Shelter Box – 22nd September 2011

“Following my appeal for funds in support of Shelter Box in the aftermath of the Japanese Earthquake, I am pleased to say that a good number of clubs responded and we raised a considerable sum which we are to donate to Shelter Box on 22nd September 2011 at their London Offices - 37 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London SE1 7TL between 12.30 and 1pm ...”
Malcolm Lockey, Immediate Past President, 9th September 2011.

I participated in this presentation, with:
National President, Vaughan Harris
National Treasurer, Mike Turner
Alan Pattinson, former National Councillor, led the introduction of ShelterBox to 41 Club and initiated the International Collection in the wake of the earthquake in Japan.
Peter Bolt, Treasurer of Feltham & Hounslow 41 Club

I was particularly interested because my club, Faringdon & District, made the first contribution to Malcolm’s appeal: the full value of a ShelterBox.

We were entertained by Tim Bunting, Head of ShelterBox Great Britain & Ireland, and John Leach, Head of ShelterBox Operations.

Tim briefed us on ShelterBox with a DVD presentation illustrating its activities in various regions. The full ‘ShelterBox’ weighs 55kg (more than 1cwt in old money) – heavy even as a two-man lift – we saw ladies walking away balancing them on their heads!

John described the operations side from recruiting, assessing (rejecting if necessary) and training volunteers, to deployments and methods of working. Headquarters in Cornwall is the focus for selection, training and operations; the twenty or so overseas ShelterBox agencies are dedicated to fundraising.

The team philosophy is to provide immediate shelter to enable families to survive and remain together. The contents of the ‘ShelterBox’ provide shelter, bedding, stove, water purification, children’s activities, tools, water carrier, etc, for 10 people (see illustration). The most important feature is that the team will not affect adversely the activities of other agencies, nor will it suck in any of their resources. “When available food runs out, the team does not eat.” John has a good track record of getting teams in against vested interests; telephone calls and emails to the British Embassy and Universities in Japan got vital contacts and, even more vital, a dedicated translator.

‘Boxes’ have been sent to practically all major disaster areas over the last decade. Amongst the recipients were Haiti, 30,000 ‘Boxes’, the Indonesian Tsunami areas and Pakistan.

These are just recollections of a fascinating hour spent with these guys; no doubt you can find chapter and verse for all this and more on the charity’s website: shelterbox.org.

Oh, by the way, a cheque for £10,125 was handed over. Well done everyone!

 Report by Frank Venables, Faringdon & District 41 Club. Region 20 National Councillor



 

Welwyn 41 Club – 19th September 2011

Having won the Elsan Trophy (a ceremonial toilet seat) last year, it was the turn of Welwyn 41 Club to organise the event this year. The event is held in Region 19, and clubs are invited to attend to compete in a competition of the host’s choosing. This year Welwyn organised a series of games which required a wide range of skills, but the nice thing is that they were all designed so that every member could take part in the evening.


There was a good turnout with many clubs represented. I played for Hoddesdon 41 Club with strict instructions that they were not to win – in the end there was no danger of that. The winners were Baldock 41 Club, who will have to organise the event next year.

A good fun and fellowship evening with a great format, which was finished off with a nice, sociable dinner.

Scottish Tangent Luncheon – 17th September 2011

Jill and I joined members of Tangent at the Scottish Tangent Luncheon, held in Turriff near Aberdeen. Approximately 90 Ladies turned up to enjoy the lunch, which had been superbly organised by the local Turriff Tangent Club. After a very enjoyable lunch, we heard from the guest speaker Agnes Stevenson, a journalist specialising in gardening. A really enjoyable time and I look forward to visiting Tangent again at the South East Luncheon.

 

A long drive took Jill and me to Banff in Scotland, where we arrived in time to join Deveron 41 Club for a curry on the Thursday evening. On the Friday, I took part in the local Round

Tables’ annual charity golf day,    which is well supported by the local 41 Club.

The rain held off and it was a day in which the putts went in and the result was I joined 4 others on the winning score of 37 points; unfortunately I came 5^th on the count back. It was a really enjoyable day, with monies raised for local charities.

