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0161 - 486 0896 Craven House

3 Ladybrook Road

Stockport

SK7 3LZ

1 April 2020

Hello Everyone.

I find it hard to believe that I’m writing to you under lockdown conditions.

When we were celebrating the start of 2020 I don’t think any of us realised that the news leaking out of China about the Coronavirus would have such a dramatic, far

reaching effect on everyone’s way of life.

By the time you are reading this Newsletter it will be around Easter and we may have a

more definite idea about how much longer we will be self isolating.

Before the Brookdale Club had to be closed Peter and I had had a busy but enjoyable

time. We attended the Bowling, Dancing and Gardeners Coffee Mornings.

We sadly missed the Theatre Coffee morning but Sheila Haley took our place and also

drew out the numbers for the 250 Club Draw. Thank you, Sheila.

We were also invited to the Dancing Sections Valentine Dance and the Gardeners

Social Evening when we were entertained by the Heaton Mersey Showband.

The Travel and Theatre Sections held their V.P. nights. With the Travel Section we

were taken on a motor bike journey on Route 66 and the Theatre Section invited us to a

performance of Quartet which was as always a very professional production. Both

events were very enjoyable and entertaining.

Sadly, I also attended May Gluyas’ funeral. May will be very much missed by all of us.

Finally, in these difficult times if you need any shopping our eldest granddaughter will

be happy to get it for you.

I also had a phone call from Dr Shailesh Patel who lives in the Cheadle area and is

willing to do any shopping at weekends as he is working during the week. His phone

number is 07912356193.

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If you want to chat or email me then I’ll be very glad to hear from you.

0161 486 0896 mobile 07813165346 email stafford1400@gmail.com

Keep Safe, Keep Well and Keep Washing your Hands.

Take Care and I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the Brookdale Club soon.

Elaine

* * * * *

TO ALL BROOKDALE MEMBERS

I have just this minute come inside from our 8.00 pm call to recognize what our

country is facing just now and to publically acclaim all who are working so hard to

keep us safe.

On Tuesday 17th

March your General Committee took the unprecedented step of

closing the Club until a date sometime in the future when it will be safe to resume our

activities again.

Some key events were merely postponed until the Autumn but we are unsure if our

suggested plans will come to pass.

Section accounts will be prepared as they are a part of the year end accounts but the

timing of any further business will be under constant review. Our President is working

hard trying to draw together hubs of members as we try to ensure that nobody is left

alone or without a telephone contact.

If you know of any member who is out of touch please contact your President whose

access details can be found at the front of the newsletter.

If you have access to the web it will keep you up to date on a daily basis

www.thebrookdaleclub.com and if you do not phone your friends, Vice President or

as a last resort Carole Taylor on 01625 820533.

Take care of yourselves, help each other and keep well is the message from all of your

General Committee.

Carole Taylor

* * * * *

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SONGS FROM THE SHOWS

This not-to-be missed concert will now take place (hopefully) on Friday 4th

September. All tickets will still be valid for this night-to-remember. My thanks to

everyone who has supported this event and look forward to seeing you in September..

Although it was a sell-out and if you could not go to the first date, please ring (439

8241) nearer the time I may have some spare tickets.

Jean James

* * * * *

THE BROOKDALE CLUB WEBSITE

Many of you will have noticed the much improved club website is a good source of

news and information. The Brookdale News is available on-line and for you to

download often some 5 days before it is delivered to the first home.

Each section has a “news” page which automatically extracts the Brookdale News entry for that section. You can look back over previous entries for any section.

The is a new “News” section called “Coronavirus”. If you click on the top menu bookmarked News, when that page opens you will see the option to read the Brookdale

News online or to download it. You will also see a number of square buttons below

this option – one for each section or sub-committee and also one for Coronavirus.

The Coronavirus News Page is where latest news and developments will be published

and where the General Committee will post notices as and when required.

There are “Get in Touch” forms at the foot of each sections page. Please feel free to make comments or ask question by completing one of these forms or email

info@thebrookdaleclub.com.

We are missing our favourite club, so use the website to keep you as up-to-date as

possible. Please remember that there is not much news every day or even every week.

Stay home, keep safe, help the NHS and save lives.

George Berry

Webmaster

https://thebrookdaleclub.com

webmaster@thebrookdaleclub.com

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QUIZ

Here is something you can all attempt whilst we are in "lockdown" There are no prizes

just the fun of testing your knowledge. The answers are at the back of the "News".

STOP: Don't look yet - have a go.

MANCHESTER QUIZ.

All the answers are places which are in and around Manchester.

