Leonard Stanley Wine Circle's October meeting

OCTOBER is the month of our AGM and as is our custom, the retiring Chairman David welcomed members who received copies of the Agenda, last year’s AGM minutes, Financial report and the new 2018 programme.

We were again reminded of the Christmas Dinner on December 20, at The Frocester George with payment due either now or at November meeting.

Entertainment would be by Stroud Uke who always get the Christmas Spirit going and give great entertainment value.

There will be a bar for purchase of drinks and members asked to give lifts to those who do not want to drive etc.

Due to us losing some members this year, and speakers becoming more expensive, it has been decided that subs will increase to £25 per person, due November but club will still pay for coach for the annual outing.

Members were asked to try and recruit new members and circulate the 2018 programme which is now available.

This has been compiled by Margaret and Julia who will now take this task over and contains a variety of different speakers and topics to suit all tastes.

He then thanked Chris for all her work as Secretary and compiling the Press reports.

Sue as Treasurer, gave her report and said that we were £200 down on last year due to people moving or leaving, hence the rise in 2018 subs.

Dave thanked her for keeping our finances in order and for her financial statement.

He then gave a good and comprehensive Chairman’s report, going through the various meetings which we had all enjoyed and gave thanks to Chris for compiling the programme.

In particular we had enjoyed the Life of a Professional Toastmaster and the Readings and Monologues by Paul Evans, finishing with The Kyber Pass or Bust.

Although the Christmas dinner will not be in the village hall this year, the ever popular Burns Night will continue in the same format in January.

After many years of hosting the June Garden Party, David and Fiona had indicated that they felt they could not do this in future and David on behalf of us all, thanked them for the wonderful times we have had over the years and for all their hard work.

We had really enjoyed our trip to the Greyhound Racing at Swindon in July which was a first for the club and quite different to what we usually do.

David finished by saying how much he had enjoyed his role as Chairman and then handed the gavel over to the new Chairman, Eric Winnington to much applause.

David has been an excellent Chairman, going the extra mile when required and we would like to thank him for all his hard work.

Eric thanked him for everything he had done and said he was looking forward to his new role but a Vice Chairman or Chairperson was required and hopefully someone will volunteer by the year end.

For his first duty as Chairman, Erich had organised a Quiz which was thoroughly enjoyed and there was much banter and ticking of brains before we learnt our scores.

Then off to the kitchen for an enjoyable supper.

The November 29 meeting will be someone from the Canal Trust giving us an update which is always extremely interesting.

If you feel you would like to come along to one of our meetings, please do so and receive a copy of our 2018 programme.