Bifocus

 

 

 

 

 

November / December 2011:-

 

Chairman’s Report:- In the last two months I have attended the following events.

 

a):- Reunion / memorial meeting Thursday November 3rd

 

This meeting was held at the Village Hotel Shirley and not at our usual venue. The hotel provided a very enjoyable Italian theme buffet, and the event was attended by over 40 people including a number of former members of SLK and SRT. The showpiece of the evening was a highly articulate and persuasive presentation of the world 94 event that SRT are hosting in June 2012. The details of this event are comprehensively covered on our web site. Suffice to say at this point is that it is an occasion which will capture the essence of the Round Table movement. It is going to take a lot of effort to organise but is most certainly worthy of our support. I commend it to the house.

The evening was also noteworthy for the fellowship it engendered amongst past and present members. Howard is to be congratulated for finding a very satisfactory venue and negotiating such an agreeable culinary experience.

 

 

b):- SRT Brewery Visit: - Thursday November 10th

 

An outside visit to the Two Towers Brewery (shades of Tolkien)

That is to be found in the unlikely setting of the Jewellery Quarter just behind Snow Hill Station. The brewery itself is situated in an even more unlikely setting, a prefabricated unit on a small industrial estate. It has a staff of just two and is attempting to exploit a niche market created by the withdrawal of all the larger breweries form Birmingham.

One can only wish them well.

 


c):- SRT Safari supper Saturday November 12th

 

An enjoyable and now traditional table night that has not lost its attraction with the passage of time. Carefully planned and well hosted.

 

 

d):- SOLO Fund raising curry night November 22nd: -

 

Sorry, never made it!

 

 

e) :- SLK Christmas Quiz Thursday December 1st.

 

Great night! First class cuisine at the Reservoir. Fish chips and mushy peas all for a fiver, with an intellectually challenging quiz thrown in.

Dave did a great deal of good work putting this one together and deserves to be congratulated. A good turn out with 24 punters

 

 

f) :- Friday December 2nd. Guy Draper’s leaving bash.

 

As you all know Guy is emmigrating (to Wales of all places). A goodly number turned out to wish him bon voyage by doing a pedestrian pub crawl through outer Earlswood culminating in a Cheswick Green Curry. I speak for the whole club when I say that we wish him well and will be delighted to welcome him as a guest at our meetings in future whenever he is back it the Midlands

 

 

f):- Carolling 6th – 16th December

 

Hard work, but still worth doing. I did six sessions including two as Santa, and I felt that was a decent shift.

 

 

g); - December 10th SRT / Ladies Circle Christmas event.

 

This was an Elvis Tribute night at the Corus Hotel, and was very enjoyable; it was an imaginative change from the standard Downing Hall party.

 

 

h) ;- December 17th Joint Christmas Party.

 

This was the standard Downing Hall party. We must have done it at least a zillion times. Enjoyable nevertheless. My thanks to Sue, Tangent and all those who helped to organise and run it?


 

Y.I.C.F. Roland

 

 

September / October 2011:-

 

Chairman’s Report:- Since my last report I have attended the following events.

 

a) - SLK Speaker meeting 1st September

 

This meeting marked the end of the summer recess. It was a speaker meeting and well attended. The intended speaker was a witch but this lady cried off and flew away on her broomstick at the last minute. She was replaced at short notice by Andy who gave a very succinct and relevant talk on electric cars and their potential for the future. Given the current global concerns about the environment and national concerns about the economy this talk was highly prescient and created a lot of interest. We congratulate Andy on a well organised presentation, and thank him for stepping in at the last moment.  

b) - Mad O’Rourkes Pie factory

 

A table night with a difference. Essentially a pub crawl with a challenge. The challenge was to eat an enormous pie of dubious composition somewhere in Bilston whilst visiting a selection of the local hostelries. Only someone who has actually seen one of these monstrosities can really appreciate the enormity of the task. I am relieved to say that I failed abysmally but survived the ordeal. The company was great though

 

c) - Circle Charity Quiz night

 

Another quiz night, same formula, different questions, money raised in a worthy cause. Always enjoyable, especially Chrostos’  fish and chips. Well done Circle. May we have many more of them.

