READING RETIREMENT CENTRE (registered charity No. 281830)
FIRTREE
(Friends in retirement taking relaxation, exercise and education)
http://www.firtree-reading.com
Firtree Newsletter MARCH 2019 Issue 480
Here we are in March already and time to pay our annual subs. Liz Prior is our membership secretary. Don’t forget that you will also have to fill in a new membership form so that we can comply with the new guidelines for charities. Cheques need to be paid to Firtree. They will not be paid in until the 1st April to avoid getting caught up in this year’s accounts, but the sooner you can pay the less panic we will have in April. If you are not joining again please do let Liz know, otherwise we will be chasing you for the new information sheet.
Anyone joining now simply pays for the next year. The subscription is still £35.00 for the whole year as it has been for five years. All our activities are going well though there is still plenty of room in everything. The Tuesday morning programme has recently had over fifty members present. The quality of our speakers has been good and as such we have agreed to increase the fees we can pay. Michael has done wonders recently but it is a frustrating job when you make a dozen phone calls and nobody replies. If you know of a good speaker please do let Michael know.
The Tuesday programme is as follows –
At the last minute, Michael found a speaker for today (19/2) – Tony Weston who has been to us several times in the past. Those of you who have carefully thought of a childhood memory, hang on to it, you may yet be needed.
Tues 26th February Ray Goodman’s Sri Lankan memories.
Tues 5th March Nigel Wright introduces us to his African birds and mammals.
Tues. 12th March Jeff Rozelear, a new speaker but highly recommended is Homeward Bound
Tues 19th March Time to switch your memories on for Mark’s quiz
Tues 26th March Colin Oakes has ‘never had it so good’
Firtree will be meeting on the 16th April but not on the 23rd as it is Easter week.
Holidays !!
Well you already know that we are booked in to the hotel in Morecambe for the Lake District and Yorkshire dales in July. We don’t have any singles left but there is room for couples or just good friends to share. The week is Monday 8th July returning on the 12th. We have no news about ‘Turkey and Tinsel’ but it is expected that we will be doing something this year. But it is time, believe it or not when we start planning for next year!!! The proposal is for a week at Cliftonville on the Kent coast, easy access to the sandy beaches, Canterbury, beautiful gardens of Kent and back in our May time break. All we need to know at this time is whether you might be interested. Just let Gloria know, she has a list.
For more immediate interest is an outing to Kew Gardens for their spring display. The coach is already filling up and at only £27.00 I am not surprised. Gloria has the booking- form so make sure you get on her list. Food is not included but there are cafes available but costly. Sandwiches are always welcomed by the abundance of birds and squirrels.
If you want to see how our songsters are doing, they are booked in at Trinity Church in Lower Earley during April for a concert. There is still time for you to join the on Wednesday mornings at the YMCA (11.00 +).
The craft group are now in possession of the knitting patterns for bobble hats to include in their work on woollies for warmth, for a project working with homeless people. If you want to know what to do with those old needles in the cupboard here is an option.
This next Thursday 28th Feb there will be a well being Open Day from 10.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at St Mary Butts Church. If you want to know more you can ring the wellbeing centre on 0118 9373945.
There are plans to re-carpet the church this late spring so we may have to make alternative arrangements for a couple of weeks. We have the problem in hand if needs be.
Good news for Readi-bus users is that funds have been found to keep the free use for the disabled. So many things that we have taken for granted in the past are now in threat because of the cuts. The trouble with cuts is that they come at the same time as costs are rising. Older people in Reading have been well served in the past but nothing is sacrosanct.
Church notices don’t always say what they mean –
Potluck supper on Wednesday – prayer and medication to follow.
Don’t let worry kill you – let the Church help.
Evening massage is at 6.00 p.m.
Remember, in prayer, the many who are sick of our church and community.
If you want to know more about Firtree, contact Colin Ferguson (colindf@btinternet.com) or Liz Prior on 0188 942 2958
Firtree 