A Surprise Presentation at the SER Dinner and Dance at Eastbourne
The SER Annual Dinner Dance took place over the weekend of 19th - 22nd January and was very well attended by Club Members, their families and friends from all over our Region. It was especially nice to see David Barrett, SER President with his wife Julie at the event. David gave us all a great shock when he was taken into hospital with a relapse of his heart condition, back in October 2023. It was touch and go on a number of occasions following that episode, however remedial surgery sorted things out and he was then fit enough to come to Eastbourne for the Dinner and Dance this year.
The event overall ran as smooth as ever for all our guests, who thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. This year’s Dinner Dance, unlike previous years, didn’t feature Invited Guests, with Club Presentations. However a very well kept secret ensured we still had the pleasure of watching one of the guests being surprised by a milestone Birthday presentation.
Both Jane Read, Club Vice-Chairperson and Steve Harris, Club Honorary Treasurer, volunteered to spring a “This is your Life” style presentation on Jenny Turner, a long serving member of the Motor Caravan Section. (See picture on left) Jenny celebrated her 80th birthday during the weekend and the Presentation included a citation of her voluntary work with the MCS.
The citation:-
Jenny with her partner Paul first camped with Kent Group of the Southern Area MCS in 2011 and before long they made many friends and were always there with a friendly smile.
The first Celebration event that Jenny & Paul attended was the presentation of the
Section Certificate of Honour to Pam & Allan Culver. Jenny with her ready smile and
willing hands joined in with the catering. Jenny & Paul stewarded meets and met
members with a warm welcome and Jenny could always be relied up when we were
doing Tea Parties to bake a cake and is well known for her catering. Kent Group then went into Southern Area and Jenny joined the Committee and is always available to bake a cake or make a soup or help to steward at weekend and holiday meets.
The Southern Area MCS presented Jenny with this Rhyme from our Poet Bob Still and a lovely bunch of flowers.
Jenny Jenny , whose talents are many
We hope you like these flowers
In Celebration of reaching your 80th year
And spending much of that time with folk
Such as us who have enjoyed your company
Camping with The Camping & Caravanning Club
So you Campers open the ‘Champers’ in a toast
To the Lady with the most !
Happy Birthday Jenny
This year’s musical entertainment, that followed dinner, was provided by a very talented band “Turnstyle” and they took no time at all to fill the dance floor. During the interval the much anticipated Raffle was drawn. The prizes included a whole range of gifts, some donated by local Traders and many from D As and Sections, together with individual donations from members.
Dancing continued till after midnight when we all finally waved the white flag and back headed upstairs for the night.
The weekend weather was kind to us and most took the opportunity to explore the seafront and/or wander into town for a little shopping.
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Date for your Diary:- The Cumberland Hotel has been provisionally booked for the weekend of 24th - 27th January 2025
(One week later that this year - but awaiting confirmation)
Jenny and Dave Croney
Patricia (Pat) Knight sadly passed away on 16th February this year, at the age of 83. Pat’s family requested all donations were to be made in support of Macmillan and Alzheimers Societies.
Pat supported her husband Rex as Social Secretary to the SE Region for many years, up to 2004.
Pat also ably supported Rex as he continued to represent the Boating Group on the Region Council for many years to around 2010. Rex was also an elected Regional Councilor until Pat and Rex moved away to the west country for their retirement in 2016.
Our thoughts and prayers got out to Rex and his family at this sad time.
