the full newsletter!
Transcription
the full newsletter!
SKÅL INTERNATIONAL BRIGHTON, SUSSEX AND THE CHANNEL President Eric Etienne Secretary Edward Lewis OCTOBER 2016 Newsletter Your President writes: BACK FROM BELFAST TO SKÅL UK’S NEW FUTURE Getting to Belfast from Paris is not easy. But after a very early departure Alice, our new Young Skal member, and I arrived in time for a local beer before lunch. I will not give you a full report about the 63rd National Assembly, as fellow delegate Anthony Gay has provided a full report elsewhere, but here are a few impressions. The National Executive meeting was held early in the proceedings, and we had the pleasure of welcoming International President Nigel Pilkington, International Vice-President Suzanna Saari, and Past National President Alison Partridge as observers. The main problems for the meeting to consider were the future of Skål National UK and – if there was a future – where to hold the 64th National Assembly . The NEC decided to reject the proposal to merge UK clubs until there were just three big clubs, then close down Skål National UK. Instead, it was decided to launch a recruitment campaign, and set up a small working group to consider future development. Along with Mark Alexander, our National Councillor, and Cara Stewart–Clark from London, I will be working in this group. And instead of seeing the demise of the ailing Scotland and Oxford clubs, the National President would prefer we find ‘Champions’ to build two new clubs, with the help of interested local parties. Cont’d… 1 So we still had a future! But we then had to decide where to hold next year’s National. Scotland had dropped out of the bidding, so the only proposals were from Brighton, Sussex and the Channel. The idea of Dover was dismissed, and the NEC decided to accept our invitation to stage the event in Eastbourne. It was also decided that for National officers to progress in the ‘succession’ line, candidates should be in full agreement with the National Executive and support its decisions. This will give a kind of stability to Skål National UK. The National meeting was held after a short break. We were not numerous, but had enough participants to be a quorum. Ken Sharp, the National President, started by announcing the NEC’s decisions, and although some members were not happy he declared the discussion closed. We now had to focus on the future, he said, promoting Skål, finding new members, and not having clubs growing merely by taking over other clubs. I have to say it: I like this man! Eastbourne won 100 per cent of the votes for next year’s National. Well… almost 100 per cent. As you can imagine, modesty prevailed and I did not vote! So the good news from Belfast is that Skål UK is not dead, despite the snipers. We have a future as Skålleagues, but we need to work to find new members, and be more active in promoting the club. So, with these objects in mind, it is time to ask yourself: What can I do for Skål ? Eric Etienne ANTHONY GAY REPORTS ON THE NATIONAL Skål Brighton, Sussex and the Channel was represented by President Eric and Alice Etienne (Young Skål), Derek Ketteridge and Anthony & Yolaine Gay. Both Eric and Derek are currently members of the National Executive which decided to formally reject the John Watts three mega club (non) proposal on the grounds that it would do nothing to strengthen Skål UK, rather the reverse as it would actually lead to an accelerated demise. In any case, the "proposal" was not official and had not been properly presented through the correct channels. Cont’d… 2 The Executive chose instead to pursue a policy of strengthening the remaining clubs through recruiting new members and creating two new start up clubs, including Oxford (defunct by their own admission), from the ashes of the old. No official successor to Ken Sharp was nominated due to the need for future presidents to declare their support for a forward, growth-‐led Skål. The Executive also decided that next year's National will take place in Eastbourne and will be organised by our club. The Dover option was seen off. Former National President Alison Partridge was over from Canada (where she is now reorganising Skål in that country) and she was joined by International President Nigel Pilkington who had come specially from New Zealand. Other former International Presidents present included our own Ian McCubbin, Mary Bennett from Ireland and Jan Sunde from Norway. Dieter & Eileen Schlieben represented Southampton and Paul Follows was London. Skål NI, mainly thanks to Mark Alexander and his energetic, young team (a lady President, under thirty!), had created a wonderful National. Events started to unfold at Malone Golf Club on the Thursday evening when it became apparent that Skål NI had beaten Skål Scotland at golf, as is usually the case despite Scotland playing an American cousin over on holiday! The Radisson Blu, an excellent