Autumn/Winter 2022 Fellowship News

Fellowship

All about Technology at the Science Museum

Some members of the CSRF Community in London were hosted at the Science Museum by our Chief Executive David Tickner and other members of the Research Advisory Group (RAG). The purpose of the event was to test the idea of

Friendship over lunch

Following our call to action asking for local group representatives in the last issue of Fellowship News we are pleased to report two small new ‘start-ups’ in York and the New Forest. Both these new social groups will be run informally and are focused on offering a regular monthly lunch or coffee/tea meet. If you live in

recording memories and to see how an exhibition can trigger thoughts and feelings. The feedback from the Science Museum event was positive and the RAG is considering a number of similar events at museums around the UK in the coming months.

New engagement with Boundless by CSMA

A big thanks to Boundless by CSMA who have chosen us as one of their nominated charities this year. Boundless began life as the Civil Service Motoring Association 100 years ago and has evolved to become the largest membership organisation in the public sector offering their members a wide range of benefits including unlimited access to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Gardens and its sister site at Wakehurst. To develop our working relationship Boundless are offering to donate a further £5 to us for every CSRF subscriber who signs up as a Boundless member. To find out more check the advert on the back cover of this issue.

AppealFundraisingUpdate

either area and would like to go along you can find the relevant contact in the group listing section at the back of the newsletter.

We are still raising funds for this year’snational appeal. With all the challengeson the cost of living we are grateful forthe donations we’ve received so far. Ifyou would like to donate you can do sousing the form on page 9. All themoney we raise this year will gointo our fund to help support ourlocal community groups.

Chief Executive’s Message

Welcome to the Autumn/ Winter issue of Fellowship News.

This issue includes information about our befriending schemes, fundraising appeal and local group news. There is useful advice and information about making savings on energy bills. We have a photo report from our national Annual General Meeting in July which saw our Company Members elect two new Board Directors. We have a new book section and some new real stories from former civil servants who share their memories.

I am also pleased to share news of our first Recording Memories pilot that took place recently at the Science Museum in London. The event was the result of one of the workflows from our Research Advisory Group. This focuses

on the idea of using exhibitions at museums and galleries to record feelings and thoughts that are triggered by participants. We will be looking at similar events around the country so if you would be interested to get involved then please contact me at Fellowship Office.

Our call to action in the last issue for local group representatives also had a positive response. Since that issue we have seen some new local social activity develop in York and the New Forest. If you would be interested acting as a local group contact in an area where we don’t have an operating group then we’d love to hear from you. You might also be interested in running a specialist group focused on a subject or pastime or just arranging a regular friendship

lunch. Either way we would be pleased to work with you to see what interest there is from other members of the CSRF community in your area.

I hope you enjoy the issue and don’t forget; we are here to help you if you need us.

David Tickner, Chief Executive

New Faces at Fellowship Office

We have welcomed two new faces to the staff team at Fellowship Office in the last few months. Denise Headley (pictured right) joined as our new Deputy Chief Executive and Michela Ferrari (pictured left) as our new Admin

Support Officer. Denise will be overseeing the CSRF’s befriending schemes and communications. Michela, in addition to her responsibility for day-to-day administration, has been involved with the Research Advisory Group.

Help us to put friendship first

We are looking to recruit some new volunteer befrienders to join our home visiting scheme. All befrienders are subject to a DBS Check and training before being admitted to the scheme and we reimburse reasonable expenses

Making a gift aid declaration

If you pay tax, then we can claim gift aid on your subscription or donation. You may already have signed a gift aid declaration form but if not, we can send you one to complete and return. You can check your status by emailing: enquiries@csrf.org.uk or calling us on 020 8691 7411.

for the undertaking of home visits. Whilst we are happy to welcome interest from anyone wanting to volunteer, we are particularly looking for people who could undertake home visits to service users in the following areas:

Bristol, Bournemouth, Chesterfield, Winchester and Yeovil.

You can find out more about all our Befriending schemes online at www.csrf.org.uk or by calling 020 8691 7411 or by email to befriending@csrf.org.uk

Prizes from the Society of Civil & Public Service Writers

Have you ever thought of writing a short story, poem, travel article or humorous verse? The Society of Civil & Public Service Writers offers competitions and prizes, as well as Zoom meetings. To find out more, see www.scpsw.org The Competitions are open only to members. For more information contact helen lowry, Membership Secretary, at www.scpsw.org/joining

New logo and website for the Civil Service Insurance Society

The Civil Service Insurance Society (CSIS), aims to be the insurance provider of choice for Civil and Public Servants by offering a range of quality Insurance products at competitive prices with a first-class service you can trust. CSIS are the Insurance people who care and as a “not for profit” organisation, they donate all available profits to Civil and Public Service Charities. Since 2007, CSIS has donated over £8million to help put peoples lives back on track. Over the years CSRF has been the recipient of funding

to help support our befriending schemes and most recently we received some unrestricted grants during Covid. For more information visit www.csis.co.uk or call 01622 766960

Reporting Scams

Remember, if it’s too good to be true, that’s because it generally is!! Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated and can be perpetrated by post, email, text and phone call. If you are at all concerned or worried you have been a victim of a scam you can use the following contacts to report it:

England & Wales

REPORT: contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

ADVICE: contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or for a Welsh speaking advisor, call 0808 223 1144.

Scotland

REPORT: call police Scotland on 101.

ADVICE: contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

Northern Ireland

REPORT: contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or call the police on 101.

ADVICE: contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

If you get a scam text

You can report spam texts directly to your mobile phone provider. All operators now use 7726 as the short code to report spam texts, which is free of charge.

New Direct Debit Processor

Lloyds Bank have decided to withdraw their tele debiting services at the end of the year so

anyone who is making a regular subscription or donation payment will receive a letter advising of a change to the company collecting the contributions on our behalf. The letter will be for information as you will not need to do anything but if you have any concerns or worries on receipt of the letter then you can contact us at Fellowship Office for more information.

