|
Friday. The members started to arrive in the early afternoon and very soon the lamp started to swing. Very few members knew each other before arriving and just as in any new commission, there were introductions and talk of ‘Were you there when ….?’ as familiar ships or shore establishments were mentioned.
The evening meal was taken with conversations going across from table to table. Entertainment was laid on in the lower area and some members watched or listened with interest, but I feel that the majority were more interested in their new found shipmates!
During the evening our Slops Manager found his feet and relieved many of the members of their loose and not so loose change for the Raffle to be drawn at the Gala Dinner
Saturday was of course the ‘Start of the Association’ with the Inaugural General Meeting which was followed with the traditional ‘Up Spirits’ to really get the ship afloat.
The afternoon was taken at leisure with members drifting into groups and seeing parts of the town or just ‘Swinging the Lamp’. The Ideal Home Exhibition was on just down the road and many members visited that
The Gala Dinner was taken in style with candles on the table and a complimentary glass of Red or White Wine. Again entertainment was laid on and once again I feel more were interested in swinging the lamp.
Just before the entertainment started, our erstwhile Slops Manager, having relieved the members of just a little more cash, made the draw. The Prize Table was bulging under the weight of the gifts the members had donated and a very interesting draw took place. The Draw made £168.00 for Association Funds.
Sunday saw 29 members take a very pleasant Coach Tour into the New Forest visiting Burley and Lyndhurst for stops to take refreshments and shopping. Brian our Coach Driver gave a very interesting commentary through the New Forest.
Other members visited friends in the area or stayed in Bournemouth. The Evening Meal was taken again amidst the usual camaraderie which had now well and truly established itself. Entertainment again and once again much ‘Lamp Swinging’
New friendships were made at this first meeting, and old ones renewed with two members meeting again for the first time in 51 years and two more for the first time in 27 years. All good things, however, have to come to an end and Monday saw our farewells and ‘See you at the next one’
|