hotel, hosted the National Executive and Committee meetings, and a very interesting B2B session as well as the National President's Gala Evening – where the food was delicious and an extra supply of Bushmills whiskey donated by a local NI Council member ensured that the evening was a huge success. Northern Ireland prides itself on its warm welcome, despite the Troubles, its excellent food and drink, its striking countryside including the stunning Giant's Causeway, and has a very positive attitude towards the future. NI is also a leading film set location for programmes such as Game of Thrones and the Fall. It was interesting to note that Messrs Robinson and McGuinness opened the new Crumlin Road Gaol tourist attraction together despite having both been in warring prison wings some years previously. 3 YOUR COUNCIL DISCUSSED… The Council focussed essentially on the proposal from John Watts to dissolve Skål UK at national level and to create three mega clubs in its place. A large amount of time was devoted to discussing voting rights, how the current for and against situation stacked up, and how to handle the debate in Belfast. It was agreed that Eric would lobby Mark Alexander and others on the National Executive to promote our club's counter proposal and to find out how the National Executive planned to handle the crisis situation. It was agreed that our proposal to hold the 2017 National should revolve around the Lansdowne Hotel and Eastbourne, with excursions (Brighton) as appropriate according to levels of interest from members. Both the immediate and 2017 programmes were discussed with a special focus on the October meeting and the arrangements for Gala Evening in November. It was decided to postpone the visit to the Houses of Parliament on the grounds of current security requirements, not to mention the current problems on Southern and the high total cost of the visit. A new meeting would be arranged for early October. Skål International membership cards (2016 only) are now available from Philip Ayers and arrangements are being made to distribute these. LUCKY WINNERS FUTURE EVENTS The lucky winners of the 200 Club draw for August were: October: As notified, our October meeting has been changed to a lunch on Friday, October 7 at 12.30 for a buffet meal at Philip and Christine Ayers’ home. The price is £15 pp and you should let Philip know immediately if you still have not replied and wish to attend. 1st: Paul Follows (London Club); 2nd: Brighton Club; 3rd: Leo Edwards (Oxford Club) and September’s lucky winners were: 1st: Paul Follows (London Club); 2nd: Ken Baker (Guernsey Club); 3rd: London Club November: President Eric’s Gala Night & Weekend this year will be held at Edward Lewis’ Lansdowne Hotel on November 19/20. The President’s Gala Night is one of the highlights of the year and all Skålleagues and friends are welcome. There is a flyer attached with this Newsletter giving all the details including accommodation at the hotel. BIRTHDAY BLACKBOARD Birthday wishes this month go to: Jean Lewis; Robin Mead; Derry Seabrook; Eric Etienne and Valerie Field. 4 A VERY JOLLY EVENING The new owners of the Royal Oak at Barcombe hosted the Skittles evening this year with a modest 12 participants, writes Graham Appleby. In spite of the low numbers it was a lively meeting with plenty of exercise for the muscles and the brain. The former provided by hurling the “cannon balls” down towards the wooden skittles (which then had to be replanted each time). The latter was one of Neville Grice’s testing quizzes undertaken before and during the meal. A fine level of “amicale” was achieved by having different teams for the two activities which meant that, unlike the sometimes staid meal-only meetings, there was plenty of interaction between the participants! There were three teams for the skittles and two for the quiz. The quiz was won by a “No Name” team led by Sylvia Grice with 63.5 points. Runners-up, the “Young Ones” led by Edward Lewis, scored 57. A buffet meal of sausage and mash, followed by a nice cheesecake and coffee, sustained the skittle athletes whose winning team was Edward and Jean Lewis, and Ron Brooker and his son Paul, who scored together 116. Ron was the man of the match with 31 out of 36, an outstanding score! ! Because of the low numbers it was decided not to run the raffle this time so the donated prizes are in reserve for the next meeting. EASTBOURNE HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION Eastbourne Hospitality Association’s Dinner, held next year on Saturday, February 25, is a good opportunity to promote Skål and to recruit new members. This year our club booked a table (10 guests) and the event prompted Ron Booker to rejoin Skål. Put this date in your diaries and an enjoyable evening will help with our recruitment drive. 