Social Event Reports

The Burns Supper on 20th January was the 10th organised by Jim Sey and the first with our new chef Phil in charge of the galley, who produced an excellent supper. Phil followed behind the piper and carried in the haggis which was ceremoniously addressed and disembowelled by Jim Fleming.

After the meal, the traditional toast to Rabbie's immortal memory was proposed by Nick Struthers followed by a recital of Burns' songs by Victoria Hopkins from Keyhaven and our own Derek Verney with David Woodgates at the piano.

Jim Sey proposed the toast to The Lassies and our guest Fiona Howarth gave a spirited and very amusing reply.

Winding up, Jim Sey said that this had been his last Burns night at the helm and announced that Adam Reay had volunteered to organise a Scottish event in 2013. 

David Burgess proposed a vote of thanks to Jim for all he had done over a decade of excellent Burns Suppers.

At the end of the evening “Auld Lang Syne” was sung and ninety five people went home having enjoyed a great night out at LTSC.

Pea shooters, party poppers and whizzing balloons seemed like a good idea until we had to sweep them up the next morning. (They do not go up the hoover!).

However judging by the fact that most people stayed till our DJ Mark Watson finished at about 00.45 everyone who was there was having a great time. The room looked wonderful with its blue, white and silver theme which co-ordinated beautifully with our snowflake Christmas decorations. After the Buffet dinner there was some peace from the pea shooters in the downstairs bar with coffee and mints, but, 2012 was well and truly seen in with a ‘bang’ upstairs on the dance floor!

Well done to all the usual band of helpers for putting up and taking down and tidying up. Too many to mention but you know who you are.

On this beautiful sunny Saturday morning a large group from the LTSC ferried to Yarmouth (or sailed) to watch the annual Needles Relief from the windows of the Royal Solent Yacht Club. This is where the RNLI and the Coastguard show off their skills.

For those who do not know The Needles Relief originally started for delivery by Lifeboat of Christmas Presents and mail to the Needles Lighthouse. However this was automated in 1994.

Today we watched, usually with a glass of wine in ones hand, as a helicopter hovered over the lifeboat in the Solent and Father Christmas was winched down to collect the coastguards presents.

After a last wave from Father Christmas we made our way to the Kings Head for lunch and Christmas sing-song. Fiona Reay played the piano (thank you Fiona) and with Adam Reay leading we spent the aftenoon singing carols and laughing, we certainly got into the festive spirit! A great day was had by all.

There was a great party atmosphere and the Solent Room was packed for our annual Mulled Wine and Mince Pie evening courtesy of our Commodore Derek Easter.

After being entertained by our resident choir ‘Santa’s Little Songsters’ singing carols and joining in one or two we had Consuelo’s famous Christmas Draw. There seemed to be an even more amazing number of prizes to win and well done to all those who won one or more of them!

The restaurant was fully booked for dinner afterwards which kept the party going till late!

Thank you to Consuelo for all her hard work on the night and in making the Draw so spectacular.