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February 2023

Following an excellent lunch, Steve Bird entertained us with tales of industrial relations in Ford during the 70s and 80s, a time memorable perhaps because the female machinists went out on strike and with no seat covers available production across the plant had to stop. Just one of many interseting tales that he had to tell, fluently and with humour.

Prior to the lunch we held our AGM, said goodbye to the retiring Secretary and Web Master, and welcomed newcomers Peter Bateman and Amar Al-Badawi to the committee, and also returning committee member David Humphreys.

December 2022

Following the traditional Christmas Lunch, served as we normally do with complementary wine Roger Trigg entertained us with an illustrated talk on his time as Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield.

November 2022

Who would have known that The Rev'd Dr David Munchin, Vicar of St.Mary's Church in Welwyn was a keen cyclist who logs amongst his other journeys a trip to Rome. Talking about it he started his journey by cycling to Canterbury on the first day. Thereafter having crossed the channel (not on his bike) he cycled through France, Belgium, Luxembourg on on to the Alps. Having negotiated the Gotthard Pass (it's not too steep, just very long), he cycled on to Rome, where had arranged to stay with a friend for a few days. The homeward journey was easier; both he and the bike travelled by air.
All of this followed the usual excellent lunch served by the Homestead Court Hotel.
Next month we will have the traditional Christmas Lunch, served as we normally do with complementary wine.

October 2022

Sixty two members and guests sat down for our annual Invitation Lunch and enjoyed a good meal, with a glass of wine.

After lunch we were entertained by Mr.Keith Thompson, with a very interesting and well received talk about the history of the Barn Theatre, and his experiences as a long term member and participant, having taken part in no less that 147 productions.

As well as his Barn Theatre interests Keith is a member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators and has spoken and written adjudications to local societies for about 20 years.

September 2022

Gordon Roughan spoke, with an illustrated powerpoint presentation, on his company's complicated redevelopment of the listed buildings known as Guessens in Welwyn Village. Gordon's company, Netherdowns has carried out many prestige developments in Welwyn and surrounding areas.
This multimillion pound scheme was the most challenging and provided many unexpected surprises.
Gordon now lives in one of the houses and is a firm Welwyn resident who also provides the Christmas tree each year to the church right opposite Guessens.

August 2022

After the usual excellent lunch we had a very informative talk on Lasting Power of Attorney given by Chris Chippendale, the managing director of LPA Made Easy. To some of us it was all new and to others it came as a surprise to hear that the Power of Attorney that they had put in place years ago may no longer have any binding significance. Judging by the number of questions afterwards the talk really hit home to many members. For those wishing to take the step of setting up an LPA, LPA Made Easy will (for a fee of course) guide you through the process and help you to submit your application(s) to the Office of the Public Guardian.
Personally, the first thing that I did when I got home was to download the relevant papers from https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney. And "Yes" it is a long form for both for financial and Health and Care decisions, but both come with comprehensive instructions.

July 2022

Disappointingly only 24 members and the speaker sat down to lunch at our July meeting. Neverthless there was a lot of stimulating converstion as we enjoyed a really good lunch. Standing in for Tony Keach, who was on holiday, Bill Wastell rose to the occasion and chaired the meeting, also giving the vote of thanks after the speaker had finished.
Our speaker was Rod Dowdwell initially talking about his experience of working at 10 Downing Street, and then followed by a few tales relating to his time as a verger. Both aspects of his talk were very entertaining and both raised a laugh or two.
Next month we are to have a talk on "lasting Power of Attorney", a subject which will be very relevant to some of our members, I think.

April 2022

Another good lunch with just short of 40 members present.

Richard Selby had contracted Covid and was unable to attend for his free 90th birthday lunch. This will now have to take place next month.

Unfortunately the speaker failed to turn up so our day was somewhat curtailed.

One new member, Graham Spring, was introduced by Philip Tasch.

Rger Trigg introduced a guest, David Raphael.

Homestead have a temporary new layout and arrangements as they have a contract to accommodate a large number of Ukrainian refugees.

March 2022

37 members used the new on-line booking facility either to book a lunch, or to pay their annual subscription (or both). One member was refunded due to hospital regulations necessitating him to isolate. A satisfactory start to a cashless environment.

February 2022

At the AGM on 3rd February, a former committee member Les Page offered his services as Vice Chaiman and was accepted. At a subsequent committee meeting he also offered to take on the role of Almoner, so if you know of anyone member who is ill please let Les know on 01438 840858.

Following the lunch there was a presentation on the new on-line payment system for lunches and subscriptions. Details can be found in the Members Section of the web site if you need them. This system is now live so you can pay your subs or book a March lunch.

As Roy Saunders has decided that his health does not allow him to come to future meetings, and has resigned from the club, there are now only three members who can look forward to a 90th birthday lunch.
Sadly Tim marwood has also resigned citing hearing problems as the reason.

We have now launched the "Lunch selection, ordering and payment" system, and look forward to it being well received by members. Certainly those at the last lunch seemed to be happy with the project. We will be sending a reminder to Members to book their lunch for 3rd March, including a reminder on how to access the system. Members will also be able to pay their Annual Subscriptions, due at the March lunch, using the new system.

January 2022

This year four of our members will qualify for their free 90th birthday lunch: Arthur Harris (March), Neville Price (April), Richard Selby (April) and Roy Saunders (May).

We will be re-starting the monthly lunch-time raffle the proceeds of which help to pay for special lunches such as the Christmas lunch. Still only £1 per ticket; the winner gets a free lunch.

On 3rd February we will be having our AGM before the meal, and afterwards Ted Webb will give a presentation on the cashless payment project.