1. Set the years alight - Burnage

2. Does the wine merchant ……………?

3. Come to our Bring and Buy…………?

4. Wear your hats ………….. in cold weather 5. When it snows the farmer has a –

6. Vehicle, circle, weight –

7. A case for the optician –

8. After a day’s hard work we all –

9. Found in a stale sandwich –

10. Less rowdy part of the town –

11. Squashed hag –

12. Sounds like wintry weather –

13. The Godfather of archery –

14. Panache –

15. Almost crimson –

16. Farmer surprised to find quacking on land –

17. When it’s cold, turn the ……………. 18. Activity for an undertaker –

19. Add more –

20. Agatha Christie detective – Miss ……………..

Pam Humphries

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BAR

Spring has sprung but how long it will last is another matter. I would say the bar is

bright and cheerful but as you know we are shut for the time being but we are making

plans.

After Brookdale's own "Annus Horribilus" we will still have our rainbow of gins for

sale and yummy chocolate biscuits are on sale at a hugely discounted price of 50p, to

go with your coffee. We have already created a few addicts. We'll keep in touch. Stay

safe.

JUST FOR FUN

These are for your future diary when the club re-opens.

The first Sunday of the month is quiz night. Get your own team together or join in with

others, who will make you very welcome. Dates and times are always on display on the

noticeboard at the entrance to the bar.

The fourth Thursday of the month is Darts night. You don't need to be an experienced

player. It's just for fun. Play starts at 7.30pm so register your name at the bar. Last

month the final was played by Judith Berry and Linda Morrisey. After a "nail biting

final "Judith was piped at the post by Linda.

The dart board is always available unless the Lesser hall is in use so you don't have to

wait until Darts night to play, just help yourself. Spare darts can be borrowed from the

bar.

As always we in the bar are there to support your section events so let us know if you

have any special requests.

IN THE PIPELINE ... dates to be announced TJQ Jazz in the bar Wimbledon with

strawberries and cream

Lots more to come so watch this space

Carol Streak

*****

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SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Table Top Sales

Thanks to Philip Clark and helpers for running the Sales on Sunday 23

rd February.

That on Sunday 22nd

March was cancelled due to the Virus situation. The next Table

Top Sale will be in September assuming we are back to more normal conditions by

then.

Coffee Morning - Saturday 26th

April - cancelled

Social Committee AGM

In line with other parts of Brookdale our AGM this year is being postponed till a date

in September. Accounts will still need to be prepared and examined by the usual May

deadline and will be circulated to Committee Members and other required recipients.

Let me know if you would like to see them.

If anyone would like to join the friendly team organising events and raising funds for

the whole Club, (think VPs’ Evening, Christmas Fair, New Year’s Eve, to name just a few), please call Sylvia Dennis, 01663 763 567, me or any Social Committee member

or come along and talk to us at the AGM. We are in need of reinforcements!

Vice Presidents’ Evening

We are hoping that conditions will allow this to take place on Saturday 19th

September, so keep a note in your diaries. However this will depend on progress with

nominating the new VPs by Sections and allocating tickets and of course the ongoing

virus situation. More News of this in the next issue.

New Year's Evening

Make sure you have this date in your diary as we have booked Ryan Ireland, the Irish

Rover. Ryan entertained us with great hilarity at the last VPs evening. This is one not

to miss.

I hope that all my readers will remain safe and free of the dreaded Virus and we will

soon be back to something approaching normality. The following may cheer you,

amuse you, or give you something to ponder:

“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana”

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“If you are going through hell, keep going.” — Winston Churchill

“Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to

stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish”.

Ray Rodwell;

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250 Club

The monthly draw for this takes place in the Bar at 11.45am on the first Saturday of

each month. During the current closure of the Club this will take place by telephone.

The draw year extends from September each year, until the final draw in August.

People can join at any time by completing an application form and paying £1.00 for

each month's draw, still to take place, for example, to join for the May to August draws

would cost £4.00. This would give you one number, which would be entered into the

four remaining draws.

As there could be a delay in the production of the next issue of the Brookdale news I

am enclosing a new application for the year September 2020 to August 2021. You may

purchase as many shares as you wish, at the cost of £12.00 for each share, giving you

as many as you wish in the next series of draws.

Remember, if you win the first prize, and you are present in the bar at the time, you

also win a bottle of wine.

The winners of the last draws were:

FEBRUARY 1st

Keith Fenwick MARCH 1st

Robyn Caro

2nd

Margaret Baron 2nd

Graham Barker

3rd

Vivien Whittaker 3rd

Margaret Longden

For further information, contact Jean Tudge, 0161- 487 1324.

Jean Tudge

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English Group

Following the closure of the Linguists’ Section, the English Group will continue as a sub-section of the Social Committee and will continue to meet in the Lesser Hall on the

third Thursday of each month at 8.00pm. Having said this, the activities of the Group

are, of course, suspended for the time being following the closure of the Club as a

result of the Covid-19 outbreak. Watch this space for further developments!

The English Group follows a varied program of activities and is for anyone who is

interested in the spoken or written language. For further information, please contact

David Greenfield on davidgreenfield371@btinternet.com.