If you get a scam email Forward the email to report@ phishing.gov.uk. It will go to the National Cyber Security Centre - they might be able to stop other people being scammed.

New Directors elected at 2022 Annual General Meeting

In July, the CSRF’s Annual General Meeting and Conference was held in person for the first time in two years at One Great George Street in London. We were pleased to welcome delegates and guests from across the country who enjoyed the opportunity to catch up and discuss national business.

With no resolutions tabled for discussion, the Annual General Meeting did elect two new Board Directors, Dr Martin Hyde and Gillian Smyth. Martin joins as a Director for Later Life Issues and Gillian as Director for our Befriending Schemes. The Conference segment in the afternoon welcomed guest speakers from the Charity for Civil Servants, Boundless/CSMA and Don’t Tone Alone.

1: Guests Margaret Carter, Doreen Beck,

2: Dame Elizabeth Gardiner DCB KC (

CSRF Civil Service Champion; 3: Company Member (Befriending) Bartholomew Anderson, Group Guest, Ascot & Sunningdale; 4: 5: Guest, Richmond & Twickenham; 6: Company Member, Jane Cocking; 7: Company Member (Befriending) Chris Jenkinson and Michael rice, Group roxy, Bexhill & hastings Group; 8: Company Member (Befriending), Mary Wood; 9: Company Member, Catford & lewisham Group, Jane Duffy; 10: 7: Company Member, Richmond & Twickenham Group, Michael

Tackling the Cost of Living

With bills going up and winter just round the corner we look at some of the advice available on how to save money and manage your bills Money worries? Support is available from The Charity for Civil Servants

Whatever your current situation, you will be impacted by the rising costs of living, whether that be energy costs, fuel for your car or the cost of your weekly shop.

Useful Guides

Independent Age produce several helpful guides offering tips and advice for money saving and ways to look after yourself this winter. Three we would like to highlight are: Moneywise (How to boost your income and save money), Winter Wise (Ways to look after yourself during the coldest months) and Factsheet (Paying for home maintenance and repairs).

You can call to request hard copies of any guide or factsheet produced by Independent Age by calling 0800 319 6789 or download them directly from their website, www.independentage.org

The Charity for Civil Servants can help with all sorts of financial issues caused by an unexpected change in circumstances. You can sign up on the form on their website to receive regular updates about the help and support provided by the Charity. And if you know anyone else who could benefit from hearing about the Charity’s support, please do share this with them.

The Charity for Civil Servants supports all current, former and retired civil servants

Turn2Us

throughout their lives, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support.

You can contact the Charity for Civil Servants on 0800 056 2424 or via their website on https:// foryoubyyou.org.uk/

Turn2Us is a national charity providing practical advice and help to people who are struggling financially. If you have access to the Internet, you can access a page dedicated to older people via the home page. Select ‘your situation’ and then ‘older person’. Once on the page you will be able to see information about what benefits, grants and other resources are available to you.

For more information call 0808 802 2000 or visit www.turn2us.org.uk

Discounts on Theatre

Take advantage of the whole range of discounts on theatre tickets in London by signing up to our Theatre Club. You will receive a monthly e-newsletter from WestEnd Theatre (who run the service) and their bulletins highlight offers available on many shows and you can book online securely via their website. Please note: this service is online only. For more information visit www.westendtheatre.com/ club/csrf

SIM Card giveaway from Vodafone

We reported this giveaway in the last issue of Fellowship News and we still have some SIM Cards available. They were provided by Vodafone’s new ‘charities.connected’ initiative which aims to help tackle digital exclusion in later life. These are Pay As You Go SIMS that come with 20GB data plus unlimited calls and texts each month for a period of six months (activated on use). You can apply for a SIM card by contacting Fellowship office on 020 8691 7411 to request an application form. They will be distributed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

The Society of Later Life Advisers

We have recently signed up as an Affiliate Member of the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA). SOLLA was established in 2008 as a notfor-profit organisation dedicated to higher standards and accessibility to regulated financial advice for older people and their families. There are no shareholders and any profit is used to sustain the Society and its objectives. You can use the search facility on their website to locate a SOLLA approved Later Life Adviser near you.For more information visit

Free Support for Plant-Powered Seniors

VfL works across the UK to ensure that care establishments can cater well and ethically for older vegans. Preparing to move into care can already be a stressful experience. The VfL UK List, found on their website, enables visitors to search care providers that have pledged to cater well and ethically for

older vegans. For people still living independently, several channels of support are available through VfL, such as The Vegan and Vegetarian Fund. Grants of up to £3,000 may be awarded to those meeting the criteria, for one-off purchases that will assist older vegans in maintaining their independence.

Recent grants have provided mobility scooters, laptops and washing machines that have dramatically improved the quality of life for recipients. You can find more information online at https://vforlife.org.uk.

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Talking Books

Running monthly on Wednesdays and Thursdays our Zoom book groups are a great way to share your love of books with fellow reading enthusiasts. Each book club member has the chance to pick at least two books a year for discussion and both groups get together for a bi-annual lunch. Our most recent lunch (pictured) was held in London at the Horse & Guardsman pub in Whitehall. Books coming up for discussion include The Fell by Sarah Moss, The Road Home by Rose

Book Reviews

What Puddles are For Barbara Caddy

Our Caerphilly group Chair was out with her grandchildren many years ago in the rain when the idea for this delightful book was formed. Barbara found the writing part easy although finding an illustrator to bring her story to life was a bit more of challenge. The story is about a young boy who goes out for a walk after the rain and sees different things in the puddles-and of course he splashes in puddles. Available from Amazon (key in the title) from about £8.00 paperback or £2.75 E-book

