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Branch Annual Dinner, 21 October 2006
On 21 October thirty one members and guests
attended the Branch Annual Dinner. We arrived at Port Lympne Wildlife Park,
near Hythe on a wild, wet and stormy night and were greeted by aperitifs,
served in a room with its walls and ceilings covered in hand painted murals.
The house is set in magnificent gardens and everywhere there are reminders of the previous owners interest in animals and in particular in wildlife art. Many of us promised ourselves that we would return to explore the house and gardens and wildlife park at a later date.
Before dinner we
were given the opportunity of viewing an exhibition of wild animal art,
together with demonstrations by one of the artists. While the lightning played
across the top of the large marquee and the rain lashed down outside, those
inside were viewing, and many were buying, the pieces of art on display. One
table alone bought six pictures, making holes in several pockets!
A feature of the venue which tested some of the men was the difficulty in finding the toilet. The men's toilet being concealed behind one of the murals and it took some careful inspection to find the door handle, although for the more observant there was a small floor standing sign to help!
We were then treated to an excellent dinner after
which our new chairperson, Helena Brown, welcomed all those assembled and gave
a brief speech thanking everyone for supporting the event. After dinner there
was further opportunity to talk to the other diners and to view some of the
paintings and sculptures on display in the house (which the last owner won in a
poker game) including some paintings by Winston Churchill.
We must all thank Helena Brown for her hard work in organising this event. The challenge for next year will be to find a venue quite as unique as this one, so if you have a favourite place where we could have next year's dinner please let either Helena Brown or Jane Ryland know.
Murray Armes