And so to the evening function on the Saturday which started at 1830. You cannot believe how excited - and relieved - Stevie and I were when we turned to at 1800 to find the bar was all staffed and doing their final preparations prior to opening, whilst Melody was parking up and delivering what proved to be an exceptional cold buffet. All those of our association who have catering experience approved - even Eppy! I don't think Stevie and I could have survived another Royal Beach, and Holiday Inn Bar and Buffet experience!
Soon we were meeting and greeting the following, Angry and Sonya Anderson, George Annable, Dave Arthur, Martyn Banner, Buzz Bee and guest Colin Braithwaite, Pete Berrow, Roger and Sonya Billington, Bobby and Karla Charlton, Nobby Clark, Shep Colley, Taff Coombs and Dave Cozens.
Ginge Crook, Pete Curtis, Dan Daly, Neil D'Arcy with his mum, Ursula and daughter Amelia - 3 generations of the same family!, Kim Darker, Happy Day, Al Denham and his guest, Ann Scoble, John Dixon with his guests, Sharon and another Steve Fletcher!, Ian and Rosie Dodd.
Andy and Wendy Dunning, Eppy Epton, Martin and Allie Fine together with their guests, Laura Doyle and Scott King, the recently married Fletch Fletcher, Barny Foster, Steve Found, Gilly Gilchrist, Whisky Haigh, Dave Hayward, and Don and Ann Hazeldon.
Charlie Hensman, Don Hiller, Ken and Lorcan Hinchliffe, Jacko and Carol Jack, Roger Jones, Keyz Keyworth, Ian Kiff, Peter King, Shane Kyme, Jan Leeming, Jiff and Karen Lemmon, Doss Living, J.J. Lloyd and Brian and Jackie Logan.
Barry Lucas, Daz Major, Al McKendrick, Andy McMain, Dave Merrick, Steve Moffatt and guest Lesley Penlington, Mick Mortimore, Dave Parker, Terry and Tina Partington, Ian and Angela Poulter, Pricky Price, Raffs Rafferty and Gerry Rafferty.
Tanky Shingler, Andrew Skeet, Red, Alison and Connor Snape, Phil Southcott, Whiskey, Sam Wellens, Knocker White, Bungy Williams, Mark Winch, Slinger and Stella Woods with guests Margaret Green and Neil Virgo, and Keith Woolven.
Also among those attending was Alan Lenton, Chairman of the Type 42 Association who donated £250 towards our expenses that we promptly put behind the bar! Incidentally, The Type 42 Association followed our lead and held their bi-annual re-union at RBL Fratton, using Melody's catering, and had a great time.
With the bar running smoothly, with a kitty of £1,050, and folk feasting on an excellent buffet we embarked on the ever popular funds boosting raffle, which was particularly beneficial to Rosie and Ian Dodd who scooped three prizes!
Among the winners were
