The Victoria Shadow Association

 

South Coast Social held on Sunday, 1st March 2009 at the Sarisbury and District Community Centre

 

John Tyer, our South Coast Regional Organiser, was ably assisted by Olive Hathaway, acting as catering manager, and together they organised a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting social. Numbers attending showed an increase over the last couple of years with 32 members and guests present. Well done to all those that were able to attend! Anne Grubb was present, as in previous years, but this time in her capacity as Chair of The Victoria Shadow Association. This was the first large event since she took over the Office at the beginning of the year. John Tyer made an announcement to introduce Anne to those present, who might not have seen her before and also to those that may not yet have realised that Anne had succeeded our previous Chairman - Yachts, Brian Smith. Anne then made a short reply and thanked the organisers of the event and all those that had come along. As well as taking the chair at meetings, Anne will still continue as East Coast Organiser and reminded us of the social to be held at the Nottage Maritime Institute in Wivenhoe on the 15th March.

Buffet Luncheon

Apologies for non attendance had been received from both Brian and Dawn Smith, who have had a horrible time recently with illness, family difficulties and with a building project that went badly wrong and made it difficult to properly secure their home. They were very sorry they could not be with us this time. You will remember that Brian and Dawn took charge of this same event last year.

The social took its usual, time-honoured form with drinks at the bar, while the buffet luncheon was set out with all manner of delicacies and delights provided by the members themselves. We were especially pleased that our guest speaker for the afternoon was able to join us for the whole event, giving many of us the opportunity to talk with him at length. In the hall proper, we then able to tuck into the buffet. John Cade, our Honorary Treasurer, is able to take this opportunity to visit everyone, selling raffle tickets; all in a good cause! Once lunch is over, there is a flurry of activity with tables cleared and put away and chairs rearranged for the talk. Our speaker, Tony Howard, had also brought a projector with colour transparencies to show and this had to be set up ready. We should like to thank everyone who lent a hand in transforming the hall and who later put the chairs away.

John Cade sells tickets for the Raffle

	Tony Howard told us some wonderful stories, first about his time with P & O and later when he joined the Southampton Pilot Service. He was also able to show us photographs of many of the ships that he had piloted in a long and successful career. He is an excellent speaker and kept us enthralled with his tales. At the end of his talk, he asked if their were any questions and many of our members were keen to learn more. Thank you, Tony, for an excellent talk. Next year's South Coast Social will be on Sunday, 28 February 2010 at Sarisbury!
Tony Howard		The Raffle, to be followed by afternoon tea