Donkeys The Subject Of The Last Meeting Of The Winter - 13th April 2007

The 2008  winter programme of the Helmdon Fellowship ended on a “donkey note”.

Mrs Maggie Taylor from the Donkey Trust gave an enthralling talk.  Since its foundation in 1969 the Trust has cared for over 11,500 donkeys from the UK and Ireland.  Some of these donkeys may have been neglected or mistreated, have retired from working on the beaches or perhaps their owners simply could not care for them any longer.  Whatever the circumstances, no donkey is ever refused admission provided it has a certificate of fitness to travel.

We heard about  Maggie’s donkeys and how she came to  work for the charity, the care and feeding of the thousands of  donkeys at the Trust’s sanctuaries in this country and abroad, the work done bringing special needs children together with the donkeys,  and the  educational programme  with seaside donkeys.   All of it was dedicated work, done by caring professionals aided enthusiastic volunteers, and Maggie’s inspiring talk made us appreciate the scale of what was being done day by day, and it may well have inspired Fellowship members to “adopt a donkey”.

For more information about the Elizabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys go to www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.

Visit to Highgrove - 31st August 2007

On August 30th the Fellowship visited the beautiful private gardens of The Prince of Wales at Highgrove House, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

They were welcomed to Highgrove by a member of The Price of Wales's staff, who in turn introduced them to Michelle Phillips, their guide for an hour and a half's tour of the   garden.  She described with clarity and enthusiasm the cultural and sentimental significance of Highgrove's wide variety of rare plants, landscaping and ornamentation.

Highgrove is a unique garden, all planned and maintained in accordance with the organic principles of the estate.  Of particular interest was the Wall of Gifts (a wall built to incorporate stone carvings given to the Prince of Wales over the years), the treehouse of the young Princes, the stump garden, and the lush walled vegetable garden where many of the group could have lingered longer. Also seen was the famed wild flower meadow designed with the advice of the late Miriam Rothschild, but not, alas, in full glory, since it was hay making time. At the end of the visit Fellowship members arrived at the side and back of the house, and this was a fitting climax - the rich planting and topiary work in the sundial and topiary gardens was stunning.  A very welcome cup of tea and biscuits awaited in the Orchard Room before a browse in the estate shop.

Coffee at Stow-on-the-Wold, lunch at Tetbury, a tour of Highgrove and an evening meal at Chipping Norton - a really memorable, if slightly tiring, day!

Summer Garden Party   -  20th August 2007

On August 10th over forty Fellowship members and friends attended a garden party at the home of David and Carol Brookhouse in Field Way.

Volunteer speaker Marion Money, from the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, told her audience that the Coventry-based aircraft is the fastest aircraft in the UK.  It is also the busiest, responding to around 110 emergency calls per month over an area of 1,800 square miles (reaching anywhere in Northamptonshire itself within fifteen minutes), and covering a population of 1,076,000 people.   WNAA is a charity, which, like the Lifeboat Service, is not supported by government funds or the Lottery, and it costs the tremendous sum of £1.2 million a year to operate.

It was a beautiful day, and everyone enjoyed the excellent strawberry and cream tea.  Perhaps best of all, however, was the fact that the proceeds of the afternoon, £200, were donated to WNAA.    

Horses, A Secret Bunker, and Ice cream  - 1st July 2007

Members admiring the Clydesdale mare and her foal.

Thursday, June 27th, was the date of the Fellowship’s visit to Cheshire.   First stop was the Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre near Tarporley.  The owner took us on a guided tour of some of the animals kept there, such as the otters, polecats, and the large black pig and her new born piglets, before introducing us to a Clydesdale mare and her foal.  The more intrepid of our members walked the fields to see some of the large Shire horses (which have won many

show prizes for the centre), and the foxes and owls, kept in captivity because they have been injured and wouldn't have been able to keep themselves alive in the wild.

Then, after lunch, it was on to the Secret Nuclear Bunker near Nantwich.  For over fifty years this vast underground complex remained secret.  Declassified in 1993, the 35,000 sq. ft bunker would have been the centre of Regional Government had nuclear war broken out.  Members were fascinated by what they saw there, if a little horrified as they used their  imaginations to consider  what might have been had the Cold War not ended as it did. 

Snugbury’s Ice Cream parlour was the third stop, and refreshed by delicious Jersey ice cream, members began the journeyed home after a diverse and interesting day.

