THE ASSOCIATION OF LANCASTRIANS IN LONDON

 NEWSLETTER

 www.lancastriansinlondon.org.uk

 The last time I sat down to write the Newsletter it was summer and 30º and I was admiring my newly flowered Lancaster Rose (more later). Today, I write from Southport where I am sorry to say it is windy, raining and very much cooler. Never mind, it’s good to visit “home” again and enjoy some genuine Lancashire hospitality and a forbidden “Holland’s Meat Pie”! Editor

 RETIRING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

When John Bathe rang me in late 2009 to ask me whether I would be willing to be proposed as President for 2011 I was surprised and delighted. Surprised, because I had done nothing to deserve the honour; delighted, because my rather infrequent attendance at Lancastrians’ functions since joining the Association about 20 years ago led me to expect that I would enjoy participating more actively. And so it proved. I attended two dinners, AGM and City; two services at the Savoy Chapel, Annual and Carol; and three visits: the Olympic Park (a few weeks before becoming President), the Old Bailey – which I do know quite well – and the gardens at Highgrove. Ruth and I have greatly enjoyed the year and have always felt that we were among friends. We hope to remain active members during the forthcoming 120^th anniversary year and beyond.  David Bean

120^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2012

The AGM was held at the Union Jack Club on Wednesday 11^th January and was attended by 41 members. The President, Sir David Bean, welcomed members and reminded us that on the 23^rd February it will be the 120^th anniversary of the inauguration of the Association. Dame Jill Black DBE PC was elected President and Mrs Pamela Filer MBE became President Elect. Elizabeth Jones stepped down as Chairman of the Committee after a very successful year. Ann Beresford was elected Chairman for 2012. John Dixon presented the Annual Report and the principal officers made their reports. It is good to hear that the Association is in good shape both financially and in terms of members but the meeting was reminded we always need new recruits. Members were encouraged to invite fellow Lancastrians living inLondon to join the Association. We were sorry to learn that, due to ill health, John Bathe had felt it appropriate to tender his resignation as Hon. Membership Secretary, a post he has held since 2004 and also as a Trustee of the Trust Fund. Lord Taylor and Tom Frost both spoke warmly of John for his diligent and earnest services and wished him well towards better health. The full 2012 committee is shown on page 4.

The formal meeting was followed by an excellent ”Lancashire” supper starting with Morecambe Bay potted shrimps followed by “true” Lancashire Hot Pot complimented with traditional pickled red cabbage. The meal was completed with crème brulèe coffee and chocolates. Following supper the incoming President, Dame Jill Black, delighted the members with a very humorous speech comparing the highlights ofLancashirewithLondon. She warned us that when “Googling” – “Highlights in Lancashire” she had discovered many pages of “Ladies Hairdressers”! The comparisons are all clearly in Lancashire’s favour. How could St John’s Wood & Wood Green compete with the Forest of Bowland? On the food front the President observed that there are no London cheeses whilst Lancashire has many. Could we really have a competition between “Crumbly Lancashire” and say “Crumbly Elephant and Castle”? Likewise, Eccles Cakes vs. Hackney Cakes – it’s a nonstarter! The evening concluded with our traditional Loyal Toast, “The Queen, Duke of Lancaster” and everyone departing in a good spirits.

 SOME RECENT EVENTS

ONE’S VISIT TO HIGHGROVE GARDEN

 September 23^rd 2011 opened fresh and bright as some 16 Lancastrians set forth by coach to go to Prince Charles’ garden at Highgrove. After a stop for lunch at Chieveley Services we made a short visit to the Gloucestershire town of Tetbury in order to arrive at our designated time slot for a visit to the garden. On arrival we were welcomed and after a brief security check we were ushered into a well-appointed tent to watch a DVD, in which the Prince welcomed us and explained his philosophy behind the creation of the garden. Our guide reappeared to take us on a 90 minute walk through the three-dimensional gardening dream of one man, who with the help of many advisers, an enthusiastic team of gardeners, gifts from many friends and lots of financial support, has, over 30 years created some of the most inspired and innovative gardens in the realm. Throughout our journey our guide emphasised the Prince’s strict adherence to organic and sustainable methods. All green-waste is recycled and natural predators are encouraged for pest control. There are many ornamental features built of stone and wood in a variety of inter-connected gardens with names such as ‘the carpet’, ‘the sundial’, ‘the woodland’, ‘the cottage’ and ‘the walled’. In this latter fruit and vegetables are grown for use in the house and opposite its entrance is a wall bearing some of the many busts of people the Prince has known or admires. A wild flower meadow now boasts over 30 different varieties of native plants. Scattered tastefully amongst the greenery are a number of temples, including one known as the Temple of the Worthies, which honours the Queen Mother and bears a bronze relief of her in her favourite gardening hat and pearls. Our visit ended at the Orchard Room, where we took tea and scones before making a brief visit to the nearby shop. David Brown

 CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR AT THURSFORD – 26^th – 27^th NOVEMBER

This was our third visit to the “Spectacular” at Thursford and it certainly did not disappoint. As usual we stayed at the Premier Inn at Norwich where we enjoyed an excellent lunch before making our way to the show. For a change the weather was very kind to us and we had ample time to visit “Winter Wonderland” and the very impressive Thursford Collection of Steam Engines before the show. As usual the show was excellent with the spectacular 200 foot stage dominated by the mighty Wurlitzer Organ. We were regally entertained by musicians, dancers and singers in a tremendously happy atmosphere. It was like an early Christmas. On Sunday we travelled to Sandringham and spent an enjoyable morning browsing the stalls at the farmers market and enjoying many “treats”.

 CAROL SERVICE AND DINNER - 19^th December 2011

 Over 70 members braved the damp and dismal weather to make our annual Christmas Carol Service a great success. Due to the change of dates Professor Galloway could not attend but we were all delighted to welcome the Reverend Arthur Lewis who conducted a lovely service. As usual the Choir were exceptional, many members commenting that this was one of the best performances we have had in years. It was a delight to hear 20 choristers of all ages in such joyous voice. After the service we made the short walk to the National Liberal Club in Whitehall. A bit of fun was had by all when reading the welcome board describing us as “The Association of Old Lancastrians”!! Enough said. Through the good offices of Dr David Brown, we had pre-dinner drinks in the Savage Club bar. Very appropriately in such bad weather we were served a delicious hot wine punch which really “thawed” us out.  For those who don’t know it, the Savage Club was founded in 1857 and remains one of the leading Bohemian Gentlemen’s Clubs in London. The object of the club is “the pursuit of happiness”. We must agree from our short visit that this is obviously achieved. After being “called” to dinner – well, “drummed” really with Dr Brown performing on a Red Indian tom tom – we passed up the magnificent spiral marble staircase to the Dining Room. We enjoyed a splendid Christmas Turkey Dinner with excellent wines as accompaniment. This was followed by coffee and mince pies and we must report that although the mince pies were square and a bit smaller than traditional ones the flavour was excellent. A “scouting” expedition testified to this when we could not find a single “left-over”

The President in his usual manner made a very witty speech reminding us not to believe all we read in the papers and that swearing at policemen is not wise noted by the sentence in Wind in the Willows where the magistrate passed Mr Toad, one year for stealing a car, three years for dangerous driving and 15 years for “cheeking” a policeman!

The President informed us that our well respected Verger, Phillip Chancellor, will retire this year. The Association wished him health and happiness for the future.

The evening concluded with our Loyal Toast “The Queen, Duke of Lancaster”

LANCASHIRE DAY

 Although the Association did not formally celebrate Lancashire Day with an event it was well supported in Lancashire. Events were held in all the principal towns and the newly refurbishedMuseumofLancashireinPrestonwas officially re-opened. On this date 1295 the first elected representatives fromLancashire were summoned to Westminsterby King Edward 1 to join what became known as “The Model Parliament”

Your Editor is reliably informed that the representatives were:Mattheus de Redman & Johannes de Ewyas (Lancaster County) Lambertus le Despenser & Willielmus le Chaunter (Lancaster Borough) Adam fil’Ricardi & Robertus Pynklowe (Liverpool Borough) Willielmus fil’ Pauli & Adam Russsel (Preston Borough) Willielmus le Teinterer & Henricus le Bocher (Wigan Borough).

Have we any decendents in the Association?