David Greenfield

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Sections News (in alphabetical order)

ANDANTE

Well this is the most difficult newsletter article I’ve ever had to write in the many years I’ve been doing it. Firstly I had thought we wouldn’t be having the Brookdale News as we’re closed at Brookdale until Tuesday 30

th June at the earliest so not a lot is

happening. But I then realised perhaps for all of us it is a good thing to keep in touch,

somehow, in these very worrying times and of course in isolation from our normal

social contacts, not least of all with our friends at Brookdale, all of you and me!

I for one miss my choir evenings, singing and having fun with all our members, even

the heated discussions about certain aspects of the music and the despair when we

don’t have the right music or we can’t find it in our filing system at home.

Well now you have all the time in the world to get organised and sort that collection of

arrangements from our leader Alan Streak, so that next time he suggests a number to

sing, you can find it quickly from your nicely organised collection filed away

beautifully in your new designated space. And also find that key board you once put

away or your piano waiting to be played and use it to find the notes so that you can

practise all those new songs we had started to rehearse before the lock down kicked off.

It was then that Mel Owen our Chairman and very accomplished resident pianist had

planned our next rehearsal in Alan’s forthcoming absence. Alan with his wife Carol had planned very early on to go on a cruise, 1

st around Asia calling in at such places as

Vietnam and Singapore but that was cancelled and replaced by a 2nd

cruise finishing

with the Panama canal when he left Mel in charge. That was when we got notice of the

closure of Brookdale and that rehearsal sadly never took place and neither did Alan’s cruise.

I later discovered in my search for information for this newsletter, that Alan and Carol

settled for a weekend in the Lake District and really enjoyed it. Much more relaxing

than dashing around the world jumping on and off a cruise ship every day. But not

quite as adventurous.

And so that concludes all our news, except to give a message from Mel to the choir to

keep your distance and don’t go out unless you need to. Think we’ve heard that before?? And keep practising those new songs while you have all this free time!!

Anne Groome

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ART

Hello everybody,

What a different world we are living in since the last newsletter, all shut up in our little

boxes, the lovely Spring sunshine taunting us through the window. I live on a road

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which is normally busy with traffic and passers-by and it is very strange seeing it now,

like an empty film set.

I've never been very happy at doing as I was told. "It's for your own good" my mother

used to say as she rammed the cough medicine down my throat - a lesson well learned!

Still, let's

look on the bright side.

We were lucky to have enjoyed our Spring lunch at the Wycliffe, when we also

celebrated

Sylvia's birthday which was on the same day. The meal was excellent and the staff as

friendly and efficient as ever.

I'm allowed out for a little walk each day and the few people I meet exchange smiles

and

greetings across the road. Our lovely local shopkeeper is still open and ready to come

to us

if we can't get to him. The postman still comes. I've just given him a wave and got a

thumbs

up back. I see he's gone into his summer shorts - nice to see his chubby little knees

again.

He may well be back in long pants before we're released.

I've made a list of jobs to do but being of a somewhat lazy nature have so far resisted

the

temptation to sort out the spare bedroom (a repository for all things weird and

wonderful) or the boxes of old photographs from forty years ago. Instead I'm

concentrating on making lots of phone calls, watching TV reading and working my

way through my secret store of chocolate raisins and jelly babies. It's hard work, you

can't believe, but on Tuesday morning I shall get out my paints and imagine that I'm

with all my friends down there at the Brookdale, creating a masterpiece (!), having a

chat and drinking coffee.

Stay safe everyone until we meet again.

Lots of love,

Barbara.Steele

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BOWLING

Well where do I start in these challenging times to write about the bowling section and

it’s news!!!

Before the Corona Virus started, all was going very well. Our bowling green was

looking good after two difficult years. The grass was growing well and despite the few

holes that either squirrels, birds or foxes were digging, all was very positive. We had a

work party arranged for the 20th March to clear up all the leaves and have a general

tidy up ready for the season which should have started on 30th March. Of course this

isn’t happening but we have asked for it to kept cut in the hope that we will be out

there bowling some time this year.

On Thursday 20th

February we had our indoor singles competition. There was a

good turnout of bowlers and also spectators for a fun afternoons bowling. After some

very exciting matches the final was between Phil Hemstock and George Morrissey. It

was a very tight game but Phil was a worthy winner. Phil won this competition last

year, so be careful, we may have to handicap you next time!! A big thanks again to

Captain Jack Townley for his great Organization skills.

Saturday 7th

March was our first coffee morning of the year. We had lots of helpers

from people not on the committee so a big thank you to you all. It was good to see Bob

Hopkinson who came and took your money off you at the door. It was a fabulous

turnout of people, coffee and biscuits went down well, had a bit of a chocolate theme,

always a winner. The two quizzes kept everyone busy and were good fun. Our next

coffee morning is in October when I would like to think normal service will be

resumed

We were very sad to hear that May Gluyas passed away in March. May was a good

bowler although hasn’t played very much for the last couple of years. She was a regular bowler In her younger years and also a member of the Art group. Our thoughts are with

May’s family at this sad time.

