READING RETIREMENT CENTRE (registered charity No. 281830)
FIRTREE
(Friends in retirement taking relaxation, exercise and education)
http://www.firtree-reading.com
Firtree Newsletter April 2019 Issue 481
Well! March has certainly lived up to its reputation of lamb one day and lion the next.
The wind blows all over the place and nobody knows what tomorrow will bring; it is very like our country at present. From all sides of the Brexit debate it is quite embarrassing at the utter shambles we have got into. Thankfully Firtree is a non- political organisation and we will not be having any debates, whatever each of us might think. What we will be having on Tuesday mornings is as follows:
26th March Colin Oakes has ‘never had it so good!’
2nd April Hayley Scott – the real crime scene investigation.
9th April The voyage of the mercy ships’ Charity – there will be a box out for any donations
16th April Jonathan Jones ‘Oh Yez – Oh Yez’ The voice of a town crier.
23rd April No meeting for Easter week
30th April Ailsa Claybourne – Enchanted Woodlands
The Annual meeting will be on the 28th May and on that day we will be voting on our new constitution. Copies of this will be available after Easter. Please do read it and if you have any amendments you wish to have considered they must be with Karen by the 10th May so they can be published on the 14th May with the AGM papers. All activity reports need to be with Karen by the 14th May.
Congratulations to our songsters on another performance at Trinity Church Lower Earley. They are still open to new members on Wednesday at 11.00 a.m. in the YMCA. The also still need a piano player as Stuart is doing it all himself at present. Also our old keyboard, which is still very versatile and in good order is to be sold. It doesn’t have its legs but they can be bought separately from Amazon for about thirty pounds.
The garden circle had an enjoyable outing to Henry Street nursery this month. They have refurbished their restaurant and the group made good use of it. The outing on the 8th April is to Toad Hall at Henley.
The craft circle are busy knitting, not just at their meeting but gloves, scarves and hats for the homeless, bottle top hats, and a patchwork quilt. Well done and doing.
Our indoor bowls season comes to an end in March so there is a break until the 16th May when our outdoor season begins at the Prospect Park Club on Thursday mornings. New members are very welcome. Bowls can be provided if you don’t have your own and so can tuition for those who want to learn. The best news is that we can still do all this for only £2.00 a time for Firtree members. If you want to know more contact Alan Warner (942 6087).
The NHS IN Reading is changing as extra money is being made available. They have asked for local opinion on how that money might be best used locally. What would you do to make the NHS better in Reading? Over the next eight weeks the local NHS will be holding meetings to hear what your experiences have been and what would make it better. There is a short survey on line at ;-https:/www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do
The outing to Kew Gardens on the 13th May is now fully booked but has a waiting list in case of late cancellations. Our holiday in the Lake District / Morecambe – July 8th to 12th still has twin and double rooms available. Singles can book the twin rooms but there is a surcharge for this. The trip is open to friends.
Because of the popularity of May time holidays we have already had to book our 2020 holiday break and this will be in Cliftonville (Kent Coast). We have booked this as there was enough interest shown but actual bookings will wait until this year is completed. Enquiries are still being made about a turkey and tinsel break.
Are you in need of some gentle exercise? Our Movement to music group meets on Wednesday mornings at the YMCA and is very popular though there is always more room for new members. Just pop along on a Wednesday morning (9.30) and ask at the reception desk to be pointed in the right direction.
A lot of things in my life have happened on the 1st April but for FIRTREE it is the start of our financial year. Many of you have already filled in the new membership form and joined for this next year but please do let us know if you are not joining again so we don’t chase you for the annual subs. (still £35.00 for the year). Don’t forget the Readibus can help and all activities at the church are on the ground floor. If you have to leave please keep in touch so that we can still know how you are.
Quote – She remembers when fast food was what you were allowed to eat in Lent.
If you want to know more about Firtree, contact Colin Ferguson (colindf@btinternet.com) or Liz Prior on 0188 942 2958
Firtree 