Ireland - 4th -6th November 2011

Jill and I travelled to Ireland to enjoy a wonderful weekend in Ireland, kindly hosted by Bangor 41 Club and in particular by National Councillor Phillip Ellis and his wife Sandra. It was a packed weekend and we were shown the oldest pub in Ireland (it said so on the door), a tour around Bangor and Belfast, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and also had time to take in the Titanic Exhibition. The evenings were taken up meeting the members of Bangor 41 Club and Region 3. On the Sunday morning I attended the Region 3 Half Yearly Meeting, where the issues affecting Ireland were discussed. A really enjoyable weekend and I look forward to attending meetings later in the year – diary permitting.

Locksbottom 41 Club Charter Night – 3rd November 2011

As President it is really nice to have the opportunity to attend the Charter of a new club and present the Charter Certificate. It was especially nice to attend the charter of Locksbottom 41 Club as the new chairman is Dave Campbell, who I have known for many years. It was a really enjoyable evening and was nicely finished with Gin Tasting. They have already produced an exciting, active programme and I wish them well for the future.

Birmingham Civic Day Lunch - – 3rd November 2011

With many distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Birmingham, I had the pleasure of joining many tablers and 41 club members at the City of Birmingham Civic Day Lunch. It was a really enjoyable lunch hearing about the many good things that are going on in the city and relaxing afterwards with a beer or two. 

Great South Run – 30th October 2011

Ten miles might not appear to be too far, but I assure you it seemed too long to me. The atmosphere was fantastic at the beginning with approximately 25,000 runners and walkers. All was going well until 8 miles, when we turned into the wind for the final leg along the seafront. My legs seized up and the last two miles was a serious struggle. I completed it though in 2hours 54 minutes, which was in my own personal target of 3 hours. My thanks must go to Jill and Martin and Maria Green who encouraged me to complete the course; especially to Maria who accompanied me for a mile and encouraged me round that last corner!

Norton Radstock 41 Club’s Ladies Night – 29th October 2011

Both Jill and I were invited to join Norton Radstock 41 Club at their joint Ladies Night with the local Round Table, Ladies Circle and Tangent. It was a good evening with lots of laughter and good food and after the speeches from each of the Chairmen, the evening ended with dancing to the music.

Chepstow and Offa’s Dyke 41 Club Charter – 28th October 2011

Chepstow and Offa’s Dyke 41 Club were celebrating their 35^th Charter and it was held at the famous St Pierre Hotel and Country Club and I must say that they looked after us very well – both the service and the food were excellent. It was a really enjoyable evening and was finished off with a really funny comedian. A very good night.

Northwich 41 Club – 27th October 2011

I had the pleasure of joining Northwich 41 Club for their International Evening. It really is a good format. There were five courses from all parts of the world, for example the starter was from Tunisia and the dessert from Sweden. All you had to do was to enjoy the food and answer 3 “simple” questions on the dish, which normally included what country you thought the food was from and the main ingredients. When the dish was cleared away you were asked several more questions about the country. A really good evening and one which any club could include in its programme.

Farnham 41 Club – 25th October 2011

Farnham 41 Club held an excellent social evening, which was also attended by several guests and several members from the local Round Table. It was a wine and food matching evening to which you were invited to taste and compare the wines, evaluate their quality and see how well they matched the food dish being served. Each wine was presented by a 41 club member and he outlined why he believed that his chosen wine went the best with the course in question. There was a chance at the end to discuss the wines and select the preferred choice. It was an excellent evening.

Inverness 41 Club – 22nd October 2011

 A long drive north took me to Inverness (a really beautiful part of the country) to join in the Area 13 41 Club AGM followed by a really enjoyable evening and dinner with Inverness 41 Club. There was lots of laughter and good banter (as well as whiskey, wine and beer) and I look forward to seeing the members again when I visit Stornaway on the Isle of Lewis.