Tremain and The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. You can use Zoom whether you have a computer or a telephone so if you

were interested in getting involved with a book group then give us a call on 020 8691 7411 or email: david.tickner@csrf.org.uk

Confessions of a VAT Inspector Dawn Fallon

During lockdown CSRF subscriber Dawn Fallon wrote a book about her work in the Civil Service as a VAT Control Officer working for HM Customs & Excise in the 80s and 90s. Her book takes the reader on an entertaining journey through a collection of stories about VAT visits to businesses in and around Birmingham during the 80s and 90s, from multi-million-pound companies to small innercity grocers selling rotting vegetables. You can download Dawn’s book on Amazon for the specially reduced price of £0.99 (normally £4.99) or order the paperback for the reduced rate of £4.99 (normally £7.99) - both are available at the special price until the end of october. Search ‘Confessions of a vAT Inspector - Dawn Fallon’ in Amazon and then select either the download option or paperback and then order as you would any Amazon item.

India Uniform Nine

Mark Perlstrom and Douglas Wight

Mark Perlstrom joined the civil service in 1983, starting in the Ministry of Defence and moving to HM Customs. When he started working for HM Customs he was thrown in at the deep end, joining Operation C-Chase, an undercover investigation that penetrated Pablo Escobar’s mighty Medellin cartel, brought down the corrupt BCCI bank and stopped London’s gangs from moving their ill-gotten gains around the capital. The book tells the inside story of his work in this covert world. published by Icon Books priced £18.99 in hardback

If you have a had a book published or self-published, we would love to hear from you. You can email us details using the enquiries@csrf.org.uk or by sending information in using the Fellowship office address on

Book Tales

Former Civil Servant Mark Perlstrom’s first book, India Uniform Nine, was published last month by Icon Books. We caught up with him to find ask his book and find out a bit more about him….

1What inspired you to write the book?

A number of former Customs colleagues also wrote books but like many in this genre was all about how great they were and saved the world. I wanted something a little different.

What did you learn while writing it?

Prohibition policy is still failing badly and has been for decades we need a full and frank debate about future drugs policy here, main thing I learnt.

how long did it take you to write?

Five months with lots of help and research.

What is the significance of the title?

It was my covert Customs call sign when on ground. I for India means drugs team, U for Uniforms as we were twenty-one drugs team formed, specialising in money laundering cases.

Do you have a particular positive memory (or memories) of your time with the Civil Service and if so, please share it/them Colleagues. Most were fantastic doing a really difficult job impartially. An American oilman once told UK only place, he does business where you can’t corrupt public servants for a drilling licence.

What books do you enjoy reading?

I love True Crime books and spy fiction.

What author (s) inspire you as a writer?

Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is by far the best true crime book. John Le Carre is also a brilliant storyteller.

having been through the process yourself, what advice would you offer to a first-time author?

Take a writing course and get really good help and advice.

7 8 9

What’s next for you?

I live in London and Italy with my Italian wife.

I have a small firm that promotes development on brownfield land. So I plan to build four eco houses on surplus site just bought off Sheffield Council.

Tell us a secret…. Had to lose ten stone to be fit enough to get into Customs Investigation Division.

Courtesy of Icon Books we have five copies of Mark’s book to giveaway to the first five readers we draw after the competition closes at the end of November 2022. To enter, please send your name, address and telephone number and/or email to us at Fellowship office on a postcard. please write ‘Book Giveaway’ on your postcard. The competition closes on Friday 25th November. The winners will be notified after that date. The judges’ decision is final.

Coronation Memories

Eltham Group Chair phyllis Duignan shares her memories of the Queen’s coronation in 1953

Tomorrow was to be the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. My Mother encouraged my sisters Audrey and Hilary and her fiancé Gerald and me (12 years old) to take the evening train from Winchester where we lived to London to watch the great pageant. My Mother maintained that if Elizabeth reigned as long as her Great Grandmother Queen Victoria then this coronation is likely to be the one and only in our lifetime. What foresight!

We arrived at Waterloo about 7pm armed with a pile of sandwiches, a flask and a blanket and made our way to the Mall along with many others. We found a spot halfway along and sat down on the pavement. The crowds got bigger and bigger and there was a great atmosphere of camaraderie and good-natured banter between everyone.

Much later tiredness overtook us and we settled down for the night. Hilary and Gerald sat back-to-back and Audrey and I sat back to back. None of us actually slept but dozed the night away. As the dawn broke on the great day people began to stir and then the most pressing need was the toilet! There were temporary elsan closets that had been set up in St James’s Park but not nearly

enough for the numbers. I remember getting very distressed as I never thought that I would get to the front of the queue before I had an accident. I am glad to say that I did make it!

The next problem was finding my way back to my family because so many more people were arriving and the crowds were getting thicker and thicker. The people arriving in the morning started to stand in front of those who had spent the night on the pavement and tempers started to rise. I remember feeling quite frightened with the air of hostility and raised voices. Fortunately, the Police arrived and made a passageway through the crowd to the rear so the late arrivals could make their way to the back and everyone settled down.

The prospect of sleeping on the pavement all night seemed a great adventure until I actually did it. The pavement was cold, hard and you couldn’t sleep.

I stood watching them. Then one asked if I’d like to play. Little did they know that Sunday evenings in our house was card night. You name the game and I could play it! Would I like to deal? I cut and shuffled the cards corner to corner and dealt the hands. They quickly realised I was no novice and one commented that it was a good job we weren’t playing poker!

Boredom was setting in as far as I was concerned – when was this coronation going to start? The prospect of sleeping on the pavement all night seemed a great adventure until I actually did it. The pavement was cold, hard and you couldn’t sleep. I noticed four men playing cards quite close to us and

Gerald splashed out and bought a cardboard periscope which was a four-sided oblong tube about 12 inches long with a mirror at the bottom and an opposing mirror at the top which reflected the view. It was marvellous and worth every penny of the cost because we could now take turns to see over the sea of heads. Whoever was selling these on

the day must have made a fortune.

