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Issue 20 Page 1
The Moot Hall in Maldon, Local Interest Group
Members toured the Moot Hall. Maldon gained its
Royal Charter in 1171 and was the second only to
Colchester in importance until modern times.
The Moot Hall was built in 1420 by MP Robert D’Arcy.
Peter Lewsey became Town Clerk for the afternoon.
He looks very official but he didn’t even get paid a
couple of groats!
BENFLEET
BULLETIN Issue 20: MAY / JUNE / JULY 2019
Website: U3Asites.org.uk/benfleet
MOBILE PHONES
Please switch OFF or on
silent during meetings.
Thank you.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
2pm, last Tuesday in
month at Richmond Hall.
No December meeting.
PLEASE NOTE!
As U3A policy, member
subscriptions are non-
refundable
FROM THE CHAIR: Hello Members
As I’m writing this, Easter is just around the corner, hoping the weather improves.
The clocks have been put forward and we now get lighter nights more gardening to
do and enjoy.
You will remember that Helene Claxton, our first chair
lady, was looking forward to becoming a Grandma, which
unfortunately, she did not survive to see. However, her
lovely granddaughter, Figgy Nell was born in March.
Congratulations to mum Natalie, dad David and specially
grandad Paul Claxton.
Reminder
The membership renewal is at the end of June and forms will be sent out shortly.
Please let us know if you have changed any of your details.
PLEASE DO NOT enquire about renewal before the forms are circulated.
Best wishes. Sheila (Chair)
Issue 20 Page 2
SPEAKERS & EVENTS AT FUTURE CLUB MEETINGS
Last Tuesday every Month (except December)
2019
28 May The Tower of London - Living with Ghosts. Brian Darcy
25 June For Better or Worse – Marriage in Past Times.
Toni Neopard and Kate Bond
30 July Toastmaster. Glen Mayes
27 August Tales of the Smithy. Roger Dorking
See the full 2019 list on the Benfleet U3A website
Data Protection and Emergency Contacts
The Benfleet U3A has a duty of care to our members when they are engaged in U3A
activities. In order to ensure your safety, we need to be able to contact someone
who can meet your welfare needs in the event of an incident/accident.
We therefore advise and request that:
Members should ensure they carry their U3A Membership Card to all U3A events
and activities.
Each member to provide details on the reverse of the card, of a next-of-kin or
emergency contact telephone number.
Members to provide this emergency contact detail to the Group Contact for every
group they belong to.
Group Contact to keep this list up to date and carry it with them (or whoever is
leading that particular activity) on trips and activities.
You will see that this information will also be requested on your Membership
Renewal forms, which will be sent out later in May.
Our request and the holding of this information come under the GDPR Data
Protection regulations, where we have a ‘Legitimate interest’ in member’s welfare.
Further details regarding our Legitimate Interest Assessment can be found on
the Benfleet U3A website.
I got into an argument with a lollipop lady this morning.
She made me cross!
Then, I was stopped by a copper who asked me if I had a police record.
It seems “Walking On The Moon” wasn’t the answer he wanted.
Issue 20 Page 3
SOCIAL OUTINGS
Tuesday 14 May 2019; Organised by Theresa Sergeant, Garden Visit Group
Outing: Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham, West Sussex
Status: 2 places available due to cancellations
Contact: Theresa Sergeant T: 01268 755093 E: Garden Visits
Cost: £23-50p per person includes coach, entrance and gratuities.
Pickup: 8:20 Vic House Corner; 8:30 Cemetery Corner;
8:35 Tarpots coach stop; 8:45 Pitsea; 9:00 Basildon.
A coach trip has been arranged to visit the newly
reopened beautiful Leonardslee Gardens. The Estate
covers 200 Acres with 7 man-made ponds containing
Carp fish, 2 alpine glasshouses, a rare colony of
wallabies and deer who wonder semi-freely throughout
the Estate.
For more info. visit leonardsleegardens.co.uk
Friday 21 June 2019
Outing: Wroxham, Broads Cruise & Lunch
Status: OPEN for booking
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: £40 per person
incl. coach/gratuity, cruise, lunch.
