January 30th  For the majority of his career MICHAEL PORTILLO has been involved in politics.  Since leaving politics in 2005 he has devoted himself to writing and broadcasting.  He writes for the Sunday Times and is a regular on both BBC 1’s “This Week” programme and Radio 4’s “Moral Maze”, and has made documentaries on subjects as diverse as Richard Wagner and the death penalty.  In 2008 he chaired the judges of the Man Booker prize. Sponsored by THOMPSON, SMITH & PUXON (Solicitors), Clacton-on-Sea.

Few British institutions can boast three centuries of unbroken service, and none is closer to the heart of the nation than ‘The Men in Scarlet’, the Chelsea Pensioners.

Their home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, was founded in 1682 by King Charles II to provide soldiers with a fitting home in their retirement.

The Royal Hospital is proud to continue to serve its original purpose into the 21st Century.

Chelsea Pensioner and Guide Tom Mullaney

Chelsea Pensioners Dinning Hall 

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1692 the Royal Hospital Chelsea has changed little in its long history. From its distinctive red brick exterior to its beautifully designed interiors the Royal Hospital remains a remarkable and historical building.

20th Century

Since 1913 the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been held annually on the South Grounds.

Parts of the hospital were heavily damaged, with some loss of life, by enemy bombing in 1918, reconstructed in 1923 only to be destroyed again by a V2 rocket in 1945. Other damage was suffered during the Blitz and the Infirmary was destroyed in 1941.

In the Octagon Porch the Royal coat of arms was installed which had been removed from the Royal Hospital at Kilmainham at its closure in 1925.

The first televised church service in Britain was broadcast from the Chapel in 1949.

In 1955 the Hall was restored to its original purpose, and oak benches have since been replaced by chairs.

The berths were enlarged in 1954-55 and again in 1991 to their present size of 9 feet by 9 feet (2.7 by 2.7 metres).

21st Century

2002 saw the restoration of the large mural painting in the Great Hall by the artists Verrio and Cooke.

Also in 2002 the statue of King Charles II which has stood in Figure Court since 1692 was re-gilded to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee.

On display in the Museum, is the parade chair presented to Queen Elizabeth II by The Royal Hospital in 2002. Also on display is The Sovereign’s Mace which was presented to the Royal Hospital by Queen Elizabeth II in July 2002. Throughout its existence the Royal Hospital has had no colours or other distinctive device. The Mace is now carried at all of the Royal Hospital’s ceremonial events.

Currently the facilities are being upgraded to meet the needs of the 21st Century In-Pensioner. Improvements to bathing and WC facilities are planned and an IT suite has been opened. However, all the works have to take account of the historic structure. Improved access arrangements for In-Pensioners with disabilities is also planned.

In March 2009 the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary was opened and is a state of the art care home and hospice for Chelsea Pensioners. Built by Quinlan Terry is has 125 ensuite bedrooms.

Work has started on the refurbishment of the Long Wards and Wards 23 & 24 were opened in May 2010. Work will beging shortly on the remaining Long Wards.

What an absolutely super conclusion to a very successful season!The sheer
magic weaved by these sensational entertainers and their extraordinary
accompanist who thrilled us also with a solo version of the recently deceased
Jerry Rafferty`s song-Baker Street.

This was entertainment at it’s finest and the packed audience were rewarded
for making the trip to the theatre on a miserable, cold winter’s night were it
rained all day and was still doing so when we all left- `washed out` inside
(and out!) by the experience! The programme was composed of traditional tunes
expertly proffered (with so much enthusiasm) and `stamping ` their individual
style on the arrangements.

`A Thousand miles` was the second `encore`(we just did not want them to
finish)-this had the audience totally mesmerised and on their feet-clapping. A
very varied evening of music proving yet again that  `live `entertainment` is
far superior to anything the other media have to offer.

Jennifer Kersey.

Many still have the image of the farmer as the local squire who roams around
his estate in a luxurious car, surveying his `empire with a sort of regal
stance. Not so! It`s jolly hard work(just look at the current statistics of
suicides in this section of the community?) and for the lowly farmer it is a
daily cycle of `mucking out`, milking, herding, ploughing, picking and to say
nothing of the constant need to repair/renew  all the implements that go `hand
in hand` with farming, past and present.

Where I originate (I’m now an established `Essex girl`-and proud of it)there
used to be a saying-“you’ll never see a farmer on a pushbike”-implying that they
were all monetarily secure-maybe so for some, but not without tremendous effort
and long, hard working days.

This was made very apparent by the fascinating talk given by  Alex
Langlands and Peter Ginn, presenters of the `Edwardian farm` a
documentary programme currently running on BBC television.

The talk was interspersed with beautiful, nature video clips and many
photographs. Throughout the talk they were ever keen to emphasize that this was
a `hands on project` and they had to engage in all activities, in every type of
weather- from building outhouses for pigs, thatching, to ploughing fields with
traditional farm implements and digging out cesspits!