I would normally be giving you dates for the future at this point, but of course I can’t. I can wish you all the very best for the next few weeks. Keep safe, keep well, keep your

distance and keep your bowls clean, we will be out there on the green again as soon as

possible. Please let it be sooner rather than later, lots of love to you all.

Jean Leach

* * * * *

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BRIDGE

On Saturday 29th

February, over 70 members attended the annual bridge luncheon.

After an excellent tasty lunch supplied by Reflections of High Lane, we enjoyed an

entertaining reminder or our musical memories courtesy of Mr Brian Greene. Brian

replaced our previous speaker who unfortunately had to cancel owing to illness.

However, we were not disappointed as we sang along and enjoyed images of

yesteryear. Thank you to Brian for standing in at short notice. We all now know who

put the bom in the bom de bom bom! Thank you also to our VP, Millie Gillespie, our

Chair, Derek Bailey and the rest of the bridge section committee for putting this

successful event together. Despite the date of the event, we are not aware of any

impending nuptials!

Take very great care everyone. See you on the other side.

Sue Still

* * * * *

DANCING

Well! As Robert Burns said, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men/ Gang aft a-gley”.

However, first the report on our February Coffee Morning, which had a near-record

attendance and was a great success. So also was our Spring Dance on Saturday 22nd

February, which again was well attended given the limit on numbers imposed by the

Upper Hall. Dennis Hill provided a varied and interesting program of music and

dances, including ballroom and line dancing as well as sequence. The supper was, of

course, as good as ever. Many thanks to all those involved in organising these events. I

cannot recall an evening when so many people made favourable comments to me at the

end, so the efforts of the organisers were well appreciated.

Then, sadly, came Covid-19 and the closure of the Club until Tuesday 30th

June, with

the result that all our activities are suspended until further notice. This includes the

Dance scheduled for 11th

April, and those who have already paid for tickets will

receive a refund as soon as practicable. Our Charity Dance scheduled for 13th

June is

also in abeyance for the time being.

Our Annual General Meeting which was to be held on Wednesday 20th

May is also

postponed. The existing Committee and officers will therefore remain in office until a

new AGM can be arranged, and the selection of a Vice President for 2020/21 will also

have to be delayed until the situation is clearer.

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BROOKDALE CLUB MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL RATES FOR 2020-21

Adult memberships are due for renewal on 1st May 2020 Membership Class Subscription Note1 (with Levy) Note2 Ordinary [Full] (£67) £72 +£5* (£77) Introductory £25 Intermediate (18-25 yrs) £15 +£5* (£20) Junior (under 18 years) £10 +£5* Country £10 (£15) Associate £10 * These classes of membership will not be deemed to have renewed unless

they pay concurrently the £5 FLOOD LEVY as agreed at the September 2019 AGM

Note 1 An Ordinary Member renewing his/her Ordinary membership receives a £5 discount if he/she pays by 31

st May 2020.

Note 2 A Member renewing his/ her Ordinary, Intermediate or Country membership pays an additional £5 re-instatement fee if he/she pays after 31

st December 2020 to cover additional

administration effort.

Current Introductory members should assume renewal to Ordinary membership unless their names appear on the membership board list as extending to April 2021.

Please fill in the form below, listing all members included in your payment.

Forename(s) Surname Membership No Category

INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT

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In conjunction with membership renewal for the year commencing 1st May 2020, the Brookdale Club is introducing Direct Debit as its preferred payment method for subscriptions. With this and electronic fund transfer (EFT), it is hoped to discourage the use of cheques and in particular cash. There are a number of ADVANTAGES associated with the use of Direct Debit both for the Membership and the Club.

Membership Convenience – automated with no member action required beyond initial mandate set up – trackable through bank statement – saves time and effort, stationery and stamps

Future proofed – traditional payment methods e.g. cheques are being phased out – potential for future introduction of split (monthly/quarterly) payments

Confidence – payment on time, for the right amount, automatically attracting discounts

where available – protected by the Direct Debit guarantee

Club

– Reduced late payments – Reduced administration time – Increased flexibility – Environmentally friendly

Following the introduction of Direct Debit capability, the basic principles applied to the payment of Membership are as follows:

New Introductory members will pay using EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) or cheque. The dedicated application form will include a Direct Debit mandate which should be filled in readiness for use when upgrading to Ordinary Membership.

Renewing members are encouraged to pay through Direct Debit or EFT. Cheques and cash are to be discouraged

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Please select your payment method by completing one the following options;

I have attached on this date ………………… a completed Direct Debit mandate for use in line with membership renewal of the members listed on the back of this sheet..

I have paid on this date ………………… £…………….. to Brookdale’s account number 11303691 at RBS sort code 16-14-20, including my surname and membership number as a reference, for use in line with membership renewal of the members listed on the back of this sheet..

