The brainchild of Kevin and Janet, it seemed appropriate to celebrate the branch's first 20 years of existence, especially as Tom and Gwen were founder members and have stuck with it all this time.
The Bexley Sports and Social Club venue was a new one to me but Kevin's detailed map and directions made it comparatively easy to find, nestled as it is at the end of a new development of up-market houses on the grounds of the old Bexley hospital.
The stage was set for the disco and the band, and the bar was serving up drinks at very reasonable prices as people gradually arrived. The buffet was duly unveiled and we tucked in before 90% Proof hit the stage for their first set. If there's one thing you can't fault them on it's consistency, but with their regular gigging schedule they must hear those songs in their sleep.
They took a break for the raffle, which was immediately followed by a surprise presentation to Tom and Gwen of an engraved plate in recognition of all their work for the club over the years.
Then it was back to the music and a sterling performance from the Bexley dance team aided by some guest participants. 90% Proof played till the end, finishing with a rousing version of "Twist and Shout" that attracted some supplementary vocals from Lee Sykes who just happened to have his DJ's mic in his hand. Don't give up the day job!
Our thanks for organising the party are due to Kevin and Janet and Kevin's thanks are... below. This would also be an appropriate point to thank Dave Warren for the excellent Bexley Triumph banner he has made for us and which was used for the first time. It proved extremely eye-catching and by the look of it hard-wearing!
My thanks to everybody for turning up, general consensus it would appear is that the evening went well with only one complaint, that being, there were no Beef sandwiches - sorry Paul.
As this was the first thing organised I needed to know exactly what was involved (i.e. costs, time etc.) which is why this time round I decided to keep things a tad in house. So for all the people that rollicked me for not asking for assistance my apologies, there was a good reason and believe me now that I have more knowledge, next time round your services will be called upon.
That said that I would like to extend thanks to those that I did rope in - A big thank you to Psycho Lee Sykes for once again providing the disco and holding the entertainment together, Jan and Karly (my daughter) for allowing me to bully them round the kitchen, Lee Adie for attaching herself to the oven at the last moment when we ran out of room in ours and Tom the Elder for providing transport large enough to get it all there.
Hopefully the future will bring other events and gatherings, to this end I would ask "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Let me know and if once again enough support is forthcoming there is no reason for not putting on that which you would like. Likewise if you have seen a band that you consider worthy and think other members would appreciate tell me, subject to the obvious consideration of costs and bookings why not. At the end of the day it is your Club, and as such your input will always receive due consideration.
A positive note to bear in mind for the future is that all costs were covered and a modest profit made at this Party due entirely to members support.
Kev - Unsociable Secretary