Annual Report 2018

This meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday 1st March, but with the temperature on that day being around minus 10 and snow forecast, it was considered prudent to postpone the event until the weather had improved.

50 members attended the event and enjoyed a light hearted meeting and a splendid lunch.

Our Chairman, Roger Francis gave a warm welcome to all and thanks all members of the committee for their continued support and hard work during the last 12 months. Roger originally agreed to take over the reins as a short term measure, but this was his 10th annual report and he was unanimously voted back into the chair by the meeting. Roger then proposed a vote of thanks to the committee which was warmly applauded

The committee was re-elected en-bloc with addition of David Stedman who had 'volunteered' to join the committee. The accounts were adopted, with thanks to our auditor, Robin Frost

After the AGM we were treated to an excellent buffet salad that everyone agreed was well worth waiting for.

The Spread Eagles Golfing Society, now in our 15th year, had the fewest number of entrants for this years Spring Meeting held at West Hove Golf Club, with only 13 hardy souls participating for the R.T. Box Memorial Cup.

They say, whoever 'they' are, that only "Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun", well perhaps the same could said about going out on a wet, cold and miserable afternoon in Hove!!!

Perhaps a few of our absent friends saw the weather forecast and decided to stay indoors!

Even so, the 13 set out to test the conditions and hopefully get loads of points in the stableford competition. Well the conditions were pretty bleak as was the scoring, and a number of the competitors failed to finish the course.....

Luckily after the golf, we all enjoyed a two course meal and then listened to the joint organisers, Chris Hudson and John Jago announce the days winners.

Nearest the Pin was Richard Box, the best score on the first 9 holes was Barry Davis and for the second nine holes was Don Semmons.

The winner of the competition and the R.T. Box Memorial Cup was Barry Davis, with runner up Don Semmons. In third place was John Jago.

Here are some photos showing the conditions and the after golf party! The second photo down on the left shows Barry Davis receiving the R.T. Box Memorial Cup from Richard Box (son of R.T.Box)

On a cloudy and chilly afternoon, this years lunch attracted 48 members and guests to this popular venue.

With a 3 course meal and all drinks included in the price, the afternoon provided both great entertainment with 14 live dog races and good company with some members trying their hand at betting for the first time - some doing slightly better than others!!!

Don again offered his betting skills to those members who wished to participate, and managed to convert their £10 stake to a £12 return, not a bad outcome, and a profit!!

It was a sunny day when 33 members and their guests boarded the coach for the journey to the Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey.

On our arrival, we were greeted with some welcome tea or coffee and biscuits before being greeted by a Blue Badge Guide by the name of 'Min', who quickly pointed out that her accent was because she was from Finland, even though she had been in the UK for a good many years.

Min was excellent and gave us a very professional presentation giving us the history of why Poppies had become popular as an icon of public Remembrance through the work of Anna Guerin of France and Moina Michael of the USA, who took Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s famous poem, “In Flanders Fields”, and devised a practical way of raising vital funds for wartime charities.

Formed in 1922, the Poppy Factory not only makes over 9 million poppies for the British Legion Annual Poppy Appeal, but is the country’s leading employment charity for veterans with health conditions or impairments. They offer ongoing employment support for hundreds of disabled veterans of all ages and from all Services, helping to restore their financial independence through sustainable and rewarding work.

After the presentation we made our way through to the factory where we all had the opportunity of making our own poppies, with varying degrees of success, before watching wreaths and larger poppies being made. We continued through the factory to see the machines in operation cutting the coloured paper into the shapes required to create the handmade poppies. Finally we passed through the distribution area from where the 9 million poppies are distributed through the year to various centres where they are stored until required.

We then take a short 20 minute coach ride to Syon House where we started in the local garden centre restaurant with a meal of 'Fish & Chips' and 'Jam Roly Poly Pudding'.

After lunch we walked a short distance to Syon House, which is the spectacular London home of the Duke of Northumberland. The house was built in the sixteenth century on the site of the Medieval Syon Abbey, and came to the family of the present owners in 1594.

The group then split into two groups for the guided tour of the house during which we heard many stories and facts about Syon and how Robert Adam had created State Dining Room with its ornate Corinthian columns and marble statues of Ceres and Bacchus that represented food and drink, offered the experience and enjoyment of entertaining on a grand scale.

The guide for the group that I was in was a gentleman called Patrick, who was described by Philip Cheesman as 'A Jeremy Clarkson Look and sound alike!' and proved to be most knowledgeable and was able to give detailed answers to any questions that we raised.

