PORTLAND

The year 2007 has been another successful year for the Portland Branch. With members passing away and others opting out in April when subs were Due for renewal, we now have 29 members, and I always advertise for new members being done by word of mouth or advertising in local papers or by posters dotted around in shops on Portland.

We had another successful Easter Dinner at The Heights Hotel in April when 102 members from around the County turned up. There were a good number of raffle prizes which made us £100+ for our funds. We had visits from Wareham, Dorchester and Wimborne Branches in 2007, and thoroughly enjoyed their company. We laid on entertainment and buffet for our visitors and the visits were quite successful. We visited Wareham where we always get a warm and friendly welcome. We thoroughly enjoyed being in their company as we always do. In 2008 we are having visits from Swanage, Weymouth and Verwood during the year. In October we had a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for Ann and Brian ŒGodfrey and we gave them a special party held at St Georges Centre, our usual meeting place. We had superb entertainment and a wonderful buffet and we gave then an Anniversary Clock enclosed in a glass case, and Brian received a Certificate from Head Office and a pair of hand bells from our members in recognition of his time as Chairman. Sadly Brian decided to step down as Chairman because of his health problems. We were all sad to learn of his decision, but anyone¹s health comes before holding posts in any Charity status Club. Anyway Ann and Brian had a good day with us and were completely surprised.

In December we had a Christmas Party, where we had 40+ members and guests attending and again the entertainment and buffet was well accepted. Father Christmas arrived and gave all our members a little present each. All members and guests said they had a lovely time. We had over 35 raffle prizes and we made £175 for our funds. This will now be a yearly event on our calendar which replaces our yearly bingo. We also had our Christmas Dinner at The Heights Hotel later in December when 30 members and special guests turned up. Again The Heights did us proud with wonderful food and all the Christmas Trimmings and everyone said that they thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. We had over 50 raffle prizes and raffles were sold to the staff that joined in with us every year and they enjoy it as they told me that of all the parties held there, they are never invited to join in. We made £130.50 for our funds during the evening.

I would again like to thank my Wife Carolyne and my Daughter Gemma for all the work they have put in over the year and my thanks to our Committee for always being there for me. Our members would like me to thank Marilyn, Jan and Geoff at County Office for all their hard work over the past year.

We would like to wish all Branches and County Officer'A Very Happy and Successful New Year'