Then of course being June, it started to rain and I really began to wonder if this was such a good idea! Suddenly a cheer went up and a troop of soldiers arrived to space themselves out to line the route. At last, something was happening. Then some closed, horse drawn carriages trotted by, all greeted with cheers, but no one had a clue who was in them. Then the Queen of Tonga in an open carriage, ignoring the rain, waving and grinning obviously delighted with the cheers as she drove past. After that the momentum grew as more carriages went past and members of the Royal family were recognised on their way to Westminster Abbey.

Finally, the great moment arrived and the golden coach came into view accompanied by cheers that were deafening. The crowd surged

forward which was quite frightening, but nobody minded. I certainly didn’t care as I was here and I would never forget this moment seeing my future Queen on her way to be crowned. All too quickly the coach was gone and the crowd settled down once again to listen to the ceremony over the loudspeakers. When the crowd heard “God Save The Queen” as she was crowned again the cheers were deafening.

When the procession returned to the Palace it was spectacular with so many marching Service men and women and representatives from all corners of the British Commonwealth. When finally the last of the parade went past and the crowds started to make their way to the Palace to see the Queen on the balcony we decided that we had seen enough and that it was time to head for home. By this time, we were

so tired and wet as we made our weary way back to Waterloo, I must admit I don’t remember the train journey home to Winchester as I was too exhausted and fell asleep almost instantly, but I have never forgotten 2 June 1953.

Talk to us

If you would like to share your memories of working in the Civil Service, then we would love to hear from you – you can send your story to us as a letter (write to the address shown on page 2) or email to: enquiries@csrf.org.uk

© MIKE BENNA

Picking the Patent

les Mondry-Flesch reflects on his career in the Patent Office

Iread the pieces in the last edition of this august organ with interest and it prompted me to look back on my varied (chequered?) career in a small but varied Department.

Having graduated from Portsmouth Polytechnic, as it then was, in 1979 with an Honours degree in German Studies, I found myself on the jibs market just as Mrs Thatcher was lavishing our economy with her tender loving care.

My job application to the Department of Trade and Industry as a Clerical Officer was my 61st.

For a country boy from north Shropshire, moving to the capital was an adventure and on 18th February 1980, he set out for his first job at The Patent Office. It was not the most auspicious of starts. I arrived around an hour late, having spent ages searching the length and breadth of Southampton Row looking for number 25 Southampton Buildings. Oh dear.......

At my first Job Appraisal, I was informed, in no uncertain terms, that

I was wasting my time and should apply for promotion and soon found myself in the Trademarks Registry Legal Section. My job was far more interesting and it also got me active within the Trade Union. The Patent Office was, frankly, run like a Victorian Poor House.

But the European Patent Office in Munich loomed and I applied for a sideways transfer to the Overseas Trade Desks.

Somebody somewhere cocked up and I found myself working on the Exports to West Germany desk.

welfare, and the start of the introduction of ‘new technology’.

For a country boy from north Shropshire, moving to the capital was an adventure

But my Trade Union activity had come to be appreciated and I was invited to stand as a Full Time Lay Official in the Staff Side Office and spent two happy years as an Assistant Secretary dealing with senior management on accommodation,

However, it was not a position that I felt I could hold for all that long and I applied for promotion to Executive Officer and moved back to the Export desks, this time dealing as much with Aid and the (then) Overseas Development Administration as anything else. I dealt with Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda and am eternally grateful that I had time to spend in these stunning, fascinating places. I also found, much to my annoyance, that Divisional Finance Office duties were tacked on. Numerate I am not. That job mostly disappeared when most of our budget was filched by the FCO.

DTI had an exchange arrangement with the FCO called the Overseas Attachment Trainee Scheme (OATS)

3

The Hague as a Commercial Attaché. Loved every minute.

On return to the UK, I found myself responsible for Overseas Store Promotions and a weird scheme called Overseas Advertising. The latter was in the throes of being wound down and I was in the bizarre position of spending half of my time doing away with the other half of my job!

When that had come to pass, it happened to coincide with a part time Lay Trade Union post falling vacant, so I was on 50% Facility Time as an Assistant Secretary with what was, by then, NUCPS.

And then elections for Full Time Lay Officials came up again and I was invited to stand as Deputy Secretary. This did not go so well, as our Negotiations Officers from the various constituent Unions seemed to expect the Secretariat to act as a Directorate. It’s another story for

another day and I found myself with a post in the Branch of the Department that dealt with the film industry.

About a year later, that bit of DTI was to be moved to the new Department of National Heritage.

I opted to remain and moved to the Archives, where we reviewed the Department’s files for deposit at the Public Record Office, now The National Archives. For someone who enjoys a good story, is interested in current affairs and believes that conspiracy is as prevalent as cock-up in Government, it was simply heaven.

I applied for voluntary redundancy when the service was contracted out in 2010.

I made many, many good friends along the way, visited places I could never have dreamed of seeing and met people I could never have imagined really existed.

How lucky I have been.

I dealt with Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda and am eternally grateful that I had time to spend in these stunning, fascinating places.

Picture Information

1. This ‘group’ is of my time in what was known as Exports to Europe Branch. We dealt with West Germany (ConsumerGoods), Austria and Switzerland. This picture is just before I left, having been elected to the Trade Union Side office in 1983.

2. This is when I was in Ethiopia early 1986. The family is the maid ‘allocated’ to the First Secretary Commercial at the Embassy.

3. And these are Uganda. I mentioned sugar cane rotting in the fields and the owen Falls Dam, which we were looking to get Development funding to repair and renovate. And me on the shore of lake victoria.

