Christmas Lunch 2018 Story Photos

On Wednesday, December 12th, the 16th annual Association Xmas Lunch will be held as usual at the YMCA Hawker Centre, in Richmond Road, Kingston, KT2 5BH.

The cost this year will be £1 higher than last year at £17.50 per head. This is the first increase in cost since 2012.

Ken will be taking your orders at the next Meeting on November 14th. If you will not be at that Meeting please send your cheque(s) to Ken at 42 Kings Road WALTON ON THAMES KT12 2RA UK or phone him on 01932 229938. For catering reasons, all payments must be received by December 7th at the latest.

On the day, the Lunch will be served at a nominal 1.15pm and Members and Guests are requested to arrive from midday onwards, but not earlier please.

Last year, the Lunch was well attended and enjoyed by all, so we hope you will come and enjoy yourself this year too.

To end on a slightly sour, but practical note, anyone who has paid, but find they are unable to attend the Lunch, will be refunded if they let Ken Batstone know before December 7th. After this date, the caterers will have fixed their expenses, so refunds cannot then be given.

The menu will be nominally the same as last year with prawn cocktail to start, followed by traditional roast turkey with trimmings for the main course. The final details of the alternative main course and dessert will be decided nearer the day; if you would like alternatives from the menu please specify when booking.

On Wednesday, 12th December, the 16th annual Association Xmas Lunch was held in the YMCA Hawker Centre, Richmond Road, Kingston (the usual venue). The weather was dry, mild and partly sunny. This was the fourth year running that the weather had been kind to us.

Members and Guests started arriving from midday for wine and socialising before the meal, which was served just after 1pm, following Grace and a prayer, given by the Reverend Vernon Lidstone.

Forty eight people attended the Lunch, which was three more than last year, indicating the continuing enjoyment of this event. The Menu was the same as last year, namely Prawn Cocktail followed by a large stuffed ball of Turkey (instead of slices) with trimmings, and Gateaux/Panacotta. Each course did have an alternative choice, but there was little demand for these.

After the Meal, Chris Roberts, our Chairman, delivered a short speech, which contained some very amusing, original and apt jokes (don't mention Brexit!). He also talked about the late and much lamented John Farley and his Commemoration held at Brooklands.

Chris was followed by Colin Wilson, our new President, who talked about his times spent at Kingston, Dunsfold, St Louis and Japan. He had a wealth of stories and anecdotes from these periods.

At the end of the afternoon, many Members remarked on the high quality of the Meal and the quantity of the portions! Once again the staff of the YMCA Hawker Centre had provided us with an excellent meal and a most enjoyable afternoon.

The Committee has written to the YMCA Catering Manager to express its thanks and appreciation of the efforts of the Catering Staff in providing such an enjoyable event and has given a suitable gratuity.

Booking Details