One thing after another. First the visit to the British Wildlife centre, followed a week later by the Annual Exhibition, followed yet another week on by the Barbeque.
Held once more at Chairman Di Walker's home, which each year sees more floral delights added. Di herself worked very hard to make sure that nothing was forgotten, checking and rechecking things like the paper napkins, the reserve cutlery (for people who forgot to bring their own, like me!), the cream for the deserts, the sauces, the cushions, etc, etc. There was a minor panic mid week because we seemed to have too few chairs. So there were two visits to Paul and Pat's to collect two more tables and some chairs and Pat kindly rang several people to ask them to bring their own chairs. Result, there were enough chairs for a lot of people to put their feet up on a second chair! Di's partner John came over from France in a van laden with still more chairs, Boxes of cheap but fine French wine, and a bucket full of his own home grown pommes de terre, which he later scrubbed and cooked. He also prepared other delights for us like the garlic bread.
Martin did sterling work at the 'Barbie' starting off with some spectacular flames from the fat of the chicken pieces. I moved well away expecting that the fire brigade might be summoned at any moment. He slaved over a hot stove for at least an hour and a half. Thank you Martin on behalf of us all.
There was ample food for one and all (over 30 people came) and there were some great salads and sweets provided by members who came laden.
A word about the Chairman. She had spent hours making title strips for most of the prints at the exhibition, though Liz also did a lot of them as well. Liz and Anne Nagle spent a lot of time on organising the exhibition and Diana Newnes also spent a lot of time sorting our pictures. I had to be away, but arrived an hour or so before the end of the Exhibition which was a really good show. It has achieved one of its main objectives which is to attract new members and a couple of them came to the Barbeque. A good number of members came to set up the hall and attended throughout to talk to the viistors, so thanks and well done to all of them.
Back to the Chairman, we all owe her a big 'thank you' for all her hard work and for providing such a lovely venue for our Barbeque which was a huge success largly due to her hard work and forethought.