Another Good Club Night - September 2006

Well that's another year gone! It was our AGM this month and this last year has seen some major changes for the club. We moved Clubhouse and had an open weekend amongst other things, and all very successful I hasten to add.

We set up the usual 2 tables for the competition entries, but they just kept coming so we got a third and then a fourth. Amazing, there where 14 items in total, Don mentioned (quite rightly) that this was the most impressive show we have seen, very encouraging for the members working behind the scenes. Now all we need to do is set up an area with a suitable backdrop and get some quality pictures to show you readers.

Mark and John did the tea tonight but a few others set it up as soon as they arrived so the members that need their regular fix of caffeine can get it straight away, this is proving very popular and I can see it being a regular feature. No news letter this month as it's an AGM and the chairman mentions everything relevant anyway, however I do think that if it's on paper members can take the written word home and read it again so I think I'll mention that at our committee meeting. Derek presented us with this quarter's magazine, many thanks to Derek for another fine edition. Plus he was introduced to Carol to discuss some help for Derek with the magazine in the coming year as Derek is booked in for some surgery and will be out of action for a while. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all the club members and wish you well and a speedy recovery Derek.

So back to tonight's AGM, don't you just love them, I have to say though the technical side of things went very well and didn't take to long. But we are looking at new camera equipment and I think for some it took to long discussing pro's and con's, but that's how it has to be done. The benefit of discussion brought forward the members feelings, so with all our research together now we can fine tune the detail. Hopefully over the next couple of club nights we can narrow our options down enough to ask for a show of hands on the matter.

We had a late break tonight and I think the quality of the hot drinks may have suffered a bit so apologies to those who thought that but it was a member's decision to carry on. After the break we had a few members explain their gallery pieces, very entertaining and it gave recognition to those that make the effort. The results and winners of last years competition where revealed and prizes handed out to good applause. Tonight's competition results came next with a few happy surprised new comers there. This year I think will be a record number of entries each month in all three categories, this is as a result of close on two years working behind the scenes but it shows its worth the effort. In addition, we have offered the opportunity for any member that feels they have been moved up into the next class before they are ready to drop back a grade. The reason is that as a result of moving up to soon they have stopped entering, this contradicts our aim so hopefully a couple more entries will be received next month.

We had a very encouraging number of members come forward to help this last year, either on the committee, general ideas, help on club nights and the open day or with timber and the like. The most impressive for me though is the refreshment's on a club night, we have now had 13 months on the run of volunteers to do this with the next two month covered to. This I think has got more members talking to those they don't normally than anything else, so well done to them.

So that pretty much sums up tonight's events other than the raffle, and I have to mention Trevor the raffle's competition entry, this was a beautifully turned flowerpot man on a log, very imaginative turning (see picture). Well that's it again, all but the clearing away of chairs and saying goodnight, and there goes another good club night

Boots- September 2006