Haselmere 41 Club – 14th September 2011

 

I joined Haselmere 41 Club for an evening of “Slot Car Racing” – scalectrix by any other name. It took you back to childhood days racing cars around track. We ended up racing all sorts of cars with a bit of a twist at the end, in terms of the cars used.

We also enjoyed a homemade curry in the interval. An enjoyable evening was had by all.

Fleet 41 Club – 13th September 2011

I joined Fleet 41 Club for a very enjoyable sociable evening at the local curry house. There was good banter around the table and it was a pleasure to meet the members in a very relaxed atmosphere. The food was excellent. The Club had obviously been there before, as they looked after us very well and even brought us extra dishes! An excellent evening.

Esher 41 Club – 12th September 2011

Along with members from Kingston ex-Tablers and Hamble Valley 41 Clubs, I joined Esher 41 Club for their joint meeting. After a very nice meal, it was time to ask the President what was happening in 41 Club. A lively discussion ensued and after about one hour (it seemed to go very fast) we all  adjourned to the bar. It was a very enjoyable relaxing evening.

The Muswell Hill Festival & Donkey Derby – 11th September 2011

A warm and sunny Sunday aftenoon took me to the Muswell Hill Festival and Donkey Derby.

There Jill and I  helped 1741 Club, together with local RT's Tablers (together with various family members) to run the Donkey Derby and Donkey rides . It was good fun and very funny to watch. The afternoon was spent with some very frisky donkeys which caused the riders some problems.

All this was part of raising monies for the London Centre for Children with Cerebal Palsy. The day was attended by several thousand people who all enjoyed the attractions which included a karate display, dog show, food courts, bouncy castles, inflatables and many other stalls.

Funds raised by 41 Club and Table amoted to over £1200.00  and it certainly raised the profile of RT and 41 Club in the local community.

City of London RT13 Nun Run – 11th September 2011

Over 200 runners turned up on the Sunday morning to dress up as Nuns and run around some of the City of London’s landmarks and bridges. It was good to see some 41 Club members supporting the event and Jill and I were asked to help on the day looking after the left luggage/bags.

The event was run by City of London RT13 and the monies raised (approximately £1500) went to RTCW.

Many of those that took part came up to us after the run when collecting their bags saying how well organised it all was and what a fun event and they would be looking out for it next year.

Joint meeting of Deeside and Birkenhead 41 Clubs – 7th September 2011

A pleasant drive took me to North Wales to visit Deeside and District 41 Club who were having a joint meeting with Birkenhead 41 Club. They meet twice a year and take it in turns to host the event. It was a very enjoyable evening (an informal meeting) with lots of laughter and good banter and it was good to see the local Round Table there to enjoy the evening as well.

Region 25 Golf – 6th September 2011

There was a good turnout at West Malling Golf Club (near Maidstone), which played host to Region 25’s Golf Day, for a really enjoyable day’s golf with dinner afterwards – despite the pouring rain the whole day (it only eased after 16 holes). They also managed to raise monies for RTCW.


It was a difficult course with plenty of water and trees, which I did find on many occasions, but on the plus side it is set in the heart of the Kent countryside and has magnificent views over the South Downs. I did though manage to win the longest drive competition – more by luck than judgement.

I look forward to welcoming the winners to the National Golf Finals in September.

Aldershot 41 Club – 5th September 2011

I joined Aldershot 41 Club for dinner and a chat at their September meeting. It was a most enjoyable meeting and I was made to feel most welcome. Over dinner many stories from tabling days were recounted and with business kept to a minimum, everyone came away having a very enjoyable evening.

National Sporting Weekend – 2nd and 3rd September 2011

This year’s National Sporting Weekend was held in Leeds and was (as usual) well organised.

The Friday started off with the golf at Headingly Golf Club with the main sports taking place on the Saturday at the University Campus. It was good to see the event so well supported by 41 club (I recognised many old faces), but it was also good to see the participation of so many young tablers.

