2.
NEWSLET
TER
CHAIRMAN'S NOTES
Summer 2002
I wrote my first Chairman's Notes to you for the Summer 1991
Newsletter. At that time I thought perhaps I would be in the post
for about five years, but in fact the last 11 years have simply flown
past and I am still here! ! No doubt our remarkable communication
system has spread the word that I intend to retire as Chairman
and as a committee member at the Annual General Meeting in
April 2003.
I did not find it easy to take this decision but I know that it is right. I
have thoroughly enjoyed carrying out the tasks which are involved,
though there have been difficult times as well. Now the Centre
must look to the future. Many changes are taking place in the
National Trust itself, some of them too hastily in my opinion and
perhaps without adequate thought for the immediate
consequences. No doubt stability and good order will eventually
return, but it has made me realise that if our Centre is to prosper
there will have to be changes too. These can only be effective and
successful if they evolve after careful thought and in an unhurried
manner. That is why I have stated my own resolve now, so that
the Committee and you, the members, can act without undue
haste.
This Centre has been unique, because in all its 29 years of
existence it has only had 3 chairmen, including me! ! This was not
deliberate, it was just the way it developed. I cannot say whether
this has been a good thing, though it has certainly produced
stability and a steady sense of direction. Some might say that in
the face of the changes occurring in our communities and in the
Trust itself, such a system could have produced rigidity when the
need was more flexibility. I really cannot comment further at this
time. What I can say is that you and your Committee now have to
look forward and make decisions that will affect the course this
Centre will take in the years ahead. I am sure you will do this
wisely and after careful thought. My task now is to do my best for
you during the remaining months I am in office. Best wishes to you
all.
Gordon
Burgess
NEW MEMBERS
We are pleased to welcome the following new members who have
joined the Centre since the Spring 2002 issue of the Newsletter:Dr M Brown
Mrs P Daggett
Mr & Mrs J Edmunds
Mrs E Grainger
Mrs P Quinn
Mrs J M Wheeler
Rev Dr M Willshaw
Lichfield
Stafford
Great Wyrley
Penkridge
Cannock
Stone
Lichfield
AN ENTRY IN NEXT YEAR'S DIARY
Do make an entry in your diary for next year's holiday to the
Scottish Highlands: 6th to 13th April 2003. We shall be staying at
The Highlander Hotel, situated in 'Monarch of the Glen' country.
The Hotel has been featured in the television series and we shall
also be visiting Balmoral. More details later.
VISIT TO SALFORD QUAYS, THE LOWRY AND
THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
We set off from Stafford on May 28th at about 9.30 and arrived at
the Lowry centre in Salford at 11 o'clock. As the weather was not
good we went straight into the exhibition to see Lowry's paintings
and drawings which were moved to this new centre in 2000. The
pictures were hung chronologically so the sweep of Lowry's artistic
career could be followed. I think everyone recognises the
"matchstick" figures of his paintings but I was surprised at the
variety of his other work including some very interesting human life
figures of his early years.
After lunch, as the weather had not improved, I went round the
outlet shopping area, but nothing took my fancy so my purse
remained closed!
We boarded the bus again at 2.15 for the short ride to the
Museum of Science and Industry. This consisted of five separate
buildings each dealing with a different theme one of which was
based in the world's oldest railway station. As there was
insufficient time to see everything we all
went our separate ways depending on
our individual interests. I went first to the
Power Hall and as soon as I entered the
building it took me back to my childhood
days and the steam trains because of
the very distinctive "smell of steam".
Here there were working steam engines,
steam trains, vintage cars, motor bikes
GUESS WHO?
and bicycles and a water wheel.
3.
I next visited the station building where they had recreated an old
booking hall. Then I went underground Manchester to see the
sewers, and discovered how poor sanitation made Manchester an
unhealthy place in which to live in the 1800's. I had a quick visit to
the Fibres, Fabrics and Fashion section which showed the
sequence of machines used in the cotton industry for which
Manchester was famous in years past. They began with the
machine for breaking the raw cotton from the bale right through to
the weaving machines. Here there was also a film showing how the
"lady of the house" should do the washing and ironing before the
days of the washing machine.