Last Payment Date: 30 April 2019
Pickup: 08:30 Tarpots Coach Stop
Similar to the 2018 trip but with free time in Wroxham
instead of the Barns. Lunch will be at the Wroxham
Hotel, Fish and Chips, Cheesecake, tea/coffee. Then a
2 hour broads cruise and then free time in Wroxham.
To book or for further information on Outings please visit:
u3asites.org.uk/benfleet/page/19756 - or contact Maria Kelly via the
‘Outings’ page or T: 01268 794841 E: Outings Organiser
If interested in any trip marked ‘FULL’, contact Maria for any cancellations.
Coach excursions are generally limited to 48 places: therefore seats will be
allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis.
Where food is included, please advise Maria of any dietary/allergy
requirements when booking.
Issue 20 Page 4
Thursday 18 July 2019
Outing: Buckingham Chilterns Tours with lunch
Status: OPEN for booking
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: £48 per person incl. coach/gratuity, lunch.
Last Payment Date: 28 May 2019
Pickup: 8:15 Tarpots Coach Stop
Itinerary:
Meet Blue Badge guide at pub in Old Beaconsfield, stop for refreshments.
Drive through scenic countryside, and return to the pub for included 1 course
lunch (Cottage Pie served with vegetables and gravy). Vegetarian, vegan, gluten
free options available – please advise Maria when booking.
After lunch, visit the Jordan’s Meeting House built in 1688. Our guide will give
details on the Quakers and William Penn their leader/founder.
Stop at Mayflower Barn for Tea/Biscuits. Leave 4:45pm. Home about 7:00pm.
Thursday 15 August 2019
Outing: Eastbourne and Air Show
Status: OPEN for booking
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: £15 per person includes coach/gratuity only.
Last Payment Date: 25 June 2019
Pickup: 9:00 Tarpots Coach Stop
In Eastbourne the day will be yours at your own pace and leisure.
We are fortunate that the Eastbourne Air Show have an afternoon FREE display
from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August.
You could pop on the bus to Beachy Head or visit the Marina or stroll around the
shopping centre or sea front. Lots of places for Refreshments/lunch.
You will have 5 Hours free time in Eastbourne.
Tuesday 3 September 2019
Outing: Notcutt Nursery, Maidstone; Kentish Lady Cruise with Cream Tea;
and Allington Castle tour – wow!
Status: FULL - reserve list only
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: £45 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise/cream tea, castle tour.
Last Payment Date: 30 July 2019
Pickup: 9:00 Tarpots Coach Stop
In the morning, stop at Nottcutts Nursery, Maidstone for an opportunity to
purchase refreshments/Lunch/ and browse the various outlets at Newnham Court
Shopping Village.
See more on next page
Issue 20 Page 5
Coach to Maidstone to board The Kentish Lady,
with commentary. Cruise down the River Medway
to ALLINGTON CASTLE for a guided tour.
ALLINGTON CASTLE is privately owned so it’s a
rare opportunity to get permission to visit.
On the return trip to Maidstone on the Kentish
Lady an included Cream Tea will be served.
Then back on the coach for our journey home.
Saturday 19 October 2019
Outing: RHS Wisley "Tints of Autumn"
Status: ADVICE ONLY taking bookings around 28 May 2019
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: Depends on if you are a RHS Member includes
coach/gratuity/entrance.
For RHS Members £15 per person
RHS Members can admit 1 guest free (Coach £15 per person)
For NON RHS Members £27-50p per person
NOTE: RHS Members MUST have their membership card on the day
Last Payment Date: Thursday 19 September 2019
Pickup: To be advised
Friday 22 November 2019
Outing: Bury St. Edmunds, Christmas Market
Status: ADVICE ONLY Taking bookings from around 28 May 2019
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: £15 per person includes coach/gratuity only.
Last Payment Date: To Be Advised
Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop - time TBA
Monday 16 December 2019
Outing: Thames Lunch Cruise and London Lights
Status: ADVICE ONLY Taking bookings from around 30 July 2019
Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser
Cost: £50 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise, lunch and lights tour.
