This year saw us return to the place where the Society was first formed 113 years ago and our first Xmas Clachan since 2019 (due to COVID and rail strikes) which was also at the Clachan Inn.
At the time of announcing the event we sold out very quickly with almost 60 bookings which would have both equalled the attendance three years earlier and filled the private room to capacity.
The curse of the rail strikes struck again, preventing 20+ northern based Old Friends and guests from travelling back the following day as planned. But we were determined to go ahead with enough bookings still in place to ensure a good evening.
Extreme weather conditions hit the country at the beginning of the week with much snow in many parts and temperatures falling to as low as -12 degrees – but we still soldiered on!
A good decision. We largely filled the room, featuring our own wall plaque, and had a great atmosphere with Old Friends mixing and enjoying the company.
The catering was both timely and generous – I don’t think anyone left feeling hungry!
The raffle was kindly sponsored by Steve Hilleard of OPI and the winners were Jonathan Smith, Anthony Gouldthorpe and Tim Bonnett – as selected by Steve’s random number generator.
Our thanks again to Old Friends Tim Bonnett and John Watson for organising.
Future events – We have been listening to feedback and are trying to react as best we can to meet as many preferences and add as much value for all the membership. So far for 2023 we are planning/considering the following –
March Northern event (probably in Leeds) TBC
18th April AGM – A virtual event
20th April Spring Guest Night, RAF Club
June Summer Lunch Event, London TBC
July Brummie Clachan TBC
September Autumn Clachan TBC
October Autumn Guest Night TBC
December Xmas Clachan TBC
Have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year
John Logan
President – The Society of Old Friends
