27th May Aztecs and Mayans
Our esteemed speaker for the evening was globetrotting John Beacham, one of our own!
During a trip to Mexico he stumbled across things which he then researched in his own inimitable style to produce an engaging talk for the evening, complimented by the usual holiday snaps.
Gone were the ones from the topless beaches, to be replaced by many of the ruins to be found in the equatorial forests and beyond.
Discussion and questions later followed, especially of the merits of winning "The Ball Game" which we think meant certain death to the team who won. The writer wonders of the same rules applied to the World Cup, would the teams and supporters be so eager?!

22nd April AGM
After a year of cobbling it together, the meeting got under way and as if by magic... Tom appeared. Dressed as a house chairman!
The meeting went swimmingly and Iain was told by the group that they agreed to endure his leadership for another year!
Some changes to lower members of the cabinet have been noted in the minutes ably taken by Roy due to Duncan's enforced absence.

25th March
Runcorn, what is it good for?
A scintillating light hearted quiz by the Chairman on little known things about our "home" town. How high is the water tower? Who is the prolific author who lived in Heath Road? Why is the signal box at Runcorn station a listed building? And much more!!
A night of talk and casual banter ensued, but enjoyed by all.

25th February
There's been a murder!
A talk by Alan Hayhurst, ex bank manager now author of all things criminal.
We learnt about some crimes of the heart, with murder in mind. Alan has many murders in his books and gave us a sample of some Cheshire murders , some of the mysterious ones from centuries past.

Robert Fitzroy, Storm Glasses, Savages and Christian missions; just like a normal night in Runcorn!
At the November meeting our very own speaker Simon LaFrenais gave us an insight into Robert Fitzroy (What a man he became, and Robert Fitzroy wasn't bad either!) 
Simon gave one of his usual well researched and enjoyable talks on this mostly forgotten figure from history. Seafarer, navigator, politician, social reformer, tamer of savages(!), weather forecaster and reporter, Vice Admiral , general good egg and Uncle Tom cobbly and all.

We were able to hear about his storm glass and saving ships via pubished weather reports, his voyages aboard The Beagle, his dismay with Darwin and his studying under Francis Beaufort at what was to become the Met Office. Also of his aim to create Christian missionaries and how sadly his mission failed.

Very enjoyable evening indeed! Many Thanks to Simon for his research and providing us with a reminder of heroes past.

Rubbish!
For the meeting on the 24th September, Daz brought along Pat Wheeler from  ‎Waste Technology Manager at Catalyst Lend Lease who gave a talk on waste management, recycling and methods of waste disposal. Quite entertaining, with many questions asked, especially during the phase on incinerators. Not quite sure why that would be...
Robert gave an entertaining if a little confusing vote of thanks that lasted almost as long at the guest speakers!

It's August

It's August and the sunshine of July seemed to be fast disappearing when it came around to the Chairmans BBQ. The day dawned overcast and the rain was more like a day out in Bangladesh during the monsoon season than a back garden in Runcorn during the summer!
However, shelters were up and we kept the grass dry and the sun put in an appearance after 6pm just to try and warm things up a bit. Not the best attended event we have had, lots on holiday, but around 30 people enjoyed a fine night of barbecue and a plentiful supply of wine.