£10 non-refundable deposit at time of booking
Last Payment Date: 16 October 2019
Non-refundable deposit at time of booking
Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop – time TBA
With early booking, Maria has been able to secure this trip at 2018 prices. Well done.
Issue 20 Page 6
PROJECTOR and SCREEN – are available for group use.
Please contact Sheila Sears via Chairperson
RECENT OUTINGS AND EVENTS
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
GROUP NEWS
A full list of group contacts is given on page 10
Darts: the thriving darts group now holds its meetings at Rileys, the sports club,
which is near the Tarpots pub, at 2.00pm last Wednesday each month. Feedback is
positive with the atmosphere being better than in the Benfleet Tavern.
Badminton 2: the Group Contact is now Robert Gray. Thanks to Fred Simpkins
for running the group previously.
Scrabble: still open for new members.
YOUR GROUPS:
Tell us about what activities your group are doing, provide a few photos and we will
include in both the next bulletin and on the Benfleet U3A website.
A taster of group activities is shown in pictures below. More photos available at the
group webpages.
Forward information to Alan Aldridge T: 01268 756638 E: Bulletin Editor
Issue 20 Page 7
Recent Group Activities
Wildlife – Hanningfield Reservoir, Essex Wildlife Trust
Photography- Essex Wildlife and Landscape
Local Interest - Canvey Church Museum
Walking Over 5 Miles – Camden and Regents Park
Wildlife
Fobbing Marsh
Issue 20 Page 8
Flower Arranging
French – fun with French kitchen towel and recipes
Ten Pin Bowling
Walking Over 5 Miles - Kensington
Photography - Benfleet Yacht Club
Local Interest –Moot Hall, Maldon
Issue 20 Page 9
Get to know your Committee Members
Suzanne Worland – Committee Member
Born in Dagenham in my grandmother’s house with my
twin sister, then moving to Barking, where my mother
was a Nurse and had my brother there. We moved to
Basildon New town aged 5 and joined the Brownies and
where my other two brothers were born. I went to Manor
Road school then onto Woodlands Girls school, where my love for sports kicked in
and I became Captain of the Gymnastic Team . I joined the Girls Life Brigade and
played Bugle in the band and now have a keyboard to learn to play.
Married my husband Alan, an engineer, in 1976 and live in Benfleet. Had two sons,
Paul and James and now three grandchildren, Jessica, Louis and youngest Kyle,
who I look after and find it a joy.
I joined the Keep Fit Association in 1979 and became a
teacher in 1984 taking two classes a week. Then joined the
KFA Committee, my role to organise summer classes, raffle
and this year Day trips. I also belong to Waterside gym.
Other interests are cake making, art class, lunching out, to
name a few. I have run three London Marathons and
also joined various U3A groups. Worked as a sales rep. for a
motor company, in offices, then many years as a special
educational needs co-ordinator in a nursery.
Love cruising, last one going to Hamburg and Amsterdam
Christmas Markets but also New Orleans and the Med. Enjoy
camping around Britain. Looking forward to being a
committee member and part of a very good team.
Community News - non-U3A activities
Items listed are for your information only and are not U3A organised.
Wyvern Community Transport is a local charity that provides individuals with
accessible transport and also hires vehicles, with a volunteer driver if needed, to
local groups. This may be useful to U3A groups.
They operate Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 16:30. Can usually accommodate slightly
later return times if necessary. For further information please visit wyvernct.org.
Royal Hotel in Southend – at top of Pier Hill - UPDATE
A new offer runs to 30 Sept. 2019, giving 10% discount ON THE TOTAL bill including
alcoholic drinks [previously 20% on food only]. Its available all day, every day –
excludes Special Ticketed Events. Just show your U3A membership card.
Issue 20 Page 10
What’s in a name? Continuing our series regarding local history:
The Battle of Benfleet took place between the Vikings and
Saxons in 894 A.D. This was towards the end of the Saxon
period and the Thames and other waterways made the area
vulnerable to Viking attacks.
