Metheringham Over 60's Club - Autumn 2009

Daily outings were to Dartmouth , Buckfast Abbey, Looe, Exeter , Dawlish and Teignmouth. Our Courier for the week, Jilly, was magnificent - she had a special hat for anyone having a birthday - we had two, Nora Creasey and Derek Bell. Also, she organised a free raffle with lovely prizes. Our driver was very helpful, he had a good rapport with everyone on the coach and kept us informed of important sights and places of interest as we enjoyed our journeys. Apart from the Wednesday morning and early afternoon we enjoyed very good weather. A good time was had by all.
Next Holiday - Turkey & Tinsel, The Windermere Manor Hotel, 16-20 November 2009 cost £280 but this includes Insurance, Gratuities and Single room Supplement. We have a few seats available. It is open to non-members of the Club. Anyone interested in joining us should contact me, Chairman Margaret Amos 01526 321049 .
On Wednesday 5 August, a coach full with members had a day out to Sledmere House, Yorkshire . The location may be best described as between Driffield and Wetwang. I think most of the members were surprised with the quality of the interior of the house. 22 carat gold has been used to gild the finely decorated ceiling of the library which doubles as a ballroom.
The staff members are well informed and provided details of the history of the house and family. The house was designed extensively, in the 1780s, by Sir Christopher Sykes, 2nd Baronet and the work was continued by his descendants. Of particular interest is General Mark Sykes, 6th Baronet.
The General travelled extensively and created the Turkish room. The room is covered in blue finely crafted wall and floor tiles imported for the purpose. A basement steam-room was never completed because the ship with the equipment on board sank; World War I then intervened. A staff member demonstrated the excellent quality of a rare pipe organ by playing a selection of music. The house and gardens are regularly used for holding weddings and other events such as classic car rallies and craft fairs.
Whilst in Paris , during 1919, General Sykes was involved in negotiations to end the First World War. He contracted the 'Spanish Flu' virus, although the source is believed to have been a French feathered bird. Unfortunately, he died, in his hotel, aged 39 years, leaving a wife and six children. His body was hermetically sealed in a lead lined coffin and transported back to Yorkshire for burial at St. Mary's Church adjoining Sledmere House. The tissue in a lead sealed coffin deteriorates very slowly and to allow research into the H1N1 virus, following long discussions, permission was granted for exhumation. His body, one of an estimated 50 million people who died throughout the world, is the only one of this kind. In 2008, 17 samples were taken and are being investigated around the world to determine how the H1N1virus mutates and this, hopefully, will enable drugs to be developed to combat the current outbreak.
Our next meeting will be held at the Metheringham Village Hall, on Wed 2 Sept, from 7-9.15 pm. Doors open at 6.30pm, with entertainment provided by Lincoln Sounds. As usual, tea/coffee and biscuits will be served during the interval. Guests are welcome at a cost of £2.00 per person per visit.
Wed. 7 Oct Harvest with an auction
Wed. 4 Nov Shiny Stockings. Singers.
Sat. 7 Nov Coffee Morning.
Wed 2 Dec Christmas Dinner & Draw

Dave Williams - Secretary