I've just got back from a fantastic long weekend in Stratford. Stratford-upon-Avon to give it the correct title and in the centre of the racecourse to give a more precise location.
Some of you will know what was going on there, for those who don’t, it was not the horses but the AGM rally for the Romahome Club.
1. Going Racing.jpg
Now I'm not one who gets overenthusiastic about AGM's and, unusually this year I had two on the same weekend. Should I toss a coin to choose? No, I'll alternate my support. I went up to Conkers, Derbyshire way last year for the British Organ Grinders AGM, so it was to be the Romaclub's turn this year.
My first Romaclub's AGM although not my first 'meet'.
I won't go into too much detail as I'm sure it will appear on their web site, but I must say I was very impressed with the programme and organisation. There were around sixty units there and I'm told 104 heads (excluding doggies).
2. A few of the 60.jpg
The group had hired two meeting rooms and of course they came with toilets and all the necessities of life.
Other 'goodies' included free tea/coffee and biscuits most of the time. Table-top sales, a huge raffle with profits going to the Cat's Protection, a craft competition and even a photographic competition. On Saturday evening we were treated to a massive buffet from outside caterers followed by entertainment. This latter item was provided by the Brandywine Medieval Band.
http://www.booklive.co.uk/band/brandywine-medieval-band
3. Brandywine Players.jpg
Not only did they entertain us with songs but also with country dancing (plus brave volunteers from the floor) and numerous tales and jokes, far too many to write down for the Joke Section here, I did however manage to remember one.
"A young couple of newlyweds had just got back to their Honeymoon bedroom
when the groom took of his trousers held them up and said to his new wife –
"Here, put these on!" After she'd stepped into them he said –
"This is the first and last time you are going to get the chance to wear them."
She was, to say the least, surprised to see her new husband behave this way,
but she remained cool and calm and went over to the dressing room table,
opened a drawer and took out a teeny weeny pair of lace p*****s.
She held them up and said –
"Here, put theses on!"
"I can't get into those" he said.
"No" she replied, "You can't get into them now and unless you change your attitude
you will never get into them!"
Just one of many that went down well with the ladies and caused so much medieval merriment that evening.
The AGM was on Sunday morning which actually didn't take up too much fun time or spoil my weekend. Ant was there on the Sunday and responded to many queries from the members both at the AGM and afterwards. In the afternoon there was a Cream Tea served up with strawberries, which I missed out on as I was out walking along the disused railway track by the River Avon.
4. A railway walk.jpg
That evening we were all back in the large meeting room this time for 'home-grown' entertainment and country dancing. There was poetry, recitations, singing, limericks and three very talented musical members showed off their skills on accordion, clarinet and guitar. Forgive me their names escape me. That was the one thing I was not good at and felt lost – remembering names. After all, how could you expect a 'new boy', identified by walking round wearing a yellow ribbon, to remember even a quarter of those 103 names?
Pic 5 A lovely weekend.jpg
The good news is – they are going to book the same venue next year.
The bad news is – I might have to change my rule on alternating AGM's.
Fantastic. Well done Romaclub.
Some of you will know what was going on there, for those who don’t, it was not the horses but the AGM rally for the Romahome Club.
1. Going Racing.jpg
Now I'm not one who gets overenthusiastic about AGM's and, unusually this year I had two on the same weekend. Should I toss a coin to choose? No, I'll alternate my support. I went up to Conkers, Derbyshire way last year for the British Organ Grinders AGM, so it was to be the Romaclub's turn this year.
My first Romaclub's AGM although not my first 'meet'.
I won't go into too much detail as I'm sure it will appear on their web site, but I must say I was very impressed with the programme and organisation. There were around sixty units there and I'm told 104 heads (excluding doggies).
2. A few of the 60.jpg
The group had hired two meeting rooms and of course they came with toilets and all the necessities of life.
Other 'goodies' included free tea/coffee and biscuits most of the time. Table-top sales, a huge raffle with profits going to the Cat's Protection, a craft competition and even a photographic competition. On Saturday evening we were treated to a massive buffet from outside caterers followed by entertainment. This latter item was provided by the Brandywine Medieval Band.
http://www.booklive.co.uk/band/brandywine-medieval-band
3. Brandywine Players.jpg
Not only did they entertain us with songs but also with country dancing (plus brave volunteers from the floor) and numerous tales and jokes, far too many to write down for the Joke Section here, I did however manage to remember one.
"A young couple of newlyweds had just got back to their Honeymoon bedroom
when the groom took of his trousers held them up and said to his new wife –
"Here, put these on!" After she'd stepped into them he said –
"This is the first and last time you are going to get the chance to wear them."
She was, to say the least, surprised to see her new husband behave this way,
but she remained cool and calm and went over to the dressing room table,
opened a drawer and took out a teeny weeny pair of lace p*****s.
She held them up and said –
"Here, put theses on!"
"I can't get into those" he said.
"No" she replied, "You can't get into them now and unless you change your attitude
you will never get into them!"
Just one of many that went down well with the ladies and caused so much medieval merriment that evening.
The AGM was on Sunday morning which actually didn't take up too much fun time or spoil my weekend. Ant was there on the Sunday and responded to many queries from the members both at the AGM and afterwards. In the afternoon there was a Cream Tea served up with strawberries, which I missed out on as I was out walking along the disused railway track by the River Avon.
4. A railway walk.jpg
That evening we were all back in the large meeting room this time for 'home-grown' entertainment and country dancing. There was poetry, recitations, singing, limericks and three very talented musical members showed off their skills on accordion, clarinet and guitar. Forgive me their names escape me. That was the one thing I was not good at and felt lost – remembering names. After all, how could you expect a 'new boy', identified by walking round wearing a yellow ribbon, to remember even a quarter of those 103 names?
Pic 5 A lovely weekend.jpg
The good news is – they are going to book the same venue next year.
The bad news is – I might have to change my rule on alternating AGM's.
Fantastic. Well done Romaclub.
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