STOURBRIDGE BRANCH

STOURBRIDGE BRANCH - JULY 2014

Malcolm's Report

Another great night for the July meeting. One new comer there was Joe Woodward from Brimfield who attends the Leominster Ukulele Society. Teresa and Michael Adcock brought him along. He was at the Leamington Spa Ukulele Society Festival which I understand was a great success. I was not there as I was at the Black Country Festival in Dudley with Friends of the Hippodrome, but I have been busy like attending the one meeting of the GFS at Morecambe Winter Gardens. Here at the Victorian Winter Gardens Theatre I had the best of both worlds, the GFS meeting and the theatre which is slowly being brought back to life by a group of enthusiasts. At least they have advantage over the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome which I started collecting signatures in September 2011 and that advantage being able to stage events, whereas the Hippodrome has no lighting, heating or water, and no stage. It's all Gala Bingo tables, etc, but this can all change when Dudley MBC say The Friends can have the building for five years. Ken Dodd has offered to support our attempt. Just waiting for what dates he is available, I have already got supporting artistes in mind.

Martin and myself decided to visit the Chester Branch Meeting and what a wonderful night it was. Kathy and Greg certainly have done a splendid job in starting the project. Some had travelled some distance to be there like Carolyn Stewart and her husband, Ray, who I had a conversation with about steam trains. Ray being a fireman on North Yorkshire Moors Railway. At Morecambe I came into contact with another steam railway enthusiast and GFS member, Alan Middleton. I have video footage of Alan as Isambard Kingdom Brunel during the 150th GWR at Kidderminster SVR.

Back to our main meeting again, very many thanks to all who attended, either the audience or the players and also special thanks to Dave, Christine and Matthew Richards for bringing the PA equipment and Matthew for his backing on the keyboard and Bernard on the Washboard, not forgetting the support of Gabriela in arranging the artistes. It take some of the pressure off me - as does Christine (my Secretary) who types the reports from my draft notes. I wish the same could happen with Stourbridge & District Amateur Radio Society. I have draft out the reports for the past 3 months and have been unable to type them because of the time involved. We have very few female members of the Radio Society. I trust everyone will join with me in congratulating Gabriela and Johnnie in their recent marriage. We all wish them well under difficult circumstances.

Finally very many thanks to Angie and John and the Staff for allowing the use of the Summerhouse. Don't forget the 1st Thursday of each month, is The Chester Branch of the GFS held at Chester Rugby Club. I have a few photos taken at the 1940s SVR by Jim, also at Morecambe, Red House Cone Wordsley and Trimpley Vintage Car Rally where I appeared and also Geoff. Turned out nice again - Malcolm Palmer, Your Roving Reporter

PERFORMERS