From Joan Steel
In January, we had a DIY meeting to avoid a speaker having to travel if the weather is bad. A Beetle Drive is always good fun and during the evening we have time to chat about our Christmas activities and our plans for the New Year.

The ‘Court of King Zog’ was the subject of Neil Rees, who came to our February Meeting to tell us the true and intriguing story of how Ahamed Zogue became King of Albania. The Zogue family were in exile in Frieth from 1941 – 1946, so are of particular interest locally. When the Ottoman Empire declined, all the small countries that formed the Empire became independent kingdoms. Following two short reigns of the kings assigned to Albania, the President Ahamed Zogue was promoted from being President of the republic, which was becoming known as a ‘kingdom without a king’ to being the only known person to become king of a republic. At the beginning of World War Two, Albania was taken over by Italy and the whole Zogue family fled, eventually to Britain, at first to the Ritz in London, and as the blitz became worse, to Frieth where they helped with the war effort. King Zog was condemned to death in his absence, as Albania became communist at the end of the war. He was welcome to remain in Britain but chose to go to King Farouk in Egypt where there was a large community of exiles. King Zog and his wife Geraldine decided to send their son Prince Lekor to Sandhurst to learn to become a soldier and form a group to oust the communist regime in Albania. King Zog died in 1961 in Paris. The inscription on his tomb is ‘KING OF ALBANIA’.

At our March meeting we have a talk by Sue Barns entitled ‘Helen Douglas House’.
Everyone Welcome.

We have a very interesting future programme. All meetings are at 8pm in the Main Village Hall on the first Friday in the month.

From Joan Steel

Londa Gray from The Daisy Chain in Princes Risborough gave us a very interesting demonstration with careful instructions on how to make a beautiful flower arrangement for a Christmas table. We each brought a candle and Londa gave us three bunches of flowers plus some berries, greenery, oasis, and a little dish. We followed Londa’s instructions and after an enjoyable half hour or so we were delighted with the results, as we each had a pretty ball-shaped arrangement of red, yellow and pink flowers with a central candle to take home. Amazibngly mine and others lasted until New Year looking fresh and colourful. Londa, and her daughter who helped, were thanked for all their work on preparation and clearing up and for the pleasure we had on the evening.

On 9th January, our thanks to Norma who arranged a games evening and we played Beetle which caused lots of fun.

Our next meeting, on February 6th, is a talk by Neil Rees entitled ‘The Court of King Zog’ (in exile in Frieth 1941-46). All welcome.

From Joan Steel

Following the notices, Jill introduced with pleasure our speaker Michael Hoey, who retired from the Royal Engineers in 2009 about the same time as becoming a Grandfather. This inspired him to do something grand to mark the occasion! So as well as cycling the whole tow path of the Grand Union Canal, he walked the Great Wall of China, having previously done charity work organising exhibitions, teaching and doing other community work. Michael’s challenge now was to cross the Grand Canyon in Colorado. He planned to take the route from North to South on the Bright Angel Trail and gave us a vivid explanation with slides of the enormous and truly awesome geography and geology of the area.

The Colorado River is 1,500 miles long and covers 277 miles from East to West. Geologists flock to study the various rocks forming the canyon. Its width varies from 15 miles to 100 miles and the inner canyon varies from a few yards to 11 miles wide at the point where Michael crossed, at one of three crossings where there are three small villages. The fault called Bright Angel Canyon crosses the canyon looking towards the North Rim which is 7000 feet above sea level with 8,500 feet difference between the North and the South Rim.

The climate varies with the altitude, being very hot and wet at the bottom where there is lush vegetation. A forest of mainly pine trees and junipers covers miles of flat land on the mountains, with sage plants covering the ground. There are wild flowers and wild animals including snakes various birds. The trail passes some temples and an Indian reservation where some cattle were grazing. There are some resting lodges where the all-important water taps are to be found for water bottles to be replenished.

The Bright Angel Trail is used by mules carrying freight that is heavier than their own body weight, but they are very nimble on the steep paths. Michael showed us some dramatic slide views and wonderful coloured sunsets. He walked 50 miles in all, walking sometimes 12 miles a day. He was warmly thanked for his interesting talk and heartily congratulated on raising £5,500 to refurbish St Mary’s church.

On December 5th we are making a Christmas table decoration with Londer Gray who is providing everything and we can add our own flowers etc if wished. Please bring £5.

From Joan Steel

Jill welcomed all members to our AGM and 48th Birthday and gave a particularly warm welcome to new members, Rose, Jennifer and Judy. We also welcomed the return of Elizabeth one of our previous leaders, as well as Pam our guest. We were delighted to have our treasurer Jo with us who is recovering well from her illness.

In her report, Jill recalled highlights of the years varied programme of high standard talks and enjoyable activities and outlined the interesting programme to look forward to in the coming year. Jill thanked the committee members for their work during the year and Margaret presented Jill with a gift and thanked her on our behalf for her friendship to us all and her dedicated work over many years to keep the group active and thriving. Doreen our temporary treasurer gave her report and Norma reported on our South Bucks Hospice Fund Raising. The proposal to keep the membership fee at £25 and visitors at £3 was accepted and also to continue supporting the S B.Hospice and Christmas donation to the MS Society. Jill and all the committee were re-elected and joined by Heather, a welcome new committee member.

Business having been completed we commenced supper, kindly made by Doreen and followed with Birthday cake and coffee and gifts were distributed. During the evening we had a quiz on naming the counties of England. Doreen gave us a map and list of county names and it was correctly completed by one group! We have a team entering the Potter Quiz on Oct 18th and our visit to the Law Courts is on 20th October.

The next meeting is on Friday 7th November and is a talk by Michael Hoey on “The Grand Canyon” There will be charity Christmas cards and wrapping paper etc for sale. Workaid have calenders for sale at £5. Please ask Barbara for details. Visitors are welcome to all our Meetings.