Chairman Dom welcomed 25 members to the first meeting of the 41 Club year held at the Crescent Hotel on Thursday 19 September.

Following consumption of the Crescent Hotel’s staple menu of vegetable soup, boeuf bourguignon and sticky toffee pudding the Chairman’s Introduction was brief albeit described by one member as Churchillian. It only became apparent later that the member was not referencing the former prime minister!

On the conclusion of his opening remarks the Chairman invited Secretary Mike to give his report. After some boring information about the number of members in the Club etc. in the absence of the Treasurer Iain the Secretary raised the issue of the Charity Box noting that the increased use of payment by card meant that fewer members had change to put in the box reducing the amount available at the end of the year to donate to the Chairman’s chosen charities. Members were invited to forward any suggestions as to how to deal with this problem to the Treasurer for his consideration.

The Secretary’s report was followed by a report from Catering Officer John who filled in the gaps in the schedule of meetings for the remainder of the year:

• 17 October – Trafalgar Night to be held at the Yacht Club with a talk from former 88 Tabler Nick Taylor;
• 21 November – Turkish Night to be held at Az;
• 5 December – Charity Night to be held at Scarborough Rugby Club (please note that this an opt in meeting);
• 23 January – Burns Night to be held at Restaurant 1909 at Scarborough TEC (black tie optional);
• 20 February – Chinese Banquet to be held at TOPS (please note that this is with partners);
• 20 March – Visit to the RNLI Lifeboat House with a talk by former 41 Club member Colin Woodhead followed by a fish and chips meal (venue to be confirmed);
• 17 April – AGM at the Crescent Hotel (with a new menu promised!); and
• 13 May – Tapas at La Roca.

After a reprise of the enjoyable sporting events held over the summer Sports Officer Darren reported that following the success of last year’s event he had again booked 2 tables for lunch at the Rugby Club followed by a home game against Rochdale on Saturday 26 October. The team’s results this season are mixed having lost at home to Bradford Salem in the first game and won away to Malton & Norton in the second. Further details to follow.

Under any other business Mike W mentioned a charity ceilidh to be held at the Scalby Memorial Hall on 15 November for the benefit of SPARKS one of the Chairman’s nominated charities for the year.

There was a further reminder from the Secretary of the White Rose Dinner to be held at Cave Castle in South Cave on 11 October with anyone interested in attending invited to contact Immediate Past Chairman Charlie.

The meeting closed with the usual toast to RTBI.

On Wednesday 17 July 8 members of 41 Club and our sister organisation Farts together with 1 guest attended the annual archery competition arranged by Darren and kindly hosted by members of Scarborough Archers at their club field on Osgodby Lane Cayton.

Recently retired GP and former Chairman of 41 Club Mark Laws graced the competition with his presence wearing a particularly fetching T shirt.

After the anticlimax of last year’s competition which was brought to a premature end by heavy rain this year Darren’s sacrifice to the rain gods worked and the competition took place in glorious sunshine. There were even complaints by some competitors that the sun was in their eyes but they just couldn’t shoot straight!

With members of Scarborough Archers on hand to provide instructions on how to shoot an arrow without injuring anyone to those who had never previously held a bow and a reminder of the correct technique and safety instructions for those veterans of previous competitions the evening started with some practice shooting arrows at targets before the budding archers were divided into 2 groups.

The first group went off into the woods to shoot some exotic Cayton wildlife while the other group remained behind to shoot 6 ends at the targets.

After a short break for coffee and biscuits the 2 groups swapped places.

Surprisingly the scoring was very good. Out of a maximum score of 389 Darren came third with a score of 328, Gordon second with a score of 333 but the outright winner with a very impressive score of 347 was our Vice Chairman Richard. Medals were presented to these 3 by Scarbrough Archers

Although not placed 2 competitors each scored a golden end with all 6 arrows in the gold. So as not to cause them to become too full of themselves the competitors will remain anonymous but one of them did manage to take a photo of his feat for posterity!

All but Mark (for whom clearly the evening had been too exiting) then retired to the Fox Hound at Flixton where the very welcoming host made a valiant attempt to turn 8 hungry and thirsty customers away but was prevailed upon with some ill grace to reopen the kitchen and increase his turnover for the evening.

A good evening’s entertainment and thanks to Darren for organising the event

41 Club Archery Correspondent