LofF Dinner April 16th 2011 Wrexham

[martin Hargraves]

You will remember that we agreed last year that members could invite Officers from the Bn as paying guests, I am pleased to say that we have had our first in Bob Lake and his wife Linda. That takes us to 42, as we have had one couple dropping out.

Please try and encourage more members to attend. We have to pay for 50 regardless.


[table="head"]Guest Name | Accompanied By | Arrive on | Confirmed

Robert Lake | Linda | Sat | Yes
Geof Bassett | Carole | Sat | Yes
Frank Harry | Pat| Sat | Yes
John Slack | Debbie | Sat | Yes
Roy Blewitt | Rita | Sat| Yes
Dai Williams 72 | Michelle | Sat | Yes
Dai Davies 70| Gwen | Sat | Yes
Dave (Jacko) Jackson | Gwyneth | Sat | Yes
Des Williams | - | Sat | Yes
Jim Hewitt | - | Sat | Confirmed
Vic Hughes | Pauline | Sat | Yes
Sandra Wallace-Jones (44) | - | Sat| Yes
Ted Tudor | Cherry | Sat | Yes
Fred Thomas | Win | Sat | Yes
Mike Salway | - | Sat | Yes
Charlie Cox | Joy | Sat | Yes
Mick Carnell | Carol | Sat | Yes
Tony Corbett | Carol | Fri | Yes
Martin Hargraves | Wendy | Fri | Yes
Glyn Hughes 17 | Joanna | Fri | Yes
Allan Phillips | Carol | Fri | Yes
Doug Pope | Doreen | Sat | Yes
Dave Mason | Sylvia | Sat | Yes

[tony.t.corbett]

Hi Martin,
Got back this morning landing at 0755 hrs. A bit disappointing with the figures so far will you please book Ivor and anne Cook for the Dinner and book a Double room on the Executive floor for the Saturday Ivor will settle with us on Saturday. Whats happened to the Wrexham Mafia ?afraid to pay the beer prices I suppose.
regards Tony

[John Turner]

I miss Llandrindod Wells and it seems attendance has progessively dwindled since it moved away from there. Maybe it's nothing to do with it and it would have dwindled anyway, I don't know.

I can't remember why it moved, but didn't members' wives not having anywhere to shop have an influence?

Too many distractions in a large town/city - for me at least, how do others feel?

[Gwyn Nicholas]

John has a good point that has been said by a number of other members. The North/South idea does not seem to be working as some feared, which Is why the "founding fathers" probably discounted the idea when they started this great tradition. I believe there were practical reasons for not returning to L/Wells other than the girls shopping needs, but moving to a South/North event had the alarm bells ringing for some and it seems their fears were justified. It has been tried (as perhaps it should have been) but it would seem, a move back central would be a safer bet to ensure the continuence of the LOF. The idea of using a Motel (albeit it swank) also seems to be an idea not desired by some members as it seem it loses the ambience that such a special occasion deserves. I did mention cost but to those to whom I spoke, agreed that it is a once a year treat and would rather pay than have half a treat. (I had no arguement to bring)

Perhaps a way ahead would be for a referendum from the membership. (not a vote in the North or the South where one or the other group is not well represented) Ask them to say what they want, somewhere in the middle or what we have now. In a Motel to lower costs or in a Hotel that has the ambience the League of Friends deserves. I know that some people would rather not speak up as it is not in their nature to do so, but voting with their feet is a clear sign that things are not as they should be. Something clearly has to change to stop the rot before the the LOF becomes another thing consigned to our historical past.

I will not be attending Wrexham as I am unable to make the journey.

