41 Club International AGM held in India – 20th -21st April 2012

Jill and I had great pleasure in representing our Association at the 41 Club International AGM, held in Chennai, India. As you would expect, it was an excellent weekend, very well organised with wonderful hospitality.

Virtually all  countries in the International Association were there, and there was an excellent turnout from GB & I.

An additional bonus for Jill and I was to meet up again with Stan Evans (now the Porsche Brand Manager in Chennai), who I met many years ago in 2000 when I was National President of Round Table. He was the Area President in the midlands, when Roy Hawkins was Area Chairman.

I will be updating this post with pictures following my return from Jersey for the 2012 Conference and AGM

Newport 60th Anniversary Dinner – 16th April 2012

What a fantastic way to end the year. I, along with many local clubs in the Region, joined Newport 41 Club to help celebrate their 60^th Charter. There was a good atmosphere, with lots of good banter and humour, which all added up to a very enjoyable evening. Along with the “usual” formal speeches, the evening played host to a local legend; Eddie Butler the ex-Welsh Rugby International and now a BBC commentator.

Wimbledon 41 Club 25th Charter – 14th April 2012

Jill and I joined Wimbledon 41 Club to help celebrate their 25^th Charter. We were also joined by members from several local 41 Clubs as well members from their “twin” club in Paris. We both enjoyed the evening, meeting up with many old friends and especially as they were lucky enough to have along as guest speaker, Mark Saggers the Sports                Broadcaster.

Troon 41 Club 35th Charter – 13th April 2012

Jill and I travelled up to Troon to enjoy a wonderful few days of Scottish hospitality, from enjoying a curry, sightseeing around the area, enjoying “high tea” at the Royal Troon Clubhouse, playing Royal Troon Golf Course and enjoying a superb Charter night, held at the Royal Troon Clubhouse.

The Charter night was “extra” special, as during the evening I had the opportunity to present the Past Chairman’s Jewel to the outgoing Chairman of two years (it is their AGM next week), induct a new member into the 41 Club, as well as being able to present a Service Award to their Secretary/ Treasurer, who had been in the “job” for twelve years! There was formal side as well, with the usual speeches, including one from Colin Duthrie, who had many interesting stories to tell, including a wheelchair ascent of Ben Nevis.

Dorset Knobs – 23rd March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor David Brown, I attended the Dorset Knobs Dinner (Region 23 Cluster Dinner) organised by Weymouth 41 Club. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship, with many clubs from the Region attending, and after a superb meal was finished off with the traditional Dorset Knob (a twice baked bread roll) and Dorset blue cheese. 

The event was very special this year as it was held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, which is the home for the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games and & Paralympics Games. 

There we were entertained by guest speakers Roger Willis, President of the National Sailing Academy, and John Derbyshire OBE, RYA Performance Director/Racing Manager. We learnt of the development of the site to provide the first class facilities and GB’s chances in both the Olympics and Paralympics as well as who is going to represent the country. It was an excellent talk and I am now looking forward to watching the sailing with increased interest in the summer.

Costa Blanca 41 Club Charter Night – 21st March 2012

A fleeting visit to Spain, took Jill and I to Costa Blanca 41 Club’s Charter Night for a very enjoyable evening.

 It was though tinged with some sadness as it was also the commemorative dinner for one of their longest serving members, Tony Ogden, who had been Chairman of the club back in 1990-1991 and who  helped who had helped start the Iberian Cluster Meetings. It was nice to be able to reminess and provide a tribute to Tony as he was a member of my own 41 Club in the UK and he was instrumental in me becoming a member of the Costa Blanca 41 Club.   He will be sorely missed.

Westhill Round Table and 41 Club joint Charter Night – 17th March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Ken Donald, I attended the Joint Charter Night of Westhill Round Table and 41 Club. 

There was a interruption by the Ladies that used to be in Ladies Circle many of which I knew from previous visits to the Area and who had done the interruption 10 years ago.

It was great evening of fun and fellowship, with many clubs from the Region attending. I had attended the last major charter night of Westhill Round Table when I was the RT National President, so it was especially nice to return to Westhill on this night.

