The Halloween theme brought us out in more than one way. There were 25 of us present which is virtually our best turnout and it also brought our the exhibitionist in us. It wasn’t more than a few minutes past 7a.m before the trick or treaters started arriving. Notable was Simon Essex, all pale and bloody but recognisable, John Hammond and Terry Maylin sporting masks which obscured recognition totally, and Paul Dulieu and Sarah Steel excelling themselves with both makeup and costume.
The Performance League
Matt Barry is currently way out front with 314 points.
Education Presentation
It was our Education Officer himself who delivered this week’s homily. He warned of the care that should be taken when addressing business contacts and clients, particularly using the email. Six phrases were given as examples of what would amount to a serious put down. They included in “in my experience”, “as you know” and the best and most obvious “its really not that complicated”. I will not bore you with the whole list, although none of us were bored at the time, but I have made a careful note of all of them and promised to use them sparely but effectively when someone really gets up my nose.
New Member Induction & Existing Member Renewal
Mike Rogers has renewed for another year and is even threatening to attend a zoom meeting.
The 60 Second Round
Not only had considerable effort made by members to present themselves in a rather ghoulish sort of way but the 60 second presentations all gave more than nodding acknowledgement to the Halloween theme.
Stuart Smallcombe was adjudicating the Oscar and opened his piece with a reference to “the nightmare from BT…” that nightmare was to remain with him as he tried to separate the contestants
Kieron Peaty’s nightmare was visiting a house with lots of dogs and the attendant doggy do dos…and of course he trod in it, or rather them.
Toby Acton, sporting devils horns, pointed out all of the things that a businessman could fail to do and suggested reverse engineering.
Nick Cooke produced a shaggy dog story that involved our hero discovering a well-rotted child’s corpse in a loft. You had to be there to fully appreciate it. Nick Cooke was however out shaggy dogged by Howard Bullock. It all involved someone who, rather than not looking in his loft, did not look at his pension statements. A dramatic opening of an envelope containing said statement by our IFA hero led to a happy ending with good pension provisions being finally made.
John Hammond, whose job it is to scare away intruders from his client’s premises revealed another string to his bow. If he simply wore the mask and attended this clients premises that would do the trick nicely.
Ben Golding must have come close to the Oscar with his light operatic glorification of Utility Warehouse benefits.
Allan Moller, back in his role of “the amazing sofa man” referred us to the ghosts of electricians past. Something to do with the misuse of joists.
If ever Terry Maylin decided to give up the law he ought to offer his services to John Hammond as a patroller of John’s client’s premises dressed up in the zombie gear he was brave enough to wear for the whole meeting.
Sarah Steel not only excelled herself with her makeup and beauty spot but treated us to an acronymic poem that really had been well worked out.
Simon Essex is finding retail scary as we hit Halloween with Christmas waiting in the wings.
I have given you a sample only of the host of great contributions of which pride of place was given to Vincent Goode, equipped with witches hat gave a ghastly and ghoulish presentation of how he sold business cards to fiends. He will also sell them to friends.
Meeting Secretary Report
To the accompaniment of “I will survive” Scott Griffiths produced a Jib Jab presentation that involved some of our new members and scary it was to – take a look if you’re brave enough!
10-minute presentation by Richard Reed
Probably the greatest revelation of the meeting was that Ben Golding had not heard either of Free or Billy Bonds. Perhaps the subject of an Education Slot going forward? It was Richard Reed’s presentation that reminded us of not only how badly he had been affected by Covid but how effective and cost-effective his services are…and did you know he has been working for 51 years and in the Travel Trade for 19 of them. From another hint that was given in his presentation, you should be able to work out his exact age.!
And so to the Referral Round and the close, but not without a final performance via Jib Jab of the “Eye of the Tiger” by a rather sensuous Mayor of Gants Hill.
What not to like.
Well done all -definitely one of the most fun meetings for a long time!
Great effort and turnout -don’t worry Richard when things pick up you will be up and running!
A superb meeting, yet again. Great to see so much effort on the Halloween front and a fun, interesting and informative way to start the day. Have a good week everyone and see you next Thursday, by which time I may have managed to scour the paint off my face!
Well done everyone. Vince – you crack me up!
A horrific meeting, that’s horrific in a good way. Thank you for the award of the Oscar. Oscar’s nemesis, Oscarina will make her triumphant return next week! Not sure if I looked attractive or not in Scott’s “Roar” video, although I’m sure that look will appeal to some… Well done to all who made the effort to look ghoulish, and indeed to those who didn’t, you looked just as scary without make up.
I’m still chuckling at this week’s spooky meeting, I especially liked your jib jab’s Scott. See you all next week, without the spider beauty spot!
Great fun this monrnig, very impressed with the effort some of you made!
Loved today’s meeting!! Who said you can’t mix business and pleasure!!
Though it was scarier when Terry took his mask off 🤣!!
Brilliant presentation from Richard!! Can’t wait to book lots of holidays with you next year!!!
See you u all next week 😁
Cheeky boy Ben!!
what a great and spooky fun meeting – well done to those who made an effort!
Fun meeting today great ed slot Ben and 10 minute presentation Richard you will need to buy yourself a pair of roller skates I can see you being busy next year. Loved all the Halloween outfits. Have a great Halloween weekend see you all next Thursday.
Great meeting everyone, enjoyed watching that back.
Well done all . I am looking forward to watching the recording when I get a bit of spare times . Things are a bit manic at RMK ,which I guess is a good thing. I will need a good holiday soon and “who you gonna call” -Richard Reed .
A truly magnificent meeting this week due to the over and above efforts made by most of the members present. The awarding of this weeks Oscar must have been really difficult but appropriately given to Vince.
Great turn out, Ed Slot and 10mts from what’s his name. Appreciate all the positive comments folks .
Just seen November issue of The Network magazine featuring Kieron and Studio Forty on the front page and a double page article inside. Well done Kieron.
Congratulations to those who made the effort and probably our best meeting this, have a great weekend all!
Great meeting all and well done to those who made such tremendous effort for Halloween. Brilliant 10 minutes from Richard of Prestige Holidays & Travel and an enlightening ed-slot from Ben of Utilities Warehouse. See you all Thursday.
Great meeting last week – I really enjoyed it, even though I could not see a thing! Great Ed Slot from Ben and good to hear from Richard in what has beena tough year for him.
Well deserved Oscar for Vince too!