In either case please return this sheet with your DD mandate or EFT statement to the Honorary Membership Secretary’s mailbox at the Club as soon as possible after 30

th April 2020.

Initial payments via DD will be taken in early/mid-June 2020.

Membership cards will be issued as soon as practicable. In order to facilitate this, please identify below the section pigeonhole to be used, unless you wish to provide a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Section………………………… You may prefer to provide an envelope addressed to you in lieu of an s.a.e. and to be returned via a Section pigeonhole, DO REMEMBER TO COLLECT YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARDS FROM YOUR

SECTION’S PIGEONHOLE. Sample Calculations Ordinary member pre 1

st June 2020

1 x £72 - £5 (discount) + £5 flood levy = £72 Ordinary member on or post 1

st June 2020

1 x £72 + £5 flood levy = £77 Ordinary member on or post 1

st January 2021

1 x £72 + £5 flood levy + £5 re-instatement = £82

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An additional administration charge of £5 will be applied to late payments beyond 31st December 2021. This is unlikely to apply to members using Direct Debit particularly in their second year. ANNUAL OR OTHER CHANGES TO DIRECT DEBIT AMOUNTS WILL BE ADVISED IN LINE WITH DIRECT DEBIT REGULATIONS VIA COMMUNICATIONS ON THE MEMBERSHIP BOARD, THROUGH EMAILS AND IN THE BROOKDALE NEWS AND WEBSITE.

Below is an illustrative example of a Direct Debit mandate.

They can be found in the foyer or in the hard copy of the "Brookdale News"

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In the meantime, we will keep members informed of developments by email, so if you

have not already given your email address to the Secretary, please send it to

davidgreenfield371@btinternet.com or ask someone with email to keep you up to date.

In conclusion, best wishes to all, and to end with another quotation:

“We’ll meet again

Don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day”

David Greenfield

* * * * *

GARDENING

The Gardeners extend their “Thanks” to individual members who ensure the clubs essential workings continue and are monitored; and to Jean James our editor for her

work on ensuring this edition of the Brookdale News has been compiled and to Jean

Tudge who arranges distribution.

As you are now aware the club is closed until Tuesday 30th

June 2020 at the earliest

and the following have been cancelled.

Thursday 16th

April. Visit to RHS Harlow Carr.

Friday 1st May. VP Evening.

Thursday 14th

May. Visit to Leighton Hall

Thursday 21st May. Garden Section AGM

Saturday 13th

June. Coffee Morning and Rose Show

We hope the following events will take place and we will advise once the situation is

clearer:

Saturday 13th

July Coffee Morning and Flower Show in the Main Hall –

10am

Saturday10th

August Coffee Morning in the Main Hall – 10am

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All on the Gardeners E-mail list will be kept advised. For those not on the list and

wish to be added please contact our Secretary Val Evans on val.evans2@ntlworld.com;

We also recommend you check updates issued on the Club Website:

https://thebrookdaleclub.com/ website

To any of our members who are in ill health, or, are recovering, we send our best

wishes.

For all gardeners we advise

“KEEP CALM and CARRY ON”

David Evans From the potting shed

* * * * *

THE LUNCHEON CLUB

Our February meeting was a very enjoyable, we had a nice lunch and a very

entertaining talk by Sylvia Jones about life as a retail florist. She also ran a post

Office, maybe we can persuade her to tell that story.

We should have been visiting the Coroners' office in March and being entertained by a

group of Rumanian dancers in April. We hope we will be able to postpone these visits

until later.

In the midst of all this doom and gloom ;-

Keep calm and carry on.

Some suggestions to relieve the boredom not being able to come to the Brookdale.

1) Dig out that 1,000 piece jigsaw you bought and have never opened.

2) Write that novel you have been prominent yourself to do.

3) How many words of three letters or more from the word CORONAVIRUS

I managed thirty six!!

Best wishes to all our club members, keep safe out there.

Janet Wood

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RAMBLERS

Only one Ramble happened during February and March.

Strolls and Rambles had to be cancelled due to floods or bad weather.

We did not go ahead with our Coffee morning on Saturday 21st March

Ramble on Thursday 12th

March

Leaders: Barrie and Sue Vernon

We met in the Brookdale car park as usual at 9.30am. We drove up to New Mills and

set off on the Millennium Walk, down the steps past the Hydro Electric Hydro

Corkscrew and along the river. After quite a stiff climb we reached the Peak Forest

Canal. We then walked nearly a couple of miles along the canal and had a coffee

break. We then proceeded down a steep rocky incline and turned into Torrs Riverside

Park. We then went along the river with some lovely scenery, made even nicer as it

was a really lovely sunny day. After a time of walking through woodland we entered

into the Goyt Valley and across the Millennium Bridge.

