Chairman’s Chat November 2025

 

Hello Gentlemen!

 

Well here we are nearly at the end of another year of the CGS. Only one more fixture left for Graham who has done a great job this year putting his own stamp on proceedings such as the Trilby Challenge last week. Well doe to Simon Rose, Ding, Potty and Graham who all sported fine Trilby’s. I nearly got away with it with my Panama hat. Not like me to get the hat wrong though is it Rich and Paul?

 

Firstly, let me start with four bits of sad news. Commiserations and condolences to George Saunders who lost his brother a couple of weeks ago. They were very close and I did have the pleasure of playing with his brother back in the day when George brought him along as a guest. So sorry George I understand from Sandra you have been very upset. We’re all thinking of you.

 

I learnt only this morning from a post by his daughter, that Brian Day is now so ill with both cancer and dementia that he is now in a nursing home. His daughter has said that she would welcome any letters (and birthday cards at the end of the month) which she would read to him. If you want to message her on Facebook it is Shelley Willson-Day. The address, should you wish to send anything, is Kirkley Manor Nursing Home, 3 Kirkley Park Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0LQ. Gen – perhaps a card please from us all too. And Colin, well done for being such a pal to him in recent years.

 

Thirdly, we sadly lost a member – Steve Gelsthorpe. Steve rarely came to fixtures these past 10 years or so (he lived in Reading) but was a regular on the Portugal trip. Sadly, cancer got the better of him and well done Chris Hare for visiting him recently. Steve was brought in to the society by a founder member – Gil Morris. Rest in Peace Steve in that great supermarket in the sky (those that know, know).

 

Also, there is the sad news that Dave Rose who did a fine job of supplying the CGS Kit for many years has sadly passed away.  Dave worked at Potters Resorts Five Lakes.

 

It was great to see a new member out on the fairways last week at the Winter Cup – Chris Gee. Welcome Chris I know you are going to be a great member and understand you are doing a cabaret spot at the Ball. That is a treat for all attending – please let Gen know if you would like to book tickets for the Ball and support this important CGS event!  It was also good to see a recent new member getting his tie for a third meeting – Alan Hogg. A fine golfer too!

 

A quick mention for Vice Captain, Matt Harper-Ward. We usually travel together but Matt was coming from London. He was supposed to be in my fourball so I rang him with 15  minutes to go and he said “I’m nearly there - just passing Hambury Manor”! He was going to White Hill. Where he got that from – God only knows. Anyway, ten out of ten for making it to the meal and facing the music like a man!

 

Don’t forget to keep your eye on the website. Paul Rogers is doing a brilliant job keeping it all up to date. Thanks mate.

 

We have our final fixture at White Hill on 30th December – Presidents Day (napkins at the ready). Wear Christmas jumpers with pride. Lots of laughs and a nice post-Christmas get together with friends. I must say, there is an abundance of brotherly love in this society these days. It’s what it’s all about and long may it continue.

 

Soon into the new year we have our AGM. It’s always good to see you all on Zoom (or Teams as we now use – just download the app). An hour or 2 of your time on 4th January would be appreciated and if you have any proposals or wish to become a member of the committee, vice-captain or chairman – then get your paperwork in to Genevieve now!

 

Finally, may I thank a lot of you for your donations. I, along with thousands of others, are doing the “Walk 60 miles in November” fundraiser. Half of that was walking around that bloody hilly course last week!! Anyway, we are supposed to raise £150. I can tell you that as from this morning (18th) with twelve days to go, I have exactly £1200.00 in the Just Giving account. 800% more than required! A lot of that is thanks to you, my buddies in the CGS. The two Matts, Martyn, Ding, Potty, Pete, TC, Colin and Chris Hare. There may be others of you as some are anonymous. It is for Prostate Cancer research. We’ve all been touched by this lads – even recently one of our own. I’m sure you all know others, both family and friends who have been affected by this bloody scourge on men. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

 

Here is the link should you want to donate.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Dave1760030785603?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Happy Christmas one and all – see you on 30th December.

 

Brocky x

Aka Gammon

Aka Ping pong ball expert