[jungle1810]

Hello John,
Re the LOF using L/Wells. The Metropole was not cheap neither was it of a very good interior standard. Plus the fact I did hear that bus coaches that stopped over in the Metropole over a week end had a better price than the LOF were able to negotiate. I do not know if the Commodore is any better as of today.I sympathise with the number of LOF secs and Chairmen who over many years have struggled to make a success of the LOF where ever we are booked it is a most difficult job at best.I can remember on one occasion we used the Bear hotel in mid Wales and we had to use another hotel for accommodation, which meant that a lot of us had to walk to the other hotel for our food. But we did it and enjoyed it. I have my doubts if a referendum or similar will have much of a result, it counts most if our membership all try and make the best of the present situation. But saying that it must be worth a try. I am unable to attend this year because of medical appointments. But I do not mind the north as a site in any case. The main factor to consider is we must use it or lose it. A great many military organisations would be glad of the opportunity to do as we are in a position to do now.I am all for Pro Bono Publico in any case.
Regards RBD aka jungle1810

[Bob Bacon]

The main reason for moving away from Llandrindod Wells was due to the fact there is very little for wives and partners to do or see there, particularly if they had been there several times before.

Another concern was that when the Veteran Sports Car Club held their dinner on the same weekend, our dinner venue got repositioned to another area of the hotel which was annoying to say the least. Having said that, on the last few occasions this happened, we were allocated the David Spencer Suite, which is a self-contained venue ideal for the reunion

Yes, accommodation costs were a concern for some, but most members get around that by booking in at other local hotels and guest houses.

[John Turner]

The main reason for moving away from Llandrindod Wells was due to the fact there is very little for wives and partners to do or see there, particularly if they had been there several times before.

I agree, there's naff all to do in that tiny town, but look at the map - it's slap in the centre of Wales - mountains, lakes rivers and streams, gardens such as Powys castle's and the castle itself, walks - from gentle to a mini-expedition - I'd take the two days and on the first I'd walk to the source of the Severn from the Hafren forest (above Llanidloes) and then on to the top of Plynlimon if I had anything left.

Within a short drive, there's plenty to do and see, and if like me, you live in a densely populated area where you can do Debenhams etc any time you like, it's a nice change.

[tony.t.corbett]

Hi John,
Thanks for getting this discussion started sadly, as Bob and Glyn, will tell you the response from members is likely to be the same as when we ask for a decision with an ordinary mailshot.and finding a place which satisfies all members is almost impossible. I would imagine a lonely journey on you voyage to Plynlimon. I personally would like a single venue and a set date each year so that members know where we are going to be and can no longer use the excuse that they have booked a holiday on that date (as they did n't know when we were meeting until it was to late).
tony

[John Turner]

A thought ... or two.

I know I've received the snail mail form, but I prefer to do things with a mouse click if I can.

I've searched for an online booking form but can't find it if it exists and I know it has existed in previous years, book on line and follow up with a cheque. The way all the updates on attendance has been done - separate posts instead of just one regularly updated one, is a bit bewildering.

If I'm to attend it will have to be at short notice - about now is the earliest I can consider committing - and maybe others are in the same situation, in which case a 'sticky' post with the hotel details etc etc would be good.

[ap1]

I should make mention of the fact, I will not be attending this year, as I'm working on the other side of the world. Otherwise, I would certainly attend, as I always do.

Sharon and myself enjoyed Cardiff. Although, I agree with Nick, perhaps a classier hotel is required. A friday evening down the Cardiff bay area, great fun. Then up to no good on Sat daytime before the main event. Last year 4 or 5 of us went up to Alan & Carol Phillips house for a nose about. I was the youngest, I had a brilliant time, listening to 04's stories, priceless. Meanwhile Sharon was murdering the credit card in the city centre, thats what its all about. I was disappointed that the Ramada was chosen this year, but thats a personal view. That being said, trundling back to the metropole at Llandrindod would be a backward step.

I absolutely feel sorry for Martin and previously Bob, getting people to attend the dinner is like herding cats, pretty thankless. I don't think its a lost cause though, we just need to be imaginative. There is a hard core of membership who attend every year. My solution would be to change the function to a dining club, enjoying a formal sit down dinner, regimental style. in a really nice venue within the city or elsewhere. With the emphasis on quality food and service. Numbers wouldn't be so important, the days of a 100+ are long gone, so lets tailor the event to suit the situation we are in. It would be great fun.

I also agree with Tony about a settled date. Whether it will raise the numbers I don't know, but at least its then set in stone, and perhaps gives us the flexibility to choose that right place.

I will be very sorry if the LOF ceases to exist. I for one am very appreciative of the opportunity to sit down and eat, drink and talk with my peers, who I always looked up to as a young man. Long may it continue.