THE GUARDIAN & MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS EX-COMPOSING AND ATD&H CHAPEL
Chapel Clerk’s Report of Meeting held may 13th, 2023
Gentlemen,
Thanks to the 24 attendees who made the effort – notwithstanding the train strike, of which I was totally unaware – to foregather at last Saturday’s Early Summer Meeting.
I must say it was a disappointing turnout from a possible 68 on my list, not least because only one (Mark Laverty) of the non-attendees non-attended due to the aforementioned strike. I accept that several Members are having mobility problems and are unlikely to attend future Meetings, but that leaves around 60 Members who are still able to attend. We got 24. Two of these attendees undertook long and arduous journeys to join us: Ron Choularton came all the way from San Diego, USA; and Tony Holt spent over THREE HOURS travelling from Chorley, Lancashire, which probably wasn’t a much shorter trip than Ronnie’s transatlantic expedition! I only wish more Members would show this level of enthusiasm and commitment.
However, despite the discouraging attendance, a good time was had by all, regardless of the disgraceful and blatant profiteering hike in the price of the beer, which in January stood at £3.60 a pint, and last Saturday was an eye-watering £4.40 a pint. Holt’s beer used to be the cheapest around. Sadly, no longer – and it’s certainly not the best beer in town. I had a word with landlord Shaun about it, but as manager he has no control over the prices.
Members of the Q Club* note the above if considering this venue for a future Call To Glasses.
FoC Gerry Dodd (unremunerated) entertained us as usual with a (reasonably for him) short address during which he spoke of the passing of Ray Jeffries and John Slater. There was much amusement in the general discussion about Ray’s nickname of Dr Death, with Jim Berry treating the foregathering to the hilarious story of how Ray acquired his nickname. The usual silence was held as a mark of respect for our deceased colleagues.
I know I’ve asked this on previous occasions but, if anyone has any suggestions for an alternative venue – must be city centre – where the beer and the stairs are not so steep, please let me know.
As it stands, the next Meeting, the Late Summer, will be at the usual time and in the usual place on Saturday, September 9. Would you all please try your best to keep your diaries free for this Meeting, if only to give your discouraged and disillusioned Clerk (unremunerated) some encouragement to carry on.
Regards to all
Bill, Chapel Clerk (unremunerated)
