The Region’s 70th Anniversary Year celebrations started with the annual dinner dance at Eastbourne. Even more people booked the weekend break because it was extremely good value.
Friday evening 86 people enjoyed a superb three course meal, which set the scene for the weekend. Over the weekend, the weather was anything but good, however the atmosphere in the hotel was warm and friendly.
Saturday, the more adventurous explored the area around Eastbourne while many stayed in the bar and availed themselves of the liquid sunshine and watched the world go by from the conservatory.
Around 6pm we gathered in the reception area and were treated to a glass of bubbly, complements of the Hotel, before dinner. All the ladies looked lovely in their sparkling evening gowns and the gentlemen scrubbed up nicely too.
The gala dinner ran to five courses and washed down with wine, complements of the Region.
This year the Region’s invited guests were Rex and Pat Knight also Trevor and Pearl Goodwin. In the interval between the desert and the cheese board, presentations were made, first to Trevor Goodwin on his retirement from Regional Council and then to Rex Knight for his services to Region Council also on his retirement from Regional Council.
Trevor is remaining as President of the Region while Rex, although moving to Devonshire, is still continuing to serve the TT&FCG in the role of National Treasurer.
Accompanying the Cheese board and coffee, Cpt. David and Julie Barrett presented every table with a large box of luxury confectionery, inviting all to help celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
We then raffled the wonderful white Orchid table centrepieces accompanied by whoops of joy from the winners.
After dinner, all descended to the ballroom to be entertained by the excellent duo “Heartbeat”. The dance floor quickly filled as everyone then danced the night away.
The raffle was drawn during the interval and included many superb prizes for the lucky winners. I would like to thank all who donated prizes to the raffle and to all who supported it by buying raffle tickets.
The raffle tickets sold so well, all the coloured books were used and ended with only blue tickets left to sell (this was a book of 1000 tickets). As the raffle was drawn, a mixture of colours were called and then a great cheer went up when blue was eventually drawn.
This year for the first time, we booked the restaurant for the Sunday lunchtime Carvery. For those who availed themselves, although the food was delicious, it was probably a little too much on top of a full English breakfast!
Sunday evening, rather like a coffee morning, we gathered in the bar and were treaded to a late supper consisting of a selection of sandwiches and nibbles.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and before leaving were asking for booking forms for next year.
I am planning to issue Dinner Dance 2019 booking forms at the Region’s AGM weekend in May. Please note the date for next year’s Dinner Dance weekend commences Friday 18th January 2019. (not as noted in this year’s Sites Fixture List.)
Jenny Croney
Chairman and Social Secretary
