28th July. The Mersey Gateway

Well, it's causing many diversions, queues on the existing bridge and speculation on how much the tolls are going to be, so let's find out...

A brilliant talk by a volunteer who works on the Mersey Gateway project, illuminating the room with facts and figures relating to the building ( yes Les, coffer dams and all!) the cost and of course how the new bridge will impact on "old Runcorn" and the people who reside therein.

Inevitably when a speaker comes along and does a talk such as this one, there are going to be questions... He was not disappointed! The floor was awash with can moments, some pertinent some having a dig at the council, some asking why, who, where and when. All answered with aplomb and the room was thankful for another night of information and banter.

 

13th July. A Grand Day Out!
The annual geriatrics day out was a very secretive affair. Bus collection before 9am at the fire station, a trip into the unknown and stop to collect some pre ordered coffee and bacon rolls added to the excitement. On top of that, some clinking of bottled real ale in cool bags at the back of the bus had everyone guessing...
The bus duly arrived at a canal side location and disembarcation  was swift for all, apart from the fact that the beer, coffee and a variety of bags with wet weather gear also needed to be removed for use on the day.
We had arrived at Anderton Marina, home to a day boat hire company and we were off on a trip down the Trent and Mersey Canal to a lunchtime destination. We were welcomed by the staff and a procession of bags, bottles and of course gentlemen of varying ages ambled down to the jetty to collect our skipper and the wonderfully named "Daydream" which was to be our home for the rest of the day.
Then it started to rain, but matter not, enough indoor room and heaters on max we set off east, towards our lunch appointment.
Now for those in the know, wine appeared around 100 yards from our cast off point. It set the tone for the day, real ale from Norton Brewery was on hand from the cool bags at a reasonable price and the rain seemed not so bad anymore.
Our skipper was a very knowledgable chap who told us of the history of the canal and pointed out landmarks as we neared them. The rain eased and the sun made enough of an appearance to merit the arrival of "mossies" at certain points of the cruise, however, we out ran them at our 4mph cruising speed with the breeze against us which was not favourable for the little biting army.
After a pleasant 3 and a bit hours, we arrived at our lunch venue, The Big Lock pub at Middlewich. It sits next to.... A big lock!

Now in order to expedite the lunch menu, your writer and organiser had tried to get people to preorder. On arrival this went out of the window as eyes were cast over the extensive specials board... Much confusion and more craft beer dispensed on tap meant that the inevitable changes were made, with staff bearing up well to the indecision and frivolity that can only happen when the total age of a group if 12 add up to more than the England cricket team can score in a year!
The meals arrived and very good they were too! Many thanks to the staff for putting up with us. It was great.
Prior to the meal, out on the balcony, we watched as the big lock proved its worth. A very busy period of holiday canal traffic on the way to Anderton and beyond. Our fine craft did not need to enter the lock and by the time the stragglers had returned, the beer was once again flowing on board and several sleepy heads were seen "lolling" to the gentle motion of the water and the aptly named "Daydream" !
On the return journey, we were treated to almost a squadron of kingfishers, swooping and http://www.thebiglockpub.com/photo-gallery-7945.htmldisappearing along the watery corridor as we glided home to the marina. Cameras clicked but the outcomes have still to be seen.
Many thanks go to Anderton Marina day boat hire, we had a brilliant day out!

Forgive me Chair for I have sinned! It's been 7 months since I last wrote on this blog...
Not that I haven't thought about it, just time has been frittered away and other things have got in the way.
Anyway, back to it!

23rd June -"A Food Quiz"
The Chairs first real night in charge following a dismal start of being on holiday for the last meeting (standards must be maintained!) and he cracked on with an effort not to be missed.
Robert gave a poor show on his first attempt at grace, followed by a much more Robust effort!
Due to a last minute hitch, no speaker was available for the meeting (that is what we were told anyway!) and Les stepped in to provide some entertainment in the form of a food quiz.
Now consider this, a room full of pampered individual alpha males, some of whom would not know a sardine from a sausage - the evening descended into chaos as menfolk surrounded a table trying to guess fresh and dried herbs, identify fish and guess the price of fillet steak per kilo (come on Les, some of them have not stopped using pounds shillings and pence, never mind metric!).
A brilliant night, well hosted by the Chair and the House Chairman.

Clipper Round the Year
Another talk from one of Simon's chums, Richard Brook. Richard, a retired GP, gave us a talk on one of his bucket list items; his part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Richard became one the crew of the Swiss Sailing (the boat was not his choice, he was put on board as a crew member) entry for the race on 2 out of 8 legs. Sailing in The 4th leg around Australia and taking part in the Sydney - Hobart Race and also the final leg 8 from New York to end via Derry, Holland and then into London Tower bridge.
The talk went down really well with both sailors and landlubbers alike, with only Les being disgruntled that there seemed to be little animosity on board!
Many Thanks to Richard and we wish him many a warm summer in his new Clipper Conservatory (you needed to be there to understand the relevance.)

28th April A.G.M.

Well another year past and it all comes down to this. An A.G.M. no confirmed taker of the helm, only a slight interest from the floor and many expectant (in the eagerness terms, not the child bearing way, god forbid!) people await the outcome.

Meal eaten, reports read and torn to shreds by onlookers, some stout rebuttal from the officers and that's it. All done!

I have enjoyed my 2 years in Office and my thanks go to all members for the continued support given to me (Iain) and the officers, (John, Les, Tom (for a time) and Graeme) in the work they have done to keep the club afloat.

Mention should also be made of the input from the staff at Runcorn Golf Club, Dave and Helena (I/ We wish you both well over the coming months) and the most recent efforts from Sue in the kitchen.

So to end, its now time for a new Chairman. A vote taken, passed without any against (a volunteer is worth a very large number of pressed men) the new Chairman appointed is Mr Daryl McKay.

I wish him well for the coming 2 years and will give him every assistance possible, as will all the members of Runcorn 41 Club.

I will continue to write the blog, for those interested - and those who are not, to ensure an online record of whatever sorts is kept up during the "Daz Years". I hope they hold a bright future... (Geddit?)

24th March Speaker the esteemed John Leslie Aston - something about football

Due notice given at the beginning of the 2014/15 season, Les had spent his time wisely sifting through his collection of memorabilia to bring us his views on Football then and now.

As a young boy, his first match with his dad, kicking a ball in the street with a well known footballing neighbour looking on and taking absolutely no notice, to his time spent travelling to away games to wherever his dad got tickets.

A selection of memories carefully crafted into a tale of love for the glory days of football, versus the the namby pamby game of today. A story of football folk, plumbers by day, on the 5pm bus to the game after work. Tears of joy and sorrow rolling down the expectant crowds at Runcorn Golf Club as Les weaved a story of yesteryear and his love of times gone by.

An excellent talk and one that will go down as one of the best ever.