22nd Mar:  Dr Andrew Zsigmond “Escape from Hungary in 1957"
Dr Zsigmond, a Doctor from Liverpool told us the story of his escape from Hungary and the crushing of the Revolution in 1956 following his family moving there in 1944.
Having attended Medial School in the University of Pecs, Andrew was part of the student uprising which was brutally crushed in 1956. The story of the first major revolt within a communist country unfolds as he and his friends escaped in 1957 in a time that was to be the turning point of the Cold War.
We found out about the difficulties such as getting food, avoiding persecution and his escape to Austria and how he ended up as a coal miner in Yorkshire, before attending Medical School in Liverpool.
A brilliant talk, many questions and of course an enjoyable evening was had by by all. Many Thanks to Andrew and Simon La Frenais for the evenings entertainment.

26th January Chris Caroe  “Galtieri – my part in his downfall – with apologies to Spike Milligan”
A fascinating talk by Chris, who was part of the invasion force to ensure the Falklands stayed "British".
Chris told us of the special arctic training and exercises undertaken prior to the invasion force going to the Southern Oceans and the way in which he and his regiment endured the hardships that followed landing on one of our remote outposts.
Equipment was at a premium and his regiment having just undertaken arctic training were lucky, they had the right gear. Others didn't!
We heard of the hardship and the good times, along with sorrow and good fortune. Some of it was doing the right thing at the right time, others were luck and judgement.
A brilliant talk, well illustrated and lots of questions following the the speaker.

8th December - Ladies Night

24th November Pet Hates
On first look this might have been a distinct advantage to those animal lovers among us. However it was more a Room 101 style event brought to fruition by Judge and Chair for the evening. Mr J L Aston.
Each attendee was asked to pick 3 things which we disliked/ hated/ abhorred the most, without resort to politics or religion (narrowed the field down for some among us...)
Items ranged from small change to clothes sizes with a mix of petrol pumps. sport related topics and some items on customer service.
A brilliant night mixed with conviviality and rebellion (as usual.) Well done Les!

6th November Chairs "Summer" BBQ
Well the night brought together a plethora of devotees of Runcorn 41 Club, along with partners, guests and invited local ne'er do wells, arriving at the Chairs house to take part in this "Summer"event, planned for August but delayed by storms.
Around 40 people enjoyed the food impeccably prepared by Lesley, the chairs better half. Beer, wine and various alcho-pops flowed well into the evening hours accompanied by the clink of empty bottles into the recycling bin.
Various tours of the Chairs estate were done, taking in the variety of outbuildings and lawns, mostly in the dark, some aided by a flashlight.
Then it was time for "Blaster Bates" and his fabulous fire show. The Chairman, ensconced behind his summer house well out of view, with port-fire and a box of matches in hand told us it was going to be "something to behold". The show commenced... to music (after a fashion!) It must be said the show was a good one, despite some of it being slightly(!) out of time, however, at the finale, the chair emerged to cheers and applause with both eyebrows intact and only the mud on his wellies and a smile on his face to show where he had been.
Well done Daz and Lesley and all who helped on the night. A really enjoyable evening.

27 October

22 September