The FOOPA Spring Social Programme has now been finalised and details (with Booking Form) is now being distributed in the latest 2008 NewsLetter. See below for further details:

.

FOOPA SOCIAL EVENTS SPRING 2008
All the evening events will be held at the Royal Naval Club in Pembroke Road, commencing at 7.30pm, with the bar opening at 7pm.

Wednesday 30th January Local Knowledge Quiz
This will be Jackie's 4th quiz and still the questions have not dried up! Book now for a really interesting, not to say fiercely competitive, enjoyable evening of local knowledge questions, revealing the life and times of Old Portsmouth and other corners of the City. - Completed

Tuesday 26th February The World of Antiques
The Southsea antique valuer and auctioneer John Cameron will talk about his life and work in the antique world, including his appearances on BBC TV's 'Cash in the Attic.' If you would like an antique or collectable assessed and valued during the evening (for a fee to go to charity) call 02392 831461.- Completed

Thursday 6th March FOOPA Annual General Meeting
The FOOPA Annual General Meeting is on Thursday 6th March. 7.30pm at the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club. Please come along!

Tuesday 1st April The Marina Industry
Yachting marinas are a major and fast-growing sector of our local marine economy. Andrew Collumbell, from Premier Marinas, which operates 8 marinas from Falmouth to Eastbourne, will describe how they are run, recent trends in Marina facilities and why their sometimes controversial growth has been so rapid In recent years.

Tuesday 29th April Heritage Stonework Restoration
Some of you may have seen the restoration work going on at the Monument in London. At over 200 feet it is just one of the many prestigious stone edifices which the Cathedral Works Organisation is restoring. Based in Chichester, CWO employs some of the country's most highly skilled stonemasons. Managing Director Bernard Burns's presentation will take us around CWO restoration projects past and present and describe the challenges they have presented to his craftsmen.

Wednesday 21st May / Thursday 22nd May Highbury City of Portsmouth Centre Winston Churchill Avenue. 10.30am
Whenever a major new building opens on our side of the City, FOOPA never fails to organise a visit and tour. Two chances to look around Highbury College's recently opened building. With their tourism and catering courses now re-located there, the training facilities include aircraft kitchen and passenger cabin mock-ups as well as specialist ethnic food kitchens. The talk and tour of the college will be followed by a 3-course lunch with coffee in their 'Chimes' restaurant.

Tuesday 24th June Day trip to Littlehampton
Cathedral Bus stop. 9.15am
As a traditional seaside resort Littleharnpton is one of England's gems - sandy beaches, traditional entertainments, constant seagoing and rivercraft movements, attractive gardens and more recently some cracking waterfront architecture. On arrival we will have coffee at the new Visitor Centre Cafe, with a chance to go up its observation tower to look across to the South Downs and the Arun Valley, look around the heritage displays and then have a talk and tour of the award-winning East Bank residential development, along the riverside with Roger Banister, the local Conservation and Design Manager. You can then stroll on, along the promenade or beach and meet up again at the acclaimed East Beach Cafe - a recently opened building the like of which you will have never seen before. Lunch by a top chef in a structure designed by a top architect - how can you resist this splendid Summer's day out? In the afternoon explore the town or the West Beach or just relax on the seafront in a deck-chair.

BOOKING FORM
Please book early to avoid disappointment and if you find that nearer the date you are unable to take up your place, you can always cancel by phoning 02392 S31461, or with any other queries. Please complete the booking form below and return it with your subscription to David Baynes, 'Swashway Cottage', 17, St. Thomas's St. Old Portsmouth PO1 2EZ.
I/We would like to attend: No. of places
30th Jan - Quiz .......
26th Feb - Antiques .......
1st April -Marinas .......
29th Apr - Stonemasons .......
21st May - Highbury ........ talk, tour, lunch @ £13.50
22nd May - Highbury ....... talk, tour, lunch @ £13.50
24th Jun - Littlehampton ....... transport, coffee, tour, lunch @ £28.50

Name (print):.....................................................

Address:...........................................................

Postcode:........................

Signature:.......................................................
..
Date:.................... Tel no:...................................

I enclose a cheque payable to FOOPA to the value of £.............