The November meeting this year comprised of a get together at the Rugby Club, some members unfortunately apologised and still turned up for the meeting which rather confused the catering numbers, please ensure that if you do find you can attend that you let the catering officer know.

After a fine meal of steak pie chips and peas for most of us, scampi for the overflow numbers ! We settled down for an evening of fascinating facts and touching human stories.Mike Rought-Brookes read some letters from the front during the Great War which were touching and then David Henderson gave us an overview of the last two years of the Great War including battles and strategies.  David also gave us an insight into the real level of casualties both human and animal and in the impact of those left at home.  He linked this with his own family connections.

29 of us attended an evening designed to commemorate the battle of Trafalgar which was held in October 1805. The venue was the Sea Cadets Hall in Sandgate, which was worth a visit in its own right, and had been decked out by the cadets with flags. No less than 5 guests were welcomed and I am pleased to say we inducted a new member into our ranks.

There was then a brief business section with reports from the committee plus an appeal for the return of any outstanding GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) to the Secretary to forward on to 41 Club National. Any queries re the members statements for 2016 and 2017/18 to last year’s treasurer Steve please. Simon also reminded people that they needed to opt in if they wished to attend the Charity Night – Friday 30^thNovember at the Rugby Club.

This was followed by an excellent meal of soup followed by fish-pie, all prepared by our own ‘in-house’ chefs Tom and John who had put a lot of effort into the evening.

Tom then gave us an overview of the battle of Trafalgar emphasising what an extraordinary and decisive victory it had been, with 27 British ships led by Lord Nelson defeating a combined fleet of 33 French and Spanish ships and sinking a good number of them. Sadly Nelson did not live to enjoy his victory, having been shot by a French musketeer.

John built on this by describing the battle from the viewpoint of Admiral Robert Moorsom, who was of particular local interest having been born in Whitby.  We even listened in awe to the sound of continuous canon-fire until someone burst the bubble by asking what it had been recorded on in 1805… there’s always one!

Chair Simon ended the evening by calling for a well deserved round of applause for the organisers, followed by a toast to Lord Nelson with 54% proof rum, and then finally RTBI

Unfortunately the summer BBQ had to be cancelled. 41 Club chose one of the few nights of this glorious summer when torrential rain was forecast. This was a disappointment as Tom had planned an evening of West Indian food and entertainment.

Many thanks to all the participants  of the annual Quoits competition at Beck Hole.  The weather was a little dull but the atmosphere was charged.   A good night was had by all with the victors this year without losing a single game  Mark Laws and Alex from round table. Congratulations to you both for your undefeated performance.  Second place went to Mike Shingler and David Henderson so well done.

We raised £50.00 for the Quoits captains charity ( the air ambulance) which was much appreciated.
A big thanks to John Morley (Beck Hole Quoits club) for hosting the competition and to Glenys at Birch Hall pub for food and drinks afterwards.
Thanks again to everybody
Darren
                                                
Impressive shots                                                                        The winner

It was a dark and stormy night when 24 members and 2 guests turned up at the Scarborough Yacht Club, under the lee of the Lighthouse. Many members duly ignored the dire warnings of ‘High seas’, ‘Strong winds’ and ‘Death’ at the entrance of the pier to park their cars as close to the lighthouse as possible.
Inside were two long galley tables, providing convivial eating arrangements and lines of bunting of the flag of the Ivory Coast! (well it was if you stood on your head!). A free pint of Guinness was quickly acquired, and people marvelled at how Tom’s vibrating machine provided a perfect head (read into that what you like!).
The meal of ham and split pea soup, followed by Dublin Coddle was cooked by Tom, and his band of galley slaves, and was excellent. The Appel Strudel with cream, although not quite traditional to Ireland, made a tasty end to a hearty meal.
Tom then regaled us on the history of the Coddle, and kept referring to the Ring of Kerry. Whilst very few of us noted any ‘curry afterburn’, I was duly corrected by our resident travel Guru (Richard C) that this was in fact a well known cycle route which TC had been on.
Tom continued with an interesting history about the Irish Famine in the 1840’s. Evidently the average daily consumption of potatoes by grown men prior to the potato blight hitting the crop was 6.3Kg (ie almost 14 lbs -or 1 stone- in old money!)
The evening was to finish with a communal rendering of Finnegan’s Wake accompanying the Clancey Brothers, but due to technical difficulties (the bluetooth speaker was not talking to Spotify?!), this had to be abandoned. A collection was made for the RNLI.
It was a great night. Many thanks to Tom and his crew, and to the Yacht Club for hosting us all.Masterchef Tom gets ready to bring his Coddle Masterpiece up to the judges table

