
The get together proved to be a great success and a very pleasant evening out.
This years "Stuff the Turkey" was for a short while in some doubt as we were considering leaving The Crown for a more suitable pub the New Inn at Wymington. This meant we were in danger of having no venue for the event.
Not to worry though, as galloping to the rescue came that unlikely knight in white armour Doug Perkins Encmcc member and big cheese in the VJMCC and all round good bloke.
Doug arranged for us to use Kettering Rugby Club and then took on selling the tickets and generally ensuring the thing happened. So a big thank you to Doug and those others who also did their bit to ensure it went well.
On the night we had a good turn out with the usual core of Encmcc members and families joined by a sprinkling of Triumph Club and VJMCC members.
One of the benefits of an evening at a Rugby club was the availability of Adnams real ales on handpump to accompany the meal. Full advantage was taken of this opportunity.
Following our usual format the Christmas meal didnt include any turkey but was in fact a Fish and Chip supper delivered to the club from a local chip shop with bread and butter and mushy peas to accompany it.
During the evening we had a little bit of entertainment trying to match old photos of club members to a selection of modern photos of the same members.
Trevor was victorious in this guessing more matches than any one else. I suppose it helped his being the subject of one of the photos but that's just one of the benefits of sending in a picture as requested.
One of the other attractions of the evening was the raffle. Enough prizes had been donated to ensure that probably most people who bought a ticket were in with a good chance of picking up a prize. At our table everyone won a prize except for Linn and I. Am I bitter? well only a little.
The last prize went to Andy Greenwood who is now the proud owner of a Goblin Teasmade.
The evening ended with a presentation of the Annual Club Trophy to the club member who in the opinion of the previous years winner has made a major contribution to club life during the past twelve months. Last years winner was of course Matt Embleton.
Matt who couldn't be present this year due to illness in the household nominated this years lucky recipient. In his nomination notes Matt was particularly impressed by the nominees readiness to organise and lead club runs despite his unerringly bad sense of direction combined with his inability to get out of bed early enough to reach the start of the run at the designated time. Our hero and winner of the Encmcc Annual Trophy was Andy Greenwood.
Well done Andy putting aside all the usual Goblin Teasmade jokes I hope the Teasmade helps get you to the start of runs on time, although this would create some problems for a few members like me who sometimes also have trouble getting out of bed.
I suspect even if we do start on time until Andy wins a GPS we will still visit many unexpected sometimes exotic and often deserted places following him to his intended destination.
John
Andy has sent an email to Matt following his success which I include below:
Hi Matt:
I hope things settle down for you in the next few weeks
I would like to say thanks very much for your nomination for the annual trophy
i will enjoy the coming year thinking who next years recipient will be.
I was still emotional as they read out the winner, as you probably heard I was set up for the last prize of the raffle by Mark. Melvin and Pip who got me a Goglin Teasmade, I still cant believe it. Also it fits in the topbox of the BMW.
Unfortunately I cant make tomorrows meeting, a touch of Bronchitis, i do not like to make too much of a fuss.
My regards to the chaps for an excellent year, camaraderie, banter and bikes it doesnt get much better. as you know there have been several pictures of me and a certain gentleman, now when people ask, I answer with pride. yes, I do know Rod Clarke.
Regards
Andy.
Look out for "Stuff the Turkey" photos on gallery 2 of the website.