and his best friend, Alex. Dear National President Alex (aka mummy) and all Tangent members, I would like to clear up any confusion about my trip to South Wales with the lovely ladies, Lyn, Trudy, Julie H, Debbie R and Gill from Penarth & District Tangent. Firstly I was not, as suggested "Tiggernapped" by the ladies; I was rescued. At the SE Regional Lunch I was ABANDONED and left alone on the top table. I could hear wonderful singing and shenanigans and I wanted a piece of the action for myself. Thankfully I was able to catch the attention of a lady who furtively crawled along the platform and took me dancing. I got carried away with the emotion of the occasion and asked to leave with them as all the travelling and functions Alex and I have attended have taken their toll and I thought I needed a rest!!!! Remembering Friends It is always sad to lose a good friend, but Weston-super-Mare decided to make a donation to the charity ‘PROMISE’ in memory of one of their members who had eloquently spoken to her club and encouraged them to support, prior to her sad death in September 2015. WESTON-SUPER-MARE TANGENT CLUB 314 Chairman Carole Lohmann wished a Happy New Year and welcomed everyone to the first dinner meeting of 2016 at Weston Golf Club. Our two guests for the evening were George Papworth whose wife Linda had been a longstanding member of Ladies Circle and Tangent until she sadly passed away in September last year, and friend of Linda’s Donna Pyett. Donna is a volunteer Mentor for the Charity PROMISE who offer a mentoring programme for young people. Along with her work as a Mentor for Promise, Donna has been very busy fund raising, organizing a very successful Barn Dance, coach trips and a 9 hour static bike ride. Donna is now in training to take on the London to Paris cycle ride in June of this year and Carole was delighted to present her with a cheque for £118 which was the proceeds from the raffle at the Christmas Dinner with 41 Club in December. At the September meeting last year Linda Papworth had talked about the charity Promise and asked if Tangent would support Donna, so this donation was done in Linda’s memory. Homesickness set in and so with some encouragement Gill, Jackie, Julie and Tim changed their arrangements and agreed to bring me to the Presidential Ball in Worcester so, as well as managing to complete my bucket list in South Wales, I was able to enjoy all the fun of the fair. The ladies of Penarth & District 902 looked after me and I had so much fun, as many of you would have seen on Facebook. However, just to prove it I have attached some pictures of my adventures. YIF Tigger 8. So far, Alex and Tigger have travelled an incredible 24139 miles. And they expect to travel around another 3500 miles before the NAGM. Making a staggering total of 27,639 miles - far enough to make any Tigger’s paws ache. Bouncing around with all you gorgeous Tangent ladies has been great fun, but all this gadding about is proving a bit much. Enough’s enough – even for a Tigger, and he’s beginning to think about retirement. In April, Tigger will need a new friend to live with and he knows that many of you would jump at the chance of taking him home. So, after lots and lots of Tiggerthinking, he’s decided the best way is… to RAFFLE himself. He’s hoping that all his Tangent friends everywhere will want to offer him a new home. However this was my error as life just got busier…. We left the lunch, paused for a bit of retail therapy in Swindon and then we crossed the border into S. Wales. Editor’s note: Perhaps your great example will encourage younger women to re-start a Ladies Circle! Since April 2015 they’ve have had great fun visiting lovely ladies at Tangents all over the country: they’ve also been very busy raising funds for a very special charity - Round Table Children’s Wish. So, send Tigger your club cheque (£1 per ticket) and he will personally pop your raffle tickets into an envelope and bounce them straight back to you. Come on down to the Wild West Weekend and join Tigger at the NAGM in Birmingham on April 21 where the raffle will be drawn. He’d really like to go home with his new family. I remembered visiting Wales earlier in the year but I really didn't get much chance to do any sight-seeing so I’m sure you will understand that this was a welcome break. I visited Penarth Pier, St Fagans Welsh Museum, Barry Island (home of Gavin and Stacey), the old market town of Cowbridge, Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium. I enjoyed a walk around the Cardiff Bay area, with a visit to Tiger Bay (naturally) and the Dr Who exhibition (as you know I’m a fan). So, as you can see, it was not entirely a rest. Whilst my friend Monty tried hard to keep me company, the nights were the hardest and I missed Alex terribly. “ Aww, I just love happy endings.” said Tigger, “Come on Tangent, let’s you and me bounce.” Raffle tickets, £1 each. Cheques payable to: Round Table Children’s Wish Cheques by March 28th please, with SAE to: Judi Steen, 19 Polwarth Drive, Brunton Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5NH NB. The raffle is open to anyone who would like to offer Tigger a home – Tangent (of course) family and friends, Circle, and even 41Club and RT. Tickets will also be on sale at Conference in Birmingham. 9.