September 2026 "Citizens Advice Service" presented by Chris Roberts

Our speaker was Chris Roberts, Chief Officer of Bromsgrove + Redditch CAS. We are not supposed to call it a CAB any longer. Chris explained its beginnings during World War 2, as a means for the government to disseminate information, and its rapid growth in the 1950s following the Rent Act. The service is an independent charity which prides itself on examining all aspects of any problem and giving advice, sometimes on aspects which the client had not perceived, rather than presenting neutral information. The Bromsgrove + Redditch branch dealt with 10,000 households over the last year, and Chris gave some examples of how CAS involvement has stopped situations becoming much worse. This is not only a benefit for the individual clients, it is also a cost saving for local authorities who do not have to pick up the pieces later.

As well as working with individuals, the service is also able to recognise developing systemic problems, through statistical analysis of their cases and investigation of new trends. This enables them to campaign in a non-political manner, based on solid evidence. Chris said that the volunteers are a very wide range of people, and more are always welcome. He was a very engaging and interesting speaker.

Reported by Sue Gee

We were excited even before the talk began as Eddie had brought various artefacts to illustrate his talk: replica Roman fighting items such as a gladius (sword), helmet, dagger and protective belt. I saw our Chair unable to resist handling them before the talk and our Secretary sporting the helmet afterwards! Eddie began by telling us about his own background as a tour guide at Bosworth before telling us how little is known about Boudica. The only description we have is from Cassius Dio who tells us that she was tall and terrifying, with red hair and that she habitually wore a golden torque around her neck. We learned how, on the death of her husband, the king of the Iceni, the Roman Governor, Paulinus, attempted to wrest by force from her the half of his kingdom not left to Rome. Outraged by the physical assault on her and the rape of her daughters, Boudica gathered support from other tribes and set out to attack the Romans, inflicting terrible and ruthless damage and loss of life in Colchester and London.

Although both Tacitus and Cassio Dio give (differing) accounts, no one knows for certain what happened to Boudica after that. Eddie presented a theory involving one last, decisive battle at Mancetter, in Warwickshire, where the superior weapons and tactics of the Roman army proved to be Boudica’s undoing. He demonstrated the weapons and armour of the Roman army and explained how intensive their training was. Drawing on the book written by Margaret Hughes: “Boudica at Mancetter: the Latin, the Land and the Logistics” he demonstrated how Boudica’s army, drawn from various tribes, was no match for the tactics, landscape and superior weaponry of the Roman army. I suspect that some of us may have been disappointed that a female British icon may have met such an inglorious end. Eddie did say that we will never know exactly what happened as no archeological traces of the battle have been found and excavation is forbidden in the area so that is unlikely to change. It was an engrossing talk, delivered with humour and well-illustrated with images of the armies and the terrain.

This was a turning point for Magnus who decided to spend his life trying to make that happen for as many children as possible. Mary’s Meals was born with the aim that every child should have one meal
a day at their place of education. In 2002 Mary’s Meals began feeding 200 children in Malawi: they now feed over three million children around the world from Benin to Zambia. There are so many
benefits: children have the energy to learn and are kept out of trouble; fifty percent of the recipients are girls who are safe in school and have the chance to get a career such as nursing; local
farmers are supported and communities own the project with the charity providing food, basic infrastructure and training. We watched a short video showing the pride and joy in a community which had recently joined the programme and learned that it costs just £19.15 to feed a school child one meal a day for a whole year. I know that I found this talk very moving and inspirational and, looking around, I saw that I was not alone. Hannah outlined several
ways people might donate or otherwise help Mary’s Meals and I am sure her words will have struck a chord.
Sue Smith – Vice Chair

March 2026 "The Joys and Perils of being an Author" presented by Colin Wade

The General Meeting on Tuesday, March 17th was an excellent afternoon. The level of friendly chat before the speaker was introduced reflected the warm, social nature of our group. Colin is an accomplished speaker and had his audience gripped from the start.
He spoke frankly about the challenges of finding a readership for his books, opening our eyes to the processes involved in getting a manuscript published and marketed. His message was, however, a very positive one. He started writing because he loved it and
continued, despite discovering the reality that self-publishing was the only way forward, because he had discovered his passion. He proudly displayed copies of the seven crime and murder mystery novels he has published to date and gave us advance notice of number eight: ‘Murder at the Book Club’, due out later this year.

February 2026 "Lord Horatio Nelson" presented by Max Keen

Well, what can I say, what an informative and entertaining presentation by Max Keen, retired teacher, who stated his interest in history was due to reading Ladybird children’s history books in his early years.  He entered the stage wearing full Admiral Uniform and took on the role brilliantly.

Although there were technical issues with the presentation itself, it did not in any way impact on the very lively and entertaining talk which included many anecdotes, debunking myths and partial striptease!  It covered Horatio Nelson’s life history from childhood to his fast-track rise through the ranks in the Navy.  A very comprehensive coverage of his victories and defeats, injuries and personal life including his affair with Lady Emma Hamilton.  To all accounts he was a very impulsive person and this forged the way he lived his life both in his professional and personal life. 

We look forward to inviting Max back next year to cover yet another historical legend.

Carol Rogers
Programme Administrator

January 2026 "Vintage Garden Tools" presented by John and Carol Matthews

John and Carol Matthews delighted us with a huge array of vintage garden tools! John was very knowledgeable and explained about all the different garden tools that were made nearly 100 years ago but are not available to buy anymore. Who knew there were so many different spades and forks and so many different tools for every job! It was also clear that the manufacture of these tools in Britain, many years ago, was far better than anything we can buy now and which probably won’t last - a sad reflection on the “throw away” society we live in now. I believe some of you bought some of the tools and I hope they will last you another 80 years!

John was very entertaining and a good speaker who baffled us with some “odd” implements which are not in use now.