Around the Network

News and pictures from across our local group network

Lunch & Friendship in Northern Ireland

Our Chair, Madeleine Alessandri joined the Banbridge group Annual General meeting earlier in the year. Hosted by Banbridge Group Chair Michael Wailes the event also included members from the Belfast, Craigavon and Lisburn groups too. Chief Executive David Tickner made a presentation of a Certificate of Merit to Lisburn group secretary Roberta Hope at the lunch as well.

Platinum Tea at Hounslow

our hounslow group held a splendid platinum Tea to celebrate hM The Queen’s jubilee in June. There was a great spread including homemade cakes, strawberries & cream and tea. The event was attended by Chief Executive David Tickner and newly appointed Deputy Chief Executive Denise headley who visited the group on her first day!

A Right Royal Tea Party at Bradford on Avon

The Bradford-on-Avon group laid on a splendid spread to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in June. Cake, tea, music from the across the decades, the National Anthem and the Loyal Toast made for a fun afternoon. The cake was made by one of the Group Members, Pat Acornley and was cut by the oldest group member present, Marie Griffiths.

Presentation at Sidmouth Group

Chairperson Margaret Adams presents flowers to outgoing Group Secretary Joyce Johnson who has worked on the group committee for many years. Joyce also received a Certificate of Merit from Fellowship Office that recognised her tremendous contribution as a group volunteer.

Summer Picnic in edinburgh

Chief Executive David Tickner joined members of the Edinburgh Group at their Annual Summer picnic in princes Street Gardens in June. The group meet every year close to the Fellowship Tree which was planted in the gardens by the Edinburgh branch in the 1990s.

Summer at Bexhill & Hastings

The sun was certainly shining at the August meeting of the Bexhill & Hastings group. The group meets in the Sailing Club with the most impressive view of any group venue. Their visiting speaker was the Chief Executive of Bexhill Caring Community.

Coffee & Chat in Cardiff

As part of his national network of visits this year Chief Executive David Tickner joined group members in August. The group has a monthly get together at the café in the Ararat Baptist Church in Whitchurch.

Celebrating 50 years in Lincolnshire

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the CSRF in lincolnshire. It was decided to recognize this at the September Group meeting of the Sleaford & Ancaster Group, the last of many groups, followed by a meal in a restaurant in Sleaford. The photograph shows CSRF Certificates of Merit being presented to Tom Metcalfe and vic Barker, as a pair, by the Chairman Mike Smith.

Local Group Listings

If the group is not showing a specific programme here then you can get in touch with the listed contact for find out what they have planned. If your area does not have a listed group and you’d be interested in starting something up, then give us a call or email: david.tickner@csrf.org.uk –we’d be pleased to hear from you.

SCOTLAND

EDinBurgh

liz Beedie Chair/Secretary

T: 0131 229 7422

St Johns Cafe, Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4BJ

Third Tuesday of each month at 2pm (except January (Winter Lunch) and September (Summer Lunch – no meetings in August or December)). We run gentle walks throughout the year and meet at Lakeland, corner of George Street/Hanover Street at 1.30pm on the first Friday of each month (except May & August). Organiser: Francis Valentine (Tel: 0131 228 3243).

highlanD

Mrs pam Barnet

T: 01463 790265

Macdougall Clansman Hotel 103 Church Street Inverness IV1 1ES

First and third Wednesday of each month, Coffee morning at 11am

NORTHeRN IReLAND

BanBriDgE

Margaret hassan Secretary

T:07884 073401

E: hassanmargaret@yahoo.co.uk

Bannside Presbyterian Church Hall 21 Castlewellan Road Banbridge BT32 4AX

First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (No meetings in July or Aug)

02 Nov Scam Awareness - PSNI Representative

07 Dec Christmas LunchBelmont House, 1pm

04 Jan Armchair AerobicsEileen Hughes

01 Feb Story Telling - Liz Weir

01 Mar St Patricks Tea Party

05 Apr Local Wildlife TalkDavid McCready

BElFast

Miss Wynne o’Neill Secretary

T: 028 9067 1157

Mcelhinney Room The Pavillion

Stormont Estate Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3TA

First Monday of each month at 2.00pm (except June, July and August)

Craigavon

George McConnell Secretary

T: 028 8676 4395

E: joannearcher1@hotmail.co.uk

Portadown Town Hall, 15 Edward St, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3LX

First Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm

lisBurn

Mrs R hope Secretary

T: 028 9268 3610

Bridge Community Centre 5

0 Railway Street Lisburn County Antrim BT28 1XP

Second Monday of each month at 2.30pm (except Jul & Aug)

14 Nov Visit to Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick Lunch £13. Pick up 11am at Leisure centre only

12 Dec Christmas Lunch at Mulberry Tree, Seaforde Cost (tba). Pick up 11.30am at Leisure Centre only

09 Jan 2023 Annual General Meeting, Bridge Community Centre 2.30pm

12 Feb Presentation by the Woodland Trust Bridge Community Centre, 2.30pm

13 Mar Visit to Ballywalter Park with tea & house tour Cost £16.50. Pick up 10.30am at Leisure Centre only

NORTH OF eNGLAND

gatEshEaD

Mrs M Turner Chairman

T: 0191 431 1527

Gateshead Community Fire Station Dryden Road Low Fell Gateshead

NE9 5BU

First Thursday of the month at 10am to 12 noon

York & DistriCt

Andrew Whitehouse Local Group

Representative T: 01904 865961

The group meets informally please contact the Local representative for more information

WALeS AND WeLSH BORDeRS

CaErPhillY

Mrs linda leach

Tel: 01873 881022

E: brian_leach253@btinternet.com

No.2 Meeting Room Caerphilly New Library The Twyn Caerphilly CF83 1JL

Second Monday of every month at 10.15am (except Aug)

