I expected to be scraping ice off my windscreen this morning but the temperature was just above freezing. Notwithstanding cold weather and a new strain of the COVID virus, we mustered 19 which included John Hammond, released from his Liverpool contract on the strict understanding he went straight back. It was nice to see him for the first time in the flesh since the lockdown. News of another hitherto absent member was that John Freeman was back in the country and raring to go. Only the necessary testing following his flight kept him away. We look forward to seeing him next week. So this week we kicked off at 7:14 am suitably fed and watered.
The Performance League
End of month figures were in for November and the winner for that month was Scott Griffiths, just pipping Terry Maylin to the post who was followed by Paul Booth and Vincent Goode.
Education Presentation
Paul Booth continued his running theme of how to give and receive referrals, once again performing with the assistance of the Naughty Corner Rep., to wit Stuart Smallcombe. Simulated telephone calls between the two demonstrated reactive and proactive referrals and also follow up and third party referrals. The problem with the Ed Slot is this it is delivered at the time of the morning that is not conducive to serious concentration. Fortunately the Naughty Corner Ensemble entertained us and therefore got their message home. Whilst Paul Booth continues to stand in for the Education and Development Officer we are likely to get more of this… Brace yourselves!
New Member Induction & Existing Member Renewal
Ryan Ball and Mike Hickson, having been induced to join our merry band, Terry Maylin duly inducted them. In true EBF fashion there was no rolling up over the trouser leg or the slaying of a goat/ sheep. They were simply welcomed to the group and given their Business Card holder and Badge.
The 60 Second Round
Last week I charged members to adopt this week the Malyon/Stallion/Battalion approach to their 60 seconds. With such licence to rhyme it was Terry Maylin’s job to sift through the offerings and make the Oscar decision. The rhymed offerings were generally over high standard, particularly where the member decided to break out into a more detailed rhyming of their presentation. Needless to say Jane Malyon, the instigator of all this, outperformed everyone with the barrage of rhyming couplets.
As to substance, Mike Hickson warned the police appeared not that interested in Internet everyday scams that could nonetheless be very costly and that he could assist any of us in trying to deal with this ever-growing menace.
Mike Rogers has been doing it for 30 years. He very proudly showed off a picture of his car of similar vintage mounted by none other than the Mayor of Gant’s Hill Village.
Ryan Ball will help you assemble your Christmas lights.
Richard Reed managed to demonstrate how many words rhyme with Reed; weed, deed and heeds to mention but three. Jane Malyon not only regaled us with reference to her products but also produced the latest Walkers crisps’ flavour… yes you probably remembered, roast potato. I hope they are also going to reintroduce this year the Brussels sprouts and stuffing ones
Paul Dulieu had his rhyming word as Kathmandu. He also boasted a recent incursion into the polishing of tender documents. He couldn’t have made it up!
John “the Don of Security” Hammond was another offering whilst William Verner produced his rhyming offering quickly but not quick enough to prevent me from making a note of “Wild Will from Harold Hill; hasn’t worked a never will. He probably deserved a prize of some sort for this.
It is possible that we sacrificed content for rhyme but we all seem to enjoy it. Terry Maylin did find an Oscar winner that exhibited content, Tina Walker was this deserved winner.
10-minute presentation by Mike Skinner
Without the use of a screen to illustrate his own expertise Mike produced an excellent alternative. He recruited the following for the following roles; Jane Malyon presenter, Vincent Goode director, Paul Dulieu cameraman Sarah Steel microphone and Stuart Smallcombe and with his guidance this famous 5 produced and filmed a presentation of EBF. It proved to be an entertaining illustration of how Mike might work and why he has an expertise that the amateur cannot replicate. It was perhaps a more effective illustration of what he does than any slideshow could have produced.
Referrals and Testimonials Round
With 23 referrals out there it was interesting to note these were not well distributed between the members. Notable with 4,5 and 6 respectively were Ryan Ball, Mike Rogers and Sarah Steel each of which received an appropriate round of applause. It was a very good round illustrating the real difference between zoom meetings and the real thing.
Finally, more good news, Melissa Jackson after her second visit to us today expressed her intention to join us. We look forward to receiving her application form and seeing her next week!
Lovely to welcome the new members/visitors -wonderful! And what a fun meeting that was. @MikeSkinner – genius idea. Well done everyone 😀 xx
Another meeting to stimulate the early morning braincells. Well done to Mike Skinner for an original presentation, and Jane is an absolute natural. I’d like to thank my family, my friends, but most significantly the crew for making this film possible
Great 10 min presentation mike – well done.
An excellent meeting, as always. Great to welcome two new members, and our guest. Excellent 10 minutes Mike, and Ed slot by the Naughty Corner Theatre Troop. Paul is also in Panto at The Cliffs Pavilion this year. “Oh no he isn’t! Oh yes he is!”
Great fun meeting. Cheers to everyone for getting stuck in, wouldn’t have worked without you all!
Great meeting really nice to meet everyone in person again. Zoom was great but does not compare to meeting in person. Great Ten minutes Mike. The video was brilliant.
Hope to see you all next week
Well done Mike and your band of recruits- I hope they don’t give up their day jobs to help you! Great to welcome new members and hopefully one or two more in the pipeline- onwards and upwards!
What a fun meeting this week and welcome to our two new members. Great Ed Slot from Paul & Stuart his sidekick and fab 10 minutes presentation from Mike and his film crew. See you all Thursday
Brilliant showing by all today and two new members inducted, welcome to Mike & Ryan. Mr Skinner (we’re getting a little top heavy with Mike’s) demonstrated how he does what he does and why you should always use a professional – no slight on the cast and crew intended. Well done to all.