Chairman’s Chat June 2nd 2026

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Hello all,

My first Chairman’s chat of the year. Despite 3 great golf fixtures and the fun and
games of the Portuguese trip, we all know how dismal the news has been with the
sad loss of John Oakley (who we haven’t seen for many, many years), Brian Day,
John Cassidy, Wally Mardell and Colin Lewin. We are all devastated I know.

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There was a fine send-off for King Jester John Cassidy at The City Of London
Crematorium on Friday April 24th. In true tradition, we gave John the guard of
honour as he was taken in and laid to rest. There was much laughter at the wake
afterwards and indeed during the service and over £2000 was raised by donations
set up by Maureen and the girls. There will be a very worthy recipient of equipment
for a child in John’s name I’m sure this year.

We all had the shocking news that Colin Lewin had been diagnosed with cancer in
January and as we all know, it was a shocking decline until his passing in April. I
have never seen so many CGS members at a funeral last Thursday and the guard of
honour, once again, was a fine tribute to him. Colin lived and breathed the CGS and
was a very popular annual organiser of the overseas trips. Andy, Colin and Doreen
were very pleased to see such a fine turnout for “The Don”.

Then on Saturday there was a tribute to Wally Mardell because Wally had to have
his funeral in France within a week of passing away back in April. There had already
been 120 people attend the service in France and there was a fantastic turnout at
our home course, White Hill for his memorial afternoon. I was honoured to lead the
proceedings and there was anecdotes and Wally gags from CGS members present.

I know that John, Wally and Colin would have loved their life celebrations and we
have another on Thursday June 25th at Gorleston Golf Club. Brian Day didn’t want a
funeral so this will be a celebration of his life. Elaine has asked for as many CGS
members to attend as possible as she also wants a guard of honour as his ashes are
to be spread on the course.

Our thoughts are with Maureen, Wendy, Doreen and Elaine during this sad time in
their lives and that of CGS members.

I’m sorry to be missing the overnight events on 9th and 10th next week as I’m off to
our apartment in Turkey. I’m also disappointed to miss Sheerness. However, I’m sure
there will be lots of fun and laughter as usual.

Take care all of you and live life!

Brocky (aka Gammon, Human Bean Bag and I’m sure the Rogers brothers have
more up their sleeves!) x