Colin, Friends and a little Jazz - 13th April 2007

Colin Nash and Friends

The April meeting of the Fellowship ended with a wonderful jazz session. Colin Nash and Friends entertained thirty-five members at the end of what has been the best winter programme for some time. Colin did a quick tour through the history of jazz, from it beginnings in Orleans right through to the Blues and into modern times. The acoustics in the extension to the Reading Room were just right for the musicians, and their programme was just right for the occasion. Thank you, Colin, for managing to assemble a group to provide us with a most enjoyable afternoon.

A big thank you also to the committee - Carol Brookhouse, Ann Harman, Pauline Payne, Sheila Somerton, Doreen England, Rosemary Gulliver, Alan Watson and Wilf Forgham, for all the planning they do for the meetings (at which there are always delicious refreshments), and for arranging such interesting visits.

Edward Parry tells about Helmdon in the 70s - 10th March 2007

Edward Parry

Edward Parry, who lived in the village in the 70s while teaching at Magdalen College School in Brackley, delighted 40 members and 5 visitors to the Fellowship meeting on March 9th when he journeyed from his home in Wales to talk about the buildings of Helmdon as they were 35 years ago, contrasting them with how they look now.

Amongst other examples he showed photographs of probably the oldest house in the village in the little close almost apposite the Reading Room, with its (now covered) cruck frame construction; Priory Farm, perhaps the next oldest building, which is possibly sixteenth century because of the shape and style of the chimney stack;  Field View in Field Way which is a very fine example of its farmhouse type, and Long Acre, at the top of Wappenham Road, with its heavy but sophisticated decoration round what was once the front doorway.

Edward left his audience wanting more. His talk was fascinating, and we are grateful to him for his continuing interest in the village and for making the time to come and talk to us.

Fellowship Spring Lunch 2007 - 13th February 2007

Nearly two thirds of the Fellowship's large membership sat down to their Spring Lunch on February 10th.

This annual fixture is an event which goes back a very long way – the lunch used to be at Christmas time but one harsh winter it was postponed until the spring, and it turned into a  Spring Lunch from then on. The meal this year was just as delicious as it always is, and, speaking on behalf of all those present, Jan Harrold thanked the committee for all their hard work.  

The entertainment was by Rosie Walker and friend.  Their miscellany of music, readings and poems on the theme of “love” (as St Valentine’s Day is nearly with us), was much enjoyed, especially as many of the poems were by Pam Ayres, who is always entertaining. 

The Revd Will Adams.

The Rev'd Will Adams entertained the Fellowship on Friday, November 10th, with a West Country tale about Spedigue, Mabel and the pig, a story from his childhood in Devon.

Then the laughing stopped as he changed the tone of the afternoon by highlighting a more serious subject. He is asking for sponsorship to grow a moustache to raise money for Everyman, the cancer charity that aims to raise awareness of the importance of the early prevention of testicular and prostate cancer. Unhappily the incidence of this particular form of cancer has increased greatly over the last twenty years but most cases can be cured if caught at an early stage.

If you are interested in helping Will, please e-mail rector@astwellbenefice.co.uk or telephone him on (01280) 850683.

What About A Cuppa Then? - 20th August 2006

Lucy Keen and friends at the coffee party at the home of Trudie and Barbara Buxton, July 2006.

Every year Fellowship members open their homes and gardens for coffee mornings to raise funds. 2006 has been no exception, with gatherings at Alan and Eileen Watson's, Ann Smith's, and Trudie and Barbara Buxton's, all of whom must be thanked for their wonderful hospitality.

The climax to the summer programme came with a garden party at the home of David and Carol Brookhouse. Over forty members had an interesting awareness talk by the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind on macular degeneration, which might affect any one at any time. This was followed by a delicious cream tea, prepared and served by members of the committee. The very generous sum of £240 was raised for the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind and the Macular Disease Society, a marvellous result.

Fellowship Spring Lunch 2006 - 11th February 2006

Tom Livingstone entertains.

Fifty members of the Fellowship sat down to their annual Spring Lunch on Saturday, February 11th. It took place in the Reading Room, which was beautifully decorated with spring flowers. Members would like to give a big thank you to the committee for all their hard work.

As usual, the meal was delicious. Then came the entertainment, a welcome return of Tom Livingstone with his electric guitar and keyboard, whose singing of Danny Boy again brought a catch to the throats of many present.

But it wasn't a case of "just another Spring Lunch". What was different was the growing number of "just retireds" who are given a warm welcome. We hope to see them at Fellowship meetings and outings over the summer.

