Calendar of Events November

Thurs, 8th Communion. Hobbies Room. 11.30am Tues, 13th University of Third Age, History Group. Hobbies Room. 2.00pm Thurs, 22nd The Nostalgic Island. A talk by Ron Bavin, 7.30pm (Soc Comm)

December Tues, 11th Seasonal Celebrations lunch. Cole Court. 1.00pm (CSRF) Thurs, 13th Board Meeting Wed, 19th St. Mary’s & St Peter’s School, Christmas Songs. 2.00pm

January Tues. 22nd Travelogues of Flowers and Events by means of Audio Vision through the Lens. Ray Woods 7.30pm (Soc Comm)

February Tues. 12th St Valentine’s Day Preview illuminated with music and song. Jennifer Carr 7.30pm (Soc Comm)

Weekly Events Monday evening: Film Night, 7.30pm

Wednesday afternoon: 'Move it or Lose it' exercises, 3.00pm

HISTORY QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Winston Churchill; 2. William Shakespeare in the play ‘Richard III’; 3. Hermann Goering; 4. Oliver Goldsmith; 5. Napoleon Bonaparte; 6. Mark Twain; 7. Queen Victoria; 8. Ronald Reagan; 9. Joseph Stalin; 10. George Bernard Shaw; 11. Tsar Nicholas II.

Online: The current edition, together with earlier editions, is now available on Fullerton Court’s newly designed website –

www.retirementsecurity.co.uk/fullerton-court/download Thank you for your contributions. Please send your stories, comments, thoughts, ideas, wants, etc. to David, no.26, or email: d.pegler26@btinternet.com

Editor: David Pegler; Assistant Editors: John Blackwell and Kathleen Plumtree. Printing and circulation: Lin Sutcliffe.

RESIDENTS VOICE FULLERTON COURT

NOVEMBER 2018 43

!

‘Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.’  Albert Camus

THE CHAIRMAN REPORTS

John Blackwell

The Board meets every Tuesday morning with the Court Manager, enabling a full discussion of all appropriate matters relating to the Management of the Court, which is of course undertaken by Retirement Security Ltd. Official decisions are taken by the Board at their Quarterly Board (plus Statutory and Budget) meetings. For your information, following the AGM a full list of Board members is placed on the Notice Board opposite the bookshelves by the main entrance. We operate for your benefit. The Board will have an official Training Day, administered by Amy, our RSL Service Manager, on the 20th November. Following a comprehensive survey and inspection, the Court Surveyor is due to present the Planned Maintenance Report to the Board. This is a comprehensive document which enables the Service and Court Managers to include and present, within the 2019-20 Budget, an appropriate and accurate contribution to the Fund for Future Maintenance (FFM). No doubt you are aware that Quantum’s application to build on Udney Park was unsuccessful at the Richmond Planning Committee meeting, having been rejected by a vote of 9-0. We await more details regarding the public judicial enquiry.

GARDENING COMMITTEE At last, we have been able to set up a separate Court Gardening Account. The reason for setting up this account, which will rely almost entirely on donations from Owners, will enable the Gardening Committee to approve the purchase of additional plants and shrubs, and where appropriate, fund minor improvements to the Gardens & Grounds, without raising the contribution within the budget listed under Gardening & Grounds, which is solely intended to pay for routine maintenance & planting. As reported last month, thanks to a considerable donation from an Owner we are aiming to improve the planting in the Front Courtyard Garden, without altering the fundamental structure. Any proposals will be approved by the Gardening Committee, a list of whose members is posted on the Notice Board. An outline of proposals will be published in my next report. John Blackwell

MY DREAM AGENDA FOR A CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERS MEETING

A room full of Owners face the Chairman of the Board supported on either side by two of his Directors. (Amy and Lin are excused attendance altogether) One of the Directors supports a secretarial pencil. ACTION BY THE BOARD 1. A Director reports progress with the window project. 2.Another Director gives progress with lining underground drains.

