Xmas Dinner

It was back to the Tor-na-Coille again last night and, this year, they put us in the function room, scene of many a famous squash club function in the past. There were no bread rolls thrown last night, however, despite the fact that we had exclusive use of the room. With just one long table for the 16 of us, it seemed a little odd, but we made the best of it.

Here's a few photos that were taken:

Banchory Sports Village Fund-raising Dinner

A huge sell-out at the Marcliffe last night and a good turnout of 21 former stalwarts of the Squash Club and partners etc.

Here's our 2 tables:

Doris Edwards, Moira & Harry Salter, Susan & Malcolm Grigor, Annette & Keith Gray, Eileen & (hidden) Archie Cook and Jo Stewart.

Richard Simcox, Linda & Gordon Moir. Theresa & Dick Taylor, Linda Whyman, Hugh Riches, Bill Whyman and (back to camera) Gail Simcox. Jackie Riches elsewhere at time of photo.

Banchory Sports Village

Here's the drawings that were exhibited at the last stakeholders' meeting on 25th March:

Findrack

The electricity bill for the quarter to 17th March has just been received:

After paying this, I will be sitting on surplus funds of £159. We said last quarter that we would review matters at this time to see whether to carry on with Findrack or not. We have enough in hand to pay the electricity for the next quarter, plus roughly half of the following one, which would take us through to about early-mid August. Shall we just carry on for another few months and deplete what's left and make a decision then about what to do about next winter season?

For what it's worth, if I manage to get through the summer golf season with my new knee still in one piece, I will consider trying out doubles again next winter at Findrack, which could add one more to the pool and might mean a few more games for the other doubles players next winter.

Findrack Electricity to December, 2013

Got the bill in today for the quarter to 11th December, 2013:

Although the unit rates have gone up a bit, consumption is down by over one third on the same time last year, so, after paying this from funds, we still have £245 in the kitty, which, unless we have a sudden surge in playing time, should be more than enough to see us through until the end of the next quarter, when we promised to review the situation again.

Xmas Social

We rolled back the years last night and made a return to our spiritual home at the Tor-na-Coille Hotel for our annual Xmas Dinner. It was good to see as many as 26 of us - including 8 former Club Captains - showing up - the largest gathering of the Squash Club since the 25th Anniversary Dinner at Banchory Lodge in 2004.

Here's the table at the start of the evening:

I then passed my camera down the table and the following pictures were the result:

A selfie of Jo and I

Mary & Dan

Theresa & Keith

Frances & Jack

Annette & Dick

Mary Sutherland, Archie Cook & Angela Gray

Gordon, Eileen & Les

Archie & Angela again with Jackie

Rob Sutherland, Anna Meaden & Lynda Moir

Janice Fulford, Ian Dring & Gordon Moir

Anna Meaden & Lynda Moir

John Meaden, Julie Dring & Hugh Riches

Steve & Janice Fulford & Ian Dring

The meal was delightful, but the dining room was very hot, so we moved through to the Residents' Lounge for coffee and mince pies. Here's a few views:

Great fun - and a bit of nostalgia for most of us.

Findrack Finances update

Another electricity bill received - this time just for 2 months:

After paying this, we'll have £361 left in the kitty, which I hope will take us through to about March (the winter bills last year amounted to £332) - we can review matters again then. Thanks to the 8 who contributed the additional £30 per head - Messrs Gray, Grigor, Page, Salter, Simcox, Thomson, Whyman & Young.