The Royal Daffodil

On July 14th fifty members and friends of the Fellowship boarded a Jeff's Coach in Helmdon, and travelled to Liverpool to experience a crossing of the River Mersey on the Royal Daffodil ferry boat.

The visit was made that more memorable when the coach passed "Penny Lane" on its three-hour journey to the Pier Head landing stage at Liverpool Docks.

The party boarded the ferry, which cruised towards the Irish Sea, turning at Formby, and then came back down the river, stopping at Birkenhead on its way back to the Pier Head. During the cruise, the famous "Ferry over the Mersey" song was played and then a running commentary pointed out all the various docks and famous landmarks of Liverpool, and explained what happened to Liverpool during the 1939-45 war when it was the second most blitzed city in the UK.

On landing at the Pier Head the party made its way to the Albert Dock development where lunch and refreshments were obtained, and members variously made visits to the Tate Gallery, the Maritime Museum and the Beatles Exhibition - and some of course, even found the shops!

On the return journey the coach travelled through the Mersey Tunnel to Wallasey, and down through the Cheshire and Shropshire countryside to the M6 and the M40, arriving back in Helmdon at 8.30pm.

We knew the day would be long, but there were no hold-ups on the road, and Fellowship members thoroughly enjoyed what to some was a new experience - a visit to the often underestimated north-west of England.

Members Go Wild - 18th March 2005

Brian Webster.

Brian Webster visited the Fellowship on Friday, March 11th, to talk about wildlife around Helmdon. With nearly forty years experience as a naturalist-broadcaster, author and speaker, he was well placed to do so. A favourite lecturer at WEA classes, he first visited the Helmdon branch way back in 1976, and from time to time he has conducted walks along the viaduct and elsewhere around the village. However, this was Brian's first visit to the Fellowship, and he did not disappoint. He has extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna in Northamptonshire, and he illustrated his talk with wonderful slides which he had taken himself.

Afterwards Brian did a brisk trade selling wildflower seeds which he takes from plants in his own garden. We hope that the butterflies and bees know that Helmdon gardens have flowers that will be a good food source this summer!

Spring Lunch - 12th February 2005

Tom Livingstone on electric guitar.

Was it twelve months since we had our last Spring Lunch? It must have been, for again the Reading Room was beautifully decorated by Doreen England for Valentine's Day. Fifty members sat down to fruit cocktail, delicious roast beef (and all that goes with it), chocolate profiteroles or raspberry roulade, and cheese and biscuits.

Then followed the entertainment, and Tom Livingstone was excellent, playing the electric guitar accompanied by keyboard. He also has a beautiful singing voice, and his rendering of Danny Boy, requested by one of the guests, brought tears to the eyes. Tea and cakes were dispensed before it was time to go home.

On behalf of all the members, Ann Smith thanked the committee, Carol Brookhouse, Ann Harman, Pauline Payne, Rosemary Gulliver, Sheila Somerton, Doreen England, Alan Watson, and Audrey and Wilf Forgham, for a very enjoyable afternoon.

Partytime In The Reading Room - 10th December 2004

Carol Brookhouse making sure to keep Father Christmas happy.

Over forty members of The Fellowship thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas party. They were entertained first by a group of children from Helmdon School who sang Christmas carols with charm, and then Bee Aczel, keyboard at the ready, encouraged everyone to join in Christmas songs and asked for requests for more carols.

Then came a special tea, provided by hard-working committee members, which included the treat of sherry trifle! However, the treats did not stop there, because Father Christmas arrived, with presents for all. Heigh ho, it is all over for another year, but The Fellowship send their best wishes for a happy Christmas and a splendid 2005 to all in the village.

Summer Garden Party - 13th August 2004

Friday 13th August certainly wasn't unlucky for the Helmdon Fellowship members attending the annual Summer Garden Party at Greystones. A total of £220 has been donated to the Katherine House Hospice as a result of the bring & buy sale and the raffle.

The main aim of the Katherine House Hospice palliative care service is to support those people with life-threatening illnesses whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. For more on this work and on the hospice generally please visit their web site.

The organisers would like to thank all those who attended and contributed to the amount raised.

All Aboard the Vineyard Express - 1st July 2004

On the train to the vineyard. In front, Peggy Smith and Sheila Somerton. Also in the photo: Ann Smith, Roger Russell and Jenny Saunders.

The Fellowship much enjoyed their day when they visited the Gifford Hall Sweet Pea Farm in Suffolk on Thursday, July 1st.

There was time to admire the sweet peas and the extensive rose garden, and then members took their turn on the tractor train which tours the estate. After admiring the wild flower meadow which was in full bloom, the train driver talked about the pruning of the vines in the large vineyard.