REPORTS BY OWNERS 3.Catering aims to maintain a nutritious menu with limited funds, balanced with a levy. 4.Social is self-funding which permits freebies at times. (being independent allows it to handle staff Christmas boxes without tax). 5.Gardening struggles to maintain a high standard within the allowance in the operating account. 6.Gardening has set up an additional fund with Owners donations intended to regenerate the Courtyard Garden. 7.GENERAL DISCUSSION 8. The Board asks Owners to express any concerns. 9.The Board requests suggestions from the Owners. Jill Wood

Mrs Wood is thanked for the above article which has initiated the Board into considering future Annual Owners Meetings. Suggestions being considered include a more formalised structure with a full agenda distributed to Owners several days in advance; the Committees Chairmen presenting a more detailed report covering the past year and plans for the following year; and written minutes. The Board believe it is essential that both the Court Manager be present to update on Court matters and the Services Manager to offer advice and guidance o n t o p i c s w h i c h m a y h a v e l e g a l o r p r i v a c y i m p l i c a t i o n s . Chairman on behalf of the Board

§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§ Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'

There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

CSRF - A CHEERFUL CHANGE FOR YOU

Just once a year you can socialise with other residents beyond Fullerton Court, that is in Twickenham at the Cole Court, for the seasonal celebrations. This year is special. Along with the usual feast, wine and raffle, we shall have Jennifer Carr (she played at the engagement tea party) playing the piano, singing and leading us with carols, while the raffle will be small but free. We are back in the larger room on TUESDAY 11th DECEMBER, close to the kitchen with more tables for more members. Cost is either £30 for 2 courses or £34 for 3 courses, with wine and gratuities included. Menu starts with tomato soup or pate, main is roast turkey or roast beef and dessert is Christmas pudding or fresh fruit salad or ice cream. Wine, coffee and mince pies are included in the price. Pre-dinner drinks are available in the lounge bar up to 1.00pm when individual tables will be dedicated to individual groups of eight for lunch in the party room. Applications please before 19th November, giving full name, choice of menu and appropriate cheque to Jill Wood, flat 17. Cheques to CSRF Social ACC. Transport will be available in the form of a personnel carrier taxi, costing £4pp in total for both journeys. Add it to your cheque with a further £4 for a trolley.

Jill Wood

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT Jonathan Jones, Farnham Town Crier

Thursday, 25th October

Jonathan Jones gave an interesting and entertaining talk about the history and work of Town Criers - The first newsreaders (long before radio or TV!) to spread the news of important events and happenings, in 1066 King William sending Town Criers all over the country to tell of his new laws and taxes. We also learnt of his present task announcing special events organized in Farnham and taking part in competitions, even travelling to other countries to find the world champion; and finally explaining details of his colourful costume. An enjoyable evening finishing with wine and nibbles in the dining room.

Joyce Southern

ON LEARNING AND FORGETTING LINES

In the happy days of weekly rep, with only five days’ rehearsal, first nights were a white-knuckle ride. One actor asked the prompter, ’What’s the line?’ and got the whispered reply, ‘What’s the play?’ Another thespian caught in the headlights of amnesia enquired, ’Where are we?’ And was told, ‘Page 37’. I pity the poor actor who was given the most notorious prompt in the history of theatre: ‘…. Or not to be.’

Submitted by Audrey Conway-Smith

‘WHO SAID THAT?’ HISTORY QUIZ

1. A modest little man with a great deal to be modest about. 2. A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse. 3. Guns will make us powerful: butter will only make us fat. 4. Fools, who came to scoff and remained to praise. 5. England is a nation of shop-keepers. 6. The report of my death was an exaggeration. 7. We are not amused. 8. They say that hard work never killed anyone why take the

risk? 9. How many divisions has the Pope?

