PHF Award, Christmas Celebration, Float Collections and More!

Sorry for being out of commission for a while but I just switched internet providers and didn't have a wifi connection for over a week. Of course a lot goes by in that amount of time.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP AWARD
First we had a Paul Harris Fellow awards ceremony and the deserving candidate was none other than Bob Martin, a bigger than life personality in the Club who has served RCCW for 24 years. Bob was President in 1998 when I was inducted into the Club. It was certainly interesting and quite an honour to now be the President awarding Bob his PHF. 

Thank you so much Bob for 24 years of loyal and giving service. You are a sining example of Service Above Self.

Bob receiving his PHF

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION MEAL
What a night this was. I wanted the evening to be more than just a meal with wives. I wanted a proper party atmosphere. I think this was achieved  or at least what everyone has said. LOL. What a better way to start off the meal than with a pole dancer! Yes that's right - a pole dancer. Not the usual pole dancer you may think of. This is true strength, agility and acrobatic and very competitive pole dancing. 

We were lucky enough to have Alissa Pearson (former Ockbrook School student) come and give us a very acrobatic routine to the tune of Merry Christmas Baby. Thanks Alissa. It has been suggested that you come to all our Monday meetings and open them up in the same fashion. I guess it was a unique way of opening up this Christmas celebration.

There was another highlight and that was our drama group with their Panto production. Guys, you're ready for the West End.

Alissa in action.

It seemed wherever you turned on the evening there were smiling tables to be found. In fact we had 92 people there which is a record attendance. This included 43 Club members which is another record for the evening. Thank you all very much for your support.

Here are some great pictures of the evening. One of the highlights has got to be young Laura Cook's mountain of incredible cupcakes.

CHRISTMAS FLOAT COLLECTION
Of course this time of year it is the most important Christmas Float Collection spearheaded by the Service Projects committee and most notably Brian Stokes who manages the float year round. I can't wait to find out what the final total is at the next Club meeting on 6th Jan 2014. Should be a good amount. Thanks to everyone (once again a Club effort) who had any part in it large or small.

Here are some pictures to enjoy that will give you a flavour of our Christmas collection efforts. No prizes for guessing who Santa is.

NINE LESSONS & CAROLS SERVICE
Finally, the Christmas Float collections stopped and we all had time to pause and celebrate with our annual Nine Lessons & Carols Service at St Chad's in Church Wilne. It was a fantastic service designed by our own Rtn Rev Gary Dundas. Thank you Gary for making it a service we all thoroughly enjoyed and for giving your time to arrange everything. 

Below is a picture of Jane Beal singing the Benediction. All the musicians did a fantastic job supplying the music and it really added so much to an already enjoyable affair.

That's it for now. We do have our post Christmas walk this Friday afternoon weather permitting. Hope to have some good pictures of that event. Until then have a very happy Christmas.

Greg