September Visit By An External Veterans Help Organisation - SSAFA Mentor

New month, new guests and September saw a SSAFA Mentor, Rob Lee, give a short presentation on the SSAFA organisation and the role that he plays within it.  A really insightful session that was followed by an informal question and answer session.  We also welcomed the return of Steve and Jane from Op Courage on the first of their "Drop-In" visits.  Great to catch up with them and understand some of the latest thinking surrounding Veterans Mental Health issues.

Coffee Mornings

Following a large number of enquiries at The Village Show in July, and from that an understanding that there are people that would like to attend but work on Fridays we have decided to trial a Saturday morning club opening.  In terms of numbers attending the each coffee morning, there's still plenty of space for more people. 

Beginning on 10 Oct, and thereafter on the second Saturday of each month, we will be open for a Breakfast Coffee Morning that will run from 09.30 to 11.30.  This will be in addition to the current Friday Coffee Mornings.

Meetings will now take place:             Every Friday                           09.30 to 11.30

                                                            2nd Saturday of Month           09.30 to 11.30

Introducing The Breakfast Coffee Morning!

To coincide with the start of our Saturday Coffee Morning we will be introducing "The Breakfast Coffee Morning".  The same tea, coffee, cake and banter but with "Breakfast Rolls" also available.  Tea, coffee and cake will still be covered by the current "Donation" system but there will be a small charge in place for each of the breakfast items.

We are still working on the menu and costs but it is hoped that we will include sausage, bacon and egg (and any combination thereof) served in baps/bread rolls.

The Breakfast Coffee Morning will initially take place on the 2nd Friday and each Saturday meeting, and continue for as long as the support for them exists.

Charity Commission Registration

Despite everyones best efforts we missed our target of 31 Aug for completing our Charities Commission Registration Submission.  The really good news is that we achieved not long after our target and on 4 Sept we pressed the "submit" button.  We now have to wait for registration approval before being assigned a Charity Commission Registration number.  Approval will open the door for us to start holding charitable events which will help raise some much needed funds for the club.

Upcoming Events

As well as the usual Op Courage "Drop-In" sessions, planned 09 Oct and 13 Nov we are hoping to engage a speaker to visit and discuss First Aid.  We are currently working with the prospective speaker to identify some aspects of First Aid that may be getting more applicable to the group as we and those around us age gracefully.

We also have a visit by the local MP, Alex Brewer, planned for 20 Nov.  Alex is keen to come and see how we are helping local veterans and what impact the club is having, but this visit is subject to there being no priority Government Business arising on that day.

For the latest information on planned events please visit the club calendar page at: