The looming threat of the Omicron variant failed to deter club members from participating in two very successful Christmas activities.
Our magical December meeting was well attended and featured a guest appearance by members of the Wessex Magical Association who entertained with a diverse variety of card and rope tricks plus mind reading and an example of escapology.
My thanks to club member Brian Speight (who also organised the previous month’s fencing demonstration) for arranging this and to his fellow magicians who performed: Peter Thomas, Chris Gower, Ken Leonard, Alan Lowe, Nick Baverstock and Stuart Risdale.
The evening was completed by warm mince pies and a photographic quiz which tested people’s knowledge of the local area. No one managed to correctly identify all 26 locations but we did have a winning team on 22 correct answers. Thanks to Ian Byers for taking the quiz photographs from unusual angles and finding a variety of locations to depict.
This was a prelude to our carvery Christmas Lunch held at the Bridge House Hotel at Longham which was attended by 57 club members, most sporting seasonal jumpers – a few even brought along their MGs despite a less than favourable forecast.
Most people were very complimentary about the food and the committee has been encouraged to look at using the hotel for future events.
The much admired seasonal hamper draw (the packed hamper being generously provided by Wendy and David Brooks) was won by committee member Adrian Mullins. The second prize of a tower of treats was taken home by Janet Palmer, while the bottle of champagne was collected by Aline Larkin.
Proceeds from the hamper draw along with individual cash donations at club night and the lunch resulted in the club being able to present a cheque for £550 to the Winton Salvation Army Christmas Appeal which was providing hot meals and warm clothing for the homeless of Bournemouth during the festive season.