The Sportmans’ Dinner on the Saturday evening was excellent with an excellent speaker in Kriss Akabusi MBE.

Next year’s event will be held in Birmingham and I am sure that the committee will put on an excellent weekend.

Downland Eastbourne 41 Club – Croquet Evening – 31st August 2011

On a warm sunny evening I joined Downland Eastbourne for an evening of Croquet. It was really enjoyable to have someone who knows how to play come round with you and explain the rules of the game and what to do – it is not such a friendly game. The evening was rounded off by a fine fish and chip supper.

41 Club Presidents Journal: Scottish Regional Golf Day – 25th August 2011

41 Club Presidents Journal: Scottish Regional Golf Day – 25th August 2011: In glorious sunshine, teams of golfers from all over Scotland travelled to Inverurie Golf Club for the Scottish Regional Golf Day organise...

Region 24 Murder Mystery Night - 26th August 2011

Several clubs from the southern end of Region 24 met in Bexhill – many of the members there I recognised from Table days.


It was a really enjoyable evening where the entertainment was several of us playing characters in a murder mystery evening, with everyone else having to guess who did it. Both Jill and I had “acting” role and the banter went around the room – it really was very funny. The characters’ names had all been carefully scripted eg I was Harris Enford (i.e. Harrison Ford) and it carried on from there.

It was an excellent evening and a thank you must go to the organisers from Bexhill 41 Club.

Scottish Regional Golf Day – 25th August 2011

In glorious sunshine, teams of golfers from all over Scotland travelled to Inverurie Golf Club for the Scottish Regional Golf Day organised by Inverurie 41 Club. It really was a good day for meeting old friends (and making new ones) and playing golf, especially as the players from each team went out with members from other clubs.

The golf course itself was in very good condition, especially considering the amount of rain recently. It was not a long course (5564 yards par 69), with an undulating initial 9 holes and a testing and tight finish with broom, gorse and tree-lined fairways. The course had excellent views from the higher points on the course.

The overall winners on the day were again Inverurie and congratulations to everyone involved for organising such an enjoyable day.

Joint Godalming 41 Club & Round Table Golf Day – 18th August 2011

Despite the pouring rain there was a good turnout at Hurtmore Golf (near Guildford) for the joint golf day between Godalming 41 Club and Round Table. It was an enjoyable afternoon and the players were joined by other members from the two clubs who did not play.

It was a really nice course; not too long and which suited my high handicap, but it was made difficult by water, well placed bunkers and deceptive par fours.

The 41 Club won on the day, but good fun was had by all.

Region 15 Golf – 2nd August 2011

There was a good turnout at Drayton Park Golf (near Tamworth), which played host to Region 15’s Golf Day, for a really enjoyable afternoon of golf and dinner after.

It was quite a difficult course, which is tree-lined with very narrow fairways, so it did not suit my game – you had to hit the ball straight! Somehow, I did manage to win nearest the pin and won a very nice bottle of wine.

I look forward to welcoming the winners to the National Golf Finals in September.

Eastern Region Charity Golf Day – 19th July 2011

A great day’s golf was enjoyed by many at The Channels Golf Club, Chelmsford for the Eastern Region Charity Golf Day.

This is a joint Golf Day, involving Regions 16, 17, 18 and 19 and was superbly organised by Gerry Woodruff (an event he has organised for the past 7 years). It is a fun day but has a serious side in that there is a £1000.00 prize fund, which is divided up amongst the top three teams who had chosen a nominated charity prior to the day. The winning team from each Region will also be going to the National Finals in September.

It was a wonderful day’s golf. The weather was superb and the course in excellent condition. The course itself is a mature parkland course and having been built mainly on restored land it has numerous lakes and undulating fairways.

The evening culminated in the dinner and prize giving. This was Gerry’s last Golf Day as organiser and I am glad it went so well for him, but it is being organised next year by Nigel Davies (National Councillor for Region 16) and I would like to take this opportunity to wish him every success. After 7 years organising such a successful event, it was a real pleasure to present Gerry with The Association Award – well deserved.