Finally I visited the "Xperiment" area where there were all sorts of
puzzles to solve by "doing" the experiment yourself. Here I met a
young boy oh about 11 who was very willing to show me all sorts of
things - he had obviously been there before! Having a youngster
there certainly made it more interesting so I must remember to take
my grandchildren when they are old enough! ! We only had a brief
taste of what the museum had to offer but I guess many people will
want to go again to study some things in more detail.
Then it was time to leave so we boarded the bus for the journey
home. Thank you Jean for a very interesting trip.
Rosemary
Beynon
MEMORIES RECALLED BY THE NATIONAL
TRUST VISIT TO SALFORD QUAYS
As Salfordians, my wife and I looked forward to the National Trust
visit to the Quays, but we were quite unprepared for the delightful
transformation that had been made to Salford Docks and the
surrounding areas. We had lived in Stretford for a year or two in
the late' 40' s, but until the coach approached the Manchester
United Football Ground we had hardly recognised any of the old
landmarks.
Seeing the Quays was a revelation to me, and many memories
from over 60 years ago came flooding back. As part of my early
training with the then Post Office Engineering Department I was
attached to the Trafford Park Telephone Exchange which was
located immediately to the south of the Swing Bridge on Trafford
Road. Naturally some of the work involved outside maintenance
and one of my early recollections was of fitting a ship to shore
telephone link to one of the big Manchester Liners. In 1940 the
quays of both Salford and Manchester docks were chock-a-block
with ships of all shapes, sizes and nationalities. With the
exceptional flow of shipping traffic, the turning of the Swing Bridge
occurred very frequently and to those of us who lived in Salford; to
be 'bridged' was no excuse for being late for work.
Obviously, in those dark days, the docks and the big engineering
complex of Trafford Park, which included Metropolitan Vickers,
Ford Motor Co., and many large and small firms making aircraft
parts, offered a very inviting target for German Bombers. On
Christmas Eve, 1940 we suffered severe damage to Trafford Park
area and every cable into the telephone exchange had been cut. I
spent Christmas Day, that year, wearing a tin hat, tracing and
clearing faults in the 'locked up', powerless exchange, whilst on the
other side of the wall, four sappers were digging away - quite
unconcernedly, and even drinking tea which we supplied - to
retrieve an unexploded bomb. The factory on the other side of the
road was completely demolished.
A few weeks later when on evening duty, a 'land mine' was
dropped on Trafford Road, just opposite the Docks entrance,
devastating a half square mile, and I am convinced that the whole
of the exchange building lifted some three or four inches in the air
and dropped back again. The remaining solitary tower of StoweIl
Memorial Church that we passed on the corner of Eccles New Rd.,
and Trafford Rd. was a grim reminder that cycling to work up
Trafford Rd. meant carrying my bicycle on my shoulder and picking
a way through the rubble. The Vicar's son had been a personal
friend of mine and a year before the damage to the church we had
spent many happy hours in his garden at the back, modifying a
1932 Ford 8 to run on 'unrationed' paraffin.
Before being called up into the RAF, I spent most of my 'civilian'
time in central Manchester, but even there, despite the bombing,
life seemed quieter away from 'Salford Quays'.
Norman
Fox
[I am sure many other members of our Centre must have many
fascinating memories of the kind described in the above article,
which would be of the greatest interest to our readers. Why not
write about them for the Newsletter? Editor]
SCOTTISH CASTLES
The coach left Lichfield at 7 a.m. on Monday 29th April, picking up
41 members travelling north on the A1 to Edinburgh and the Forth
Bridge, arriving at our Hotel in Perth at 6.30 p.m.
Our first day started with a visit to Blair Castle just north of
Pitlochry, the home of the Dukes of AthoIl and one of the many
houses with connections to Mary Queen of Scots. After lunch we
went to Kenmore to see a Crannog, an Iron Age dwelling built on
stilts and standing in the loch.
BLAIR ATHOLL CASTLE
The second day started with a visit to Discovery Point in Dundee to
see the Discovery, Captain Scott's famous ship, to learn how she
was built in Dundee and equipped for his voyages to Antarctica.
