Bulletin: Society news

Mystery history ST MARGARETS TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD Members were fortunate in having such a knowledgeable speaker as Johanna Coombes fill an unexpected gap in their programme.

Johanna, a Richmond Heritage Guide, began her mystery tour by updating her audience on the planned relocation of The Royal Star and Garter Home.

She continued with potted histories of that and other buildings and landmarks within three specific areas - the Hill, the Park and the Green. On behalf of 23 members present, president Wynn Graddage thanked Johanna for a very interesting and entertaining talk.

Chairman Valerie Hall won the monthly competition and Myrtle Mowle received the word search prize. Winners of the raffle were Doreen Mann, Valerie Hall, Sue Reynolds and Joyce Billington.

The June freedom pass outing was to Kew Gardens where the ladies were able to enjoy the two recently opened attractions - the Dr Shirley Sherwood Gallery and the Treetop Walkway.

The Fountain was the venue for the lunch club meeting and after the meal members visited the Townswomen On Show Craft and Flower event at Squire's Garden Centre.

The monthly Scrabble and Meet and Chatter mornings were well supported, as was the Strawberry Tea afternoon hosted by Mary Goddard.

Members meet on the second Monday of each month at 2pm in the United Reformed Church Hall, First Cross Road, Twickenham. Visitors are very welcome. For further information, please phone 020 8867 2436.

Double celebration - again!

TWICKENHAM GREEN TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD The ladies met in July to the welcome news that, once again, the guild had won the shield at Townswomen on Show at Squire's Garden Centre in June.

Chairman Ann Stevens also happily announced that Pearl Knight, guild president, had won the individual rose bowl for the second year running.

The show was well attended and the entries were excellent.

Many activities have been arranged: with the walking group on July 22; a ploughman's lunch at Maggie Nicholls one week later; National Stud at Newmarket on August 12 and the Watercress Railway on August 22. Several other outings are in the pipeline.

As no monthly meeting will be held in August, members will meet at the Teddington Constitutional Club on August 6 for a cream tea from 3pm when it is hoped all members will attend.

Drama and handicraft sections would definitely welcome some new faces so appeals were made.

The TG national conference was to be being held in Torquay on July 9 so several members were taking the opportunity to enjoy a few days' holiday in Devon.

A most interesting speaker, Barry Cole, a retired paramedic, revealed how much the duties have extended over the last few years.

Their knowledge on medical matters is quite amazing and there must be thousands of people who have to thank the paramedics for their expertise.

Phoning 999 must be traumatic but after this inspired talk, it does put your mind at rest knowing that you are in such capable hands, the ladies concluded.

New members are welcome. Visitors are welcome on the first Wednesday of each month, except for August, 10.15am at the United Reformed Church, Twickenham Green. Enquiries 020 8891 1646.

Tea à la Ritz Hampton and Hampton Hill Townswomen's Guild Speaker at the July meeting was John Garrod, a City of London Blue Badge Guide.

His subject was The Hidden Gardens of the City of London.

It is surprising that there is so much greenery and colour in the City and Mr Garrod described how many of the gardens were the result of the Blitz and also disused churchyards.

There is not just one but several gardens round St Paul's Cathedral and his slides illustrated the gardens at different times of the year.

Other gardens are part of the Worshipful Companies of Stationers, Salters, Gardeners, etc and fairly recently the gardens of the Inner and Middle Temples have been opened to the public which were previously only enjoyed by the legal profession.

During the month members lunched at the Sir William Webb Ellis pub in Twickenham, the two Scrabble groups met, also the craft section.

The outing was to Dorking to follow two heritage trails and visit the Museum there, taking advantage of the Freedom bus passes allowing trips outside the Greater London area.

The guild took part in the Townswomen on Show at Squires Garden Centre between the guilds in the South Middlesex area. It features a multitude of crafts.

Thanks largely to the craft group under the stewardship of Jenny Bayliss, but also to other capable members, members were happy to come a close second.

Members are looking forward to afternoon tea, à la Ritz, on Wednesday August 6 when it is hoped to welcome members from other guilds and also visitors.

The next meeting is on September 1 at 10.15am at All Saints Church Hall, The Avenue, Hampton. 020 8941 0233 or 020 8979 8549.

Planning for old age PROBUS CLUB OF TEDDINGTON AND HAMPTON The highlight of the luncheon meeting, apart from a magnificent sartorial display by chairman Gentleman Jim Woodford - was the presence of Jennifer Brewer, a partner in the well- known local firm of solicitors Stone Rowe Brewer.

As guest speaker on July at the Fulwell Golf Club, Jennifer had been invited to speak on matters relevant to those "in the autumn of their lives" and all in half an hour!

She must have approached the task with some trepidation.

In the event, her talk was a fascinating mixture of legal expertise and commonsense delivered with humour and in plain English.

By covering such complicated areas as inheritance tax, discretionary trusts, probate and care fees with aplomb and a real awareness of her audience's needs, she was able to make difficult areas comprehensible and nobody fell asleep.

She emphasised the value of forward planning and the need for guidance in a world of constant legislative change and political initiative.

She graphically described the often unintended consequences of too little being often too late for those left behind.

Her call to take charge of one's affairs without delay was well received and she rightly reminded members that "Noah did not wait for the rain before he built the Ark".

He did,of course, have prior warning as did Probus members that day. Jennifer answered questions with assurance, tact and diplomacy. Chris Oprey moved the vote of thanks.

The next meeting will be on August 19 when members will be obliged to talk to each other in the absence of a guest speaker.

Double celebration TWICKENHAM WI A wine tasting took up the July meeting, arranged by Waitrose of Twickenham.

Led by a wine members sampled and took notes on six varieties of red and white wine.

The junior winetasters learned how to taste and smell and which wines were the best accompaniment for a variety of foods and occasions.

it was a very pleasant way of spending a summer's evening.

The ladies will be running a stall with home produce at the Richmond Fun Day in Marble Hill on Sunday July 20.

Members meet for an evening cream tea during the August break from indoor meetings.

Twickenham WI meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month, 7.30pm in St Mary's Church Hall, Church Street, Twickenham. 020 8878 0640, 020 8892 4852, 020 8894 1907 or just go along.