Ape and Apple, Jan 10th, 2026

Thanks to all who turned up for the January Meeting. We had five late apologies for non-attendance which meant there were only 19 present – a depressing new all-time low. Please try to show more commitment for the remaining two Meetings this year which are scheduled for May 23 and September 12.

 

The more observant among you may notice that the May date has been altered from that in my email of last year. This is because there’s been a change of management in the A&A which has resulted in a mix-up in their diary.

 

The Meeting  was, as usual, a most convivial affair, notwithstanding the paucity of attendance.

 

As is his wont, we were entertained by a somewhat fanciful monologue from our glorious FoC, who informed us that Donald Trump had asked Ron Choularton to become the President of Venezuala or to lead the military takeover of Greenland. Failure to comply would result in the aforesaid Ron losing his dual citizenship and having to return to live in this country, which would mean he could attend all future Meetings. 

 

The aforementioned monologuist added that he had nominated your humble Clerk for the New Year’s Honours List for services to the ancient craft that brought civilisation to the world. Unfortunately our glorious King informed him that there were more deserving cases, like the five members of a ladies’ football team and their Dutch manager, and a woman who had been in the football team 25 years ago. He said he had hundreds of other unknowns to honour before he could get to the genuinely deserving cases.

 

On a more sombre note, Gerry asked John Heaney to say a few words about our late friend and colleague Roy Standring, before the usual silence was held.

 

Several Members asked me about Alf Lee, who had been absent from recent Meetings. I contacted his wife Barbara who said he had been in hospital for about five weeks with a very severe virus but that he was expected home soon. I’m delighted to say that I spoke to Alf earlier today on the phone. He is now home and recuperating slowly but steadily and is very upbeat. Hopefully we’ll see you at the next one, Alf.