The seven walkers were joined by one more for lunch at the Sycamore Inn, which was

really nice and good value, particularly as us youngsters were allowed the Pensioners

two course meal!! Rita Chadwick

* * * * *

THEATRE

Interesting times

We'd already announced our decision to postpone Anything Goes when the General

Committee closed the Club and then self-isolation was imposed. Many people had

already put in a lot of time and effort on the show which then had to be unpicked, such

as organising teams, contacting those who had already booked tickets etc, and to all

those helpers we extend our grateful thanks. Thank you to all the cast, crews and sub-

committees for your amazing efforts and hard work, and for being so understanding

and supportive. The good news is that Sheryl, the Director, is willing and able to direct

Anything Goes in the April slot next year and we are hoping that many of the same cast

and crew will be able to pick up their roles, so that all the hard work already

undertaken will not be in vain. This is, of course, subject to our obtaining the licence

once more.

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The doors also stayed firmly shut at the Stardust Diner and we were unable to bring

you what promised to be a fun-filled evening. As this would have been our VP

Jonathan’s main social event of his year of office, we are very sorry it had to be

cancelled. However, don't despair all you karaoke kings and queens: we will try to

reschedule!

With all the uncertainty, plans for Dad’s Army auditions and rehearsals have had to be

put on hold, along with the Theatre AGM, the BATAs and of course coffee mornings.

You'll be informed as soon as decisions are made on any of those.

More than ever, social media is playing its part in keeping in touch with members. If

you haven't yet given your email address to your section Membership Secretary

(sue.mcewen@yahoo.com), now might be a good time in order to get news and

updates. Also, the Brookdale's shiny new website is up and running, do check it out:

www.thebrookdaleclub.com. After all, no-one will be posting anything on the notice

board while the club is off limits.

During this difficult time, if anyone is in need of help whilst in isolation, be it fetching

groceries or medication, dog walking or just a chat on the phone, don't forget there's a

network of members willing to help. Details elsewhere in this newsletter. Keep safe,

keep being kind and recognise that we are all working together to get through this.

Other Theatre news

Even as Quartet took to the stage at the beginning of March, we were beginning to see

a marked reluctance to commit to buying tickets, for audience numbers were lower

than expected. This was of course understandable but those who did come along were

treated to a gloriously funny and sometimes altogether too familiar picture of growing

old, as told (and often re-told) by a group of retired opera singers in their “golden

years”. As ever, thank you to everyone involved, on stage, backstage, front of house,

box office etc etc. But especially to our audience, we couldn't do it without you.

Please come along and support us when we do get back on stage.

As ever, theatre membership will be due for renewal in May and renewal forms (for

season 2020/21) will be sent to all those on our theatre emailing list, whether they are

current members or not, and posted to those without email. We look forward to your

continued support. Just complete the form and post it to the theatre Membership

Secretary (me) or pop it through my door, the address will be on the form. (If you post

it to the club, there will inevitably be a long delay in processing it.) You may of course

enclose a cheque or cash in payment for the coming season’s theatre subscription.

However, for the first time, you will be offered an alternative way to pay your theatre

subscription (bank transfer) and those details will be on the form too.

21

Advance notice

We have listened to our patrons and, with effect from next season, curtain up times will

change. All plays will now start at 7.30pm, all musicals 7.30pm (matinees 2.00pm),

and BYT productions 7.00pm (matinees 2.00pm).

News from BYT

Following The Wizard of Oz’s success at the NODA district awards, Jack Mabon

(Wizard) and Lissie Carlile (choreographer) have been nominated for regional awards.

Good luck to them!

Stay safe everyone. Hope to see you again before too long.

Sue McEwen

* * *

Theatre Visits

Today, Boris Johnson has put the country virtually in lockdown but for very

exceptional circumstances. By the time you read this, which may be in 3 weeks time,

things in the country may feel very different, hopefully for the better.

An almost full coach visited the Oldham Coliseum on 10th March, to see Alan

Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular. This was one of the last group outings people

were able to make before the virus took hold, so I'm pleased we managed this visit and

I'm sure the Oldham Coliseum is pleased too.

Obviously all future visits to theatres are on hold but as soon as possible, we shall be

resuming our programme. I had started to look for 'feel good' shows such as Quality

Street which was booked for May and our next one was to be 'Everybody's Talking

About Jamie' which was also billed as a 'feel good show'. These will be what we need

once our programme is reinstated and I'm sure there will be lots to choose from.

We are missing the companionship of visiting theatres together and comparing notes

and opinions of what we had seen. On the positive side, this Coronavirus won't last for

ever. Today, the sun is shining and we have been sitting in the garden on our garden

chairs which haven't seen the light of day since 2019. We have been busy weeding and

tidying the garden ready for the summer and getting up to date with all the books we

planned to read. I think it is bringing out the best in people as family and friends are

keeping in touch and I find now that they have more time to chat and 'Facetime' or

similar.

22

I hope you all keep safe and well and are looking forward to resuming our programme

of visits to theatres as soon as possible.