Benfleet was used as a Viking base, but they were defeated in
the battle by the army of King Alfred under the command of his
son, Edward the Elder, and his son-in-law, Earl Aethelred of
Mercia.
What evidence remains? The exact location of the Battle of
Benfleet has not been established but timbers from destroyed
Viking long ships and warships were found when constructing
Benfleet Station as well as some human remains.
The Saxons built a church in thanksgiving for the
victory. St. Mary’s church is the most recent
church building occupying the site dating from
1067 but most in
12/13th centuries.
On the path leading away from Benfleet Station
Bridge, over the fields towards the High Road/Rec
are two stones commemorating the battle.
The Last Kingdom
Anyone who has watched this series on Netflix will be familiar
with Beamfleote i.e. Benfleet, which features in importance
alongside places like Winchester. The Battle of Benfleet is
depicted in Series 2 Episode 8. How historically accurate is it?
Who knows? But many shots appear to
be from the downs looking down on the
creek but without the bridge, railway or
houses. To me this looks like Benfleet
but was apparently filmed in Hungary.
Issue 20 Page 11
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
SUBJECT CONTACT MEETING DATE
Badminton 1 Brian Boyce Mon. pm weekly
Badminton 2 Robert Gray Thurs 7.30pm weekly
Book Club Pat Cluness Monthly: variable
Card & Board Games Ann Sayer 2nd Wed. pm
Comparative Religion Cheryl Kirby 2nd Tues. pm
Culinary Experience Barbara Webb 4th Mon.
Darts Chris Hicks Last Wed. pm
Discussion 1 Jenny Brown 2nd Mon. pm
Discussion 2 Jenny Brown 1st Tues. am
Family History Grahame Harris 1st Tues. 2-4pm
Flower Arranging Brenda Liberty 2nd Fri. am
French Linda Aldridge Wed am Monthly variable
Garden Visits Theresa Sergeant Various
Gardening Jenny Brown Monthly: variable
Keep Fit Suzanne Worland Mon pm. Evening term time
Knit & Stitch Pauline Everett 2nd Tues. pm
Local Interest Sue Lewsey 1st Wed
Lunch Iris Mead On hold [see group note]
Meditation Richard Newall Tues. am; weekly
Naval & Military History Phil Lloyd-Worth 2nd Wed. 2pm
Paper Craft 1 Ann Sayer 1st Fri.am
Paper Craft 2 Ann Sayer 3rd Fri. am
Photography Sue Lewsey 3rd Mon. pm
Sewing Joan Daly On hold - restart soon
Singing Linda Burdett 2nd & 3rd Thurs.
Spanish Sheila Radford Wed. pm weekly
Ten Pin Bowling Jim Regan 3rd Fri. am
Walking Group upto 5 miles Eve Burgess 1st Thurs. am
Walking over 5 miles Doreen Wiggans 4th Thurs. Am
Walking over 5 miles-Group 2 Freda Antoniou 3rd Wed. am
Wildlife Janet Humphrey 2nd Thurs. am
Women in History Jean Askew 3rd Fri
To join a group please call the contact number given above. If full, or for any
queries, please contact Iris Mead via Interest Groups Coordinator
Monthly unless specified
Issue 20 Page 12
Committee Members
Chair
Sheila Sears
Chairperson
Vice-Chair
Marion Coleman
Vice-Chair
Treasurer
Jill Parr
Treasurer
Business Secretary
Mavis Regan
Business Secretary
Group Coordinator
Iris Mead
Interest Groups Coordinator
Membership Secretary
Bob Munson
Membership Secretary
Outings Organiser
Maria Kelly
Outings Organiser
Bulletin Editor
and Webmaster
Alan Aldridge
Bulletin Editor
Committee Member
Philip Lloyd-Worth
Committee Member 1
Committee Member
Suzanne Worland
Committee Member 2
Bereavement and Unwell:
Please contact Suzanne Worland via Committee Member 2 to confirm details of
any bereavement or illness, and an appropriate card will be forwarded.