Charters and BBQ’s
– Friendship and Fun –
Note: Clicking on any of the photographs will enlarge them
And this blog truly does start By Your Side, as on 21st July I travelled to Bristol to officially welcome the lovely Gill Williams to the team as our new Membership Officer.
Gill’s face was lit up with her wonderful smile as I placed the Membership Officer Jewel around her neck. To say she was pleased with it might be something of an understatement. In fact, she loved it so much she was still wearing it as she drove off back to Penarth, having dropped me at the station! I think we can safely say Gill has embraced the role – and the jewellery! Welcome to the team, Gill. It is fabulous to have you By Your Side.
The Magnificent Seven!
The 25th July took me to Reading for their 60th Charter, held in a lovely Italian wine bar. It was a wonderfully relaxed occasion with good food, great company and, in true Tangent fashion, lots of chatter and laughter which continued long after the official event was over!
Reading Tangent may currently be small in number with just seven Members, but what they lack in numbers they certainly make up for in heart. They put on a fabulous event with more than 50 people attending.
A very special mention must go to Helen Hirst, who was absolutely determined that her beloved Reading Tangent would not disaffiliate. That determination, enthusiasm and love for her Club were wonderful to see.
So, watch this space! I have every confidence that Reading Tangent will grow.
After all, I believe in the Magnificent Seven!
If You Can’t Stand the Heat…
On the 2nd August and I was back in the West Country, this time at Wellington and Taunton’s annual 4 Club Family BBQ.
And it was HOT!
With virtually no shade in the garden, we made the very sensible decision to retreat indoors to sit and eat. Unfortunately, somebody still had to cook the barbecue outside in the blazing sunshine!
A huge well done to our wonderful chefs who not only cooked the food for us but very nearly cooked themselves in the process!
We were also joined by 41 Club President Kelly Clarke and I can safely say a great time was had by all. Even better, we raised funds which will be shared between both Presidents’ charities, Alzheimer’s Society and Blood Bikes.
Friendship, fun, food and fundraising – a pretty perfect combination.
Every Lady Needs a Rod!
On 4th August I headed to the Midlands and, for once, there wasn’t a train in sight. Instead, I was chauffeured by my amazing Rod.
Never forget, ladies: “Every lady needs a Rod!”
We arrived in Kings Bromley, just outside Lichfield, to join Lichfield Tangent for a wonderfully relaxed cream tea in the beautiful garden of Brenda Carter.
I had the pleasure of sitting next to a prospective Member, so naturally we had plenty to talk about. Hopefully she went home realising exactly what being part of Tangent is all about – friendship, fun and belonging.
Then came the highlight – or perhaps the lowlight – of my afternoon.
I got locked in the loo!
Yes, really.
And even more worryingly, this is now the second time this has happened on my travels! So apparently it isn’t just on trains where I manage to get myself into these situations. 
Thankfully, there was no need to summon the local fire brigade. I was eventually rescued from my unexpected period of detention by the man of the house.
Phew! Freedom!
Unfortunately, my fellow Tangent ladies were waiting for me and my grand reappearance was greeted with a chorus of:
“Oh dear, what can the matter be…”
Led, I might add, by Liz, our VP!
There is clearly no sympathy in Tangent – but there is always plenty of laughter!
A Rather Special Day
On the 5th August and I was heading south again, this time to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the Commandant’s Parade.
What an incredible experience and a very special day.
Rod has written an account of our wonderful visit, so rather than repeat it all here, please pop over and read his version.
I can only apologise in advance for the serious case of FOMO you may experience!
And so another couple of weeks of travelling, friendship, laughter, fundraising and the occasional unexpected incarceration come to an end.
From welcoming a new Membership Officer to celebrating 60 years of friendship, from barbecues in the blazing sunshine to being rescued from a loo, there is certainly never a dull moment on my travels.
But wherever the road – or train – takes me, the best part is always the same… being By Your Side.
YiCF,
Carol