Noel Rose consistently brings in outstanding guest speakers, and Mark Beale, featured in the March 2024 Newsletter, is no exception. Mark’s talk covered a tour he led to Israel and Palestine in 2010. He made a point of venturing out alone at night to see the places as they truly were, often finding stark contrasts between the narratives told and the realities observed.
This write-up is an excellent guide if you’ve ever wanted to understand the region’s history, often teetering on the brink of war or in the midst of conflict. Mark’s talk not only delved into the area’s history but also highlighted the lives of the people who lived there and those who occupied it, making his talk an informative and engaging presentation.
Delicious Bistro is on the Te Atatu Peninsula. It appears to be a tiny café from the street but has a spacious and comfortable conservatory at the back. It was a delight to see Justin Griffith, our former treasurer who has since moved back to the UK, attending the coffee morning during his visit to New Zealand.
Sadly, as time passes, we lose cherished members. This year, we mourn the loss of Peter Cox, one of the club’s stalwarts. Peter was in Auckland Hospital after breaking his femur, and after the orthopedic surgeons implanted a titanium rod, he developed septicemia, which swiftly took his life.
