Our speakers for 8th October 2026 are Mary and Graham Brace
Mary and Graham are wildlife photographers and conservationists.
Next Month
Our speaker on 12th November is Judith Hood.
Judith will be speaking on, “Living with the Paranormal.”
Judith has known for 10 years that she is a Medium. Before that she just believed that lots of “spooky” things happened to her.
Judith always had a good story to tell when meeting up with her friends owing to strange occurrences happening to her almost daily. She enjoys speaking on this subject as there are many questions she is always asked as soon as anyone discovers that she’s a Medium.
Christmas lunch
Mel Fox 01375679643
Carol Smith
This year’s Christmas lunch will be held at the Mercure Thurrock Stifford Hall
North Stifford on Tuesday 15thDecember 25. 12.30 for 1pm sit down – 4.30pm.
Cost is £43 pp and we will be taking booking and payment for Lunch from 1.30pm at September and October General Meetings.
Menu and booking forms are available at the back of the newsletter and on this website See also Christmas Lunch . Anyone parking at the hotel will need to register their car at reception upon arrival. If this is done, there will be no charge for parking.
Christmas Lunch Tuesday 15th December 12.30 - 4.30pm Price £43pp
Mercure Thurrock Stifford Hall, North Stifford RM16 5UE 01708-719988
NAME__________________________________________________
TelephoneNo.__________________________________________
Sit with (2 Preferred Names) 1_____________________________________
2________________________________________
Special Dietary Requirements i.e. Gluten Free, Vegetarian ____________________
Starters Please select your preference
Butternut Squash Soup served with Herb Flat Bread
Chicken Liver Parfait served with Toasted Brioche
and a Spicy Cranberry Chutney
Prawn & Salmon Fishcake with a Chilli &Lime Dip
~ Main Course ~
Breast of Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing & Pigs in Blankets
Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet with a Lemon & Dill Hollandaise sauce
Fricassee of Asparagus & Wild Mushrooms in a Filo Pastry Case
All served with golden roasted potatoes and winter vegetables
~ Dessert ~
White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake
Traditional Christmas Pudding served with Brandy Sauce
Cherry & Chocolate Tart served with clotted cream
~ To Follow ~Tea / Coffee & mince pie
Day Trip
New Trip being sold at Thursday's General meeting
Sue Dunn
Sue Moss
HEVER CASTLE SPECTACULAR TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2026 COST £70.
This trip will be on sale at the next General meeting on the 8th OCTOBER.
The day includes the coach, castle tour, 3 course Christmas lunch and the light show which switches on at 4 pm. This trip has already created a good deal of interest so I would advise you to come along and put your names on the list to ensure you will not be disappointed.
Please make your menu selection on the form provided and bring it along with your booking form and payment to the meeting.
Payment by bank transfer, cheque or cash please.
THE MENU CHOICE IS EITHER THE STANDARD CHRISTMAS MEAL OR THE ALTERNATIVE VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN OPTION.
YOU CANNOT MIX & MATCH FROM BOTH.
Also please advise us of any allergies so we can notify the restaurant in advance of our visit
Coach Pick up times Lampits H - 9.30 SpringH - 9. 40 TheOak - 9.50
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION -Group members will need to cross the road from the coach park to the main entrance. A golf buggy will be available at the ticket huts to assist those with limited mobility. It can accommodate up to five people at a time, and multiple trips may be required if there are several people who need assistance. The buggy will drop off at the Moat Café and Gift Shop, after which the main paths in the gardens are flat. To return, the buggy can be accessed at the Information Hut.
Regarding accessibility, the Castle’s ground floor is accessible via three small steps. To reach the first floor, visitors must navigate a stone spiral staircase with a handrail. The second floor is accessible via wide wooden steps. For those using wheelchairs, we regret that motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters cannot be used inside the Courtyard or Castle due to the building's historic nature. We allow manual wheelchairs on the ground floor of the Castle only. Manual wheelchairs are available for a refundable deposit of £25 at the Hever Shop, and we recommend booking them in advance. Please note, there are several steps at the Castle’s entrance and Courtyard, and due to health and safety reasons, ramps cannot be installed. For more detailed accessibility information, please visit our website https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/location-accessibility
For more information and trip booking forms please see Hever Castle Event
Greenwich Old Naval College
Friday 23rd October.
Reminder for coach pick-up times
Lampits Hill - 9.00
Springhouse - 9.10
The Oak - 9.20
Hever Castle Christmas Lunch Menu (1/12/26)
Name: ______________________________________________________
Special Dietary Requirements (including allergies): _______________________________________________________
Menus include a glass of Warm Mulled Wine on arrival (Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic). Fresh bread & butter, chilled water, and tea or coffee are all included Please circle your choices
Standard Menu
Hot Smoked Salmon Rillettes Pickled Cucumber, Apple, Crème Fraîche & Crisp Toast (Gluten Free on Request, Dairy Free 0n Request)
Roasted Carved Breast of Local Bronze Turkey, Pigs in Blankets, Roasted Potatoes, Chestnut Stuffing, Seasonal Vegetables & Gravy (Gluten Free 0n Request, Dairy Free on Request)
Hever Castle Christmas Pudding Armagnac Custard & Griottines Cherries (Gluten Free, Dairy Free on Request,
Vegetarian/Vegan Menu
(These will be substituted when relevant Dietary Requirements are added to the Booking Form)
Smooth White Cauliflower Soup Roasted Cauliflower & Lightly Spiced Olive Oil (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan)
Chestnut & Onion Roast Roasted Potatoes, Glazed Root Vegetables, Brussel Sprouts & Mushroom Sauce (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan)
Lemon Posset Mulled Plum Compote & Vanilla Shortbread Crumb (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan)
October 2026 Newsletter Click October 2026 Newsletter