14 Nov Bring & Buy Morning

12 Dec Christmas lunch (venue tba)

09 Jan 2023 My Life in Cardiff Dockland - Brian Leach

13 Feb AGM & Quiz

13 Mar Richard III - Rhian Morgan

17 Apr Geneaology - Alun Caddy

CarDiFF

Jane lewis Secretary T: 029 20 757174

Ararat Baptist Church Plas Treoda

Whitchurch Cardiff South Glamorgan

CF14 1PT

First Wednesday of the month at 10.30am

02 Nov Coffee in the Cafe

07 Dec Coffee in the Cafe

04 Jan 2023 Coffee in the Cafe

ChurCh strEtton

John Brewer Secretary

T: 01694 722965

E: johnbrewer1@talktalk.net

Mayfair Community Centre Easthope Road Church Stretton SY6 6BL

First Friday of the month at 2.30pm

llanDuDno

Mrs Beryl Rennie Assistant Secretary

T: 01492 876238

Queens Hotel, Llandudno, LL30 2LE

First Tuesday of the month at 10.30am. On the Third Tuesday of most months the group enjoys a pub lunch followed by a walk – the details of which are decided at the previous meeting

nEath & Port talBot

Mr W pugh Chairperson

T: 01792 864299

The Mayor’s Parlour The Old Town Hall Church Place Neath SA11 3LL

Last Wednesday of each month at 2pm

osWEstrY

Mrs J Stokes Chairman

T: 01691 654380

The Wynnstay Hotel Church Street Oswestry SY11 2SZ

First Tuesday of each month at 10.30am

01 Nov Beekeeping

05 Dec Christmas Lunch

07 Jan 2023 AGM

07 Feb Oswestry Museum

07 Mar Hope House

sWansEa

Mrs S Edgell Chairman/Secretary

T: 01792 851125

E: sylviaedgell@btinternet.com

The group meets as a telephone/email group only. For more information contact the Chair.

MIDDLe eNGLAND

BanBurY

Mrs S Atherton Chairperson

T: 01295 252304

Hanwell Fields Community Centre

Rotary Way Banbury OX16 1ER

Second Thursday of each month at 2.30pm

10 Nov Walking from Mexico to Canada by Penny Brown

08 Dec Christmas Cheer

CoalvillE & ashBY

Terry Watson Chairman

T: 01530 835373

Thringstone Community Centre The Green Thringstone Coalville LE67 8NR

Third Wednesday each month 2pm to 4pm

glouCEstEr/huCClECotE

Mrs J Neale, Chairman

T: 01452 506949

Christchurch, Heron Way, Abbeydale, Gloucester GL4 5EQ

First Thursday of the month at 2pm

03 Nov Simon Fairfax - Author

01 Dec Christmas Lunch at Brickhampton Court

05 Jan 2023 New Year Party

02 Feb Pick N Mix Musical Group

02 Mar Annual General Meeting

nunEaton

Rachel homer Secretary

T: 024 76 385845

E: homer351@btinternet.com

Tea & Chat Café, 2 Chapel Sreet, Nuneaton CV11 5QH

First Tuesday of each month at 11am for coffee mornings

slEaForD & anCastEr

Mike Smith Chairman T: 01526 833273

E: mjs_consultation@hotmail.com

Bristol Bowls Club Boston Road Sleaford NG34 7HH

First Thursday of the month from 9.30am-12noon

03 Nov Raffle, Refreshments & Lunch

01 Dec Raffle & Festive Refreshments

05 Jan 2023 Raffle, Refreshment & Festive Lunch

02 Feb Raffle, Refreshment & Informal Lunch

02 Mar Raffle, Refreshment & Lunch

WorCEstEr

helen Connelly Chair T: 01905 830451

Perdiswell Young Peoples’ Leisure Club Droitwich Road (opposite Checketts Lane) Worcester WR3 7SN

Second Wednesday of the month at 1pm (except Aug)

09 Nov Tea & Biscuits and a chat

14 Dec Christmas Buffet Lunch

11 Jan 2023 Tea & Biscuits and a chat

08 Feb Tea & Biscuits and a chat

08 Mar AGM & Buffet Lunch

eASTeRN eNGLAND & eAST ANGLIA

ColChEstEr

Joan Gomer Secretary T: 01206 794656

Hythe Community Centre, 1 Ventura Drive, Colchester CO1 2FE

Third Monday of each month at 2pm (except December)

21 Nov Poetry Please - Joan Gomer

Dec Christmas Lunch (venue and date tba)

16 Jan 2023 Saucy Seaside PostcardsJoan Gomer

20 Feb AGM

20 Mar Town Sergeants of Colchester - Sharon Mooney

loWEstoFt

Mike Chester T: 01502 476629

E: mikewc10@gmail.com

Victoria Hotel Kirkley Cliff Lowestoft

NR33 0BZ

1st Wednesday of the month at 10.30am

Occasional social events throughout the year – contact the Contact for more information

st. alBans

Mrs S Finlayson Chairperson

T: 01727 868029

E: sheila@finlaysons.eclipse.co.uk

Friends Meeting House Upper Lattimore Road St. Albans AL1 3UD

First Thursday of the month at 10.15am

sWaFFhaM

David Moore Chairman

T: 01760 723740

Meeting at various local locations – contact the Chairman for more information

Third Tuesday of the month at 10.15am

SOUTHeRN eNGLAND

asCot & sunningDalE

Graeme holt Chairman

T: 01344 48170 E: graemecholt@ gmail.com

Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Sunninghill, Ascot SL5 0AJ

Third Friday of each month at 12 noon to 4pm (No meeting in August)

18 Nov Me & My Bike: Helen Statham

09 Dec Christmas Party

BasingstokE

Tony Brazier Secretary

T: 01256 418770

E: bjmapbr@ntlworld.com

Brookvale Community Association Hall

Lower Brook Street Basingstoke

RG21 7SD

First Wednesday of each month at 10am

02 Nov Medical Care to the Under Served (Mercy Ships)

17 Nov Country Market – pre Christmas Shopping

07 Dec Train to the Arctic Circle (Paul Whittle)

15 Dec Christmas Lunch at BCoT

BExhill & hastings

Elizabeth leahy Secretary

T: 01424 214042

Bexhill Sailing Club Marina

Bexhill-on-sea TN40 1LA

Fourth Tuesday of each month at 10am

25 Oct Quiz

22 Nov Quiz

December Christmas Lunch (tba)