The day continued with a visit to Arbroath Abbey where in 1320
Scottish nobles swore to independence from England in the
"Declaration of Arbroath" . We then made our way to Glamis Castle
the home of the Earl of Strathmore, the Bowes Lyon family and
where the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was brought up
and regularly visited during her lifetime. It was a smaller castle than
some and a comfortable family home.
The third day took us off to Pitlochry and Edradour, the smallest
distillery in Scotland. After being welcomed, we were given a "wee
dram" and shown a video about Edradour and the production of
whisky . We were then taken on a tour being shown where the
water is added to the malted barley and heated.
Yeast is added later for
fermentation, followed by
double distillation, before being put in sherry casks; where
it is stored for ten years,
during which time the whisky
gets its colour. From there we
were taken to Scone Palace
where in the past, the Kings
of Scotland were crowned. It
is the home of the Earls of
Mansfield.
SCONE PALACE CHAPEL
4.
After lunch we continued to Elcho Castle, now only a shell but
with some floors. This was, in the 16th century, a fortified mansion
with three unusual projecting towers. Our final stop of the day was
Huntingtower Castle, which has superb early painted ceilings in
its two towers. We beat a hasty retreat as a thunderstorm crashed
around us.
On Friday we started our day with a visit to Loch Leven where we
were taken by boat to an island in the middle of the Loch to see
Loch Leven Castle. The building was in a similar state of repair to
Elcho Castle, where in 1568 Mary Queen of Scots abdicated
whilst a prisoner in the 14th Century tower. The Loch was very
peaceful that day and we also saw an osprey flying overhead. We
continued to Edinburgh where we had a chance to see Scotland's
No. 1 visitor attraction, Edinburgh Castle.
Here guided tours started at
the Gatehouse and various
points of interest were
pointed out, giving the history
as they proceeded. At the
end of the tour the main
features
including
the
Scottish Crown Jewels and
the National War Museum
were recommended to visit.
Saturday we set out for
Stirling Castle, probably the
grandest of all the Scottish
Castles,
both
from
its
situation
on
an
extinct
LOCALS OUTSIDE EDINBURGH CASTLE
volcano and its architecture.
Restoration is taking place,
the Royal Palace of James V,
and the Great Hall were magnificent. We later returned to Perth,
omitting Bannockburn, so that we could see the City in which we
were staying, whilst the shops were open! The National Trust of
Scotland own the lovely Branklyn Gardens across the river from
the centre of the City. Some of us made the uphill walk to visit the
gardens and enjoyed meandering along the paths between the
wonderful flowering shrubs and flowers and sitting admiring the
scree gardens before the pleasant walk back to the hotel. We
even had time for shopping and a welcome cup of tea.
Sunday, our last day dawned bright and sunny as all the others
and we left Perth heading first for Falkirk to see the Falkirk Wheel.
Unfortunately it had been vandalised and we were not allowed on
the site. However, we managed to hire a boat for a trip along the
canal to see the "Millennium Wheel". Eleven of us went on this
very pleasant journey whilst others walked along the tow path. The
"wheel" is capable of raising 8 boats at a time from one canal to
the other at a different level.
We stopped for
lunch at Moffat,
then continued
south and after
a short stop at
Scotch Corner
arrived back in
Stafford at 8pm.
We had a wonderful six days
away with beautiful weather except for one wet
afternoon and
JEAN WOOTTON SOUNDING "EIGHT BELLS"!
the heavy
shower/thunderstorm at the end of a good day out. Scotland was
certainly seen at its best. Many thanks to Joe and Jean, and John
the Driver, for an excellent holiday.
Brian
Taylor
[Mr & Mrs Brian Rowe, of 8 The Seesall, Gnosall, Stafford ST20
OHH (tel: 01785822579) have written a much fuller account of the
Scottish Holiday which is too long for inclusion in the Newsletter,
but they would be glad to let anyone who so wishes have a copy.
Just telephone and ask for one!]
THE LOVES OF DR SAMUEL JOHNSON
Mrs Brenda Knight gave us a sketch of the life of Dr Samuel
Johnson who was born in Lichfield in 1709. This great English
writer and lexicographer is well known for his humanity, especially
in his attitude towards poverty and slavery. In this he was
undoubtedly in advance of the times he lived in. However, our
speaker highlighted another very human aspect of Samuel by
talking about the great loves which enriched his life.
