Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

January 2006

Bulletin 18

Group Christmas dinner a great success!

First, the good news. I am very pleased to report that the Group’s Christmas Dinner and Disco (on the 17th December) was a resounding success with getting on for eighty members and guests attending. The Stapleford Abbots Golf Club was an untested venue for the Essex Group but the staff there laid on an excellent event in what proved to be first-class premises. The Committee would like to thank all those who helped in the organisation of the event and those who generously donated prizes for the raffle, which raised a whacking £265 for Group funds. In view of the very positive feedback from the membership, the Committee has reserved the Golf Club for this year’s yuletide celebrations.

The Windmill - closed for refurbishment

Now, for the bad news. On the Wednesday before Christmas, we learned that The Old Windmill at South Hanningfield was closed, until further notice, for “re-furbishment”. This did not come as a complete surprise to the Committee and, fortunately, some efforts had already been made to secure an alternative “temporary” venue. “The White Horse” at Ramsden Heath has all the features needed by the Group including a good range of beers and a bewilderingly comprehensive menu of reasonably priced bar meals! It also boasts a large car park which is overlooked from the bar and restaurant. After discussions with the manager, he has agreed to allocate part of the restaurant area to the Essex Group for our fourth Tuesday of the month meetings. Our first meeting there will be on Tuesday the 24th and will coincide with one of their regular quiz nights, so, if you intend to try out the grub, an early arrival time is recommended. The White Horse is only 2 miles from The Old Windmill and is situated in the centre of Ramsden Heath – see meetings page.

Terry has been taken ill

Now, the really bad news. On Friday last (6th), Terry Blake suffered a serious heart attack whilst swimming at Brentwood Pool. Although Terry had to give up SCUBA diving some years ago (due to a heart condition) he has remained an active member of the dive club (which he founded in the late sixties) and seizes every opportunity to exercise his considerable swimming skills. Fortunately, all BS-AC divers are trained in rescue and resuscitation techniques and Terry was quickly recovered to the side of the pool where he was worked on, initially by club members and then by EAS paramedics. He was conveyed, in an unconscious state, to Old Church Hospital HDU where he was treated for cardiac arrest and suspected drowning. He responded to treatment and, after about 12 hours became responsive, finally regaining consciousness on Sunday morning. After a trauma of this seriousness, recovery will inevitably be a tough road and it is too early to say when we can expect to see El Tel back in his TR. In the meantime, I know that you would all wish to join the Committee and me in wishing Terry a speedy return to the fold and assuring Pat that our thoughts are with her during this very worrying and trying time. Please feel free to contact me for address details if you would like to send your good wishes personally to Terry and Pat.