 

d) - Outside visit to Coughton Cought Thursday October 6th

This was an historical gem, coming as it did just a month before the most famous event associated with the house i.e. The Gunpowder plot. We were given an extremely atmospheric and informative tour introducing us into the world of the early 17th Century recusants, and the lengths they were prepared to go to in defence of the Catholic faith. This was followed by a very palatable supper in the restaurant. A really good evening. My thanks to Dave for organising an extremely enjoyable and worthwhile event.

 

e) - Ladies Night October 8th

 

For my own part I enjoyed the night immensely once I’d done the speech. My thanks to all those who helped in running the event and who supported it by attending.  It is however important to record that numbers were down and the night made a substantial loss. This is something that is perhaps to be noted for the future. The night does engender considerable fixed costs that can only be covered by numbers attending. It may therefore be the case that SLK will feel the need to review the format for future years. It is however a splendid night and one to savour. We should not give it up lightly.

 

f) - International visit

The jewel in the crown. This year Jonathan took us to Portugal and a highly sociable entertaining weekend hosted by and spent with members of Algarve 41 Club. They proved to be exemplary hosts and we owe them our profound thanks for their kindness and hospitality. The details of this trip have been placed on our website and need no repetition from me. I would however like to express my gratitude to Jonathan on behalf of the whole club. Year after year he keeps coming up with marvellous weekends for us all to enjoy. He deserves the highest accolades.

 

g) - World 94

 

This draws ever closer; it is now only 8 months away. The committee is meeting regularly to organise this event and plans are well underway. It is going to need input from all four clubs so we would urge you to keep an eye on this and help in any way you can.  

 

 

Y.I.C.F.

 

Roland

 

 

 

July / August 2011:-


 

Chairman’s Report:- Since my last report I have attended the following events.

  1. ; - 41 / Tangent Barbeque.

Hosted as usual by Glenys and Jerry we had a very enjoyable evening. The weather was a little uncertain but we took a tactical decision not to erect the awning and in the event it didn’t rain so we got away with it. We also got the costs exactly right making a small profit of £ 2.06. My thanks to our generous hosts for providing the venue in their beautiful garden.
 

b);- Ces Crossley Challenge;-

 

This year the challenge was a pool competition at The Snooker hall in Lode Lane. Our Sports officer Mike Clarke organised and ran the event and it proved to be very successful and entertaining. Mike even managed to find the actual trophy which was remarkable as it seems to have been missing for the last God knows how many years. The competition was fiercely fought over the evening eventually being decided on a tie break at the very end. The good news is that SLK won and therefore we don’t have to organise it next year. Ces Crossly is still alive as far as I am aware; he would have been impressed. Great night, Well done Mike!

  1. :- Area Volley ball. 14th July A table event that took place at Moseley Rugby Club in Hasluck’s Green Road on a fine summer evening. This was vigorously contested throughout and SRT made it all the way to the final eventually being beaten by Coleshill. Despite declining numbers this event attracted over 50 tablers and was extremely enjoyable.

  1. :- Phil Jones Memorial Cricket.

Edgbaston is a splendid place to go on a warm summer evening. The cricket was fast and exciting. Warwickshire batted first and made 266 in their 20 overs. This was promising. Unfortunately as the last ball was bowled the heavens opened and we all got wet. Leicestershire never got to bat as the match was abandoned. The fish and chips were really nice though.
 

d):- Birdlip Run:- July31st I never made it: my apologies to Barry. I believe though it was a successful day attracting quite a number of participants.
 

e): Four Clubs event: - August 25th:- The event was a summer evening walk embracing part of the Millennium Way. We had about 25 walkers and the route took us along the Stratford –on -Avon Canal and around Packwood House and back to The Wharf Pub in Hockley Heath where we were able to spend a very pleasant hour or two having a few drinks and / or food. This was a super evening. My thanks to Ken for organising a really good night.

 

f):- World 94:- This draws ever closer; it is now only 10 months away.

The committee is meeting regularly to organise this event and plans are well underway. It is going to need input from all four clubs so we would urge you to keep an eye on this and help in any way you can.
 

Y.I.C.F.
 

