High Court 2011 - Foresters Friendly Society

CentralDamp eveningcan’t spoilBurns NightThe skirling wail of a solitary piper infull regalia echoed over the sides of thedeep, cold waters of Lock Rudyard.This was the traditional welcomegreeting being extended to 35 Centralmembers attending the area BurnsNight Supper.It was impossible for that rainyevening to dampen members’ spirits,as there was an abundant supply ofthe good malt to keep out the cold.Inside, the atmosphere was chargedwith anticipation of the feast to come,as some very tantalising smells waftedfrom the kitchen.The address to the noble haggis wasmemorably performed by committeemember Brenda Batt dressed in thefull tartan outfit. The haggis was pipedin and ceremonially paraded aroundthe room by Ray Perry before beingdespatched with a very sharp knife byA magical visit to seeThe SorcererIn April, some 30 members from anassortment of branches watched a versionof Gilbert & Sullivan’s light opera TheSorcerer at Crewe Lyceum Theatre.The production was unusual in that it wasset in the present, rather than Victoriantimes. After the performance, the membersenjoyed analysing the opera in the comfortof the lounge bar of the Three Lamps, awell-known landmark.An unexpected highlight of the theatrewas the wonderful, fully restored Victorianinterior, which includes the only workingSun’-Burn’er left in the country. It wasinstalled in the early 1900s and is a clusterof naked flame gas jets in an ornamentalframe, set up high in the ceiling. The heatfrom these jets rises straight up into theair and out through the chimney, causingcold air to be drawn into the theatre fromthe bottom ground floor doors. This currentof cold air then took all the patrons’ cigarsmoke with it out through the chimney whilethe fresh air cooled the upper floors. An airconditioningsystem that is still working wellafter 110 years!the Area Coordinator. Following thevarious toasts, the lassies’ reply to theaddress was given by Jen Hall.In the interval between courses,a raffle was held in aid of the HighChief Ranger’s charity appeal, and themembers gave generously.Music and entertainment wasorganised by the Area Committeeled by Brenda Batt, culminating intwo separate ‘sword dances’ beingperformed, one by the lads and oneby the lassies. Not having access toreal swords, crossed oars taken froma boat on the lake were used instead.Their plastic blades were sharp enoughto provide some authenticity, not to sayhilarity, to the occasion.The conclusion of events came witheveryone singing Auld Lang Syne.Thanks to the Lakeside Trust for theuse of their facilities.All aboard!Central members repeateda trip they last did two yearsago on the StaffordshireMoors Railway, but this timethey booked the entire train!During the run, a pea andpie supper was served to57 people, together withenough alcohol for the more(or less) musically talentedto join in the sing-song tothe karaoke music that wasbeing played through thetrain’s PA system. As theyhad the train for the wholenight, and the rain preventedthem from detraining to enjoya walk in the woodlands, asecond run – without the piesthis time – was enjoyed.AGM meetingAnother area event was the area AGMmeeting on Saturday 16th April. Some verylively discussions took place resulting in themeeting lasting four hours. The meetingfollowed the Secretaries meeting on 9th April.Smooth trip tothe silk museumsSeveral branches got together inApril to visit all three silk museumsin Macclesfield. As well as thehistory going back over 200 years,they also saw some of the originalmachines from that era which werestill working.The complexity and ingenuity of thestill-used Victorian machinery wasbeyond belief. One such examplewas a needle threading machine built150 years ago that perplexed eventhe mechanical engineers among thegroup as they puzzled out howit worked. There was also a purposebuiltschool for the education of thechildren who worked in the mill. Theystarted at the age of six, and by 14they could all read and write. Thiswas in spite of working 8am to 6pm,Monday to Saturday, while spendingall of Sunday at school.Unfortunately there were no freesamples of silk shirts or blouses asthe local council has just reduced itscontribution to this project, whichis run on a volunteer basis. All in all,though, it was an enjoyable day out.‘ThreeBrothers’donates toysCourt ‘ThreeBrothers’ hadpleasure recentlyin donatingnew toys toTots Time playgroup, which is heldat The Salvation Army in Cannockon Wednesday mornings. BranchSecretary Chris Cartlidge (abovecentre), said: “We enjoy supporting localactivities and charities, and it was greatto make a presentation of £150 for toysto Tots Time. The money we donatedenabled them to purchase equipmentto stimulate the babies, two bicyclesfor the older toddlers, and a CD playerfor song time”.The branch has also made adonation of £150 to the Midlands AirAmbulance to show support for thecharity, as it recently was a victim ofan armed robbery.02