At the December meeting a raffle will be made on behalf of Young Arts, please support this very worthwhile project. Click here for the Arts Project 2020

Our last lecture before Christmas is a truly “Festive One”. A celebration of that institution – The Pantomime. Ian Gledhill will explore the history for us – enjoy a Mince Pie with your coffee this time.Click here for more details and the BIO

Tailored Travel advise – As well as the printed brochures, full details of your tour can be seen online by your members. At the bottom of pages 1 and 2 of the printed brochure, your members are invited to – Click on the View Your Tour tab at www.tailored-travel.co.uk and quote blad201.

Another Blackwater extended visit with a range of interesting venues including the Houses and a castle plus Britannia Royal Naval College, Agatha Christie’s home.  5 days from £599 – Departing 4th May 2020 Click here for more details and the Booking Form

I know as we bask in a reasonable bit of summer it seems strange to talk about Christmas. But our Christmas event this year is a trip to Ely Cathedral’s Christmas Fayre on Thursday 14th November. Click here for itinerary and menus Ely copyamended

As members will know this visit is getting near and as we are a large group, please read carefully the enclosed note about the trip Click here for the Notice to members Nov19

Just a reminder that next year the January Lecture will be on the SECOND Thursday of the month i.e.the 9th. This is due to the close proximity of the first Thursday to New Years Day. Details of the lecture to follw in dues course.

We now know that Ian Valentine’s memorial service is to be held at St Mary’s Church, Wivenhoe, on Wednesday 6th November at 1.30 pm with a wake afterwards at Wivenhoe Sailing Club.

The Paintings and Wit of Winston Churchill and Noel Coward
Nicholas Reed returns to Blackwater to explore the friendship of these two great men of the 20th Century.Click here for more details and the BIO

Sadly the news has reached us that Ian Valentine has died. Ian was a long term member and former Chairman of the Society.(2004-7) He was Heritage Volunteers Representative for 6 years from 2000 to 2006. Ian oversaw the move from the old Village Hall to our current premises with the potential for increase in membership. His words in the annual report 2005 reflect a concern at the time “However, your committee is concerned to ensure that the society does not become so large that the present friendly social atmosphere (which many of our lecturers comment on) is lost.” The character of Blackwater was indeed maintained and reflected in Ian’s leadership. He was influential in upgrading our audio systems and initiated the Newsletter, editing and arranging printing; which has grown into the excellent organ of communication for members. At Area level he became Secretary and was vocal in the politics of NADFAS, He moved to Wivenhoe some time ago but continued to come to Blackwater regularly. Ian loved sailing, overland skiing in Scandinavia and bell ringing. We will miss him.