News

LEN VALLEY ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER

May 2025 – ISSUE 176


Emails @lenara.org.uk
CHAIRMAN John Edwards 01622 858439 john.edwards
VICE-CHAIRMAN Mike Compson  01622 851763 mike.compson
SECRETARY Sue Compson 01622 851763 sue.compson
WEBSITE Mike Compson 01622 851763 mike.compson
EMAILS info


CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Hello All

As you are aware it is LenARA's AGM this month.  This is your opportunity to vote for the Committee that you want and to ask questions of the Committee members.  If you have any questions it would be appreciated if you could email me at edwardsjohn19@sky.com before the meeting on 28th May so that we can provide comprehensive answers.  If you have suggestions for outings and holidays we will try to organise what you want.  It is difficult sometimes to think of something different to do that will be popular with members.  The last few months have been a worrying time as we have been asking members to come forward and replace the committee members who are standing down at this AGM, namely myself, the vice-chairman and the secretary.

It is now near the eleventh hour and I am pleased to say we have the nominations needed to form a committee and carry on.  So please, if possible, come to the AGM and welcome the new committee members.  We will all need to get behind them and move forward into the 22nd year of LenARA.

In the very near future we will be looking to start trips, outings, and possibly shows and we will keep you posted.

If you are interested in joining the Committee please let us know.We are still looking for someone to help arrange our speakers for 2026.We will also need someone to arrange the Pub Lunches so if you would like to help again let us know.We want to continue putting on a varied and interesting programme of events.

FUTURE EVENTS

Apart from our weekly and monthly events we have nothing to actually look forward to except the trip to London on Friday 2nd May.  We will be able to do our own thing when we get there as there is a good choice of Museums and even Harrods is not too far away.

PAST EVENTS

Under the circumstances we have been unable to book any long-term events as we didn't know in which direction LenARA would be going.  Julia has thankfully kept the pub lunches going and last month we enjoyed lunch at the 'Who'd a thought it' - always a popular venue.

The V&A Museum
The V&A Museum

Then on the 2nd May Barbara Kyprianou organised a trip to London and three museums on Exhibitions Road.  I think most of us went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and talking to most people they all enjoyed the day.  Thank you, Barbara.

The pub lunch for June is on 18th June 2025


The George Inn, Leeds


2 Courses for £24  3 Courses for £30

Includes tip


Please be aware the car parking at the pub is limited. But parking is available at the church, which requires a short walk downhill.


Julia will be collecting orders and payment at the next meeting on 28th May 2025.  If you would like to pay direct to the bank please contact Chris Godden for the details.

Click to see the menu details...

The George Inn at Leeds


Annual Subscriptions

126 members have already renewed their annual subscription, including a number of new members, and we will be collecting again at the May meeting.  If you have not renewed your membership you will not be entitled to a vote at the AGM.  So please make sure you pay your subs for the coming year.  


OUR WEEKLY EVENTS:

Short Mat Bowls

Tuesday

2.00pm to 4.00pm

£3 per session

Phil Gooda

01622 851217

Zumba

Wednesday

9.30am to 10.30am

£6 per session

Barbara Kyprianou

01622 850468

Line Dancing

Wednesday

7.30pm to 9.00pm

£4.50 per session

Ann Rolfe

01622 859725

Petanque

(this activity will resume in the spring)

Thursday

10.00am to 12.00pm

£3.00 per session

John Edwards

01622 858439


OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS:

May

Wednesday 14th  May 2025

Ten Pin Bowling in Ashford

11.00am

£7.50 for two games

Pat Highsted 

01622 743658

Wednesday 28th May 2025

LenARA AGM

2.00pm

Lenham Community Centre


June

Wednesday 11th  June 2025

Ten Pin Bowling in Ashford

11.00am

£7.50 for two games

Pat Highsted 

01622 743658

Wednesday 25th June 2025

The History of Champagne – Peter Griffiths

2.00pm

Lenham Community Centre


July

Wednesday 9th  July 2025

Ten Pin Bowling in Ashtead

Midday

£7.50 for two games

Pat Highsted 

01622 743658

Wednesday 23rd July 2025

The Ups and Downs of a Stunt Woman – Lucy Allen

2.00pm

Lenham Community Centre


Exbury Gardens

People going to Exbury Gardens on Monday, 30th June, please pay for the trip in full at the next meeting (£41 per person) or pay direct using LenARA's bank details. Contact Chris Godden for details.

This is possibly my last newsletter.  I have enjoyed my chairmanship at LenARA, with all you lovely people. You are not going to get rid of me as I will still be around.

Finally, I would like you all to sing along now as you read on.

And now the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friends I'll say it clear

I'll state my case of which I'm certain

I have lived a life that's full

I have travelled each and every highway

And more much more than this

I did it my way with a good committee behind me


Thanks to you all

Regards John