The Winter Season

Our Tudor venue is not the warmest place to meet in winter especially when the

windows are broken, but most weeks we have had a good turn-out.  One Thursday,

however, we cut short the coffee and chat and most of us adjourned to the pub-it

was really cold! (Editors note: the club, not the pub…).


January began with one of Andy W's beetle drives.  This is always enjoyable and

members get to move around and play with others! (Editor-errrrr……?)  I won the

prize for the lowest score.


On 12th Jan we were pleased to welcome Cllr Lisa Noakes, the Mayor of Gloucester,

with her sister who is the Mayor's Consort.  Lisa's talk was very informative and we

got to try on some of the robes.  Ken L. excelled himself with a tasty buffet-it

looked and tasted very good!


The Wrapped Auction took place on the third week of Jan instead of the usual second.

This was due to me not being fully aware of all our traditions.  Naughty me, slap slap!

Our large table was piled high with presents.  Just like on Christmas Day, it is just as

much fun to watch others unwrapping their presents as it is to unwrap your own.  One

of my presents was a little china Westie holding a tea light.  It was great as it

reminded me of my dog Mattie, now deceased.


I was not present at Andy H's talk (Editor of Gay News), however I heard it was

much enjoyed.


Mike and Rob started off February with a good old game of Bingo.  We all enjoyed

the evening and thanks for organising it.  Can we afford a more up to date number

machine?  Michael CH put on a varied programme to celebrate Valentine's Night, and

romance was in the air, with members having a go at making cards. On 23rd, our own

chef Ken (dressed for the part) cooked us some delicious pancakes, yum yum!  He

puts considerable effort into this and it is very much appreciated.


Siggy, our resident Belgian, gave us an informative talk on his native country.  Many

aspects seemed very strict to us.  I did not realise the country was so new.  He told us

that life there tends to be even more stressful than here-golly!


Graham introduced another game (cards) into his games night.  Some took it very

seriously and were all out to win.  Others, like me, had a little dabble!  I'm generally

useless at everything.  Thank you, Graham.


My Room 101, or rather Box 101, was designed to get us talking about things and

issues we would like to see banished.  It seemed to go down well, and Andy W. won

the spot draw prize.


On the last Thursday in March, Shirly C. and her partner Patsy G talked to us about

their Buddhist faith.  They made their talk very interesting and their humour was welcome.


Peter, Neil and Andy from Bristol put on another superb Call My Bluff.  We do

appreciate how much effort goes into the organisation of this event.


On Maundy Thursday the majority of us played skittles at Cleeve Hill Golf Course

(Editor-I hear it was a bit of a surprise to the golfers….).  The venue proved to be

ideal and the food was very good.  My team won and Killer champs were David L and

Ray.  As I write we still have six weeks to go before we begin the Summer events.

Here's hoping they go as well!


John, Diary Secretary