Good Companions

The Good Companions came into existence in the year 2000. It is a socially active group for men with a membership which is mainly of retirement age. On a voluntary basis one or two members organise and run a Lunch once a month. This can be in the member’s own home or if that is not possible, then in the Melvill Room, at St Mary’s Church, using the Church kitchen and facilities. Usually, twice a year, we have an additional monthly lunch at the White Swan, Twickenham. For several years now we have had our Christmas Lunch in the Cote Restaurant, Barnes. Wives are always invited to the Christmas Lunch and any other activities outside the monthly lunches.

We encourage members, who have expertise in any activity, to organise and run outings. In the past we have walked paths such as the Thames Path, and The Ridgeway, We have had boat trips on the Thames, visited The Mansion House, The Law Courts, The Cavalry Museum, and the Garrick Club. In the past year have had lectures and guided walking visits to the Brentford Dock area of London. We encourage members to organise trips out and we always include wives in any outings. We actively support two charities Combat Stress, from which we were voted Community Group of the Year 2023, and the River Thames Boat Project enabling people who often have difficulty leaving their home, to have a day out on the River Thames.

New Members

We are always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining The Good Companions, please get in touch with us, via The St Mary’s Church Office or email Brian Turk

Lunches

About once a month a men’s lunch is held at a member’s house. The host provides bread, salad, glasses, plates, cutlery etc and those attending bring wine, cold meat, cheese, fruit, pate etc. Sometimes the host might provide something in addition eg soup, lasagne or a pudding. This is not essential and the whole idea is to keep the lunches simple, otherwise some members might be put off from hosting a lunch. Occasionally, particularly in the winter when we are not able to move out into the garden, the lunches are held in one of the local pubs.

Other Activities

In addition to the lunches we organise a wide variety of activities and our wives join in most of these and probably the highlights of these have been our walks of the Thames Path – 185 miles, the Ridgeway – 87 miles and we are now nearing the completion of our walk of the North Downs Way – 153 miles. These walks and the associated lunch venues have been most efficiently planned and organised by Brian and Janice Turk.

Past Activities

Over the years we have had a number of other walks, mainly around London and in Surrey. We have visited Oxford, cathedrals, churches, gardens, markets, museums, art galleries, theatres, concerts, historical houses, eaten out at number of local restaurants, had a number of boat trips and summer drinks parties. Our wives have joined us on all of these activities. For the last three years we have had a Christmas lunch, two of which have been held at San Remo in Castelnau and last year at the recently refurbished King’s Head in Roehampton.

Work Party

Each Autumn we organise a work party to clear rubbish etc at the back of St Mary’s and Kitson Hall and assist in the preparations for the Christmas Fair and from time to time our members act as stewards and bar attendants at the various events held at St Mary’s. For several years we have supported the charity Combat Stress and have contributed over £2,000 to its funds and for the last two years we have held a Coffee Morning in aid of the Under Tree Schools in South Sudan.

Gallery

May 2016

Visit to the BMW Cowley Mini Production Line