Chester / North Wales Branch News

(Chairman: Maj Phil Jones)

“It’s a funny old game Saint”. Funny indeed!! I was sitting in my lounge at home a few days before the annual bowls meeting at the North Wales Bowls Centre on 21 January with just 6 positive returns from members. I had no alternative but to cancel the event. Quite clearly the ‘old charm’ had not worked and was but a distant memory

You can imagine that alarm bells were beginning to ring for the viability of the Grand National Draw social Evening scheduled for 2 months hence on 25 March. I need not have worried!! We were well supported by almost 100 members, their families and friends for what turned out to be a fantastic night of food, wine and music. Members and guests began arriving just after 7 pm for dinner at 8 pm and it was during this time that the Business of The Draw was completed. My thanks to Phil Thompson and Martin Yoxall for their cool headed help.(Congratulations to Phil for reaching retirement age pretty much unscathed and with a full head of hair –I think it was a few shades darker when he joined the Corps in the early 60’s. Best wishes to you and Chris when you join your daughter in Canada).

The Band of 103 Regt RA(V) led us into dinner with ‘Imperial Echoes’ and entertained us throughout the evening with a brilliant programme of music that varied from the ‘Flower Duet from Lakme’ (British Airways TV Ad theme) to many tunes from shows such as Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. I think it is safe to say that the show-stopping
performance was by the post-horne soloist belting out ‘The Huntsmen’. I have to say that I got just a little panicky when the first member of the Band arrived at 7.15 pm to inform me that their coach had not turned up to transport them from Bolton. All credit to them for travelling in their own cars and not getting lost.

The food provided by the Freemason’s Hall was plentiful and very tasty and from the din in the hall, the seating plan appeared to work. I can’t believe the wicked assertion that the noise level was entirely due to many old codgers’ hearing aids not working properly.

We were privileged to entertain the Association Secretary, Ewan Simmonds and his delightful wife Jennie. The Branch made a small presentation to Ewan in recognition of his hard work for the Association and also to celebrate (if that’s the right word) his impending retirement which, I believe, has now been delayed. We trust you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. (I understand that you already have the knitted cardy in readiness for retirement – just the pipe and comfy slippers to complete the set!!)

It was wonderful to see other Branch Chairmen Bernard Fullerton (Gloucester Branch), Charles Plaistow (York Branch), Bill Davies (Cardiff & S Wales) and, of course their lovely wives Pam, Val and Gaener. Others who travelled from outside the branch area were John and Margaret Kiely, Martin and Janet Hay and Paul Roberts. Many thanks to you all for joining us and please look out below for forthcoming events.

Before I put this particular item to bed, my thanks to John Prior (Southern Branch) for his helpful anecdotes. I have to give special thanks to Joyce Kehoe for splendidly organising the highly prized raffle and also my two pals Terry Winter and Peter Fryer for helping with the planning and preparation. It was a splendid night that ran more or less like clockwork despite Cheshire Council’s Department for Digging Up Roads best efforts. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

The Branch has two other events coming up this year, both at the Freemason’s Hall. The first is our annual barbecue on Sunday 2 July, meeting at 3.30 pm for 4.00 pm. Crown Green bowling will be available to those with energy to spare. The second event is our sit down dinner on 20 October, arriving at 7.00 pm for dinner at 7.30 pm. Please make a note in your diaries and support your Branch.

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