Roland

 

 

 

June 5th 2011:-

 

Chairman’s Report:-

 

a):- B.R.M.B. Walkathon:-
 

This year the Birmingham walkathon as held on Sunday 7th May.

It is a gruelling 27 mile circular walk along the outer City bus routes to raise money for the Birmingham Children’s hospital. More than 20,000 walkers took part, and SRT’s role was to provide Marshalls at points along the route to monitor the walkers and to provide help and support as necessary.

 

Fortunately it was a fine dry Sunday. I spent my time on a pedestrian crossing in Acocks Green. I lost count of the number of Supermen, Batmen, Gnomes and fairies I helped to cross the road. It was however a marvellous event; everyone was cheerful and good humoured, although the number of limping walkers increased exponentially as the afternoon wore on. Well worth supporting.

 

b):- Shirley Round Table Beer Festival
 

I attended the first Round Table Beer festival at the Rugby Club on Friday May 20th. Although Table is struggling for numbers, one has to say that the enthusiasm and commitment of its members is unbounded. There is still a determination to make an impact in the borough by staging imaginative and entertaining events such as this. Table is punching above its weight. This is a new event but it will run and run for several years. Well done table!

 

c) :- SRT Preview night. This was an official table night and a spirited attempt to introduce new blood and grow 494. It was held at the Village hotel in Shirley. There was a comprehensive display of table activities on view. We had five or six guests who showed an interest in what we do and hopefully out of this we shall be able to induct one or two new tablers.


d) ;- Area pub pedal :- This event is an old chestnut that has been running for over 30 years. It is still organised by Alcester Table, and follows more or less the formula set out in the beginning. It remains a very enjoyable event, cycling round the Warwickshire countryside on a pleasant summer evening, stopping at various pubs along the way, and although participating numbers are not what they used to be it is still well worth doing.

 

Y.I.C.F.
 

Roland

 

 

 

 

 

PREVIOUS REPORTS

 

 

May 5th 2011:-

 

Chairman’s Report:-

 

a):- Shirley Round Table A.G.M.

 

I attended Round Table A.G.M at the village hotel on Thursday April 28th. Although Table is struggling for numbers, one has to say that the enthusiasm and commitment of it’s members is unbounded. There is still a determination to make an impact in the borough by continuing to run Solihull Carnival and by maintaining a vigorous carolling commitment, as well a host of other fundraising and social activities. Because numbers are so few Table obviously needs support from the other three clubs to maintain their efforts. I hope this support will continue to be forthcoming.

 

b):- National Conference Ipswich:-

 

There were two resolutions debated at the Association AGM in Ipswich on 16th April. They were:-

  1. : - A new Community and Welfare Officer on Executive.

  2. : - An increase in the number of proxy votes from one to two.

Both resolutions were lost.

 

The new Vice President (President Elect) is David Smith of Long Eaton41 Club, and the new International Officer is David Campbell of Westerham and District 41 Club. Hugh Milward retainshis position as National sales and Marketing Officer.

 

c):- Subscription debate.

 

At the AGM on April 7th the vexed question of subscriptions was again raised. This has been a thorny issue for several years with strong views being held on both sides of the argument. I therefore felt it prescient to review the issue at the Council meeting on the 26th April. It was the view of those present at the meeting, that for 2011-12 we apply the proposal that was adopted by a majority vote at the meeting of May 6th 2010. This proposal was essentially a rebate scheme that gave a member the opportunity to recover the cost of meals not taken at meetings he could not attend for genuine reasons. The full wording of the proposal can be found on the SLK website. My understanding of this proposal is that it would apply for the year 2011 – 12 and would be reviewed again at the AGM 2012.

 

d):- Club contacts and mailing: - The April news letter from National created nearly 800 failed mailings. This was the first time that members had been mailed directly rather than via club contacts. A lot of the failings were due to E mail addresses that had changed and not been updated. I feel therefore that if we are going to take advantage of direct contact we should try to ensure that our E mail addresses are kept up to date as far as possible. I think the vast majority of addresses of SLK members are current, but is probably worth checking.

 

Y.I.C.F.


Roland


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Last edited 04 January 2012


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