24 Jan 2023 TBA

28 Feb AGM

28 Mar TBA

MiD sussEx

Keith Sullens Chairman

T: 01444 233288

E: sullenskeith@gmail.com

The Hassocks Room The King’s Centre

Victoria Road Burgess Hill RH15 9LR

Fourth Wednesday of each month from 2-4pm

16 Nov Replay Band playing 50’s, 60,s and 70’s numbers (tbc)

14 Dec Our Christmas Party at the King’s Centre

18 Jan 2023 Winter lunch and AGM at the Cock Inn (tbc)

nEW ForEst

les Mondry-Flesch Local Group

Representative

E: jmondry12@gmail.com

Friendship lunches locally. For dates & more information contact the local group representative

PortsMouth & southsEa

Michael Barrow Chairman/Secretary

T: 023 928 29552

E: m.barrow4@ntlworld.com

St. Simon’s Church Hall Waverley Road Southsea PO5 2PW

Second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am and fourth Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm (except Aug)

stuBBington

peter Cornish Treasurer

T: 02392 345457

Catholic Church Hall Bells Lane

Stubbington Hampshire PO14 2PL

Second Thursday of each month at 2pm (except April)

taDlEY

Mr D Maclean Chairman

T: 0118 970 1290

Tadley Community Centre Newchurch Road Tadley RG26 4HN

First Thursday of each month at 1.15pm for 1.45pm

SOUTH WeST eNGLAND

BraDForD-on-avon

Mr M Wickham Secretary

T: 01225 864541

E: lindamorgan1975@sky.com

United Reformed Church Hall St. Margarets Street Bradford-on-avon

BA15 1DD

Second Monday of each month from 2.15pm to 4pm

14 Nov Beauty & the Beast: talk by Bob Rogers

24 Nov Christmas Shopping trip to Cardiff

Dec Christmas Lunch at Leigh Park Hotel

09 Jan 2023 New Year Social (Self Catering)

13 Feb AGM with Quiz

ChiPPEnhaM

David Gardner Chairman

T: 01249 658431

Chippenham Museum 10 Market Place

Chippenham SN15 3HF

First Wednesday of each month at 2pm (except Aug)

02 Nov Wiltshire Heiress Rags to Riches Esme Booker

07 Dec Christmas Lunch tbc

04 Jan 2023 No meeting

01 Feb Project Gambia - talk by Anita Bew

DaWlish

Margaret Carter Chair

T: 01626 888275

The group meets informally please contact the Chair for more information

liskEarD & PEnsilva

pam Ford Chair

Tel: 01579 349147

Liskeard Public Hall (the Emily Hobhouse Room) West Street Liskeard

Cornwall PL14 6BW

Last Wednesday of each month at 10am

26 Oct Speaker - Joanna Shepherd (Mrs Marvellous) with sale of homemade cards & textiles

30 Nov Christmas Lunch at Trethorne

25 Jan 2023 Annual General Meeting

22 Feb Kayaking Around the World - Mr Kirkwood

29 Mar Wellbeing & Physio by Hayley

PrinCEtoWn

Mike Fitzpatrick Secretary

T: 01822 890799

E: mikeandkate132@gmail.com

Prince Of Wales Hotel Tavistock Road

Princetown PL20 6QF

First Thursday of the month at 12.30pm

20 Oct Bus Trip for lunch at select hostelry (tbc)

03 Nov The Last Pole - talk by Ian Bishop

01 Dec Wildlife Watching during Lockdown - talk by John Waters

15 Dec Christmas lunch and Grand Christmas Draw

05 Jan 2023 Diving for Gold - talk by Ron Howard

02 Feb The History of Policing in Devon - talk by Simon Dell

02 Mar Speaker tbc

siDMouth

Margaret Adams Chair

T: 01395 577622

Woodlands Hotel, Station Road, Sidmouth EX10 8HG

Second Wednesday of each month

10am-11.30am and lunches (for more information contact the Chair)

taMar/tavY (tavistoCk)

Shirley Banks Secretary

T: 01752 769586

The group meets informally please contact the Secretary for more information

Group

troWBriDgE

Sue Arnold Secretary T: 01225 761627

E: suearnoldwfh@blueyonder.co.uk

1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at The Wiltshire Yeoman, Chilmark Road, Trowbridge. BA14 9DD at 10.30am

Coffee mornings twice a month at the Wiltshire Yeoman (call the Secretary to confirm the meeting is on)

WEstBurY (WiltshirE)

Mr W Clark Chairman T: 01373 822892

Paragon Hall Haynes Road Westbury Wiltshire BA13 3HA

Third Monday of each month at 1.45pm for 2pm

WEstBurY on-trYM

Mr p McKenna Secretary

T: 0117 950 2059

The group meets for pub lunches on an ad hoc basis – for more details contact the Secretary

WEston-suPEr-MarE

Margaret Cole Chairperson

T: 01934 514309

E: margaretcole@btinternet.com

Friends Meeting House High Street Weston-super-Mare BS23 1JF

First and third Thursday of the month at 10am as well as outings shown here 08 Nov Outing, Swindon Outlet Village & Steam Museum 13 Dec Christmas Lunch, Worlebury Golf Club 16 Feb 2023 Group Lunch tba 14 Mar Outing, Stratford upon Avon

11 Apr Outing, Torquay

WEYMouth

Geoff Greenstreet Secretary

T: 01305 832432.