As a child, he was unhealthy, to the extent that he was taken to
London when three years old to be touched by Queen Anne in the
belief that she could expel the "King's Evil" as certain problems
were called. He carried some of these into adulthood and it seems
that he was physically unprepossessing and also suffered from
periodic bouts of depression. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that
he had a charismatic character and was attractive to the opposite
sex, possibly because of his ready wit and sparkling conversation.
At one time he was a good friend of the wife of a Birmingham
surgeon, Edmond Hector, but he married a widow, Elizabeth
Porter, 20 years his senior who was endowed with a valuable
dowry.
Despite many separations when he was in London and in the
company of his friend David Garrick, the actor, who introduced him
to a number of ladies of the stage, Johnson seems to have been
faithful to Elizabeth throughout her life.
After her death he found solace in the company of Mrs Hester
Thrale, the wife of a wealthy London Brewer, although he also
knew other ladies, including Georgiana, wife if the Fifth Duke of
Devonshire, who apparently found him intriguing. When Henry
Thrale died in 1781, Johnson became his executor and was
frequently with Hester, especially in Brighton; in the summer of
1784 however, she announced that she was to marry Gabriel
Piozzi, an Italian musician. Although he eventually reconciled
himself to this and sent her his good wishes, Johnson did not long
survive and died on 13 December 1784. He was buried in
Westminster Abbey, a very great honour indeed.
This was a fascinating talk which was well illustrated by slides and
gave us a different perspective of a man who has often been
misunderstood and misrepresented by other writers. It is gratifying
to realise that this larger than life figure was also very human and
suffered from the frailties of many ordinary human beings too.
Thank you Brenda.
Written by the Chairman, who forgot to ask for a "volunteer",
possibly because of the fact that there were two failures - we could
not get into the locked kitchen to provide drinks, and the public
address system didn't work because a vital part was not available!
He does point out, however, that you do not need to be asked to
prepare a report. It would be lovely if someone just said, "I will do
it.
ANNUAL LUNCHEON 16th MARCH 2002
For many years our Staffordshire Centre has held a hugely
popular Christmas lunch in early December. Traditionally, this was
at the Staffordshire Showground, and then, following a disastrous
fire and a period of unavailability due to reconstruction, in the
hospitality suite of the Uttoxeter racecourse. Then again, after
booking difficulties, we returned to the splendidly refurbished
Staffordshire Showground. At both these venues, our catering was
provided by an excellent outside caterer who looked after us well
over the years.
Latterly, however, the numbers attending this annual event
showed a steady decline from a peak of over 200 to a low of 120.
The reasons for this were not readily identifiable. Could it have
been a slight inconvenience of the venue? Or could it be that there
is a plethora of festive lunches and dinners at this time, which is
obviously a period when our weather is not at its best, or even
perhaps the 'sameness' of the menu - again somewhat bound by
convention.
Whatever the reason, our Committee took the decision to try both
a new time of the year and a new venue for this important social
gathering. So it was that the first Spring lunch was held at The
Terrace Restaurant. The event was well supported with over 130
Members and their guests attending.
at the table, its remarkable service, and the very imposing
function room in which we were most comfortably accommodated.
One might also mention that the parking was easy and on tarmac!
It has been our custom to invite a guest after-lunch speaker, to
complement the pleasure of our meal and mutual company. It
must be said that some have, as far as the writer is concerned,
been better than others! This year, however, the choice was 'spoton', with Mr Paul Spicer being kind enough to accept our invitation
to a free lunch!
Paul Spicer, although a very distinguished musician, is probably
best known to us as the Director of the Lichfield International
Festival, which he has organised for eleven years. Last year was
sadly to be his last, for he has now returned to his first love -
music - and in particular choral music, for it is as a conductor that
his international reputation has grown, particularly with the Finzi
singers.
Having conducted Bach choirs in many of our major cities, Paul
now conducts the Chamber Choir of the Royal College of Music in
London where he is also Professor of Choral Conducting. Anyone
who was not at the lunch, or who did not know him, may, by just
reading my description of his achievements, be surprised when
meeting him for the first time for what one experiences is not what
you might expect.