Newton Stewart 41 Club’s Charity Burns Night – 16th March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Donald Watson and his wife Doreen, Jill and I attended Newton Stewart 41 Club’s Charity Burns Night. It was a well attended evening, with members from both 41 Club and Round Table, as well as from local businesses.

It was a very well organised evening with the traditional Address to the Haggis and The Immortal Memory; both being excellently done. The evening also raised a considerable sum for Round Table Children’s Wish.

Poulton Progress 41 Club – 15th March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Peter Caley, I attended a meeting of Poulton Progress 41 Club. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship and we were joined by members of the local Round Tables and 41 Clubs. After a meal of T-bone steak (meal chosen by the Chairman as it is his favourite!) I had the honour of presenting them with their Charter.

Meeting at The Lamb (26th Anniversary) – 14th March 2012

This was a very enjoyable afternoon. Over 25 members from Round Table, 41 Club and Tangent met at The Lamb (where the odd pint or two were enjoyed), followed by a meal in Loch Fynne. If you are ever in London on the second Wednesday of the month, please go along to The Lamb (Leadenhall Market), where you can enjoy the fellowship of all 4 clubs in an informal atmosphere.

Lancaster 41 Club and Tangent Joint Charter Meeting – 13th March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Peter Caley, Both Jill and I  attended the Lancaster 41 Club and Tangent Joint Charter Meeting. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship and Tangent President, Jan Dowling, and I had a very enjoyable night.

Prince Bishops Dinner – 9th March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Colin Steen, I attended the Prince Bishops Dinner (Region 4 Cluster Dinner) organised by Hartlepool 41 Club. As well as 41 Clubs within Region 4, the evening was also attended by Round Tables from Areas 10 and 20, to make this the largest event of the year – over 190 people attended. 

It was a very enjoyable day, starting off with a golf competition,where I did not disgrace myself,  followed by a very good meal and culminating in comedian Mike Kelly. I am sure that this is a great format for future years.

Mid-Wales Cluster Dinner – 7th March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Lawrence Bamber, I attended the St David’s Day Mid-Wales Cluster Dinner (Region 12) organised by Llandrindod 41 Club. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship, with many clubs from the Region attending.  I would recommend any club in the area to book for next year

Smethwick 41 Club Cluster Night – 5th March 2012

I played golf in the Afternoon with members from Smethwick and their Chairman before attending the Cluster Night, and would thank them for a very enjoyable round.

Accompanied by local Regional Councillor Barry Durman, I then  attended the Smethwick 41 Club Cluster Night. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship, with many clubs from the Region attending and all enjoying a talk from guest speaker Jerry Blackett, the Chief Executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, who talked on the burning issues in and around Birmingham.

Round Table National President’s Ball – 3rd March 2012

I had the pleasure of representing the Association at the Round Table National President’s Ball, which was held in Coventry. Over 350 people attended to make this a very enjoyable evening and one which I am sure that John Payne will long remember.

The Ball committee had put together a great evening of entertainment and the Hotel looked after us superbly. There was dancing until the small hours and we left them all enjoying themselves and I understand many of the Tablers and Circlers were still going until around 4. am the  sign of a great night !! I am only sorry we could not keep up with them but I had been away since Monday.

St David’s Day Dinner – 2nd March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Lawrence Bamber, I attended the St David’s Day Dinner (Region 12 Cluster Dinner) organised by Deeside 41 Club. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship, with many clubs from the Region attending.


One of the highlights of the evening for me was being granted Honorary Membership of Deeside 41 Club. I have visited the club three times this year and had a great time at each one and I look forward to visiting them over the coming years.

After the end of the evening old Table hijinks came out and one poor "lad"  who was a table honorary who had the misfortune of falling asleep was "decorated" by tablers and 41 Club members  and he still did not wake up!

Severnvale Dinner – 1st March 2012

Accompanied by Regional Councillor Ray Jones, I attended the Severnvale Dinner (Region 21 Cluster Dinner) organised by Gloucester 41 Club. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship, with many clubs from the Region attending.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Club Service Award to Cleeve Hill 41 Club for their tremendous work and fund raising efforts for the local community in the organisation of the Swimathon.