Hello UpARA members,
Evening Boules
A new Summer season slot has been added to our activity list from the 12th May - Evening Petanque.
Running from May to September on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings at 6:00pm, we hope that these sessions will be well received and attended to complement our usual 3rd Tuesday afternoon slot. Come and join us… just turn up at the Petanque pitch at the side of the golf course driving range just before 6:00pm.
A few more trips
A few more trips have been added to the calendar since the last newsletter; Salute to Christmas at the Inn on the Lake on 13th December, a Mystery Coach tour on July 19th and a trip to the Albert Hall next March for Let’s Face the Music with the RPO plus guests. This month is the trip to Leonardslee gardens with Toby carvery lunch and next month, 14th June, an evening cruise along the Medway on the Kentish Lady.
Events
Events seem to have conspired against us last month with the main Friday meeting and the Westminster Walk both, unfortunately, needing to be cancelled at short notice. The walk has been rescheduled for the end of May.
The thoughts of Chairman John
I can't believe I'm composing this whilst sitting under the umbrella on my patio looking across the water with a view of Lower Halstow Yacht Club; the water has a vivid blue colour rather than its usual drab hue - who needs to fight the traffic all the way down to the West Country? (Although it has been a case recently of fighting to get into the Village)!
Despite all adversities that the utilities works have caused us recently, we are still running all our usual activities and we are always looking for additional ones, don't be afraid to put forward your ideas.
Don't forget to keep a note in your diaries for the 3rd of June, to take part in our own Jubilee event, and thanks to all of you who have volunteered to help in some way or another, we are hoping to raise quite a large sum throughout the afternoon and evening for the Ukrainian Charity, please support us.
By the time you read this, we will have had representation at the Parish Council's APM. where all the local clubs can highlight their activities, I'm sure plenty of people are under the impression UpARA is a load of old age pensioners just meeting up for tea and coffee in the Village Hall, how wrong they are!
Looking forward to a long and "normal Summer" for once.
John W
Fundraising day / Can you help us?
Our fundraising day, on Friday 3rd June, during the 4-day Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations is getting closer still. Please let us know if you can assist on the day either by Email or signing up at the next Friday meeting.
We are holding a Quiz evening from 7:00pm, for the various village groups, and an ‘Open Afternoon’, (12:00 - 4:00pm) with a variety of entertainment, teas/ coffees/cakes/ baguettes etc.
We still need members to take turns ‘manning’ the kitchen in 30/60-minute intervals, so that we can all enjoy the day. Please put your name forward if you can help - It really will be appreciated - we ideally need 20 - 30 members to come forward.
Also, please add your names to be part of one of the UpARA teams in the evening quiz.
Trips
Malcolm and Brenda will be taking money from those going on the Kentish Lady on 14th June, (£32), Mystery coach tour on 19th July, (£15), and Salute to Christmas on 13th December, (£35). Also deposits (£100) for the trip to Derry next year and payments for anyone attending the June lunch club.
AGM
Our AGM will take place after the Friday meeting on 13th May.
May Calendar
Monday, May 2nd at 2:00pm - Kurling
Tuesday, May 3rd at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art
Tuesday, May 3rd at 2:00pm - Table Tennis
Wednesdays May 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th at 10:15am - Line Dancing
Fridays May 6th, 20th at 10:00am - Village Walk
Mondays May 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th at 10:00am - Short Tennis
(No Tennis Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May)
Monday, May 9th - Leonardslee Gardens and Carvery lunch
Tuesday, May 10th at 10:00am - 10 Pin Bowling
Friday, May 13th at 2:00pm - Monthly Meeting
John Yarrow, ‘Tales of a wedding photographer’ AGM follows at 3:30pm
Tuesday, May 17th at 2:00pm - Petanque
Thursdays May 12th, 26th at 6:00pm - NEW Evening Petanque
Tuesday, May 24th at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art
Tuesday, May 24th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis
Friday, May 27th - Rescheduled Westminster & Whitehall Walk
Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.