Richard C finds someone to listen to his latest travel dialogue. This picture is also one of the few in existence that shows John White buying a round
 

Mike S finds himself sat next to Malcolm, who has an uncanny resemblance to Michael Higgens (President of Ireland)
 

Chairman Mark explains to Richard why Guinness is Good for You and that Stottie Cake is way better than 6.3 kg of potatoes anyday.

The second club meeting of November took place at the Rugby Club, always a good venue the laid on a simple but satisfying meal of Steak Pie with lovely short crust pastry, chunky chips and Peas followed by a cheeseboard, all was gladly received and consumed.

The after dinner speaker was our own David Henderson who has a comprehensive knowledge of the first world war, the insight into the real conditions under which our brave boys fought and died along with the reason for the battle taking place in its location. Details of the tactics used by both side was also very interesting.

Well done David Henderson

On Thursday 12th October the October 41 Club meeting was the ever-popular Indian meal outing at the Eastern Paradise, for those that were thirsty a few pints at the Scarborough Flyer on St Nicholas Street started the evening off well.

The meal itself was excellent as ever including unusual fish curry although the speed of service could have been a bit more upbeat.

We began with the usual Poppadums with pickles, the hotter the better for me, my taste buds must be getting old and de-sensitized !

Starter Chicken Tikka and Shish Kabab starter.

Mains Butter Chicken, Shisha Kabab Lamb, Tandoori Fish, Prawn Curry and more rice than you could eat.

The other Ian Burnett, not our own welly wearer but Regional 41 Club Rep joined us for the meal and gave a short address over the benefits that 41 members can obtain such as 20% of Hyundai Cars, 10% of Fred Olson cruises and lots of other odds and sods.

All in all, a great evening enjoyed by those who turned out.

41 Club Meeting Report – Thursday 14th September 2017
This was an informal ‘opt-in’ meeting comprising of an excellent pre-dinner meal at Lazenbys followed by a saunter up the road to the Stephen Joseph Theatre to see the latest Ayckbourn – ‘A Brief History of Women’.

Having parked on Victoria Road (2nd attempt when some of the workers had departed for home) I spotted Geoff and Jenny Winn plus Richard Clark ahead of me and attempted to catch them up. This was easier said than done – boy, can those people walk fast. Maybe they were trying to tell me something…?? Anyway, I caught them eventually when they had to stop to wait for the green man.

We arrived together to join a select crowd of 41 Club members and partners at Lazenbys. Janet and John White were both there and looking much younger than they have a right to. (John even has a full head of hair still. Don’t these people know what stress is??).
Anyway, I digress. We were perusing the menu when my dear trouble and strife arrived straight from work. Just as well that she was earlier than expected really – I had completely forgotten what she had asked me to order for her and was about to use my initiative (never a good thing) and order her crab cakes followed by mussels – not the soup and beef bourgeon she actually wanted. And was she grateful for my efforts? – not a bit of it. Women, eh?

Anyway, disaster averted we dined well off what did look like brown wrapping paper in place of table mats. To be fair, 41 Club had eaten there before so Lazenbys were probably taking no chances with expensive tableware. Having ‘wrapped’ up (blame Chris Gray for that pun) the excellent meal we headed for the theatre although one or two wine-imbibers had to be dragged away.

We arrived to be joined by some more 41 Clubbers who were unable to make the early dinner. Despite a block booking the theatre seemed to have split us up to avoid trouble although we were within hailing distance of each other. The play itself was very good, and charted the changing life of a man over 60 years, featuring the different women in his life, against a backdrop of the same house. We looked across the theatre to see we had even been joined by the author and director himself – the theatrical legend that is Alan Ayckbourn.

All in all a really good night – many thanks to the organisers.
Report by Simon Lockley – (Co-written and dramatised by Chris Gray)