News
The Great War - Myth and Memory
Dan Todman who was originally going to give his talk on Saturday 10th March has kindly agreed now do it on 31st March to at 7.30pm. We apologise for this change of date.
With the popularity of War Horse and dramas such as Bird Song at the moment our first talk will be given by Dan Todman who teaches history at Queen Mary University London. Dan has also taught at the War Studies Department of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was named the Times Young Academic Author of the Year 2005 for the book of his thesis, The Great War, Myth and Memory. Dan's illustrated presentation will be based around just one of the books he has published on the subject and will show how views of that war have changed over the last ninety years and how a distorted image of it emerged and became dominant.
A charge of just £2 will be made (students free) for what we are sure will be a very interesting evening.
Our thanks to those that have responded with additional ideas and names of speakers for further evenings. A list of talks and dates will be published soon.
Calling All Mums, Dads & Carers with Toddlers – 7th March 9 am
Would you like a drop in place where you can enjoy a chat with other carers, have a cup of tea or coffee and have your children play in a warm safe environment for an hour or two? We are looking to set up a carers and toddler group and would really like to meet mums, dads and carers who would be interested in coming along or even helping us set up the new group and get it off the ground!
This is your chance to get something going locally in the way you want it!
Please do come along on Wednesday 7th March after 9 am to Messing Village Hall so you can have a good look round, enjoy that cup of coffee and help us get the Messing Carers and Toddler group off the ground!
Any questions or queries or just to give your view please get in touch with Ros Bryant: 01621 816989 or bryant662@btinternet.com.
Book Club
The second meeting of the book took place on Monday 27th February in the meeting room to discuss the short story, "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor. It was agreed, over a glass of wine, that there was something rather weird and wonderful about this American author from the deep south and we all learned something from each other's reading of the story. We decided to draw up a list of our future titles by picking a selection from a hat - but as they mostly all came from the wish-list of one member ( who was not present!) only 3 have been selected so far....which means there is still a chance that your suggestion could be chosen! For the next meeting, which is on 26th, we will be looking at Tony and Susan by Austin Wright - so please do put it in your diary. Plans are underway to organise library copies for those who would like them - contact Margery on mabwilson@hotmail.com. Just a reminder: Book Club is from 8 to 10 and - apart from August and December - it meets on the last Monday of the month.
Solar Roof
Those passing the Village Hall will have noticed that our improvements program continues with the purchase of 18 solar panels that have been installed by Better Planet on the newly built extension roof. This installation means that we have achieved our aim of making Messing Village Hall have as low a carbon footprint as we can achieve with the building. It is estimated that the returns from the energy now being generated will over the course of a year virtually nullify the energy used by the lighting and the heat pumps that heat the building and hot water. The installation was completed in time for us to submit our application for the higher rate feed in tariff prior to the payment being reduced from 43p per unit to 21p per unit. Obviously the performance of solar PV systems is impossible to predict with certainty due to the variability in the amount of solar radiation (sunlight) from location to location and from year to year. However although last year may turn out to have been an exceptional year for solar hours in this region many owners of installations were reporting greater than predicated returns from their investment. The amount of energy now being generated can be observed from the generation meter mounted on the wall in the entrance corridor and we look forward as a result of this installation to keeping the running cost of the hall down to a minimum whilst maintaining first class venue for many years to come.
Bridge Club
We have had enquiries about starting a Bridge Club. Those interested should contact Geoff Jackson so that we can assess what interest there might be.
Carpet Bowls reminder
A Carpet Bowls meeting will take place again on Friday 9th March from 4-6pm. Cost will be £2 per adult and £1 for students. These meetings will be held every two weeks on Friday afternoons. Those that have not been able to attend a meeting so far are invited to drop in to experience this sociable and fun activity.
Contact Dick Youngs: 01621 815597 or dickyoungs@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to come along to these events and have not already registered your interest.
Friends of Messing Village Hall – definitely not a Committee!!!
We are delighted to say that several people have given their names to join a 'Friends of Messing Village Hall' support group but as they say, many hands make light work and the more who join the less we will be calling upon those in the group for support. The idea is that when we need to put up the stage, or erect a tent or deep clean a kitchen, or decorate the hall we can have a willing group of people who are happy to have their name on a list to be called up to help. It will definitely not be a regular or arduous commitment – just an indication that you could be free to help sometimes. If you think you could make the time occasionally then please do contact Ros Bryant: 01621 816989 or bryant662@btinternet.com
Gardening Club
Spring is on its way and judging from the survey last year there are a number of you who would be interested in swapping ideas and even vegetables, plus hearing talks on all aspects of gardening. If you think you might like to be involved in any way with a gardening club then please do let us know by getting in touch with Ros as below. We would like to set up an open evening with a speaker – humorous and informative – but really need to know what interest there is out there – so please don't hesitate to make contact with Ros as she'd love to hear from you.
Zumba - Pilates -Yoga reminder
Michelle is currently on holiday and all her classes start back on the 20th March. She hopes all those currently attending are following her "While I'm away work out sheets". Don't forget to put the 20th March in your diary.
Computer Tuition
We are grateful to those who originally signed up as being interested in Basic Computer Tuition responding to our recent e-mail to them. The responses are now being assessed and we hope to have news of a date for the informal meeting to discuss the tuition in the near future .
Geoff Jackson: 01621 815742 or messingcommunity@gmail.com
Dick Youngs: 01621 815597 or dickyoungs@yahoo.co.uk
Ros Bryant: 01621 816989 or bryant662@btinternet.com
Janice Tonge: 01621 817770 or janice.tonge@virgin.net
Helen Longman: 01621 819443 or helenlongman@aol.com
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