As nights draw in and temperatures drop, don’t hibernate says Emily Horton. Get out, get active and meet new people with her five top picks
1. Who do you think you are?
Have you been inspired by the BBC TV series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ Ever wanted to start your own project but didn’t know where to begin? If you yearn to uncover long-forgotten family secrets, then the Berkshire Family History Society may just be the group for you.
Contrary to received wisdom, diving into the annals of history needn’t be a solitary affair. In this friendly network, spanning the county, would-be genealogists can enjoy practical guidance as part of a community exploring kinsfolk of yesteryear. With members collaborating in their search for common names and lineages, the discovery of shared heritage is not uncommon.
With access to a research centre in Reading, free advice sessions, monthly meetings and their quarterly magazine The Historian, the society provides a supportive framework whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced genealogy buff. You needn’t live in the area, or have ancestors from Berkshire. It’s all about making like-minded friends.
Local transport historian Paul Lacey, a regular speaker at BFHS events, uses genealogy research when profiling bus and coach operators in Berkshire and the Thames Valley.
PAUL SAYS:
“Using genealogy can provide valuable information for other studies, such as looking into village history or to trace the occupants of local properties.” Besides climbing the branches of your own family tree, genealogy research has much wider appeal and application.
The Windsor branch of the Berkshire Family History Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.15pm at Christ Church United Reformed Church, Windsor. Contact Richard Ashberry, tel. (01753) 546012; email treasurer@berksfhs.org.uk or visit berksfhs.org.uk and paullaceytransportbooks.co.uk
2. Culture club
Ever wanted to give the notoriously tough Mandarin language a try, or just curious about a completely different culture? As the world’s most populous country rises into a thriving global power, growing numbers are keen to learn more.
The Windsor Chinese Cultural Club offers fantastic opportunities to do just that, organising talks, outings and socials in English, and monthly language and culture meet ups where you can learn, or indeed brush up on your Mandarin.
Founder Christina Li launched the club to offer adults the chance to meet and greet in a welcoming, informal setting. Like the national flower, méihuā, interest in the group has blossomed.
CHRISTINA SAYS: “We now welcome a host of British, European, and Chinese native speakers, with members ranging in age from their early 20s to the retired.”
Recent events include a visit to the Beijing-based Gao Brothers’ exhibition at contemporary Chinese art gallery, the Hua Gallery in Battersea, and a summer picnic at The Long Walk, Windsor. A forthcoming lecture, Treasures of the Silk Road, will take place at the Old Windsor Memorial Hall, Nov 20 at 7pm.
The Chinese Cultural Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm with regular weekend social events. Contact Christina Li, email nihao@windsorchineseacademy.com; or sign up via meetup.com/WindsorChinese
3. Get painting!
Want to explore your creative side among a friendly, open group of artists? From beginners to semi- professionals, the Windsor Art Group is a long-established clutch that welcomes new members seeking a space to unwind and let lose their creative flair on canvas. With some veteran affiliates clocking up nearly 30 years of membership, this friendly, relaxed group of artists meets every Tuesday evening to embrace their love of the arts.
Co-ordinator and long-term member Marcella Leone says members have the freedom to attend and pursue their own projects without rigid formal structures.
MARCELLA SAYS: “We warmly welcome visitors to come along and spend a couple of evenings with the group to find out more.”
The Group provides a space where members can fully explore their artistic aptitude in whichever medium seizes their fancy, but help and guidance from more experienced, supportive members is still on hand if so desired.
Members also benefit from group outings, life drawing sessions, end of term exhibitions and critique evenings given by professional artists invited to share their thoughts on works produced throughout the term. The group’s latest, highly successful exhibition was held at Northern Farm, Maidenhead.
Marcella invites visitors of all abilities to attend a session or two, brush shoulders with the creative cohort and get a complete picture of what membership has to offer.
The Windsor Art Group meets every Tuesday evening, 7-9pm at Dedworth Middle School, Windsor. Contact Marcella Leone, tel. (01753) 863713; email enquiries@windsorartgroup.co.uk or visit windsorartgroup.co.uk
4 Word conundrums
Everyone enjoys a good game of Scrabble. But if you’re fed up with friends and family mopping the floor with you, while you yearn to play ZYZZYVAS across two triple-word squares, perhaps it’s time to up your game. Once produced by Maidenhead firm W. Spear & Sons, the game is enjoying something of a revival, and the East Berkshire Scrabble Club is the perfect place to dust off those playing boards and crank up those spelling conundrum cogs.
Member Chris Smith relishes the competition of Thursday’s game nights. CHRIS SAYS: “I had always enjoyed playing Scrabble amongst friends and family, but always pondered how I might fair against players of a higher standard. I decided to go along to the club after seeing a local advert, unsure of what to expect. The standard certainly was better, and I found a lovely mix of friendly interaction and healthy competition. In the four years that I've been going my game has improved immensely to a level where I feel I could give most players a good game.”
Organiser Charlotte Ward has played with the club for seven years. Working full time from home, she initially went along to mix with new people and build her social circle. Within a year, she was actively involved in the club's organisation, sitting on the committee as club sec, as well as running one of the teams.
CHARLOTTE SAYS: “I joined this and another local club, both running on thursdays, but I quickly picked Scrabble as my regular night out. I've made plenty of friends of all ages and Scrabble abilities at the group.”
While some members come to play for fun and a chat, others come for a more serious game. Whatever tiles you’re dealt, there's something for everyone.
Always open to new members, the group would love to have you along to try out their game nights.
The East Berks Scrabble Club meets every Thursday evening in Crowthorne, Wokingham at 7.30pm. Contact Charlotte Ward, tel. (01344) 484914; email eastberksscrabbleclub@yahoo.co.uk or visit eastberksscrabbleclub.org.uk
5. Get your gleek on
In the wake of the massive success of the US tv comedy-musical , Glee, show choirs, also known as glee clubs, have sprung up nationally on this side of the pond, all of them clamouring for some fun in the spotlight.
Singing chart-toppers and classics, the groups certainly don’t shy away from taking centre stage for fundraising concerts, or indeed from busting out the odd dance move.
Their popular and universal appeal has been celebrated for reviving the dwindling interest in school and community choirs, and tapping into a fresh constituency of budding vocalists.
These clubs aren’t exclusively for the youth, however. Musician and singing teacher Richard Whennell, who in 2010 set up the first Glee Club UK in Bracknell, says groups are for the young at heart, not just the young in age.
Glee Club UK gives members the opportunity to sing without the pressure of auditions or solos. Group singing is a great way to let off some steam.
Kate Hilton, who joined the club when her daughter was three months old, was delighted to get an evening to herself and take a break from being a mum.
KATE SAYS: “It’s not about who has the best voice, it’s about the community of singers, about getting that feel-good factor. If you sing in the car, or when you’re doing the hoovering, it’s the kind of thing you’d love.”
“It sounds corny, but it just picks me up. Even if I have had a grumpy day, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on my face and lift my spirits.”
It can also help improve confidence. Groups and individuals work towards optional end of term live performances. In May the choir took part in the Windsor Choral Celebration, fundraising for Vivi’s Venture, a charity supporting the medical treatment of a local schoolgirl.
Glee Club UK Windsor meets every Tuesday evening at The Windsor Boys' School, Maidenhead Road. Contact James Manwaring, tel. 07811 199545; email james@manwarings.co.uk or visit gleeclubuk.com. Support Vivi at vivisventure.com
