Newark Group - for the men of the parish

"The aim of the Newark Group is to promote fellowship among all the men of the parish."

Oh dear! If you have never heard of the Newark Group, or never been to one of our events, you might think that this statement of our raison d'être suggests a rather formal and 'dry' organisation, which would be a pity since the Newark Group is neither formal, nor particularly dry.

The Newark Group was formed over fifteen years ago. It was recognised that in a 'dormitory town' environment such as ours there was perhaps little opportunity for men to feel part of our community. Sometimes it's possible to live in an area and yet not feel one really belongs. The idea behind the Newark Group was to provide a forum - a dinner with speaker, a social event, an 'awayday' - in which the men of the parish, not just those who come regularly to church, could get to know each other and feel part of something.

From modest beginnings Newark Group events now regularly attract 70 or more 'members'. (I put 'members' in quotation marks because there are no members. You just book in and come along.)

Why 'The Newark Group'? We take our name from Newark Priory. Although technically just outside the parish, Newark Priory was at least a place exclusively for men, and overlooked by one of our churches, so it seemed appropriate.

Over the years we have had many excellent speakers from the world of sport, business, politics, medicine, the arts, media and the armed forces. We have visited the Houses of Parliament, organised trips to the BBC, the London Eye and McLaren Racing. We've played golf, skittles and darts and visited a brewery. Thanks to the Newark Group friendships have been formed and relationships strengthened. Or if you prefer, a lot of good blokes have got to know each other.

We try to look beyond our own 'men only' activities. You may have heard us carol singing round the village on behalf of charity. Our annual Parish Social Event in the winter months is a lot of fun. Golfers enjoy a day out and dinner in June and the Jazz Al Fresco Night in July is a Newark Group organised event for the whole parish which regularly attracts over 200 people.

Do come and join us.  Full details of the programme and how to book in are shown below:

Eldon Sandys
Chairman
The Newark Group

Newark Group Calendar of Events 2007/2008

2007
Thursday October 11	'Mayday! Maday!' Dinner with guest speaker - Captain Eric Moody, British Airways Flight BA009 is flying at 37,000 feet when all four engines of the Boeing 747 fail, one by one, and nobody knows why. What’s more, the pilot can’t see out of the window. Brace yourselves! But don’t worry, our speaker is the man who brought the aircraft safely home. Committee Contact: Cliff Butler
Thursday November 8	'The Future of the NHS.' Dinner with guest speaker - Dr. David Fluck, Consultant Cardiologist at St Peter’s Hospital The NHS is rarely out of the news - a national treasure or an institution badly in need of reform? Where is it going? How should it be funded? How will we be affected? Hear an informed diagnosis from a medical expert. Committee Contact: Peter Ankers
Thursday December 20	Carol Singing Carol singing around Pyrford in aid of charity. We hope as many ladies as possible will join the men for this traditional event. We start at 7pm for 7.15pm at Pyrford Social Club, returning there no later than 9pm. Committee Contact: Eldon Sandys
2008
Friday January 25	Parish Social Event Burns Night Supper Robert Burns’ birthday, on 25 January, is celebrated the world over. So, on with the tartan - or at least black tie - and join us as we pipe in the haggis for a traditional Burns Night Supper. Enjoy a wee drop of uisge beatha with your starter of haggis, tatties, and neeps. Impenetrable verse, music and dancing on a night of Caledonian fun. Committee Contact: Gary Stamp
Thursday February 14	'We've come for the dining table' Dinner with guest speaker - Jean Haynes, Bailiff Remember to pay your bills, gentlemen! Imagine ... there's a knock on the door, you open it expecting the postman or milkman, but it's a bailiff! Ooops! How would you react? (Some people react violently...) Jean Haynes will be talking to us about the fascinating life of a lady bailiff. Committee Contact: Peter Austin
Thursday March 13	Skittles Night A fun evening of skittles, friendly team competition at the ‘Wey Inn’ pub, Godalming. Hot food supper and coach transport provided. A good opportunity to meet and talk with new faces in a relaxed atmosphere. Committee Contact: Brian Dodd
Thursday April 10	'From England to New England' Dinner with guest speaker - John Rankin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Pyrford resident John Rankin has recently returned from 4 years as British Consul General in Boston. His time in office covered an interesting and complex period in UK/US relations. How is the trans Atlantic relationship and what is life in the Diplomatic Service really like? Committee Contact: Eldon Sandys
Thursday May 8	'The world's toughest yacht race' Dinner with guest speaker - Newton Scott Newton Scott completed the 2004 Global Challenge Race. Imagine being numb with cold in biting 70mph winds that sting your face as you lumber about the deck rollercoasting its way over 50-foot waves. Imagine doing this for five weeks at a time. Welcome to Global Challenge, the world’s toughest yacht race. Committee Contact: Neil Newton
Thursday June 12	Golf Day and Dinner Feeling Under Par? Then 18 holes of golf at Pyrford Golf Club followed by dinner in the lakeside restaurant should help. Compete for the Newark Group Cup, introduced in 2007. Non golfers are welcome to join us for the dinner. Committee Contact: Ian Wishart
Friday July 4	Jazz Al Fresco (for the 14th year!) Music, dancing, gazebos and candelabra under balmy skies at Wisley Cricket Club. Bring your own food and drink. Committee Contact: Cliff Butler