We are now into the new year with a new programme and look forward to greeting new members. Each month we have a variety of speakers, something to suit all tastes.

February takes us into the Derbyshire Hills with Peter Slack and his observations about farming.

15th March we have Stephen Kimes to speak on Carving Shepherds’ Crooks.

As the year unfolds I will inform you of the following talks all of which sound very interesting so don’t hesitate to come along.

The Tea and Friendship ladies enjoyed their last meeting which remains as popular as ever, chatting and tucking into cakes with a cuppa.

Please ring Sheila 449 0282 for details if you wish to come.

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Our January meeting began with an announcement from our Chairman, Anthea Nicholls, that the chosen charity to support will be ‘Send A Cow’. More information about the work of this valuable charity will be available later this year. Or if you would like to know more the charity has it’s own website.

The theme of our speaker, Betty Allport, was anticipated by a reading of the poem ‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield (Be honest—how many of you had to learn this by heart at school!). Betty had come to share her experiences of sailing on a tall ship. These ships, called ‘Nelson’ and Tenacious’, belong to the Jubilee Sailing Trust. This was set up in 1977—remember the Queen’s Silver Jubilee? The man with the vision behind the charity was Christopher Rudd. He wanted crews of both able-bodied and disabled people to share the experience of sailing. Facilities on board include flat level decks for ease of movement around the ship, wheelchair lifts between deck levels, a hearing loop, a speaking compass and hydraulic power-assisted steering. On board a ‘buddy’ system operates which pairs able bodied and physically disabled people together. But the main emphasis is on ability there are no passengers on a tall ship. As well as a volunteer crew of about 40 people there is also a small permanent crew. Betty regaled us with stories of climbing aloft, of helming the ship into port and of stargazing on a night watch. The  rhythm of life on board was bound by watches—only disrupted by the ‘Happy Hour’ when all hands were on deck for cleaning duties or ’Smoko’ i.e. tea break time! All in all, it came across loud and clear that a voyage in a tall ship may turn out to be an exciting and rewarding opportunity of a lifetime.

Our next meeting will be on 8th February when Derek Slater will give a talk on ‘Words’. The theme of the Sales Table will also be ‘Words’. If you forgot to pay your subs this month then you will owe £10. the treasurer will also be collecting  the sum of £8.50 for the three course dinner at the AGM on 14th March.

One final treat for all poetry lover: Some lines from John Masefield’s classic poem:-

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

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Women’s Evening Fellowship

Allison Dowdeswell