The afternoon began with a fascinating talk on wine production given by the owner, followed, of course, by a delicious wine tasting which encouraged many of us to buy bottles to take home.

On the way back to Helmdon we stopped in the pretty village of Lavenham where we indulged in cream teas.

Magic Martin fools them all! - 14th February 2004

Phil Drage, Jean Brookhouse and Jack Harman, amongst others enjoying the Spring Lunch

Valentine's Day was the theme of the Fellowship Spring lunch, with décor by Doreen England and flowers from Liz Humphries of Plentiful Pots.

Ann Harman and the Fellowship committee made their usual sterling effort to provide the Fellowship with a magnificent meal. Wine was offered to members, the starter was fruit compote, followed by succulent chicken in white wine sauce and seasonal vegetables, trifle or apple pie and cream. And, if that were not all, biscuits and cheese and coffee ended the meal. It was a great pity that numbers were down from last year but there was all the more for those who attended!

Magic Martin and Jan Harrold as magician's assistant

Magic Martin fooled us all. His entertainment was slick and professional and never have we seen Pauline Payne is such fits of laughter as she was reluctantly persuaded to act as Martin's assistant for part of the time. Mick Somerton suffered (for the second occasion it must be said) his watch being battered out of its life, but we all breathed a sigh of relief when it was eventually produced in mint condition.

We look forward to our next Get-together on Friday, March 16th, when Jean Scott will speak on The History of Medicine, in the Reading Room at 2.15pm.

If anyone would like to join the Fellowship it is open to all those over 60 and you will be made most welcome. Please contact any member of the committee.


Fellowship Outing with a Watery Theme - 15th September 2003

Members at the Sea-Life Museum.

The Fellowship enjoyed a lovely summer day on September 16th as they cruised along Birmingham's canals. It was surprising to hear that the city has more canals than Venice and although some of the canal banks we saw are in a desolate state, a grand job has been done near the National Indoor Arena building where we embarked, and the waterside apartments and restaurants were greatly admired. After a leisurely lunch in the Brindley centre, we went to the Birmingham Sea-Life Museum, and marvelled at the exotic fish so clearly exhibited. Some of us timed our visit to see the otters being fed - others hung behind, fascinated by the sting rays and indeed the jelly fish, reviled because of its capacity to sting, but which in reality is a primitive, ethereal creature.

This was the last outing of the Fellowship summer programme. Our outings are open to all, so why not look at the noticeboards next summer and see if any of our visits are of interest to you?

Fellowship Spring Lunch - 8th February 2003

Versatile entertainer Max Wall

Max Wall, in the guise of Mike Gee, came to the Helmdon Fellowship Spring Lunch on Saturday, 8 February.

Always an occasion, sixty Fellowship members sat down to a "roast beef and five veg" lunch with Yorkshire puds and all the trimmings, and afterwards were royally entertained by Mike. He was billed as a vocalist, impressionist, comedian and cartoonist, and he certainly wowed us with his versatility.

Thank you Mike for a great performance, you were excellent, and thank you, committee, for all your hard work in decorating the room with a Spring theme, and preparing the delicious lunch (and tea!).


Fellowship Christmas Party - 13th December 2002

Santa surprises Fellowship members with a gift

"The best tea we have ever had" was one verdict of a Fellowship member and it was certainly a delicious meal, with sandwiches, sausage rolls, vol au vents, mince pies, cakes, and trifle...

Phil Drage entertained us (we heard many a spicy story about our members, but whether they really happened is open to serious question!). But underlining all his jollity was a serious message, that brought by the Christmas story.

After tea, Father Christmas arrived, bringing gifts for everyone, and the afternoon was rounded off by the singing of carols.

Hmmm, Santa looks awfully familiar... I'm sure I've seen him around the village before...!

Visit to Bletchley Park - 11th May 2002

The Bletchley Park Guide shares his knowledge

As well as various re-creations of wartime happenings at the site, there were plenty of other attractions for us to see such as the museum of obsolete and vintage computers, the toy museum and what interested many of us the most, a museum dedicated to Winston Churchill memorabilia.

In all, a very pleasant and informative trip.

Fellowship Coffee Morning - 24th April 2002

Hostess, Judy Cairns

The Helmdon Fellowship hold regular coffee mornings where members and friends can gather together, enjoy each other's company for a few relaxing hours, and raise money towards other Fellowship activities.

