Lancashire Social Circle
The Lancashire Social Circle was formed 1906, around that time the sport of pigeon racing was a male dominated sport, the membership has over the last 117 years upheld and maintained all of the traditions the founder members based the Circle on. But moving with the times several years ago it was decided to hold Ladies Weekends. The past number of years the Ladies Weekends have been relocate every two years to a different part of the country, giving the many couples the opportunity to visit areas of the UK that they might not be too familiar with.
This year we were back at the Clifton Hotel at Lytham, originally a small hotel located in Clifton Street. The present hotel was built in 1839 as part of a plan for Lytham devised by James Fair, the agent to the Clifton Estate. It was a coaching inn until the railway connection to Blackpool in 1863. It only has 48 rooms and the Circle members and guests took over the majority of these meaning we almost had the hotel to ourselves. Located right on the seafront overlooking the Green and being only a short walk into the town centre with a vast array of restaurants and small artisan shops makes it an ideal location to hold one of our Ladies Weekends.
Although we were back for a second visit, this year we had a new event's organiser, David Newson, this being a return visit the hotel knew what we needed and with some help from Malcolm Parry-Jones who stepped in to arrange the entertainment for both the Friday free and easy, and the more formal Saturday night official dinner evening. Both these two acts proved a great success with a duo on Friday who had everyone up on the dance floor for most of the night. Saturday night Malcolm had booked a male singer who covered a very wide range of songs that went more and more up-beat and his sessions went on, and once again it wasn't long before the dance floor was full to capacity. Kim Merrick who along with her husband Tony have organised the weekends for several years provided the gifts for the Ladies on the Saturday night, this was very much appreciated by David Newson this being his first event.
Most of the guests arrived throughout the day on Friday, but we had a couple of late cancelations due to the Storm Babet that covered the whole of the country with heavy rainfall, with floods in several parts disrupting traffic and many major roads. Two of the couples who are regulars, who offered their apologies were Dr. Geoff and Jean Richmond and Brian Garnham and his wife Angie. This was a disappointment to many, as both the couples are part of the fabric of these weekends and their presence was sadly missed. Bob Smith's wife Sheila has slipped following her hip operation and had hurt her shoulder, as a result she too had given back word.
A Family Affair, Bob Smith with Daughter Gillian & Grand-kids Adam & Kate
Following a fabulous breakfast that is individually cooked for you from a very varied menu choice, guests made the most of a very warm sunny day to get out and about the area and see the sights, before making their way back to get ready for the evening. Each couple had pre booked their evening meal from a choice of starters, main courses and desserts. These choices were printed on the reverse of the place names and once turned around made it very easy for the waters to see what each individual had ordered. President Stephen Beardmore made a thank you speech, first thanking the hotel for some excellent service of a delicious meals before thanking David for all his efforts and Kim Merrick for the gifts and Brian Dearn for his help with the table plan and place cards, not forgetting Malcolm for arranging the entertainment.
Ann & Stephen Beardmore
With a new organiser came a new idea, David did a survey asking where the ladies would like to go this next year and the vast majority favoured going back to the Lake District if we can find a suitable hotel. So David will have his work cut out but we will keep everyone in the loop so to speak about location and price etc. I have kept the text down so the Editor might give me some extra space for the photos.
Brian Dearn. Tel. 01254 772515.
Alwyn & Mandy Jones Beryl & Bill Lewis
Brian & Helen Jones Brian & Sue Lee
Chris & Brian Smith Christine & Kenny Atherton
David & De-Ann Hilton David and Jill Newson
Dawn & Peter Latham Eirlys & DL Jones
John & Karen Winstanley Malcolm & Sue Parry-Jones
Margaret & Ray Bullen Mark Smith with Partner Ruth Holden
Maurice & Dorothy Jackson Michelle & Paul Dalton
Shelia & Ron Whitworth Sue & Jim Nelson