Clubs and Community: Including Gatsby gathering for Inner Wheel group

Tips from Dacroum Relate for a happy Mother’s Day

According to a YouGov poll of over 5,000 people across the UK, just over half (53%) of people living in the south and east of England say they have a ‘very good’relationship with their mum and almost a quarter (24%) describe theirs as ‘fairly good’.

Despite this largely positive picture, 11% describe their relationship with their mother as ‘average’, 5% describe it as ‘fairly bad’ and 2% describe it as ‘very bad’.

Glenda, a counsellor at Relate Dacorum, Watford and Three Rivers, believes there is room for at least a little improvement in all relationships. She said: “It’s wonderful that so many people in the south of England have a good relationship with their mum, but no matter how positively we view our relationships there are always things we can do to make them stronger. The key thing is to communicate and to be able to show your mum how you’re feeling.”

Glenda’s top tips include: finding time for one another with regular phone calls or skype sessions built into your weekly routine, and meeting up face to face whenever possible.

Keep gifts personal. For example produce a photo collage for Mother’s Day of all your favourite memories together, or invite her for lunch and cook her favourite meal.

Be true to yourself and live the way you want to rather than how your parents want you to. Some people find it easier to talk about their feelings than others, but when it comes to your relationship with your mum this is the holy grail of advice.

Avoid placing blame. Only you can be responsible for your own feelings. Blaming your mum for the way you are will only result in conflict. Be patient.

Relate Dacorum, Watford and Three Rivers offers information, advice and counselling for all stages of relationships, including helping families to build and maintain strong relationships. For more information call 01923 241803.

Inner Wheel Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne

The club’s annual Charter Night was celebrated as members and guests gathered at The Gatsby.

In the absence of president Valerie Gunn, the welcome was offered by vice president Isobel Wilkinson and everyone enjoyed a delicious meal that ended with shards of chocolate prepared by Issy Wilkinson.

Speaker Tony Eaton spoke about the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Glenn Miller after the areoplane he was on went missing while flying over the English Channel. Mr Eaton felt the real cause of Mr Miller’s death had been covered up and said the truth may never be known, but in 2044 the confidential files will be available to the public and perhaps then all will become clear.

Julie Griffiths thanked Mr Eaton and said all that was missing was the distinctive sound of the Glenn Miller band and then prompty burst into song, urging members to join her.

The ladies of Inner Wheel once more helped with the Rotary Club with the half marathon and fun run held on Sunday March 1.

Long service award

Sidney Feldman, who lives at Maitland Joseph House in Hemel Hemsptead, has been presented with a long service award by the Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service (HHAS).

Mr Feldman works as a volunteer ‘Hearing Aider’ for the charity, helping local people with their hearing aids and offering support on coping with hearing loss.

HHAS CEO Philip Linnegas said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Sidney for his 20 years volunteer service. He is a dedicated volunteer who has helped countless people with hearing loss during his many years volunteering for the charity.”

Free piano lessons

Northchurch based Montague Pianos is inviting the public to a free taster lesson as part of Learn to Play Day on Saturday March 21.

The day is the flagship event of the UK’s Music For All charity.

Lee Chapman, director of Montague Pianos, said: “We are delighted to be part of Learn to Play Day. Our youngest signs up are aged five and we are expecting people of all ages to take part in this event.

“It’s a fantastic way to get a feel for the piano and to find out if it is for you in a fun, relaxed enviroment.”

The taster lessons will be delivered by Mike Benjamin, a piano teacher from St Mary’s School in Northchurch.

Spaces are limited so advanced booking is advised. Places can be reserved by emailing [email protected], calling 01442 876131 or popping into the store at Northchurch High Street on Tuesday to Saturday.

Quiz night

Community Action Dacorum is holding a quiz night on Thursday March 19 at 7.30pm, courtesy of Shendish Manor. To book a table call Loretta Anderson on 01442 253935. £15 per head including supper, maximum 10 per table.

U3A members hear about the Great Train Robbery

Members of the University of the Third Age Dacorum were treated to an entertaining account by speaker John Woolley of his experiences as a young police constable during 1963.

More than 50 years ago this rookie cop investigated the comings and goings at Leatherslade Farm near his village police station in Brill, Bucks.

PC Woolley soon realised he had discovered the hideout of the gang that had committed what was later to be described as the Crime of the Century.

The gang stole £2.6 million from the Glasgow to London mail train, a sum equivalent to around £48 million today.

Although there was little forensic evidence at the scene of the crime, the robbers were less than careful at their farm hideout. Many fingerprints were found including those on a Monopoly game which, to while away the time when they were lying low, some gang members played with real money.

Fingerprint evidence helped lead to the arrest and subsequent convictions of the main players, many of whom were handed 30 year sentences. The most famous escapee, Ronnie Biggs, spent 35 years on the run.

Although the work of the police resulted in many convictions, records suggest that only £350,000 out of the millions stolen, was recovered.

The next U3A meeting is on April 13 at Boxmoor Playhouse when Lydia Carmichael will be speaking about life in a foundling hospital school.

For further information about U3A contact membership secretary Judy Baldwin on 01442 211289.