Some felt we received too much information, but the overall experience in the house was enjoyable. We then had the opportunity to look around the gardens and in the conservatory, finishing up the gift shop before making our way back to the coach for the return journey.

On a bright, warm and sunny day, 32 Members and their guests boarded the coach, together with our Blue Badge Guide for the day Jacky, for the short journey to Old Barn Nurseries near Dial Post where we stopped for coffee and a comfort break.

We then moved on to Shipley and saw the windmill used in the 'Jonathan Creek' series on BBC starring Alan Davies. This windmill, built in 1879 was also home to the poet Hilaire Belloc who had a close association with Shipley Village. We then walked to the church of St Mary the Virgin that was built in 1125 where in the southern entrance is a large cleat ( a thing to tie boats to!) that was used many hundreds of years ago when the River Adur, which passes close by, was navigable right up to Shipley. The river was once busy with sea-going ships mooring at the inland ports of Bramber and Steyning. These were just some of the many facts and figures given to us by Jacky during the day and she proved to be an absolute star and helped make the day even more enjoyable. Our entertaining and scenic coach tour ended in Bramber with an excellent carvery lunch at the Old Tollgate restaurant that everyone enjoyed.

In the afternoon we went to the unique Sussex Prairie Garden cradled by the rolling South Downs not far from Albourne. The gardens were designed and planted in 2008 on Paul & Pauline McBride's family farm in West Sussex. Instead of armies of servants and gardeners, Pauline and her husband Paul, planted all 35 000 plants with help of amazing friends and family. Nearly all the plants were imported from Luxembourg where they were creating a garden for a wealthy Swedish businessman. The gardens have been planted in a naturalistic way and full of boldly coloured perennials, grasses and some rather odd sculptures. We had an introduction from the owner, Pauline McBride, who told us that the garden is burnt to the ground each year during the winter and grows again each spring. We then had plenty of time to wander through the gardens, and also found the time for some tea and home made cakes or scones.

(PS. Nothing to do with the trip, but I have added a couple of photos at the end to show a couple of visitors in our back garden when we got home!)

It was a warm and sunny afternoon when 57 members and their guests arrived for the annual Mid-Summer Lunch at Sussex County Cricket Ground. After welcome drinks and time for chat, we sat down to a wonderful two course buffet lunch that was delicious. However, the afternoon was made so much better when our guest singer, Jodie Shemmans started to entertain us with her perfect voice and bubbly personality.

Jodie had supplied us with a comprehensive song list and at the last coffee morning each of us selected a song from the list and for over an hour we were entertained and enchanted by her performance.

As usual, here are a few photos taken at the event (sorry, I forgot my proper camera, so these were taken on my mobile phone!). However, they are good enough for you to see the smiles on our members faces to see how much they were enjoying the afternoon. In fact Jodie impressed us so much, that we are going to try and book the trio that she also performs in to come to our lunch - or for a change - dinner this time next year....watch this space!!

It was a cloudy, but warm day as 37 members and their guests boarded the coach for the journey to Oxfordshire and Blenheim Palace. After stopping for a comfort break, we arrived at Blenheim Palace which is presently the home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family and was the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill.

Blenheim Palace was built as a gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from Queen Anne and a grateful nation in thanks for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim on 13th August 1704. Having collected our audio guides, we walked around the Palace and were able to see the many treasures in the State Rooms, including the famous Marlborough Tapestries (the 'Victories Series') as well as the magnificent Long Library with its walls lined by more than 10,000 books, many of them hundreds of years old.

We were then treated to an excellent two course buffet lunch in the Marlborough Rooms, after which we had free time to further explore the large estate with its numerous gardens and lakes. Only the fittest were able to see all the attractions as the estate covers several hundred acres and the recommended walk around the perimeter was over 5 miles!! However the formal garden, rose and Italian gardens were adjacent to the Palace so were accessible to all, as was the butterfly house and the maze...no nobody is still there!!!

After a very enjoyable day, we headed back to Hove, again having a comfort break on the return journey.

As usual, pictures speak louder than words and I would like to thank my daughter, Dawn, for being the 'official' photographer for the day and here are some of the photos she took.

29 members and their guests left Brighton in time to meet our Blue Badge Guide for the Day, Martin, outside the Methodist Central Hall where we had time for refreshments before our visit to Westminster Abbey.

