Tuesday 19 July 2011

Bishop’s Stortford 41 Club Chairman’s BBQ – 17th July 2011

Sunday afternoon took Jill and I to Jim Smith’s house for the Chairman’s BBQ (Jim is also the Chairman as well as the National Membership Officer). In true 41 club style, it rained on and off most of the afternoon, but it still did not stop the cooking, eating and drinking.


A really enjoyable afternoon and our thanks must also go to Jim’s wife, Chris, for making sure all ran smoothly during the afternoon.

Region 21 Skittles – 13th July 2011

The final of the Region 21 Skittles Competition took place at the Civil Service Sports Association Club in Cheltenham and what a good evening it was.


Four clubs from the Region (2 from the north and 2 from the south) had battled through several rounds to reach this year’s finals, in a Regional competition that dates back in 1973 when Westbury on Trym won it. With two lanes being used and the highest score overall winning after one lot of “throws” from each member from a team of 8 (there is no time for a play-off), the winners this year were Nailsea 41 Club, who have now won the trophy 3 times in the last 4 years.

Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the evening; an excellent evening to meet other clubs in the region and enjoy a beer. Plans are already underway for next year’s competition.

Dedication of the 41 Club Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum – 17th July 2011

After much hard work from Lichfield 41 Club in preparing the 41 Club Garden at the National Memorial Garden on the outskirts of Birmingham, members of the Round Table Family gathered for the formal “Dedication” of the Garden led by Immediate Past National Rev Malcolm Lockey. After a short service the four Associations laid “floral tributes”.


The rain held off and there was time for walking around the Garden and enjoying the facilities. I had never been there before, and found it a very moving experience, especially The Armed Forces Memorial, which provides the recognition and the thanks for those who have given their lives in the service of the country since the two World Wars.

For those who have never been to the Garden, it is well worth visiting and it is deserving of a full day’s tour around the various monuments. I will be recommending it to my son who spent several years in the army.
Congratulation to all those involved in organising the day for 41 Club, especially to Lichfield 41 Club and our secretary Martin Green for his assistance on producing “The Order of Service”.





LOTS - 12th July 2011

The evening was spent in London when I was very kindly hosted by London Old Tablers’ Society at their speaker evening. It was an honour to visit such a distinguished club with such a history, especially as the club is older than the Association.


It was really nice to meet up again with old friends from Round Table (and to make new ones) and everyone had a good time, with laughter and good banter around the table. It was also nice to welcome a new member to the club – Ralph Preston, who will now always be addressed at the meetings as “Preston”. It is a tradition of the club that all members are referred to using their surnames; a tradition that goes back many years.

I look forward to revisiting the club in the New Year and meeting many of them at the lunchtime meeting in The Lamb.

National Council Meeting – 8th & 9th July 2011

The weekend of the Council meeting took us to my Region here in Sussex, when we visited Brighton. The men had committee meeting early on the Saturday, followed by the National Council meeting. Whilst the men were in their meetings, the wives visited the Brighton Pavilion – some went to the shopping centres, but I think everyone enjoyed visited “The Lanes” with its wide range of shops – and the pier.


The evening was spent relaxing at the Greyhound Racing in Hove, where over a meal everyone could have a bet on the winning dogs. That was the idea, but I think most people lost but some of the winnings were contributed to RTCW. We even had one of the races named after the Association and also got a mention in the programme.

Overall, a very enjoyable and productive weekend and my thanks must go to Dave and Pauline Campbell and Mike and Jan Turner who organised the weekend.


Wednesday 13 July 2011

Visit to the Isle of Man – 4th and 5th July 2011

After a quick flight, Jill and I arrived in the Isle of Man. The weather was very good and we were met by Geoff and Joan Crabtree (Past National Tangent President), who took us sightseeing around the south of the island. We met Steve Leonard  (Past National Councillor) and Irene for lunch and then went onto visit John E10, who cannot get out very much now, but has a collection of Presidents’ banners going back to George Douglas – mine now has now joined his collection.

Martin Quayle in House of Keys



The afternoon took us the House of Keys, where we were showed around by on old friend of ours (through Round Table) who is now an Honourable Member of the House of Keys – Martin Quayle.

In the evening, we joined with 41 Club members on the island at a local pub – a pub which is on the TT Course and the walls are adorned with pictures of motor cycles and their riders.

Martin in the procession on Tynwald day
The Tuesday morning the weather had changed to heavy rain, but we were able to visit the Tynwald Day Ceremony. This is when all the laws passed during the year are read out in English and Manx at an open air ceremony, which has been taking place in similar form for over 1000 years. It was a really enjoyable day out in which you feel are taking part in a very historical ceremony. In an adjoining field there is a Tynwald day fair with many local charity stalls. Rushen Round Table had a stall with a  "human fruit machine" which proved very popular and was hilarious to watch.

In the evening, we joined with more 41 Club members at a local restaurant.

A great couple of days in which we met many of the island’s 41 club members and Round Tablers.

Region 22 Golf – 6th July 2011

A record turnout from Region 22, turned up at Downes Crediton Golf Club (just outside Exeter) for a afternoon of really enjoyable golf – apart from the soaking over the last 3 holes! – and dinner afterwards. Downes Crediton Gold Club was formed in 1975 and is still relatively young. The course was originally farmland, but tree planting and a lot of hard work has transformed it into a beautiful parkland course. The Region will hopefully be well represented at the National Golf Finals in September.

Sunday 3 July 2011

Llantwit Major 30th Charter – 1st July 2011



Llantwit Major’s 30th Charter celebrations were held at the local rugby club, where over 90 (from several clubs, including a frequent visitor from Belgium) enjoyed a good night of fun and fellowship with Llantwit Major Tangent presenting a Birthday cake for the Club to Chairman Keith and carrying  out a great interruption.

The food was excellent, the speaker Dai Vaughan, very funny and the whole evening went really well – a tribute to all the hard work put into the organisation of the event. The evening was well finished off, with bacon sandwiches and port at two in the morning.