History and the present day community

A great article  'History has role in helping present day community' by Keith Hamilton in the Daily Echo for Monday 26 September, which hopefully will soon be available in the papers archives, but for those of you not lucky enough to receive our  local newspaper for the south of England, our Society received a very good review, ending with the words:
John, who lives at Kinloss Court said "We would like to give talks on subjects of local history at sheltered housing complexes in the area.
"So, whilst there is a regular meeting of our members on the second Monday of every month, there is also much going on in support of charitable organisations and in assisting Southampton City Council in their programme of relieving the social isolation of the elderly"

We are of course, first and foremost, a Society dedicated to an interest in history in all its forms but with an accent on local history, but are also very happy to give  our support to the worthy causes of SSAFA, Sue Ryder, and as a prospect for the future trying to tie it all in together with helping people who come in off the street and appeal for help at our local church - it happens about once a week.      Right now little more can be done than to give such people a meal and a chance to rest awhile;  it would be great if a shower could be installed at the church hall,  and who knows, perhaps Sue Ryder may find the odd garment or two surplus to requirements.....and perhaps  we can make a plan along the way to find temporary shelter where it is needed.........

Keith indeed has it right, Societies such as ours can and do play a part in the community.   Our Society still has a long way to go along that path, but we are on our way, and to get back to Sue Ryder, there will be a talk at Weston Court, Kingscleare Avenue, Southampton, SO19 9LB on Friday 14 October starting at 10.30 a.m.
The speaker will be Julie Patterson of the Sue Ryder History and Legacy Team, and as the founder of the charity was  'Baroness Ryder of Warsaw' in recognition of her outstanding work in war torn Warsaw during and after WW2, then if Julie allows it I will, during the morning,  give a ten minute spiel on Warsaw's 'Sue Ryder Park', a really lovely garden dedicated to her memory.        I have not advertised  my possible participation on the fliers which have gone out, as I don't want to put the customers off.

JG