E: geoff.marion@btinternet.com

Weymouth Bay Methodist Church, 23 Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, DT4

7TH

Fourth Wednesday for coffee at the café at the church at 10.30am

YatE & DistriCt

val Gannaway Treasurer

T: 01454 317968

Yate Parish Hall Station Road Yate BS37 4PQ

Fourth Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm-4.30pm. December meeting 1-5pm

25 Oct Images of Change

22 Nov David Lean

13 Dec Christmas Party, Music Quiz, Raffle & Buffet

26 Jan 2023 Annual General Meeting (tbc)

23 Feb Speaker (tbc)

23 Mar Speaker (tbc)

LONDON & SOUTH eAST eNGLAND

hounsloW

Jane Cocking Secretary

T:020 8568 6159

United Reformed Church Hall 114 Hanworth Road Hounslow TW3 1UF

Second Tuesday of the each month 1.30pm for 2pm

08 Nov Sale and Cream Tea

13 Dec Christmas lunch at Cole Court

10 Jan 2023 Roy Woods Travelogue

14 Feb TBA

14 Mar TBA

kingston & DistriCt Miss helen Stanley Secretary

T: 020 8946 2768

Kingston Methodist Church Hall Avenue Road Kingston KT1 2UJ Third Tuesday of each month at 2pm

lEathErhEaD & DistriCt Anne Thomson Secretary

T: 01372 373258

E: anner.thomson@talktalk.net

John Rumble Hall Fetcham Village Hall The Street Fetcham KT22 9QS First Friday of each month at 10am

lonDon - CatForD & lEWishaM Doreen hughes Secretary

T: 020 8461 4800

St Laurence Church Hall 37 Bromley Road Catford London SE6 2TS

Second Tuesday of every month at 10am. We have a table top sale at each coffee morning - all donations will be gratefully received.

lonDon – CroYDon, DulWiCh & norWooD hilary Waterhouse Secretary

T: 020 8239 9814

E: hilary.waterhouse@virginmedia.com Friendship lunches at The Crown Inn, 28 Wickham Road, Croydon CR0 8BA and The Fox on the Hill, 149 Denmark Hill, Camberwell, London SE5 8EH

Fourth Thursday of each month at 12 noon (January to November)

25 Oct Lunch at the Fox on the Hill

22 Nov Lunch at the Crown

24 Jan 2023 Lunch at the Fox on the Hill

28 Feb Lunch at the Crown

28 Mar Lunch at the Fox on the Hill

lonDon - East & south WEst EssEx

Neil Keskar Treasurer

T: 020 8531 5461

The Great Spoon of Ilford, 114-116

Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG2 4LZ

Third Monday of the month at 2pm

17 Oct Monthly meeting

21 Nov Monthly meeting

Dec Christmas Lunch (tba)

16 Jan 2023 Monthly meeting

20 Feb Monthly meeting

20 Mar Monthly meeting

lonDon - ElthaM

phyllis Duignan Chair/Treasurer

T: 020 8265 0810

E: phyllis.duignan@gmail.com

United Reformed Church Sherard Hall Court Road Eltham SE9 5AD

Fourth Thursday of each month from 10am to 12 noon

27 Oct Coffee Morning & Talk by Keith Simmons on ‘Name Dropping’

17 Nov Coach Outing to Kew Gardens to see the Christmas Lights (cost £30)

24 Nov Coffee Morning & Talk by Alan Haineson on ‘Baby Boomers Nostalgia Show’

08 Dec Coffee Morning followed by Christmas cards, Bumper Raffle, mince pies and entertainer

Richie Richardson

15 Dec Christmas Lunch at Sophie’s Choice, Sidcup (cost £30)

12 Jan 2023 Coach Outing to Bluewater shopping centre and lunch at Fighting Cocks pub (cost £30)

26 Jan Coffee Morning followed by the AGM & Bingo

09 Feb Coach Outing to Rochester, Kent (cost £25)

23 Feb Coffee Morning followed by a talk by John Halligan on ‘Lord Mayor of the City of London’

09 Mar Coach Outing to Audley End, National Trust (cost £30)

23 Mar Coffee Morning & Talk by Delia Taylor on ‘Victorian Street Life’

MaiDstonE

Yvonne Morgan Vice Chair

T: 01634 362644

Various venues for monthly lunch, please contact the Vice Chair for dates/venues

sanDErstEaD & sElsDon

Ralph perryman Local Contact

T: 020 8657 3487

E: ralph.perryman172@btinternet.com

Various venues for lunch, please contact Ralph Perryman for confirmation of lunch details

riChMonD & tWiCkEnhaM philip Blow Secretary

T: 020 8748 7477 E: p.blow1@btinternet. com

Various venues in and around Twickenham. Please contact the Secretary for further details.

25 Oct Lunch in Teddington

09 Dec Meeting, St Mary’s Church Hall, Teddington

TW11 9HF

sutton

hazel hoare Secretary & Social Secretary Tel: 020 8642 8328

E: hazel-hoare@hotmail.co.uk

Friends Meeting House, 10 Cedar Road, Sutton SM2 5DA

Last Monday of the month at 1.453.30pm (except August and December.)

yOU CAN See ALL

WorCEstEr Park

John Wright Secretary

T: 020 8337 8965

E: johnandglenisw@gmail.com

Old Malden Scout Hall Rear of 411 Malden Road Worcester Park

KT4 7NY

First Monday each month from 2pm to 4pm (if the first Monday is a Bank Holiday then meeting will be held on the second Monday)

07 Nov Raffle, Quiz - Fundraising Day

05 Dec Christmas Lunch at the Hogsmill, Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park

09 Jan 2023 National Service: What it was and who did it? - talk by Pat Lelliott

06 Feb Brief Encounter: talk by legal favourite Peter Thompson

06 Mar AGM followed by talk by George Crawford reminiscing about his police career,rounded off by a characteristic busking session

Do you have some time to give?