Paul is an imposingly tall man of humorous demeanour with a gift
for words and witty anecdote. Who could forget the 'Flanders and
Swan' shows which he presented with his friend Andrew
Lumsden, the Cathedral organist? Paul's primary instrument,
perhaps matching his physique, just had to be the organ, and we
were enthralled by his recollections of playing the greatest
examples in the country - some of which have pipes 32 feet long!
He spoke of being alone in St. Paul's Cathedral at the dead of
night, and passing the tombs of Nelson and other great figures in
our Nation's history, on his way out to lock up that magnificent
church! He described in vivid detail his love and fascination for the
wonderful buildings in which he had played, and in particular his
abiding admiration for the glories of the Perpendicular Period and
the breath-taking fan vaulting so perfected in King's College
Chapel, Cambridge.
Whilst describing some of our country's great architectural
heritage, an aside pointed out that, surprisingly, the Truro
Cathedral spire is some 20 feet higher than Lichfield's.
Throughout his talk, which was given with such ease, his
anecdotes - sometimes at the expense of the viola players in an
orchestra - kept us hugely entertained. Paul's slightly quizzical
expression confounded his immense knowledge of the subject.
How lucky we were to be both amused and educated by such a
distinguished Composer, Recording Artist, Choral Supremo and
Natural Humorist.
All of us present echoed our Chairman's good wishes to Paul for
the next phase in his most distinguished career, and
demonstrated most warmly our appreciation.
See you all next Spring at 'The Terrace' - the room is already
booked for Saturday, 15th March 2003.
Richard Miller
Yardley
THE FIRST YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE ROBIN
David Tideswell's introduction to the subject of the evening
explored the origin of the name "Robin Redbreast" and the
adoption in 1952 by the British Ornithological Society of "Robin" as
the official name of one of our commonest birds. He illustrated the
appeal of the name of the bird by showing merchandise examples
and also various styles of cards including the very widespread
Robin Christmas Cards.
Then came the wonderful slides showing all the stages in a
Robin's life. With some 6,000,000 pairs in the British Isles and
males out-numbering females there are intense efforts by the
males to secure a mate. The male aggressively defends his
territory and uses showmanship to attract a female, who alone
constructs a nest - if the male can offer a safe site! Two or three
clutches of eggs, each averaging five, are laid, and during
incubation the male finds all the food. After hatching, feeding the
hungry mouths is shared to such good effect that the birth rate
increases ten-fold in about two weeks. Many of the new-born will
eventually succumb to predators - cats, sparrow hawks, owls etc and this is frequently the fate of mature birds. Nature in the raw
does not permit robins to die of old age, or for the population to
increase beyond sustainable levels.
The slides revealed an immense love for the robin and must have
involved almost unlimited preparation and patience to show the
bird in so many poses. We were taken from eggs to hatchlings to
the young birds in moult and then with their mottled brown breast
feathers. The red breast gradually develops and extends to include
the beak and some of the face. The large black eyes permit, with a
little head movement, an all round field of vision to give early
warning of predators. But the robin has less fear of man and can
readily be tamed and encouraged to feed from the hand.
An interesting question and answer session brought a fascinating
evening to a conclusion with the audience expressing their
appreciation for the presentation of a superb series of slides.
Cliff
Ricketts
ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE ROBIN
A comparatively small group of centre members were treated, on
16th April, to a truly extraordinary talk about robins - not just the
birds, mind, but all things robinesque!
Our Chairman's introductory words prepared us for something
pretty unusual, but until now, to my knowledge, none of our
speakers has ever actually sang to us, still less encouraged us to
join in the refrain! The song in question, sung on this occasion in a
deliberately child-like voice, went "The red red robin comes bob
bob bobbing along ... ". Mr Tideswell, whom you may have seen
on television, started by listing some of the instances where the
name 'robin' appears in the English language - and there is a
surprisingly large number of these, due no doubt to the generally
recognised status of the robin as the 'English Bird'. For example
we have 'Round Robin', 'Cock Robin', Robin Hood, Reliant Robin,
Robin Tobacco, Robin Starch - did you know that Robin Starch
often used to serve as a very excellent substitute for talcum
powder? - etc, etc. Mr Tideswell' s exhibits included, among other
things, a number of hand-painted Christmas cards depicting
robins. Initially to the audience's embarrassment, but subsequently
to its amusement, he introduced each one of these with the
remark "Aren't I lucky to have this?", followed by "Ooeeee" - quite
off-putting at first, but we got used to it! After this somewhat
eccentric introduction Mr Tideswell began his talk on robins
proper, i.e. the birds of that name. His slides were exclusively of
robins, photographed for the most part in his garden near
Uttoxeter, and these were quite fascinating. I particularly liked the
one showing a robin, with his bright red breast proudly puffed out
to twice its normal size to impress Miss Robin! Cliff, in the article
above, gives a full appreciation of the talk, so I will say no more
except to express my disappointment that Mr Tideswell, during the
question time which followed the talk, was unable to tell us why all
our starlings and sparrows, once so common, have virtually
disappeared from our gardens!
