PAWS AGM 2019

pawsPAWS AGM 2019

This month was PAWS AGM followed by a Quiz.  After the outgoing President’s report and the report by the Treasurer, Jane Anderson, Bry Mogridge was elected as the new President.  One of Bry’s first duties was to present Caroline Wilson, the outgoing President, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Pam Foakes stepped down Continue reading “PAWS AGM 2019”

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Holidays – From Paris to Orkney

Chris MooreHolidays – From Paris to Orkney

This month Chris Moore, a local village lass, gave us an entertaining talk on her many holidays over the years.  One of which was a recent special holiday to Orkney,  where they came across, among other spectacular things, a memorial to the sailors lost while working the Arctic Convoy during the second world war.

First Holiday Abroad

Our journey started in 1973 with Chris & husband Archie, winning their first holiday abroad in a raffle prize! Continue reading “Holidays – From Paris to Orkney”

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PAWS May – A photojournalist visits

Caroline & Deborah, Carolinenow fully loaded

President, Caroline Wilson, with Deborah Brady PAWS May – A photojournalist visits

Our speaker, Deborah Brady, gave us an illustrated talk on what life was like as a female photojournalist in Fleet Street.  Deborah, a former national press photographer, covered some of the biggest stories of the late 80’s and 90’s.  She focused on news, features and her favourite, sport, for the London papers.

Right place, right time

As with many situations, it is Continue reading “PAWS May – A photojournalist visits”

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PAWS April – A Creative Journey

Amanda Sutherland talked about her creative journeyPAWS April – A Creative Journey

Amanda Sutherland, our Speaker for the evening, arrived carrying several interesting bags and boxes.  She then slowly and carefully displayed a very colourful and enticing array of decorated hats, fascinators, wraps and jewellery.  Amanda told us that her creative journey began when she was a child at school;  she sold her first pieces of jewellery, made from a selection of inner soles, to her Teachers!

West End Career

After completing five years in Continue reading “PAWS April – A Creative Journey”

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PAWS March – AGM & Before and After Beauty

Caroline Hendricks - volunteer for demonstration
Caroline Hendricks – willing volunteer

PAWS March – AGM & Before and After Beauty

PAWS’ President, Lorraine, opened the AGM with a warm welcome to everyone and checked that no visitors were present. She thanked everyone for their support during the past year; especially during the months we were relocated in the Church (which proved rather cold on occasions). This was followed by a brief review of the year including

  • a resumé of the Speakers we had enjoyed listening to, and
  • outings that had been arranged including Christmas Dinner at The Old Siege House.

Continue reading “PAWS March – AGM & Before and After Beauty”

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PAWS December – Christmas Meal at the Granary

PAWS December – Christmas Meal at the Granary

Members enjoying the Christmas Meal at the Granary
More members enjoying the Christmas Meal at the Granary

On Tuesday 13th December 2016, 36 members arrived at the Granary Restaurant for the PAWS Christmas meal. There was lots of laughter and chat.  Everyone enjoyed the chance to relax and talk to other members in the festive atmosphere.  The meal was appreciated by everyone, though most were beaten by the quantity.  We all had a present from ‘Santa’s Sack’, which ranged from a Bell from Santa’s Sleigh to flying birds and jumping insects!  After coffee and mince pies it was time to go home, all agreeing that it had been a most enjoyable evening.

Next Meeting & Talk

Our next get together is on the 10th January, 2017 when our speaker will be Ian Frewer.  His subject “My life in Spain as a Journalist”.

Membership is currently full but visitors are very welcome to attend at a cost of £5.00 which includes refreshments.

Contact & More Information

Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of this website.  If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring either of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505

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PAWS October – A Sailor’s Life

Phil Lyons, presenter of A Sailor's Life, with JackiePAWS October – A Sailor’s Life

At the October meeting, our president, Jackie, welcomed Phil Lyons who had come along to talk about A Sailor’s Life.

Phil started with the fact that 21 men from Colchester and the surrounding villages had served at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805. At that time Britain had the greatest navy in the world, with 108 ships but after the battle, they possessed 152 ships as they had captured those of the French and Spanish.

Boys as young as 7 served on board, often at sea for over 2 years before setting foot on terra firma. Crews were recruited by press gangs and quota men who rounded up paupers and criminals to serve in the navy. Interestingly 2 of the Colchester men joined voluntarily.  Life on the ships was a mixture of boredom, terror and sheer hard work. It took 8 men to hold the wheel in calm weather and 12 men in a storm, then there was always a danger of catching the wheel and being thrown overboard.

Food was poor with maggots in the meat and weevils in the ship’s biscuits, but men did not complain as at least they were fed. To prevent scurvy, Nelson provided his sailors with onions not limes!  The best part was the daily ration of grog, a mixture of half a pint of rum mixed with 4 parts of water, and a gallon of small beer served daily.  This provided the men with 200 units of alcohol a week!

The sailors slept in hammocks, caught rats for fun and were flogged for any misdemeanour.  50% died from malaria, yellow fever or typhus and many were wounded in battle. Desertion, mutiny and cowardice were hanging offences!

So was a sailor’s life a merry life? I leave you to decide.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is our 10th anniversary celebration on the 22nd November, as such it will be closed to non-members. You can find details of all our meetings and speakers on the diary of the home page of this website. If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring either of the following committee members:

  • Alice Holmes 01206 735510, or
  • Jane Anderson 01206 735505
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