Overview
Nottingham's regular events have had to be curtailed. This year there are only three: a boat trip on the Trent, a presence at the Hillhead Quarry Show, and a popular Christmas Lunch.
Edward Pollard is Chairman, Alistair Bow Vice Chairman, Peter Greaves is Treasurer, Robert Skinner events coordinator, and Sid Dilks is Welfare Officer.
Nottingham has a Branch Website - Click here!
|
|
|
|
Branch News
Christmas Luncheon 2010
Nottingham branch triumphed against the elements to hold its annual Christmas Luncheon on the
traditional first Friday in December at the magnificent Crowne Plazza Hotel.
It was touch and go - Nottingham was blanketed by snow and ice - but 350 of our members and
guests showed their determination and defied some pretty hairy highways to attend what has
rightfully been described as the event of the year - the Lighthouse Club's Christmas Lunch!
Against the odds a successful event!
No empty tables in this spacious dining room.
Early arrivals headed for the bar (naturally) where they enjoyed a musical accompaniment to
their chat and their bevvys. The music was delivered by “Cachet”, a group headed by
an excellent lady sax player.
‘Cachet’ - Our music makers
A further entertainment both before and during lunch was an artist who, with pad, marker pen and a
flourish or two, produced a comic but unmistakable likeness of many of our guests.
George Williams captures the ‘essence’
As an innovation, this year we had that well known caricature artist George Williams, fresh
from his appearance on The One Show. He gave many of our braver guests the opportunity to have
a momento of their fun day at our Christmas lunch.
And our principal guest was another fine entertainer - Welsh comedian and entertainer Rod Woodward.
Rod was winner in who the 2008 BBC comedy competition “Funny Business” and has
appeared with and supported Patrick McGuiness and Russell Brand. Rod's was act not to be missed
and he earned his fulsome applause!
Here's Rod delivering his Funny Business to an appreciative audience
Throughout proceedings we enjoyed the services of our very professional Master of Ceremonies
Mr Geoffrey Harris, who ably orchestrated our day.
Our M.C. engaged in what is, after all, the ‘business of the day’,
fund raising for our Benevolent Fund
As always - grateful thanks are due to the many local companies who donated prizes for auction,
entered into the spirit of the day by buying the famous whisky draw tickets and who then joined
the frantic bidding war that followed!
Their support does us proud and at the end of the ‘official proceedings’ our Chairman announced
that funds raised throughout the year enabled the Lighthouse Club's Nottingham Branch to donate
the sum of £23,000 to the Benevolent Fund.
Following another successful fundraising year, Edward Pollard,
Chairman of the Nottingham Branch, presents a cheque for £23,000
to Sid Dilks, the Nottinghan Branch Benevolent Officer
Notts committee extends grateful thanks to each and every one who has donated time, effort and
money to make our Christmas Lunch the success it proved to be! And to everyone that couldn't,
or didn't make it, come and join us in 2011 to see what everyone has been talking about and to
make up for what you missed on a snowbound December 3rd!!!
Annual Boat Trip
Pete Greaves reports that his annual boat trip is not showing any signs of sinking, for the
11th year running there was another full crew aboard the Nottingham Princess to enjoy the 3 hour cruise.
Pete's wife Julija was unable to make the trip and so the job of dealing with the raffle was taken on by
long running supporters, Joe, Prisca & her mum. They did an excellent job, all the raffle tickets
were sold. Many thanks to the generous people who contributed such excellent prizes.
As the photos show, this years Cowboys and girls theme was well supported; a well deserved prize was
awarded to Cowgirls Jane & Jade for their Wild West Saloon costumes.
Costumed for the Wild West!
As usual the food onboard the Nottingham Princess was up their usual top standard, the menu a
3 meat buffet style serving with all the trimmings.
Once again Chairman Eddie Pollard was onboard to pull the winning raffle tickets out of
the drum and to distribute the many prizes. Eddie was quickly followed by the resident DJ
who's much appreciated choice of music made dancing almost compulsory as the Nottingham
Princess made her way back to port.
This was a great outing!
Pete picked a gorgeous day and the comments from those newcomers on board were
universally complimentary. ‘why haven't we heard of this before, put our
names down for next year’ was typical.
|
|
|
