STOURBRIDGE BRANCH

STOURBRIDGE BRANCH - DECEMBER MEETING 2013

MALCOLM'S REPORT

Members came from different parts of the country Lytham St Annes, Crewe, Stoke On Trent, Maccasflied , Gloucester, Little Hereford, Walsall, Little Bloxwich and local either by taxi, car or other modes of transport Why ? for the 22^nd anniversary of the Stourbridge Branch I have not got the number of how many attended but there where more than at the first meeting at The Robin Woods Community Centre, formally a 150 year old school Scotts Road Stourbridge December 199. The meetings where held in one of the former class rooms in fact in the same room but on different Tuesday nights which I also used to attend The Stourbridge & District Amateur Radio Society this year it is the 75^th Anniversary & I have been a member 62 yrs the other meeting The West Midlands Amateur Computer Club I am also a member, sadly the building closed in 2005 it was a pity because it was complete with school house it should have been moved to the Black Country Museum in My opinion the land as all been cleared now but the memories remain but there where plenty of offers for other venues, one was local to the school 100 yards away at the RAOB club but that was short lived after three meetings there it closed down suddenly so I was informed on the night before the meeting August 2005 again offers came in for other venues after my press & tv coverage as with the first venue closed the Baggeridge Social Club of which I am also a member where able to assist for two meetings until our present venue was found in October 2005. But going back to the first meeting five it could have been six including Myself & Roy Holloway the attendance varied each month but I never gave up which others may have done but I keep on going & that’s the reason why the Stourbridge branch is so popular today I tried another venue while at The Robin Woods Centre because one who attended complained of being unable to have a drink even though diluted drinks were taken so the meeting was held in a pub The British Oak Stallings Lane It was a disaster the room that was needed was in use so We were welcomed back to The Robin Woods Centre I had a lot of support from some one who is no longer with us now My wife of 52 years Glenys I miss her & especially at this time of the year I feel her presence is still around & it keeps Me going & with all my other interests , like the Organ Concerts at Shrewsbury Buttermarket on 3thd Sunday of each month at 3pm on The ex Ritz Chatham Wurlitzer which on the 19^th January 2014 it will be 25^th anniversary since the first public performance on the instrument I hope that some of You will be able to attend the admission charges have been increased now after being held for 10 years at £5 to £6 the organist Nicholas Martin former resident organist at Turners Merry Go Round Northampton.

Time now to thank every one who attended our 22^nd anniversary especially all who prepared the excellent buffet it’s a lot of hard work as I have discovered preparing my own food & also very many thanks to Angie & John for allowing us to have a buffet also Our backing group Matthew Richards on Keyboard Dave Partington on Base Guitar & Zac Evans who has recently celebrated His 21^st birthday many congratulations from us all He was on Washboard during the first half & then Bernard Francis arrived not forgetting Christine, David, Jonathan & Matthew Richards for the PA equipment & adjusting the microphones that all helped to make the meeting a great success & memorable Glenys would have been pleased even though she did not attend too many meetings over the last few months. Once again Very Very many thanks indeed & have a Happy New Year to You All but before I end the report I was featured in the Express & Star as part of the 75^th Anniversary of the opening of Dudley Hippodrome on the 19^th December 1938 the photo was taken on My camera afterwards & that’s the one in this report there are two I will get a print of the one featured in the paper for a later date the Friends of The Hippodrome never give up Our aim is to get control of the venue for 5 years at No cost to the rate payers & open it as a theatre once more so watch this space. The next Jazz concert at the Bonded ware House Stourbridge Jazz Group Fascinating Rhythm will be playing at 7.30 pm on Friday 10^th January admission £7 Turned Out Nice Again Your Roving Reporter Malcolm Palmer