5 A SPICY HOLIDAY FOR PHILIP AND CHRISTINE Well. Mauritius was as interesting and as welcoming as previously, writes Christine Ayers. Arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolan international airport (sensibly reduced to The SSR) at 8-‐ish in the morning and not much happening. This is the Mauritius winter, i.e. low season, and it was very quiet. Huge expanses of marble and polished concrete and staff looking bored. Hit immediately by the smell of the island – warm and spicy. Whizzed out via duty free – well we had to stock up on the gin and local rum for the duration! Met at arrivals by a very expansive, chatty Skål member, Clement of 'Beach Destinations', and his assistant. All well organised and off we went in two cars, one for people and one for luggage. Having bagged the best of the four bedrooms and unpacked we were in the (chilly) outdoor pool before lunch. Imported a cold and felt below par for a few days but Philip had long chats with Joan Bechard, the secretary to the Asian Area Committee. Despite Joan's best endeavours to arrange joining in a local Skål meeting it came to nothing. Similar laissez faire attitude has been noted in the UK on occasions. But we had a lovely relaxing holiday again exploring an island of which we are very fond. The weather was kind, the villa was well appointed, on a beach although too far from the town of Tamarin for a comfortable walk for a meal of an evening. BBQs to the fore! As owners of self-‐catering accommodation ourselves we felt the villas – about ten in total on a private estate (Villa Filiao – Google it) lacked a little thought for guests travelling thousands of miles. Clement personally provided a very welcome box of food – contents of which we had dictated – but we had to go out shopping for soap, loo paper, tea towels etc (which we provide in ours) and no one had told us that it was a public holiday on the Monday. Nothing was open except a small Italian restaurant for an evening meal. It was interesting to look at the south west coast below La Morne. It has gone from somewhat empty and devoid of habitation to several exclusive, very expensive hotels with massive security – and the coastal road all tidy and manicured. Rumour has it that the holidaying Russians have moved in. So if you want a warm, welcoming, child friendly holiday, a quickly developing Mauritius still has it in spades. If you want to go to a Skål meeting there you may need to be more dogged! 6 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2016 October – Friday 7 Lunch at the Ayers, The Old Rectory, Litlington, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 5RB. Time: 12.30. Cost: £15. October – 29-Nov 2 Skål World Congress, Monaco. November – 7-9 WTM London + Skål Lunch. November – Saturday 19 President’s Gala Night, Lansdowne Hotel, King Edward Parade, Eastbourne, E Sussex BN21 4EE. Tel: 01323 725174. Time: 19.00. Cost: £39.95 pp. Overnight stay £90 (£50 single). Weekend rates available. Book direct with hotel. December – Saturday 10 Christmas Lunch at Cooden Beach Hotel, Cooden Beach, Bexhill, East Sussex TN39 4TT. Tel: 01424 842281. Time: 12.00 for 12.30. Cost: TBA. Overnight stay: £55 per person. Book direct with hotel quoting Skål. 2017 January 22. AGM and Burns Lunch, Lansdowne Hotel, King Edward Parade, Eastbourne, E Sussex BN21 4EE. Tel: 01323 725174. Cost and Time TBA. February – Saturday 25 Eastbourne Hospitality Association Dinner, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, East Sussex. Time: TBA. Cost: TBA. February – Sunday 26 Presidential Handover lunch in Alfriston. Cost and Time TBA March 17 St Patrick’s evening meal, Lansdowne Hotel, King Edward Parade, Eastbourne, E Sussex BN21 4EE. Tel: 01323 725174. Cost and Time TBA. April 28 International Day evening meal at Old Tollgate Hotel, Bramber BN44 3WE. Tel: 01903 879494. Cost and Time TBA. May 20 Day trip to France. June 15 Lunch in Tunbridge Wells. July 16 President’s Garden Party. August Tripartite Meeting. September October Skittles November – Saturday 11 President’s Gala 7 Night December – Thursday 7 Christmas Lunch or Party. To: Philip Ayers, The Old Rectory, Litlington, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 5RB I will/will not be attending the Buffet Luncheon at The Old Rectory, Litlington, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 5RB. Time:12.30. Cost: £15.00. My guest/s is/are ................................................................................... My cheque for £…….. is enclosed being £15.00 per person. (Cheques should be made payable to Skål International Brighton) OR Internet Transfer to Club Account: Account Name: Skal International Brighton Account No: 55420518 Sort Code: 72-06-00 (Santander) NAME: ...................................................................................................... I will/will not bring a raffle prize. Replies to Philip immediately, The Old Rectory, Litlington, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 5RB please. 8