A successful Welsh Colleges Society Dinner tour was enjoyed y all, unlike the Welsh Rugby team who lost to Scotland the same weekend.
Everybody congregated at the Hogshead Ale House, Altrincham, keener members who arrived on timr, rang at Rostherne prior to drinking.
On returning to the hall, further alcohol was consumed as soon as midnight arrived and Sarah Moore and Paul Scofield started the celebrations of their birthdays.
The next day started with ringing at Walkden and Deane, which was followed by the Annual General Meeting. Georgina Barratt was elected as master, Paul Isaac as Secretary, Katherine Wright as Deputy Master and the very important roles of catering officers went to Alison Briggs and Paul Scofield. For anybody interested in the "Big Boy Barny" saga, he was returned to his rightful owner, Paul Scofield, at the meeting. Barney was also voted in as a member of the society.
Lunch was followed by ringing at Bolton, numerous people quickly grabbed the tower before disappearing to the pub to watch Wales lose to Scotland.
A lockout at Bowden was replaced by a pre-dinner visit to the pub. The dinner took place at the Grove Park Hotel, Bowden. The guest speaker was Emma Ashford past master of the Npttingham University Society of Change Ringers, who stood in for Phil Gay who was ill. the newest arrival of thesociety, Poppy, joined her parents, Pat and Karen, at the top table. At three months old, her behaviour was impeccable, unlike others (no names mentioned). Chris Mundy requested that the master take wine with those who thought that the evening was a fancy dress party, this may have had something to do with thr fact that Paul Scofield was dressed as a cow.
The evening ended wih a disco, but as the dancing was so enthusiastic, the DJ had to move his equipment as far away from the dance floor as possible in an attempt to stop the records from jumping.
Sunday morning quickly arrived with ringing at various towers around the city before congregating at Manchester Town Hall. A farewell lunch took place before everyone went their seperate ways.
We would like to say a big "thank you" to Pat and Karen for all their hard work during the year. Another "thank you" goes to Malcolm and Bob, who arranged this Dinner weekend.