Mother's Charter Night - Ripley. 9th March 2013

This evening with the snow blowing around earlier in the day, we set off for Santo's at Higham Farm Hotel, being chauffeured by Rtn. John Lowe and accompanied by his wife Chris keeping an eye on the weather.    In total ten members and guests from Belper and Duffield attended this Charter and indeed later in the evening picked up a prize from the Sergeant at Arms, Rtn Owen J Briggs, for being the only club to have responded to the Charter invitation on paper, by post to Owen J.

The atrmosphere at Santo's was very friendly and there was a great buzz about the place as everyone gathered.   An excellent meal was served and no-one seemed to complain about a slight delay in serving the sweet course - everyone must have been enjoying themselves.

Just a mention of how great it was to see Past Presidents Kevin Doyle and Stuart Rice at the charter enjoying themselves, as they both recover from major illnesses.

Never being one to follow other people, Rtn Owen, acting as Master of Ceremonies did the evening "his" way, causing one or two laughs along the way.   With the usual toasts etc completed fairly quickly we were soon onto the evening's entertainment, which was a folk duet, called, "Doublecross".   Incidentally I must make mention of the toast given to Rotary International by President Elect Paul Rose, who asked us all to imaging being on a sunkissed beach and then went on to give a unique slant on the toast to Rotary International.    (I am not going to tell you what it was - you should have been there !)

Past President Alan - the last picture before the camera battery died.

Many thanks to President Marie and her husband Frank ( and his twin brother Derek) for their hospitality and company during the evening.   Thanks also to Rtn John Lowe for driving on such a bad night.