Anecdotes abounded -there were lighter moments, for example, when Alex told
us how he managed to defeat the sometimes insane and sometimes ludicrous `health  and safety `laws (which seem to abound in every aspect of life)“I just keep
schtum”(Jewish-`tight lipped`) so not telling the commissioning company(who have  their own team of `experts`, looking into all areas of `potential danger`) thus  avoiding  the resultant `forbidden` clause and the mountains of paperwork
which may ensue if he revealed that he was climbing on a high roof without his
shoes on, or eating strawberries grown on land that has a minute trace of
arsenic in the ground!!

A well presented evening, with ease of speaking and plenty of humorous
`banter`from both presenters.

Ruth Goodman (fellow presenter) could not be with us because of family
commitments.

Jennifer Kersey

Whilst the pieces presented as a duo were lovely, the highlights for me
were when each played `solo`-their renditions were breathtaking and sprinkled
with magic that mirrored the absolute dedication it must take to achieve such
excellence. Particularly poignant was when Annette announced that she had
been re-united after some time, with a cousin who lives in East Anglia-the
emotional break in her voice as she announced that the next piece she would
play for her(she was in the audience) caused a united `gasp` –this is real
theatreinteraction between human beings.

Both during the interval and after the performance much interest in the
couple and their musical achievements was reflected by the sheer numbers
eager to talk to them or purchase the new CD they had brought
along(`Christmas is just around the corner`-was the selling technique
applied- Hmmm-as if we need reminding how very quickly time  flies,
especially if you are of the age of most of our patrons(me
included)) Yet again, another night of pure delight-it is sometimes an effort to venture out on these cold, dark winter evenings  but the `team` never disappoint us and as soon as you
enter the theatre there  is an excitement that makes it all worthwhile.

Jennifer Kersey (Painted lady)

Ian Skelly, a broadcaster and writer, who has worked with the Prince for many years, gave a very erudite talk with many illustrations.  When considering any project, be it to do with farming, nature, architecture etc he emphasised the need to acknowledge the wisdom of the past and to complete everything in such a way that ensures a sustainable future.   This was a thought provoking and interesting glimpse into the way the Prince of Wales sees  his role.

The evening was sponsored by an anonymous donor in recognition of all the work done by volunteers and charity trustees in the community

Audrey Owens
Press Officer

I have most definitely not been one of those happy with this opinion expressed
and neither (I suspect) are the many others in the society, in attendance for the
talk given by his close associate and adviser-Ian Skelly.
This very articulate person proceeded to tell us with minute detail about how
we used to understand and conserve the planet’s `fruits` in all areas and how,
over recent years, much has been lost by those who would advocate that
because it`s `old fashioned` then it must be no good and therefore needs to be
pulled down or got rid of!

The `replacements`, in many and vast area, have created their own problems
for the environment and now we are reaping the results of this mass lunacy!
His very articulate and engrossing speech gave us an insight into the invaluable
work the Prince undertakes-he is not a man without vision, but very caring
and is genuinely interested in conservation.

He does not advocate that we go back to `living in caves` but that all our
actions should be well thought out beforehand and the results must outweigh
the initial input and be environmentally friendly-we, rightly, are being pressed
to think more about the waste and rape of this earth ,where we all are
`caretakers` for future generations.

Wanton wastage (whilst many can hardly survive on meagre daily
consumption) the cutting down of rain forests at alarming rate, the subsequent
damage they do to the soil (to say nothing of the loss of CO2 to O2 conversion
they do) bland architecture, that can have a devastating effect on communities,
and chemical treatment of the land-these are all part of the Prince’s plan to
obliterate or at least reduce this trend and he is trying desperately to get
`uncaring man` to realise this must now happen, regardless of the financial
cost!

The questions asked by the audience towards the end of the presentation were
answered economically, thoughtfully and truthfully.
Another thoroughly fascinating evening-just where will we go next-Cindy
Hardy has the answer to that question?

Jennifer Kersey(painted lady)

Just as we were all thinking how anything could ever even match the last presentation (Michael Portillo) this, musical outfit lifted  our spirits(on a cold, miserable winter’s night) no end-I even noticed a bit of good humoured barracking from the audience as  the very proficient male singer cheekily suggested to us that his musical director was a bit of a pl..ker!!

He invited us to sing along and clap-it really was quite refreshing, however, I must say, that I would not want this format on a  regular basis.

With a tight big band sound, lots of musical `standards` from the male and female singers, this was yet another success story  from our beloved `Arts and Lits` team` I listened somewhat disbelievingly as Sonia announced beforehand that the end of yet  another season was nearly upon us-proving that when you really enjoy something, it ends far too soon!

Jennifer Kersey.

Michael was an extremely interesting and lively speaker who told his life story in a very frank and amusing way. He answered many varied questions from the audience for nearly an hour, was never lost for words or honest answers to questions on politics, his various journeys on the railway for the BBC and almost anything else the members could throw at him.

The evening was attended by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Tendring District Council and was sponsored by Thompson, Smith and Puxon, Solicitors

Audrey Owens
Press Officer