10. He who can does, he who cannot teaches. 11. Russia has two generals in whom we can confide – generals January and February

Answers on the back page Bill Small

UNIVERSITY OF THIRD AGE HISTORY GROUP THE 100 YEARS WAR

Tuesday, 2nd October The Group met to learn about ‘The 100 Years War (1337-1453), presented by our own Bill Small. The war was caused by Edward III’s claim to the French throne. The war was popular in England and supported by Burgundy

and Flanders. There were many engagements in Normandy and in S.W. France where the Black Prince was prominent. There were major engagements in the sea battle of Sluys, and at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt where English arms were very successful. The battles proved the superiority of infantry and archers over armoured knights. Whilst English arms were successful for some years the arrival of an energetic French king and the advent of Joan of Arc totally transformed the situation and the English lost all French territory except Calais. The loss was a blessing in disguise because it led to the concentration of England on its own affairs with flourishing in language and the arts. Bill Small

COUNTER-SPYING Tuesday, 16th October

The Group met to hear about ‘Counter-spying’. This included a detailed account of the measures taken by the Germans during and shortly after World War II. The actions taken in the name of redaction were described. A great deal of information was gained by eavesdropping on captured German senior officers, aircrew and submariners. Of interest was the use of Latchmere House in Ham as an interrogation centre. The actions taken to gain information was not always gentle. In addition, there was a description of the measures taken

against the ‘Mau Mau Uprisng’ in Kenya to contain and overcome the rebellion, substantially by the Kikuyu. Atrocities were committed by both sides. Between 320,000-450,000 were kept in concentration camps and a further million were confined to enclosed villages. Redaction was widely practised substantially on behalf of the C.I.A. with great use made of British airports. The subject of the meeting on 30th October was ‘Galileo’. The next meeting w i l l b e o n T u e s d a y 1 3 t h N o v e m b e r . Bill Small

THE BUSHY ‘PARKRUN’

Did you know the worldwide concept of ‘Parkrun’ was created in Bushy Park, Teddington? The first ever event was on 2nd October 2004, where 13 intrepid park-runners got together. It occurs every Saturday morning at 9.00am. It took nearly two

years before parkrun spread beyond Bushy Park to Wimbledon. Now it has spread to Denmark (2009); Australia (2011); Poland (2011); South Africa (2011); New Zealand (2012); USA (2012); France (2015); Ireland (2012); Russia (2014); Singapore (2014). Italy (2015); Canada (2016); Sweden (2016); Finland (2017); Swaziland (2017); Norway (2017); Germany (2017); Malaysia (2018); and Namibia (2018) The events are based on the simple principles formed from the start: weekly, free, 5km, for everyone, forever. All are welcome at parkrun - whether you walk, jog, run or volunteer. Latest figures list adds up to 3,251,999 runners. The total time run worldwide by parkrun runners adds up to 2,280yrs, 333 days, 2hrs, 2 2 m i n s , 2 3 s e c s , i n v o l v i n g 3 9 , 7 5 9 , 2 9 5 r u n s c o v e r i n g 193,150,553km run in 1,655 parks,

GOURMET TDDINGTON Our local ‘Liz’ restaurant has just closed and is being transformed into a Lebanese establishment. I was sad about this (though I love Lebanese cooking) because ‘Liz’ was a favourite of ours, pleasant, friendly, less noisy than most, where one could enjoy good food at reasonable prices. Our High Street is packed with restaurants and cafes of all kinds: I counted them recently. There are at least twenty, if you don’t include a few takeaways. We have Thai, Indian, Italian, French, traditional English, so why not Lebanese? We here in Teddington seem to be a thoroughly cosmopolitan bunch, willing to sample new types of cuisine with enthusiasm. We don’t even need to cook at all, as ‘Cook’ is there to help us with delicious ready meals. And of course, we can enjoy excellent Sunday lunches in our own Fullerton Court dining room if we wish, along with good conversation. Finally, have you tried any of the vast array of gins at ‘One One Four‘? They come in different flavours and colours and are served in stemmed glasses the size of small goldfish bowls. Truly we are a sophisticated lot here in Teddington les Deux Églises. Hélène Elston