For Spring 2002 it was the turn of Judy Cairns to host the coffee morning and members gathered at her home on Wednesday, 24 April.

The proceeds of the morning, principally the raffle and bric a brac (kindly donated by members), raised nearly £100 for Fellowship funds.

The next coffee morning will be held on July 24th at Jan and Cec Harrold's home.

If you would be interested in joining Helmdon Fellowship, which is open to any residents who are retired and/or over sixty, please contact any member of the Fellowship committee.

Fellowship Spring Lunch 2002 - 9th February 2002

Left to right: Ann Harman, Doreen England, Rosemary Gulliver, Sheila Somerton, Pauline Payne.

The Helmdon Fellowship Spring lunch took place in the Reading Room on Saturday 9 February.

Sixty-five members sat down to an excellent lunch prepared by committee members.

After-dinner mints and coffee were followed by a talk by Susanna Marshall on "Valentines Day Myths and Legends", with afternoon tea rounding off an excellent occasion.

Fellowship Spring Lunch 2001 - 10th February 2001

Fifty-five members of the Fellowship sat down to an excellent three-course meal , followed by coffee and mints, in the Reading Room on Saturday 10 February. The room looked very spring like, with plants supplied by Liz Humphrey of Plentiful Pots.

After the meal there was entertainment by magician Paul Kybert. It was as difficult as ever to comprehend how the card tricks were done. Paul had several helpers but notable among them was Mick Somerton, who thought it all a hilarious joke and dissolved the audience into laughter. A ring, a watch, and a £20 note of Jan Harrold's all went missing, and we were amazed where they were eventually found! Tea and cakes were served after the magical display.

Jan Harrold thanked the committee for all their hard work. The kitchen staff, namely Ann Harman, Carol Brookhouse, Pauline Payne, Sheila Somerton, Ann Smith, Ann Austin, Doreen England, Rosemary Gulliver and Audrey Harwood, not forgetting wine waiter Alan Watson, had all played their part in providing a "good afternoon out".

Coffee Morning - 25th January 2001

The coffee morning at Carol and David Brookhouse's on Wednesday 25 January was very successful, raising £140 for Fellowship funds.   Thanks to all those who attended, to the committee who helped, but most of all to David and Carol for allowing Fellowship members to gather in their home.



Christmas Meeting - 8th December 2000

Helmdon School entertained the Fellowship on 8 December in the Reading Room. A good audience was entertained by the school choir, brass ensemble and the recorder group. Fellowship members were particularly impressed by the saxophone soloist, who was determined to play his music the best that he could. The concert finished with the singing of traditional carols by all present, who included the head teacher, Sue Blackburn, and her colleague Rose Darwin, the Rev John Roberts ( who teaches the recorder group), and Lee Sparrow who acts as accompanist. A Christmas tea was provided.

The Fellowship thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon, and thank the school for the great entertainment.

Bob Hodson Talk & Fellowship AGM - 13th October 2000

The first meeting of the Autumn on Friday 13 October attracted over thirty members of the Fellowship.

Bob Hodson, who used to be postman in Helmdon and who now works in Brackley, gave a most interesting talk on the Royal Mail. After a short history of the service, he recounted what happens to a letter when it is put in a post box locally. We heard that all the post goes first to Northampton, to be sorted by a vast machine in a very short space of time, and it was interesting to hear what happens to those letters which are illegible or have the incorrect postcodes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed Bob's talk.

Annual General Meeting - 13th October 2000

Tea was followed by the Annual General Meeting. The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer reported a very successful year. The main business was to pass the new constitution, which was duly done. To view the new constitution click here.

The committee were re-elected en-bloc, and post holders remain the same.

Summer Tea - August 2000

At the home of Carol and David  Brookhouse (pictured here) on a hot summer afternoon in August 2000,  over forty members and friends enjoyed an excellent  tea.  The event was very successful, raising over £100 for the Brackley Cottage Hospital.

Since then, members and friends enjoyed a coffee morning at the home of Alan and Eileen Watson, with around £126 being raised for Fellowship funds. The Fellowship also had a presence at the Carnival with a bric-a-brac stall and a treasure hunt game. From these two attractions, approximately £100 went to Carnival funds and £100 to Fellowship funds, so committee members who helped on the day were well pleased with their efforts. In mid September Ann Smith invited the Fellowship to her home for coffee, and again a wonderful total was reached - over £130 for funds.

There was almost a full coach of members and friends for the last visit of the season, to Moreton on the Marsh market. Bargains were had by all, and luckily the rain held off for all to enjoy the Cotswold scenery.