Thank you, Eric Haylock, for having found such an entertaining
speaker for us.
Guy de Visme
ST. VALENTINE'S DA Y WALK IN DEEP HAYES
COUNTRY PARK
Great walk - pity about the mud!
Seventeen of us, including four visitors, gathered at the Old Tea
Rooms and Crafts Centre, Cheddleton on a sunny morning for this
walk, ably led by Peter Jobling. Personally, I did not notice much
romance in the air! The venue had been changed due to
maintenance on the route to the Deep Hayes car park.
The journey to the starting point was not uneventful as there had
been an accident near where we should have turned. At least one
car(us!) missed the turning, and I have been told one person was
late and did not manage to find us at all, which was a shame.
We started by walking passed the Flint Mill. Peter explained its
use, to grind calcined flint for the pottery industry and that the
canal branch had been built to deliver and collect goods from the
mill. We started off by walking along the towpath, which is part of
the Staffordshire way. This was nice and flat and easy. We then
turned west across fields, somewhat hilly and muddy with lots of
styles. Unfortunately my husband was one of the last over one
style, and came over head first. No damage done, apart from an
extra load for the washing machine! We walked passed places
with interesting names, for example Ladygreen and Little
Shaffalong.
When Peter first did the 'recce' for this walk, during December, he
noticed and reported that a style needed repair. Coincidentally, it
had just been mended the day we walked. Well done Staffordshire
Moorlands Ranger Service! We did wonder if Peter had anything to
do with wrecking the style during his 'recce'.
The walk ended conveniently in time for lunch and most people,
together with one non-walker who was recovering from an
operation, had a very enjoyable lunch in the teashop before
returning returning home. Many thanks to Peter Jobling for having
lots of information about the area and leading an interesting walk.
Joyce Rowe
THE WALK AT LILLESHALL
It was a fine Spring day as we assembled in the car park of the
National Sports Centre awaiting instructions from Eric our leader.
This was a walk postponed from last year because of the foot and
mouth epidemic. The fine weather had encouraged 31 of us to set
out. Is this a record turn out for a walk?
We set off down the main drive turning left down a lane bordered
by a lovely display of daffodils. Then across a couple of fields
sown with Winter wheat, way marked but pathless. The ground
was so dry that the clay soil was cracking. No mud to contend with
on this walk just a herd of bulls and later some brambles. The
former kept a respectful distance and to cope with the latter Eric
had thoughtfully brought his secateurs which I think deserves a
special commendation.
We wound our way to the top of a hill
surmounted by a monument to one of
the Dukes of Sutherland, erected in
1833 by his grateful tenants and
employees. There were fine views all
round of the rolling Shropshire
countryside but whilst drinking our coffee
it was best to shelter from the cool wind
reminding us that it was still early Spring.
After descending the hill we meandered
along a disused canal commissioned by
the Dukes of Sutherland to transport
coal and limestone. The canal was on
two levels connected by an inclined
plane on which the barges were hauled
up by horses. I am sure that the
remaining evidence of this feature would
have passed unnoticed had Eric not
pointed it out. Eventually we arrived
back at the National Sports Centre
where a satisfying choice of soup, jacket
potatoes and rolls was on offer. Our
thanks are due to Eric for organising this
very pleasant outing
DEREK CONTEMPLATING
HIS DESSERT
Derrick Andrews
RAMBLE FROM ABBOTS BROMLEY
The route from the Coach and Horses took us through houses at
the eastern end of the village and across the Newborough Road to
join footpaths leading southwards across flat fields. After several
styles the group of 21 members and guests were strung out for a
while until we paused for a coffee break at a crossroads on the
Lichfield Road.
