We are still looking for someone to come forward to fill the secretary’s role as Ann wishes to stand down.

I am going to have to step down as Newsletter Editor as I have had several health issues in the last few years, so I am very much hoping one of you will step forward to take over. I have loved carrying out the role and meeting so many Group Leaders and members, and the past few years have been an absolute pleasure. Liz

The Committee has agreed that Membership fees due in September 20 will be waived for one year and that Members should be advised to either cancel their Standing Order for the free year or alternatively, if they prefer, they could leave the Standing Order as it stands and their contribution
would go towards Phoenix funds.

In case some of your are unaware, David Barker has asked me to give you the sad news
regarding our late Chairman Janet Palmer, who passed away on the 6th April 20 at St
Joseph’s Care Home in Stafford. She became Chairman of the Club in October 2015 and
continued in this role until sickness overtook her last year. Most of you, like me, will have
very fond memories of Janet and were grateful for all the hard work she put into our Club
including the establishment of the History Group which she lead for over 30 years. Her
kindness and good sense will be missed by us all.

In the light of these events the committee agreed to:-

David Barker – Acting Chairman
Tim Gray – Acting Vice Chairman

Ann Walthorne

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our Chairman, Janet Palmer, who died on 6 April 2020 at St Joseph’s Care Home in Stafford. She was 81 years old and died of ovarian cancer which had been diagnosed the previous July. Janet had been a primary school teacher for much of her life and, although taking early retirement, continued for a time as a peripatetic teacher in Stafford. She became Chairman of the Club in October 2015 and continued in this role until sickness overtook her last year. She participated in a range of Phoenix activities but her major role was the establishment of the History Group and its continued management for 30 years. The first lecture she arranged was on 19^th September 1990 on the work of the Salt Library in Stafford. Thereafter, she organised 11 lectures each year from visiting speakers with enormous success. During each August, she arranged an outing to a historical estate to replace the usual monthly lecture. Over the course of 30 years she was responsible for the smooth running of the History Group and the provision of over 300 speakers together with nearly 30 annual History Group outings. In addition, she was an active member of the club’s Outings Committee, arranging visits to various places, such as the Worcester Christmas Market. Apart from her Phoenix responsibilities, she was a trustee of the Walton Village Hall and a key member of the Stafford Folk Dance Club. Once a week, Janet would spend a morning at the Katharine House Hospice in Stafford as a volunteer librarian, helping to bring comfort to patients. She loved to walk in the countryside with her husband, David. They participated for many years in walks and rambling holidays with the mid-Staffs Ramblers Association, in which she occupied a prominent role as Chairman. In her final period of life, Janet underwent a hip replacement operation which she endured along with her underlying medical condition with the courage and determination that chararacterised her life. Above all, Janet was a caring member of the Stafford community whose contribution to society will be a lasting legacy to those who knew her. Her kindness and common sense will be greatly missed by all.

Jeremy Wheeler

Treasurer SWPAC

Our members enjoyed an hour of fun, friendship & fitness at the Bollywood taster session.

Classes will continue on Monday March 2nd for a trial period of four weeks.

Congratulations to Patti Brown on the success of her first event since she joined the Outings team.

Many of our members enjoyed a visit to The Wold of Wedgwood on January 15th. The outing included a tour of the factory, museum and Factory Outlet, followed by an indulgent traditional afternoon tea. The Afternoon Tea included a selection of sandwiches, cakes, and scones with clotted cream and traditional preserves and unlimited Wedgwood Tea, all served on the finest Wedgwood china. As you will see on the photographs, the portions were more than generous, so everyone took a box of delicious cakes home.

We wish all our Phoenix members a happy and healthy New Year.

2019….a short review

We have have enjoyed another very busy year, attending our regular activity groups, visiting many new venues, including trips on the Manchester Ship Canal and a Christmas lunch on the Floating Grace at Liverpool Docks and a short break at Nidd Hall.

Our ZUMBA GOLD members gave our new instructor, Nikki, a warm welcome and we are enjoying learning many new routines and having so much fun, keeping fit.

Thanks to our new Group Leader, Jenny Bloor, the SINGLES LUNCHEON Group will continue. Thank you to our previous Group Leader, Shirley Philpots for all the luncheons she has organised for our single members in the past.

In October, we welcomed our new Committee Member, Tim Gray, who is also the Group Leader for the SHORT WALKS activity group.

In November, we experimented with a new venture. The film screening of the Andre Rieu Summer Concert by a local company, Reels on Wheels was a most enjoyable event.

The most recent event was the Christmas Concert by the Eric Newton Jazz band.

Our fundraising continued……..

In April, our Line Dancing Group arranged a very successful Afternoon Tea event and raised £575.40 for Midlands Air Ambulance.

In November our Bowlers raised £444.00 for Staffs Wildlife Trust at a Coffee Morning.

The highlight of the year was our 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Lunch at Brocton Hall Golf Club, with a cabaret by our lovely local entertainer, Lola Lamour.

In December, many of our members enjoyed a talk by Lola (as Joanne Massey) about her love of vintage fashion.

In December, our Phoenix Group won the Social Wellbeing category of the COMMUNITY AWARDS 2019. For full details, please click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch…

Members have many new outings to look forward to in 2020, including an indulgent afternoon tea at Wedgwood and a tour of the National Brewing Centre and Marston’s Brewery. Another short break has been arranged at Warners Littlecote House Hotel, Berkshire.

In December, our Phoenix Group won the Social Wellbeing category of the Community Awards 2019. For full details, please click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jZGCHWEukY&feature=emb_title

Here’s to another year of FRIENDSHIP, FUN & FITNESS

Organisation: Stafford Walton Phoenix Activities Club 

Nominated by:  David Barker 

Stafford Walton Phoenix Activities club has been running for 30 years and is an organisation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of retired residents over the age of 50 by organising activities, outings and other events.  They promote our vision for the club as “Friendship, Fun and Fitness for the over 50’s”. The Club is run by a main committee, supported by activity group leaders and outings organisers, all of whom are volunteers.  The 670+ members are able to take part in any of 22 weekly or monthly activities. The organise up to 20 one-day events and a 5-day holiday each year.  The spectrum of interests may be divided into four groups; Fitness and Mobility, Mental Agility, Social Wellbeing and Cultural Interest.

Many of our members were on the outing to Liverpool today, but we had so much fun keeping fit with our new instructor Nikki, dancing to some Christmas songs.

History Group, December 4th 2019

Our members enjoyed a talk and presentation about vintage fashion by Joanne Massey.

Joanne says her obsession with the 1950s began as a teenager, when she loved to watch old movies. Joanne and her husband, Kevin enjoy living in the past in a recreation of a 1950’s home near Rugeley. Joanne shared her memories of her friendship with Lady Bagot of Blithfield Hall, who gave her some of her handbags from Harrods. The vintage collection included evening wear, knitwear, day dresses, a stunning dressing gown, with shawl collar, coats, jackets, gaberdine suits and six pairs of superb leather shoes which were stored in a vintage suitcase with separate compartments. Many of the garments were purchased in the USA. Others were sourced from the internet and charity shops. Joanne shared her stories and her passion for vintage fashion with enthusiasm. We were remided of the superior quality of vintage garments, unlike the unethical, short lived, poorly made clothing and accessories on sale today.

At the Annual General Meeting on October 21st. members voted for the following four Charities:

• The Monthly Alzheimer’s Support Evening ( MASE) http://themasegroup.org/

• Midlands Air Ambulance https://www.midlandsairambulance.com/
• Katharine House https://www.khhospice.org.uk/
• The Donna Louise https://www.thedonnalouise.org/