Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning (COCCL)
Winter Programme of Talks 2009/2010
As in the world of football, COCCL takes a break in the summer months. But just as football clubs have been busy recruiting talented players, COCCL has been seeking (though at rather less expense) gifted speakers and performers to entertain and inform you next winter. So that you can put the dates in your diary, before it becomes too crowded with all those other events, our recently completed list of speakers appears below. All the dates are Mondays, but we have done our best to choose various different Mondays within the month.
2009
Monday September 21st.
'A Life Painting People (and some Vegetables)'. An illustrated talk by local artist Michael Taylor, looking back on 40 years of painting, during which his subjects have included celebrities such as PD James, Julian Bream and Sir John Tavener.
Monday October 12th.
'Wild Dorset'. An illustrated talk by Colin Varndell, who lives near Beaminster. Colin's photographs appear in a number of books, and in many national and local magazines: on four occasions he has won awards in the prestigious international 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year' competition. His website www.colinvarndell.co.uk
Monday November 9th.
'Lost Voices'. On the day after Remembrance Sunday, Sir Barry Wilson will introduce a selection of poems written by soldiers of many countries who died in action during the terrible carnage of the First World War. Readers will be Val Beech and Rev David Marl.
Monday November 30th.
'An Evening with Julian Fellowes'. The well known Dorset resident, now Deputy Lieutenant of the County, will entertain us with tales of his involvement in television (eg 'Monarch of the Glen'), books ('Snobs') and films ('Gosford Park', 'Young Victoria'). We plan to hold this meeting in the school hall.
2010
Monday January 18th.
'An Evening of Music & Poetry'. Winston Leese (trumpet) & Jan Wyld, with extra musical assistance, will make a welcome return visit with a selection including a performance by Jan of an Alan Bennett monologue.
Monday February 8th.
'Blandford Camp'. Blandford is not regarded as a garrison town in the same league as Aldershot or Colchester, but there has been a varied military presence here for nearly 300 years. Pat Soward, who has been closely involved with the development of the Camp's museum, will talk about the camp and its history.
Monday March 22nd.
'On Foot along the Dorset Coast'. In an illustrated talk Grahame Downer will share the pleasure he takes in our county's coastal walks, not just celebrating the gloriously varied scenery, but remembering encounters with Sir Bernard Lovell and Sir Cliff Richard, and showing where quotations from Dylan Thomas, Charles Wesley and the Psalms can be found.
Monday April 19th.
'Brief Encounter and After'. Margaret Barton, the only survivor of David Lean's enduringly popular film, now lives in Wimbome. She will share reminiscences, many of them humorous, about her life as an actress and her own encounters with folk such as Donald Wolfit, Marius Goring, 'Uncle Mac' and her lifelong friend June Whitfield.
Because space is limited, it is advisable to book in advance, which you can do at any time now by ringing our Administrator, Maggie Vine, on 861007.
Admission will be £5 (£3 for under 16s) payable on the night. Refreshments included.