A minor lane led past Seedcroft Farm to join a section of the
Staffordshire Way not far from Blithfield Reservoir Sailing Club. It
was extremely muddy for a short section, sufficient to string us out
again as we plodded through with difficulty. Two more fields
brought us to the back of Abbots Bromley's 14th century church
and a short walk up the village street for lunch at the Coach and
Horses.
Our thanks to Cliff Ricketts for another excellent walk on a
beautiful sunny March day, with high winds blowing white clouds
over a blue sky.
Alan
Jutton
Mr E Haylock OBE JP
86 Gaia Lane
Lichfield, Staffs
WS137LS
14 May
2002
Dear Mr Haylock
Centres and Associations' appeal in tribute to
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Thank you very much indeed for your contribution to the above,
the receipt of which I am pleased to acknowledge. I hope you will
in turn thank your committee members and members for their
support and generosity in wanting to mark Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth The Queen Mother's long association with the National
Trust, who as you know served for nearly 50 years as our
President.
The project to restore the sunken garden and rock garden at
Polesden Lacey will serve as the National Trust Centres and
Associations' tribute to HM The Queen Mother and will no doubt
remind us all of the time Her Majesty spent at the property on
honeymoon with HM King George VI. No doubt like you, I look
forward to the day when the work will be accomplished and we can
visit the property to see what has been achieved.
With grateful thanks once again for your support and with all good
wishes
Yours sincerely Philippa Spackman
Associations' Liaison
Co-ordinator The
National Trust, Heywood
House Westbury
Wiltshire
[We were privileged to welcome Phillippa Spackman, recently
appointed as the Trust's Associations Liaison Officer to our Annual
General Meeting. She is the main contact at Headquarters for
Centres and Associations such as ours.]
5 Overhill
Rd.,
Stafford,
STl7 0QA
10/03/02
Dear Mr De Visme,
I note with interest your query re 'graduated dip-sticks' in the
current NT Newsletter.
I expect by now others will have been in touch to explain, but in
case not, let me say that Cliff Ricketts is probably right. Before the
great blessing of metrication, depth gauges were the same as an
engineers' levelling staff i.e. graduated in tenths of a foot. This was
to enable the engineer or surveyor to estimate a reading through
an engineer's level to the second place of decimals.
I illustrate what an engineer would see on looking through the
telescope of a level:-
In this example the reading on the collunation line would be 7.47
ft. (approx.). In the old fashioned instruments the image would
appear inverted, there being no correcting lens. Nowadays, of
course, they use lasers.
Hope this is of interest.
Yours
sincerely,
Jack
Shelbourn
JUST PONDERING
Sometimes I just sits
And I ponder on
things, On why we
be here And what
trouble brings.
I'm an old body now
And I can't help but sigh
'Cos there's lots I don't
know And I keep asking
"Why?"
And why be there crime?
And why must some
bodies Be struck down in
their prime?
Why be there
earthquakes And
bolts from the sky?
I'm just an old body
But I keep asking
"Why?"
P'raps if life was
perfect Do you
agree?
We'd all of
us die Of
monotony !
Margaret
Curtis
(Found in a magazine by Sheila Burgess)
TWO MINUTES OF FUN
SEND
+
MORE
= MONEY
Find what each letter stands for.
EPONYMS
The following items are commonly known eponymously by the
name of their inventor, the trade-name of the first product or
legendary association.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8
A bread-based snack
A calf-length boot.
A long waterproof coat.
A tractor-based digging machine.
A railway dining car.
A book of maps.
An internal combustion engine.
To completely ignore a person or
organisation.
8. Self-adhesive transparent tape.
9. A smooth road-surface
11. A small terrier.
12. An electric carpet-cleaner.
13. No choice whatever.
14. A temporary road span.
15. A ball-nibbed writing instrument
16. A front-buttoned woollen garment.
17. A liqueur.
18. An illuminated street-crossing
marker.
19. A concoction of fruit and ice-cream.
20. To remove 'rude' words from a
published book.
(from our Hon Secretary. Eric Tanner.)