Vivien Whittaker

* * * * *

TRAVEL

Norman Harris visited us on Friday 21st February 2020 with a talk intriguingly called

'America Coast to Coast to Coast on a Harley Davidson'. He had taken his Harley to the

States in 2003 for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the company in Milwaukee and

then taken Route 66 to LA in California. His tour included visits to Las Vegas, crossing

Death Valley and returning to Phildaelphia via King's Canyon. The straight deserted

roads for 100s of miles were impressed on us but perhaps the most striking tales were

concerned with the parade of 10,000 Harleys through Milwaukee and the 250,000 bikes

which attended the event. A most entertaining evening and we will be sure to invite

him back.

Members were fortunate to be able to visit the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in

Widnes on Wednesday 26th

February before the coronavirus began to affect all our

lives. Around 24 members arrived at the museum to a warm welcome, tea /coffee and a

cake was provided before going for our talk. This was about soap making and how its

production grew thanks to the location of the canal and river. We learnt what went into

the making of soap and how it had adverse effects on the workers. We were then free to

wander round the museum from the viewing room, to the archive room, very

interesting, and the science room. This room is still being updated, but most of us had a

lot of fun in there, so much to learn. A very nice lunch was provided at a reasonable

cost, so all in all, a very enjoyable day was had by all, especially the trip over the new

bridge on the way home.

Lunch at the Deanwater on Friday 20th

March was cancelled as a precautionary

measure. Subsequently as a result of the Club closure, we have had to cancel the talk

by Terry Fones on Friday 17th

April, the planned visit to Lotherton Hall on Monday

27th

April and the talk by George Steele on Friday 12th

June. The Group AGM

planned for Friday 15th

May is also postponed.

Anna and I have been fulfilling our interest in travel by watching a number of DVDs

by Levison Wood who has walked the length of the Nile and traversed the Himalayas -

well worth the time watching. Hoping that everyone stays safe in the coming months.

David Drackley

23

WINE AND FOOD

We all accept that this is a terrible time for lots of reasons. All our Spring Plans for

Wine & Food Section have fallen by the wayside but the Covid-19 does not care about

the Brookdale plans!

Past Event: ‘What the Butler Saw’ Friday 13th

March wasn’t so unlucky for our Section. This talk by Walter Reid on this date just made it before everything else had to

be cancelled! It was very entertaining and informative. Presented in a sometimes

humorous vein it was also informative giving an inside peep into this specialised type

of employment in the ‘grand’ houses’ of the country. A butler had to be extraordinarily versatile and discreet from folding imaginative napkin shapes to knowing when and

how his presence was required without being overtly conspicuous. He does other talks

too, but that’s for the future.

The Future

Unfortunately, the Wakefield Rhubarb Festival Trip and Val’s VP evening had to be

postponed/cancelled. We hoping to rearrange the VP evening later in the year and the

Festival will have to wait till 2021.

Also our AGM will not be taking place in May! Watch the website for news regarding

AGMs

Stay Home, Support the NHS and Keep Safe.

Ingrid Halls

* * * * *

24

NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome the following new members to Brookdale:-

