A wet and blustery weekend at Beccles Quay – lucky then for me that I had booked into the hotel for the Saturday night. Very cosy!

10 club boats moored at the Beccles Yacht station, all well looked after by Harbourmaster Tim, most having come along a day or two before. Tides were exceptionally high and the boats were at the top of the quay heading for the Saturday, with the winds striving to push some of the boats on to the new concrete, but all survived.

Other members came by car on the night, or stayed at the hotel.

61 sat down for the meal, out of 65 booked. (with Pip & Colin, and Pam & Chris, unfortunately missing due to illness)

The minibus taxi started its shuttle service and the hotel bar was soon filling up by 7pm, with an array of silver everywhere. Tim had taken the occasion to his heart, resplendent in silver shoes; silver tie; AND silver hat. All the attendees joined in, also with plenty of silver baubles covering their best suits and dresses.

The room itself looked stunning, with the tables full of silvery bits & pieces, balloons, streamers, banners, and silver sweeties for all. Thanks to the two Sandras for that layout and thanks to Bill for managing to cram all the balloons into his car for the journey to the hotel! Thanks also to Angela for organising the raffle table and steadfastly sticking raffle numbers on all the prizes, and thanks to our members for their generosity in providing so many prizes.

The bar was busy for the pre-dinner drinks, and noisy with plenty of conversation. We were called to our tables ready for prompt start at 7.30pm, but before starting, Bob held the “lucky ticket” prize draw, and invited brand new member Jules to pick out the winning ticket – and it was Bob’s. Quelle surprise!

I presented him with a bottle of Prosecco, as the usual cries of “fiddle” echoed about the room.

The meal was lovely, even though serving was slightly delayed to allow each table to finish each course, and finishing coffees were not served until after the band 'JT and Accent 3' struck up at 9.30pm. Having missed last year’s dinner dance due to my hip-op, I was determined to be the first up to dance, and so Sandra T partnered me (Jen was busy by then in selling raffle tickets) in a lively cavort around the floor, gradually being joined by other couples as the dance floor filled.

The band took a break at 10.30pm, allowing Bob to give his thanks to all in attending and to mention the new members joining in 2018, and, sadly, to then ask all to remember 2 members who had recently passed – Langford Jillings and Jean Frankowski. It was all a bit of a rush, so Bob forgot to congratulate Hilda & Ivan on their upcoming nuptials – but I’ll mention it here and wish them all the best on behalf of all club members.

We then held the prize giving with team "NEWCOMERS" (“Court Jester” and “Jukes” crews) winning both the "Paul Hodgson" trophy, for Funday games in August; and the Commodore's Cup for winning the Quiz in September. The Challenge Plate was awarded to Sandra T, who, on Funday evening, rescued a confused Joan (the President’s lady) after she fell down in the car park of the “Loaves and Fishes” apartments. Well done Sandra! The “Broken Oar" was awarded this year to "Helene" to acknowledge poor Jim getting stuck in his engine bay for a few hours, after him checking strainers. The inscription reads “Bedding down in the Engine”. Hearty congratulations to all our 2018 trophy winners.

We then held the prize raffle, which this time raised £210 towards club funds. Bride-to-be Hilda once more donated the Star prize of a week’s holiday in her Brundall riverside cottage, and Tim kindly put in a 2-night Beccles mooring voucher. My ticket was first out of the hat but the cottage proved elusive, eventually being won by Angela & Steve. whereas I had to settle for Dove skin-cream! The raffle took a bit of time due to so many prizes being donated but Bob & I scooted through it at record pace, and all tables won something or the other.

The band kicked off again after 11pm, and the dance floor was fast filled again, with some great music. John also got up on stage to sing a couple of numbers from his Chas & Dave repertoire, in memory of Chas who had died earlier in the week. Very poignant! Everyone was then onto the floor for lots more dancing, and the finale “We Are Sailing” before, sadly, it all finished just after midnight. Great band, great music and many thanks to all who attended and helped make it such a fantastic 25th Anniversary night.

The venue next year will again be the Waveney House hotel, but back in the smaller Staithe Suite on the riverside. We have provisionally booked the “Evening with Bob” band for next year (not our commodore Bob, I hasten to add). They are unknown to most of us but they are regular performers on the Northern Broads pub circuit. Please note the planned date of 12th.October 2019.

Ken            November 2018