One of the planned after-dinner speakers was unable to attend so our Chairman, Ambrose Barber, leapt into the breach and delivered an impromptu speech with some jokes he hoped would offend nobody present! This was followed by most interesting stories and amusing anecdotes from our President, Sir Colin Chandler. The details of these stories have been redacted (a current "in" word) for obvious reasons. After some toasts and then coffee, the afternoon finished with a Christmas raffle, the prizes being only slightly more "Christmassy" than usual.

On leaving almost everyone remarked on how they had enjoyed the afternoon and a significant number of people said it was the best Association Christmas Lunch they had attended. The only negative remark made was that the sun shining through the windows was too bright and too hot - in December! (Possible cures for this problem, which also adversely affects our talks, is under discussion with the YMCA management). The complimentary comments were passed on to the YMCA Staff in a letter, with an appreciative gratuity, thanking them for providing an excellent meal and an enjoyable afternoon.

In just over three months it will be time to start thinking about the Summer Barbecue, set on the Patio in warm sunshine with cool beer. Well, we can dream.