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Surrey
Madhatters
October 97
Chat from the
Chair
We met as usual. The pub was filling up
but we did not have our "room". It was lovely to see everyone
again. We caught up with our World Meeting stories, holidays etc. We
also welcomed our new member Jason. Our main topic of conversation
was 'Oakhanger' and we seemed prepared. Colin' doing a magnificent
job. Thanks Colin for everything you've done for the club and The Southern
Clubs.
John and Sandie arrived eventually - just
in time for us to wish John every success in his visit to Estonia as
part of his new job. We hope that all goes well and that Sandie sends
you a copy of newsletters in your absence.
Readers will be pleased to know that the
Macdonald family has been volunteered to produce the newsletter in
John's absence. Sandie has been given the onerous task of looking after
raffle money and sending out the letter or at least buying stamps.
You see - we are a co-operative lot ! Thanks for all the Club support
at Headley and Oakhanger. It was lovely to see you all - more. of this
later.
Gill
It's a great honour (!) to be entrusted
with the editor's job in John's absence. I hope I'm up to it - what
Cherie Blair can do for Prima the Macdonalds can do for the Madhatters'
Newsletter. Please help all you can by sending articles, letters etc.
to help fill these pages.
Ham
Southern Clubs Fun
Weekend
When we arrived at the country club there
were at least 5 units there already. After some debate I put up the
tent (Bill was a little way behind me due to work pressure). We decided
to have some food (and drink of course) in the club. It was really
good. We had an evening of good 2CV chat and retired at a surprisingly
respectable hour. Bill was unfortunately 'on call' so we had a mobile
phone and 'bleep' to hand. Thank goodness he was not called out. However
he did leave at 7.00 am so that he could be back at 1.00 pm for lunch
and a convoy.
Soon after breakfast other cars began to
arrive. They just kept coming. I guess about 20 others arrived during
the morning. Time was spent exploring the grounds and clubhouse. I
went on a river inspection with Brian and reluctantly decided that
it was not safe for a Duck Race. We could throw Ducks in but the muddy
sandy riverbed was too unstable for anyone to go in & retrieve
Ducks - never mind....
Our convoy to Alton worked for some, but
not others. However we all met up in the town and no-one really killed
Colin! (Even while we thought we were locked in the brewery car park.
G.Ed)
On our return we prepared for the evening
BBQ. The potatoes were put in the baker and the fire was lit. Peter
Puddleducks' H-Van was the venue for a polypin of beer or tea or coffee.
Soon the familiar smell of food on barbie was around. Fillings for
potatoes were ready and the accordionist was playing. It really was
a great atmosphere. When our beer ran out, the clubhouse beckoned.
The accordionist played in there too. The place was really busy. It
was not a late night of drinking - well not really late, so we snuggled
into our sleeping bags only to wake up to another sunny morning. The
Met Office really got it wrong.
John Rooney and his helpers cooked a wonderful
breakfast - all for £1. We ate our fill and then 'decamped' to the
village common at Oakhanger. Peter set up his H-Van Coffee & Tea
bar, club shops were set-up and day visitors arrived. The games masters
(Thames Tortoises) failed to materialise so Colin got his tug of war
ropes and people began to team up and start challenging each other.
see
some snaps |
