Report of the Sports & Social Committee for Club Council Tuesday 19^th July 2005

In the District 1240 arena we are now into the quarter final of the Hugh Markham Trophy without playing a single match. We wait to hear who our opponents are to be. If it happens that are nominated as the home team we get to choose the sport and Wood louse racing seems to frighten them all off so we may continue with it.
We have every intention of entering the District 1240 Winter sports, where we will need members for darts, snooker, badminton, cribbage & dominoes. We still await details of the competition from District.
The Bowls evening has been arranged for Tuesday 9^th. August,- commencing at 6.30pm. The cost of the buffet will be £6.00 a head, a board is being circulated at present. After passing the Board round once, 25 persons have indicated they are interested
The annual Wood Louse Challenge against Manningtree Stour Valley has been provisionally booked for a Friday evening in early August. The final details and venue will be confirmed shortly.
I have investigated a day trip on the Champion Thames Barge "EDME". She sails out of Brightlingsea. There are two problems. The first is that she is only licensed for 12 persons, and the second is the cost £49 per head or £470 if we took the complete boat. My committee have not heard these details yet, but I suspect the cost will kill this trip.
The second new trip we hope to be able do this year is a visit to Horsey Island on their Open Day. We anticipate that this may be in September. Trevor is to watch for the advert in his Parish Magazine
Our walkers ably led by SVP Alan are arranging a medium length and a longer walk for the late summer or early autumn.
On the theatrical front this year not only are we hoping to support the local Operatic Societies but we shall be offering trips to some of the Dramatic Societies productions along with visits to the Summer Show at the West Cliff.
Derek Arber and I have visited Crusader Coaches and are discussing the venue for next years Continental Trip in April. The sites still being investigated for the forthcoming year are Paris, Normandy, Dublin and Luxemburg. At this time Paris seems a favourite but we have of course already been there twice before.
Finally, it would be wrong for me to comment on the Presidents Farewell Barbeque, except to thank Trevor & Pam for allowing us to use their garden and also to thank all the non Sports & Social members who cooked and prepared the garden for our 60 guests. I understand that it was a record number, certainly in recent years.

John White, Chairman Sports & Social Committee