Left: Racers battle it out on the Thames
at the Chilterns/Surrey Organised
Dragon Boat Race Day
Below: Joint Honorary President of
Spoon Ulster, Willie John McBride with
Ulster Chairman, Allen Gibson and Jai
Purewal, Spoon’s Rugby Operations
Manager, receive a cheque from
Spooner Graham Hunter as a result of
organising the Regional Golf Day
presented to the N. Ireland Cancer
Fund for Children, and Wooden
Spoon was one of three Charities
who benefited from a fantastic day
out. Spooner Geoff Goldsbrough –
The man from the Perennials, had
to have a long sleep in a darkened
room for three days to recover
from all the organising and says he
will never do the like again! – but
songs by the soprano soloist, Emily this has been said before! Thanks
Rowley Jones and Iorweth Geoff for all your help to Spoon.
Pritchard, all being accompanied
by Annabelle Thwaite on the Spoon Ulster held their Regional
piano. The concert was a sell-out Golf Day at Rockmount Golf
and the audience of over 500 Course on one of the sunniest
helped raised funds for the Surrey days of the year. Willie John
Region. Grateful thanks to all the McBride and Tony Richards
performers and the team at The maintained they had the best
Theatre in Leatherhead who made round of their lives – but strangely
it all happen on the night. they didn’t come anywhere on the
scoreboard or pick up any prizes
Back in August, two teams of along the way! The ‘A Team’ from
Surrey Wooden Spoon supporters Saintfield Accountancy Services
joined in the Dragon boat races won the team event.
organised at Hurley on the River
Thames by the Chilterns Region. A The five Star Culloden Hotel was
Bellman, Haydon Botwood, Andy Surrey great deal of fun was obvious on the venue in October for the 13th
Bugg, Steve Crocker, John Evans, Wooden Spoon Surrey has the day, but as the heats turned Annual Dinner organised by the
Paul Hogg, Steve Manville, Tony benefitted by over £12,000 thanks into semi finals it all got a bit more Ulster Spoon Committee.
Moogan, John Peniston, Dave to the generosity of members of serious! One of the Surrey teams It was, as usual, a full house and
Stringer and John Truman, Clandon Regis Golf Club. John was pipped to the post (or to use Allen Gibson, Chairman,
conquered Ireland’s highest Rundell and Sheila Ellis, chose their expression – “we was welcomed all the guests and
mountains! Wooden Spoon as their Captains’ robbed!”) in the final and were so thanked them for leaving the
The team has now climbed and charity for their year in office. All keen to show their mettle that “Credit Crunch” somewhere
walked through the highest the funds raised, including that by they have demanded a return outside for the night. Willie John
mountains in England, Ireland, Will Goy who undertook a golf match next year. McBride, Honorary President, was
Scotland and Wales making a total marathon and played 10 In the hopes that the Chilterns MC and BBC Commentator Jim
of approximately 5,000 metres - successive rounds of golf in one team have the energy to host the Neilly attended as a guest along
only a few metres short of Everest day, go to Spoon Surrey. This event next year, Spoon Surrey look with Dr David Irwin who played in
base camp! included over £5,500 raised from forward to recovering the trophy. the 19th March 1983 team for
Chairman of Dorset & Wiltshire, the Captains Golf Day held in July Thanks to all who sponsored the Ireland against England in Dublin
John Kennar and Committee at Walton Heath Golf Club. David two teams to raise funds for when Spoon kicked off. The other
Member, Anne Farge were pleased Jackson, Spoon Chairman, said, Spoon. If anyone would like to join special guest was Michael Boyd
to receive a cheque for £830 from “We are so grateful to John, Sheila in the Dragon Boat Racing this who ran the Marathon des Sables
the team and thanked them for and all the members of the Club year, please do not hesitate to get in 2008 (150 miles in five days
their great sense of commitment for their magnificent efforts and in touch with David Jackson: across the Sahara) and presented a
and support of the Charity. The generosity as all the money raised d.jackson@tecres.net cheque for £14,000. BBC
Walking with Dinosaurs team will be used to provide much For more regional activities go to: commentator, Ian Robertson
would like to thank their sponsors needed funding to local projects.” woodenspoon.com/surrey squeezed £10,000 form the
(Chaffers, Dyfed Steels Ltd, Judge audience for the Auction items
and Brewers, Earthyard Ltd, In November The Leatherhead Ulster sourced by Spooner Peter Wood.
Amberley Labels and Bleckley Theatre resounded to the sound of Perennials RFC hosted their third Guest speakers were Robbie Glen
Clarke Lodge) and all their “The Men in Red” as 80 members Annual Outing at the Down Royal (ex Governor of Barlinnie Prison)
supporters. Spoon wishes the of the famous London Welsh Male Race Course to raise funds for and Gerry Donnelly ensuring a
team all the best with their next Voice Choir performed a concert local charities. Entertainment was good night was had by one and
challenge which is to conquer the to raise funds for the Surrey laid on throughout the day by the all.
Isle of Mull in 2009! Region of Wooden Spoon. Jazz Band from the Abbey For more regional activities go to:
For more regional activities go to: The choir performed a varied Grammar School, Newry, as well as woodenspoon.com/ulster
woodenspoon.com/dorset&wilts repertoire, to which was added evening cabaret. A mini bus was
Spoonews Winter 2009 15
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