Lenham Valley
Active Retirement Association

			Emails @lenara.org.uk
CHAIRMAN	Roger Newman	07889 287417	rog.newman
VICE-CHAIRMAN	Julia Elliot		julia.elliott
SECRETARY	Teresa Thompson		teresa.thompson
WEBSITE	Mike Compson	01622 851763	mike.compson
EMAILS			info

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Hello all.

What a great afternoon we enjoyed at our monthly meeting in February.  Henry V111 "spoke" to us about his six wives but spoke is definitely not the right word.  He was Henry in all respects and his presentation was historically correct and delivered in such a humorous and entertaining manner.  In my opinion he is the best speaker we have had.  It was really good to see everybody laughing so much.

FUTURE EVENTS

Ten Pin Bowling at Ashford on the 11^th March followed by a large group of us meeting for lunch at The Bowl, Stalisfield.

Lenara Quiz at the Community Centre on Saturday 14^th March.  Tickets are still available for a small number of teams of 4 from Chris Godden.

Neil Butcher from Trading Standards will give us a talk at our meeting on 25^th March specifically covering SCAMS.  This is such an important subject as there seems to be an increasing number of scams and they are taking different formats all the time.  I always say if someone phones me and I don't recognise the number then I don't answer the phone.  If it is important they will always ring back.  I make more use of my ansaphone now as well so that I have some idea of the identity of the caller and the number they are calling from.  I can then check their identity against an official website and use the website phone number to check the caller.  I always err on the side of caution and not follow up any calls that I am dubious about.  No doubt we will learn more about how to be aware of scams, how to deal with them, what to do and what not to do and if you need to find out further information and helpful contacts please go to -

Neil Butcher, Trading Standards Officer, Trading Standards, Economy and Community Protection, Growth and Communities, Kent County Council, PO Box 320, Ashford, Kent TN24 8AS

Tel: 03000 412020

The Spa Valley Railway and Pie and Mash on 15^th April.  Full details will be sent out when finalised.

Holiday to Torquay - 25th-29th April. Your names can still be put on a reserve list if you wish.  Contact John Edwards for more information.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular – 22^nd to 24^th November. This is booked but we have room for more.  For those who haven't been before it is a good trip and the spectacular was a really great show when we went previously.  Please let John Edwards know if you would like your names added.

John's contact details – Tel 01622 858439 

Email: edwardsjohn19@sky.com

Lingfield Races on the 18^th August.  We now have sufficient people who have shown an interest in a trip to Lingfield and have decided to go ahead on Tuesday 18^th August.  Details have not been finalised but we estimate costs in the region of £40 per head for coach and entrance and would probably be leaving Lenham around mid-day with the last race scheduled for 5pm.

Now can I ask that everyone has a real think about this and whether you are able to help us.  We are looking for new committee members to join us in May 2026.  In particular we need someone to find us potential speakers and entertainers for our monthly meetings.  We probably need someone for 5 to 6 meetings a year as the others will be done on a DIY basis.  Don't worry if that's not enough to keep you busy, we can always find you more to do.

We have also been discussing placing a short item in the Focus magazine (and perhaps others) each month publicising Lenara.  Is there a budding writer (or experienced one) out there who would like to take this on?  Promoting Lenara and potentially attracting new members you could even be securing Lenara's future.  This job could be done either as a committee member or from outside the committee. Please contact me if you think you may be interested.

Your committee is stretched and needs new members and I am aware this will be even more desperate by the time the AGM comes around.

OUR WEEKLY EVENTS:

Short Mat Bowls	Tuesday	2.00pm to 4.00pm	£4 per session	Phil Gooda 01622 851217
Zumba	Wednesday	9.30am to 10.30am	£7 per session	Barbara Kyprianou 01622 850468
Line Dancing	Wednesday	7.30pm to 9.00pm	£4.50 per session	Ann Rolfe 01622 859725
Petanque  (weather permitting)	Thursday Saturday	10.00am to 12.00pm	£3.00 per session	Peter 07831 147656 Jackie 07734 566896

OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS: