Welcome–from President Stephen welcomed and had goods news
The District Grant to assist with the installation of Public Rescue Equipment at our beaches has been approved. This project can now get underway.
Guest Speaker – Glenn from Dementia Tauranga didn’t get the memo that he was our speaker. A no show.
Welcome – Dean Thompson who stood in and regaled us with the spontaneous nature of touring Europe with no plans.
Learnings - You can fly stand by to Europe! A great way to fly so long as you are flexible and I presume cheaper than the alternative. The route took them via Tokyo, Helsinki, Vienna to Balbao.
Walked part of the Northern Camino – 200k which was more than they had expected to do.
The surprising benefits of unplanned travel – bonding time with each other – Claire probably had more of Dean’s attention than she had had for some time. Apparently, it was mutually beneficial and both Claire and Dean had a fabulous time.
The freedom of travel with no plan had not been experienced since they were in their 20’s with the big difference of a bigger budget than their 20’s. Maybe we should all travel in a less planned fashion. Embrace what each day brings.
Notices & Announcements
Notice One Quiz Night 17 November
Get your team together for a fun night. Looking for spot items to auction and raffle.
RYLA – applicants wanted – contact Chris Dever with potential candidates
Raffle:. – no one
Sergeant at Arms - Simon Beaton
Simon enthralled us with his families military history. From his Grandfather Percy Beaton on the Western Front as a 2nd Lieutenant serving from 2016 in the 1st world war. Obviously, a survivor and good at dodging bullets, except for a minor wounding in 1917.
Scottish Grandfather -Chalmers a supply driver in North Africa apparently with a questionable sense of direction after he found himself in Tunis before any of the allied troops.
Then there is Simon’s mother Irene, (I think) who post war did her best to repopulate Britan by becoming an unwed mum at 16 and 17 before being married off to an ex German POW. With this new husband ended up in Bergan where her marriage failed and she ended up working for the British occupational forces. I presume at some stage she returned to the UK and met Simon’s father.
Simon himself has a brief military career in the St Andrews University Territorial Forces where he was wounded with sunburn during manoeuvres in the Yorkshire Moors.
