Note from the Chapel Clerk:
Gentlemen
Thanks to the 33 Members who foregathered for last Saturday’s foregathering.
Once again, we enjoyed a most convivial afternoon which Peter Bradley (Chapel Photographer, unelected and unremunerated) captured with his usual brilliance on his digital device and which you should all have received by email.
I was slightly disappointed with the turnout of 33 after the encouraging attendance at the previous Meeting and wonder why we are getting such low numbers. I still have 81 on my list despite the recent sad attrition we have experienced, and can only repeat that, as you have the dates months in advance, more effort could be made to attend if you wish me to continue to organise these Meetings.
The Chapel Clerk (unelected and unremunerated) called the Meeting to order with the mallet and planer and first up was John Heaney who was asking for sponsorship for his forthcoming triathlon in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind. He subsequently went round the Membership for cash contributions. I haven’t been informed of the amount he collected but maybe he can let me know so I can circulate that information. I was one who promised to donate on his crowd-funding page but have lost the link. John, would you please let me have that also.
Gerry Dodd, FoC (also unelected and unremunerated) was up next and treated us to a very brief, at least by his standards, oration during which he mentioned that it is now a matter of tradition that the FoC be Salford-born and that when he is no longer able to perform the role, then Kevin Murphy, being a Salfordian by birth, was the obvious replacement. At that, several Members objected that they were also Salfordians – but I don’t recall any of them volunteering for the job! The aforesaid Kevin Murphy also showed little enthusiasm at the prospect of inheriting this high office.
Gerry then read out the names of the recently departed Members: Bob Grant, Ken Griffiths and David Wilkinson and said that we had only just been informed of the death also of Paul Nuttall. The usual minute’s silence as a mark of respect was observed for these colleagues.
Simon Elliott asked to be allowed to address the Chapel to explain about Paul Nuttall. He said that Paul had passed away in late July from pancreatic cancer but that his family didn’t wish there to be any fuss and that his funeral be a private family affair. This was the reason that we had not been informed earlier.
Two Members, Gerry Bamford and Tony Mulvey, who had intimated attendance failed to attend, and I have not heard anything from them. And two Members, Carl Thacker and Jeff Hodgson failed to reply to the Notice of Meeting, and I have yet to hear from them also.
The next Meeting will be the 2019 Christmas Meeting which, because of the Manchester Christmas Markets chaos, will as usual be held on the second Saturday of next year (what happened to this year?), which is January 11 2020. Please make a note of that and do your utmost to attend.
Regards to all
SB, Chapel Clerk (U&U)