Martin spoke to us and explained that we would split into two groups, one group visiting the Abbey with him and the other group having free time to explore other important and interesting buildings in the near vicinity. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land and St Margaret's Westminster, founded by the Benedictine Monks where both close by.

Martin was a wonderful guide and gave us just the right amount of information with a loud clear voice and a sense of humour, which always helps when passing over a lot of information. The tour round Westminster Abbey, which took the best part of two hours we were shown the Shrine of Edward the Confessor, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and Poets Corner. We saw the heraldic banners hanging beneath the sublimely beautiful fan vaulted ceiling of the Henry VII chapel and we saw how mediaeval architects created a theatre for coronations. We were told that the Abbey had held all coronations since 1066, the weddings of 16 Kings & Queens, and was the final resting place of 17 monarchs.

In between was had time for some lunch at a venue of our own choice and finally some refreshments at the Methodist Hall before returning home after a very enjoyable and informative day.

As usual, here are a few photos: (As no photography was allowed inside Westminster Abbey, I have added a few taken from the internet)

There were just 13 members taking part in this golf meeting, held at Copthorne Golf Course near Crawley, on a warm and still day, perfect for golf. A number of regulars were not available to play for a variety of reasons, but those who did play, had an enjoyable afternoon on a course that our Society had not visited before.

John Jago and Chris Hudson, the joint organisers, seen below in discussion, announced the winners, after a very enjoyable one course meal.

The winner of the Mike Barrett Trophy, for the best stableford score in the Autumn Meeting was, John Jago, with a very creditable 35 points, second was Mel Sims with 30 points and third was Barry Davis with 29 points. The golfer with the best 'first nine' score was Barry Davis and for the 'second nine' was Mel Sims.

Chris then asked Bob Russell to present the awards for the best overall scores, where the points earned in the Spring and Autumn meetings are combined and in third place was Don Semmons with a combined score of 58 points, second was Barry Davis with 63 points and the winner and now proud holder of the Bob Russell Trophy, was John Jago with 65 points.

Here are a few photos showing some of our golfers in action, followed by the presentation.

46 members and guests visited the Theatre Royal Brighton to see Andrew Lloyd -Webber and Tim Rice's well known Musical Evita.
It is a most powerful and poignant show and the three main characters played by Lucy O’Byrne as Eva , Mike Sterling as Juan Peron and Glenn Carter as Che wrung every last drop of emotion out of the story and the songs.

Everyone thought it a splendid show, only made better by the short trip to Al Duomo restaurant for a scrumptious tea of finger sandwiches , scones with jam and cream and profiteroles.

The only disappointment of the afternoon was the fact that our Social Secretary , Don who made the whole event possible , together with his wife Rose , were unable to be with us having been struck down by a nasty virus whilst on a recent holiday in the Mediterranean.

We arrived in good time to allow members to get a bite to eat or drink before heading to the theatre in Drury Lane. The staff at the theatre were very helpful and allowed a few of our less agile members to enter via the 'side door' with fewer steps and easy accessibility.

The show was fantastic with the West End’s biggest cast, 42nd Street was all song and dance, featuring the iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re in the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off To Buffalo, Dames and I Only Have Eyes For You.

Bonnie Langford played the legendary diva ‘Dorothy Brock’ alongside Tom Lister as ‘Julian Marsh’, Clare Halse as ‘Peggy Sawyer’ and Ashley Day as ‘Billy Lawlor’, with fabulous dancing and singing from all of the cast; the stamina of all of the dancers was amazing. Bright lights and glittering costumes helped give the show that 'Feel Good' factor. Everyone enjoyed it immensely, with some describing it as the best show they had seen.

Alter the show, we made the short walk along to The Strand, decorated in all it's Christmas lights, to the Strand Palace Hotel for an excellent two course Carvery Meal and tea or coffee. We were then picked up outside the Hotel for the return journey back home after a very enjoyable day.

The final event of the year once again proved to be the most popular with 122 members and their guests attending the Christmas Lunch which has now been held at Deans Place, Alfriston for the last 14 years. The food and service were exemplary and with the now compulsory raffle and bingo games, the event was enjoyed by everyone.

Our Chairman, Roger Francis thanked everyone for supporting Don during the year and also thanked him for all the hard work he puts in to making all the events run so smoothly. Don acknowledged Rogers comments and also made reference to next years itinerary that is now available to see on our web site