OUR first meeting of 2017, on 5 January, started with the sad news that fellow member Ron Tarry had passed away just before Christmas. Loved and held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, Ron was a keen sportsman, and members stood in silent tribute to him.

Our first speaker of the year was Paul McGuire of Malvern, a former Butlins Redcoat who worked as a BBC TV show warm-up man for many years. He described how he had warmed up audiences for the Black and White Minstrel and Billy Cotton Shows as well as comedians Charlie Drake and Frankie Howerd and many other well known celebrities of yesteryear.

Alan Smith thanked Paul on our behalf, saying that his entertaining presentation had brought back lots of happy memories for us.

For our final meeting of 2016 we had been joined by wives and partners for a Christmas party at the Boathouse on Thursday, 15 December. President Brian Ireland awarded Club membership to Richard Dorrell of Harvington and presented special badges to Peter Penney and Ron Ind as previous winners of the Club’s Quaich award for their exceptional service to the club.

We extend our thanks and best wishes to all the staff at the Evesham Rowing Club’s Boathouse who looked after us so well in 2016, and also to the Evesham Journal who have continued to publicise our antics.

We next meet on 12 January with A Ride Round England followed by a History of Iron on 19 January. Potential new member John Dumelow of Harvington attended this week to find out more about us. So do follow his excellent example – you’d be very welcome.

CHRIS DONOUGH