FEBRUARY

Introductory

Mrs Linda Glover Dr Shailish Patel Mrs Dorothy Stevens

Mr Graham Coulthard Miss Colette Desborough Mr Andrew Daniels

Mrs Susan Skinner

Intermediate

Miss Catherine Rawling

Junior

Megan Howard Felicity Seymouth-Smith Tallulah Bailey

Introductory Resignations Deemed Resigned

Mrs Sheila Bray Mrs Claire Canning Mrs Marion Collins

Ms Carol Creighton Mr Paul Davidson Mrs Elizabeth Dunkley

Mrs Carole Fawcis Mr Dinesh Ganatra Mrs Carol Halford

Mr Paul Higgs Mr David Holmes Mrs Linda Jackson

Mr Pratap Kanani Mr Vijay Kotecha Mrs Joy Leary

Mrs Diane Miller John Miller Mrs Stella Mills

Dr Joanne Morris Mrs Linda Paybody Mrs Patricia Robinson

Mrs Neerja Sethi Mrs Jacqueline Venning Mr Graham Wright

Ordinary Members Deemed Resigned

Mr John Armstrong Mrs Angela Arnold Mrs Linda Bellamy

Mrs Pauline Brackett Mrs Judith Chaudri Miss Janet Clements

Mr Reginald Corps Mrs Kathryn Dodd Mrs Mary Griffiths

Mrs Jean Harrington Mr Peter Harrington Mr David Hastie

Mr Bernard Hopkins Mr Ernest Howbrook Mrs Browen Jones

Mrs Margaret Lord Mrs Jean Mackenzie Mrs Julie Merry

Mr David Murray Mr Vincent O'Brien Mrs Andrea O'Rafferty

Mrs Claire Palmer-Bright Mr Terry Palmer-Bright Mr Melvyn Pelham

Mr Laurence Rayner Mr William Rayner Mr John Rushe

Mrs Vivienne Tyler Miss Nichole Welch Mr Harry Williams

Mrs Elizabeth Wootton Mrs Margaret Wrigley

Deceased

Mrs Barbara Hopkinson Mrs Sheila Nicholls Mrs May Glyyas

25

MARCH

We would like to welcome the following new members to Brookdale:-

Introductory

Mrs Emma Galsworthy Mrs Eunice Coe Mrs Gill Fernley

Mr Simon Wheatley Mr Michael Reed Mr Gary Stapleton

Mr Andrew Galloway Mr Peter Cary-Yard Mr Douglas Macdonald

Mr Mark Delahunly Mrs Judith Longhill

Junior

Zeus Marsh

Deceased

Mrs Janet Clements Mrs Pat Buxton

* * * * *

MESSAGES TO MEMBERS

The Social Committee send Congratulations to Past President Alan Watson on his 90th

Birthday on 3rd

April. Hasn’t he done well!

The Bowling Section also send our love to all sections of The Brookdale at this

difficult time. Please take care and keep well x

Gardeners send our congratulations to both Alan Watson and Lois Slattery who

celebrated their 90th

Birthday.

Two VERY significant birthdays have occurred recently: Theatre send many

congratulations to both Jean Cox and Life Member and Past President, Alan Watson.

Theatre send best wishes to Martin Lawson following a mild heart attack in March, he's

home now and doing well. If anyone else is under the weather, get well soon.

The Travel Section send our best wishes to Jean Hopkins, and John and Shirley Best,

and hope they soon return to better health.

Many Happy Returns and best wishes from the Wine and Food Section, to Alan

Watson who is shortly to celebrate his 90th

birthday.

CONDOLENCES

26

The Art Section send their sincere condolences to the family of May Gluyas who

passed away recently She was a long-standing and talented member of our group and

we shall all miss her.

The Bowling Section send love and sympathy to May Gluyas’ family.

Travel Section send their condolences to Margaret Edwards on the death of her

husband.

* * *

SECTION SECRETARIES

If you have any queries concerning a Section or Event you may find the following list

helpful:-

Section Secretary Telephone No.

Andante Elaine Stafford 486 0896

Art Pauline Borodenko 439 1076

Bar* Rita Chadwick 439 1897

Bowling Hilary Black 440 9074

Bridge Rosemary Moorhouse 427 6001

Bramhall Green Bridge Tom Burniston 439 1463

Dancing David Greenfield 439 9371

Gardening Val Evans 01625 525580

Kitchens* See notice board

Ramblers Jacquie Mountain 483 1826

Social* Jean James 439 8241

Theatre Wendy Ramsey 283 6789

Theatre Visits* Vivien Whittaker 439 2648

Travel Anne Morley 440 8273

The Luncheon Club Elaine Stafford 486 0896

Wine and Food Marin Bradshaw 427 7538

*Sub- Committee

Contact details for Club Officials and the Editor are inside the front cover.

27

If you would like any information about joining any of the above groups or

helping the committees then please do not hesitate to ring the Secretary shown

above for more information.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Remember - These events are subject to cancellation or postponement.

JULY

Fri 17th Travel " Medieval Tuscany" UPPER HALL 20:00

SEPTEMBER

Fri 4th

Songs from the Shows - Supertonics

concert - proceeds for the flood fund

BAR

MAIN HALL

19:00

20:00

Sun 13th Table Top sale CLUB 9:00

Thurs 17th

CLUB AGM MAIN HALL 19:45

Sat 19th

VPs Evening MAIN HALL 19:15

Brookdale News Deadlines

Edition dated Copy to Editor

by 17:00 hrs on

Delivery from

about:

Events for the

approx period Feb to March 31

st January 15

th February March to May

April to May 31st March 15

th April May to July

June to July 31st May 15

th June July to September

August to Sept 31st July 15

th August September to Nov

October to Nov 30th

September 15th

October November to Jan

December to Jan 30th

November 15th

December January to March

ANSWERS TO MANCHESTER QUIZ

28

1. Burnage

2. Stockport

3. Sale

4. Ancoats

5. Whitefield

6. Carrington

7. Longsight

8. Rusholme

9. Oldham

10. Tameside

11. Prestwich

12. Hale

13. Bowdon

14. Style

15. Reddish

16. Duckinfield

17. Heaton

18. Bury

19. Bolton

20. Marple

How did you do? Did you peep?

* * * * *

EDITORIAL COMMENT

My thanks to all the Section scribes for their contributions to this edition of the

Brookdale news. I have read all your articles with great interest and a smile and have

found one common theme, humour and support for each other. Nothing will stop the

Brookdale spirit , whether it is a flood, or a virus we will survive to enjoy the

companionship of this great Club. See you all in the Autumn and we can exchange

news and say "Well at least I finished that task".

Jean James

* * * * *