 PRESTON GUILD

Preston Guild is an historic celebration dating back to 1179 only 11 years after Lancashirewas first termed “the Countyof Lancashire” under King Henry 11. It is the only Guild still celebrated in the UK and as such is unique. The 2012 celebration will be the first Guild in the 21^st century and the first since the granting of Preston’s city status in 2002. The expression “Once in a Preston Guild” is well known and indicates that the Guild is only held once every twenty years. Residents, visitors, artists, athletes and performers all get involved in the activities and processions. The Guild has played an important role in the development of Preston as a thriving and important Lancashire town for over 800 years. Several members of the Association have expressed a wish to make a visit to celebrate the Preston Guild 2012. If you are interested in joining such a visit, probably 8^th September, could you inform either Jane Gill or the Editor? The Committee can then investigate costs and feasibility.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS – MRS EVA HICKS

 It is with great pleasure that we report one of our long standing members, Eva Hicks, celebrated her 100^th birthday on Friday 7^th October 2011. The Association sends it warmest congratulations on this important milestone.

 FUTURE EVENTS – 2012

 Following a very successful year in 2011, planning is in full swing to provide an equally enjoyable programme for this year. Some of the dates as indicated are not yet confirmed but we think advanced notice will help you plan your diaries.

February 28^th: Visit to the Old Bailey. starts at 5. 15 pm.  This is a second visit as last year we were oversubscribed and some members were disappointed. We expect that this event will be very popular so watch out for the notice and apply early.

March – Annual City Dinner (date, venue and speaker to be confirmed)

13^th May – Annual Service at the Savoy Chapel followed by tea at Somerset House

16^th June – Dinner (black tie) at Trinity College Cambridge

5^th July – Visit to Lambeth Palace and Garden Museum, starts at 10.45 am

13^th October– Historic tour of St Pancras Hotel London- afternoon visit starting 2pm

2^nd November – “Lancastrian Music Hall” at CAA Covent Garden starts 7.30pm.  3-course meal plus live entertainment!

11^th December – Carol Service and Dinner

 The Red Rose of Lancashire – “Rosa Gallica Officinalis”

 As some readers will remember, your editor, having never seen a Lancaster Rose endeavoured to grow one last summer in a pot. I am delighted to report that, as a non-gardener, it was a success. Although the bush is rather small it produced dozens of flowers right through until October. The plant produces a small, fragrant, semi double crimson flower and yellow althers. Sadly, they are unsuitable for “buttonholes” as they are too soft. Never mind, I have now transplanted it to the main garden (probably its death sentence) but I will report progress.

There is an interesting historical debate about how the “rose” should be displayed when used as an insignia. It is claimed by some that it should stand on one of its five petals with two petals at the top so being opposite to the white Yorkshirerose. I am told that the Collegeof Arms declines to confirm this as there is no evidence. The rose was first adopted as a heraldic device by Edmund, first Earl of Lancaster, and became the emblem of Lancashireand England as a whole following the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. In more recent times in France and Flanders during the Great War and in the campaigns in Belgiumand France in the Second World War, the 55^th West Lancashire Territorial Division wore the Lancaster rose on their shoulder flashes as their Divisional Sign and had the motto “They win or die, who wear the Rose of Lancaster”

Officers of the Association for 2012

 President: Dame Jill Black   DBE PC

Chairman: Ann Beresford

Hon. Secreetary: John Dixon

Hon. Assistant Secretary:   Jane Gill

Hon. Minutes Secretary: Elizabeth Jones

Hon. Treasurer: Dr. David Brown

Hon. Membership Secretary: Andrew Lees

Harry Beresford VP, Dr.John Caygill, Peter Charlton, Shirley Dex, Shirley Herbert, Bob Nutall VP, Janet Robinson, David Fell

SPECIAL ATTENTION PLEASE : Committee is investigating the possibility of using email to reduce not only our postal costs but also to reduce the Association’s carbon footprint. If you are happy to receive communications by email could you send your email address to fell-r@sky.com Members without internet access will continue to receive communications by post.

 DON’T FORGET WE HAVE A WEBSITE – www.lancastriansinlondon.org.uk  -

HAVE A LOOK

 STOP PRESS – FEBRUARY 21st 2012

OUR BELOVED SECRETARY, JOHN DIXON, DIED THIS MORNING.

DETAILS OF HIS FUNERAL WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS WE HAVE DETAILS.  PLEASE PRAY FOR JOHN, JOAN AND ALL HIS FAMILY AND THE MANY LANCASTRIANS WHO WILL BE IN MOURNING AT THIS SAD NEWS.