The original date for our Christmas Dinner having been snowed off members gathered at the Grainery Harwood Dale on the 4^th January, when the weather was fortunately fine for travelling.  

It was great to have a seasonal meal out of season as it can be turkey and tinsel overkill prior to the big day.

We enjoyed a champagne reception on arrival andsat down to a great meal of well cooked food in generous proportions with wine included and the usual seasonal trimmings. Some folks had forgotten their menu choices but Chairman Peter was available to put them right.

After the meal we were treated to a excellent quiz created by Simon Ward with increasing random questions (and random answers) which were real mind benders.

All in all a great Christmas Dinner albeit delayed. 

The November 41 Club meeting took place at the Blacksmiths Arms Cloughton, the Blacksmiths offers great pub grub and beers.

The evening started with a speaker, Shean Duggan representing the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust who gave members an interesting overview on the Trusts activities and issues facing wildlife around Yorkshire and beyond including oyster farming which were unfortunately not on the menu to eat !  A vote of thanks was given by Simon Ward.

We enjoyed a good old fashioned 41 club meal comprising Minestrone soup, Steak Pie chips and peas all rounded off with apple crumble and custard.

There was one guest on the evening attended the meeting, Clive Welburn.  

Chairman Peter inducted two new members Martin Walker and Brian Davidson.

By way of reports secretary Mike Shingler mentioned the the Round Table sleigh would again be running before Christmas and 41 clubers were asked to help as collection elves, dates of the evenings concerned would be circulated.

Catering officer commented that the Christmas meal will soon be upon us and asked for confirmation of attendance asap if not already given along with menu choices, overnight accommodation is offered at discounted rates. General comments were that the evening was a great old fashioned 41 club meeting including both a speaker and a hearty pub meal.

The last meeting at Askim’s featured a particularly meaty feast which left your humble correspondent feeling somewhat bloated, and allegedly exuding an odour of garlic. The meal itself tasted excellent, however. Don’t think I‘ve ever come across any restaurant proprietor less keen to make money by selling drinks, if it involved paying with the credit card machine. I’m sure we would have consumed more alcohol if he had been less bothered by his transaction charges.

After a bit of shenanigans with where the meeting actually was, our illustrious catering team of Dominic and John did a great emergency manoeuvre and managed to get us in at the Crescent. Despite it being prime holiday time for ‘silver surfers’, some 22 people attended, including 3 guests, John Price, Andrew Hayes and Bob Heaps.

The evening opened with Chairman Peter asking for a minute’s silence in respect of the Queen. He had received a missive from National setting out protocols for any meeting around this sad time, but decided that, as we were such a ‘well behaved club’, we would meet all the requirements without him having to read them all out!

The meal comprised Veg soup, Boeuf bourguignon and a very large cheese board, all of which your correspondent found to be very good.

There was no major business reported, other than the Secretary reporting that Gordon Hayes had resigned due to his heavy commitment related to his charity work. The Chair reported that he had heard unofficially that the Aalten weekend (with Aalten coming here) was conceivably likely to maybe possibly perchance be in late April 2023, but he wasn’t sure. Watch this space for further information.

The meeting finished with the usual toast to RT. Brian Pidd then had a gentle rebuke for the Chair forgetting to toast the new King.

It was good to meet up again after the summer recess.

Sports report to follow but here is a taster of the three amigos arriving for the showdown at Beck Hole.

The quits evening closely contested event was won by Colin Bird and Ben Kitto, with Colin being awarded ‘Man of the Match’ status. Many thanks to sports officer Darren for organising this and our hosts at Beck Hole.

The following is a brief outline of the evening, full minutes to follow from Simon Lockley (via email) in due course.

The AGM evening at the Crescent Hotel started well. National Council Liaison Officer Wynn Parry reported on the change of Association rules to the effect that clubs could invite any new members regardless of whether they had been in Round Table previously or not. This is without limit in number. 

Wynn commented that that our 41 Club is one of the biggest in area and indeed in the country which, in my opinion, is worrying for 41 Club nationally given that we are ourselves conscious of our shrinking numbers. 

Wynn asked that we support National Tangent’s charity work by buying raffle tickets which we duly did; the Club also voted to give a lump sum of £100.

The previous minutes from the AGM were passed; the AGM had been with minimum attendance by officers only at the Nags Head, Scalby due to Covid restrictions.

Officers’ reports were given with no major issues forthcoming.

It was discussed what the situation regarding Aalten visits was currently. Apparently, Aalten are keen to firm up a date but Round Table are being cautious at the moment given that they only currently have approximately eight members. 41 Club hold funds to support a visit.

There will hopefully be a sports night, possibly Quoits, in the near future.

Given that Peter Calow the Vice Chairman was currently self-isolation, the handover to a new Chairman and appointment of officers could not take place and was been postponed to the next meeting.

A toast was made by John White in memory of Tom Cathcart.

A toast was made by Simon Ward in favour of Dominic Grunwell for his Catering Officer endeavours through the year.

At this point we enjoyed dinner which comprised of a Pate starter, Irish Stew and, to finish, Cheese and Biscuits or Sticky Toffee pudding.  

After the dinner, Chairman David Ascough inducted Neil Warburton as a new member.

Dave suggested the Rainbow Centre as his appointed charity for the year. He gave gifts to his officers in thanks for their services, Mike Shingler with a miniature replica.

Steve Slade was presented with his past chair gong, just a little late due to Covid.

With that, the AGM procedures were paused pending completion at the May meeting.

Meeting report and photos by Stuart Baines.