Area 20 Events Round-up
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On July 21st members of Derwentside Round Table braved the icy swell of the Derwent reservoir and duly swam across it! After months of meetings, phone calls, letters and risk assessments (don't drown!) Jim Dawson who did all of the above got us underway - thanks Jim! On a typical July morning for this year - chucking it down and foggy ,we set off from Hunter House on the banks of the Derwent Reservoir. Members of the group had done extensive training in the highly hazardous waters of Stanley baths and all the group were well versed in avoiding nasty looking chavs and veruccas. The Derwent Sailing Club kindly provided a support boat to ensure everyone whoever went into the drink got out at the other side, it was a rare privilege to swim in this reservoir and all of Jim's hard work paid off as we swam away into the mist, it was a great moment swimming away into the mist with a load of your mates leaving behind family and friends. The swim as they say went swimmingly apart from the idiot of a chairman who rubbed vaseline all over the inside of his goggles and so couldn't see for the entire swim. honorary member Bob Scott kindly arranged an easy jet fly past as he set off to Barcelona on his jollies. Our welcome party had raced to the far side of the reservoir and got their just in time to welcome us back onto dry land. It was then a race to the showers to warm up! It was a fabulous event, brilliantly organised and superbly supported. Alan Young and Rob Grinter unfortunately couldn't attend this date and so they bravely completed 60 lengths of Stanley baths in 60 mins - well done guys! Dan Walton Pic 1 Guest swimmer Steve has a final athletes fag before the swim Pic 2 Members of the sailing club prepare to trawl for tablers Pic 3 Dave grimes limbers up while dave Clough strips off! pic 4 Good luck Son! Pic 5 Yes it really looked that cold! Michael Knowles gives pagey some last minute advice - don't drown! Pic 6 Sir Andy prepares his unorthodox swimming cossie Pic 7 The point of no return Pic 8,9,10 Well done everyone!

On August bank holiday Sunday the inaugural Stewart Weightman Cup took place at Leadgate Cricket Club. Stewart had been a member of Stanley round table as well as an honorary member of Derwentside Round Table and his sad death last year has left a hole which will never be filled. Stewart was definitely one of the good guys, a devoted family man who somehow managed to run his businesses, attend meetings and always look after us, nothing was ever a bother. By planning this 6 a side cricket competition we had two priorities: to raise some money to be donated to MacMillan Nurses and in honour of Stuey to have a lot of fun. They say the sun shines on the righteous yet even we got some on a glorious day, Stewart's son Michael entered a team "Twinkletoes", Consett Rotary enetered a team, Derwentside Round Table also took part (competed would be putting it a bit strong!) and then unfortunately someone invited Lanchester Cricket Club, yes real cricketers! The competition began, the sun shone, the drinks flowed and wides were bowled all day! Despite some appalling bowling/batting and fielding not to mention some rather dubious boxes being swapped our team didn't do too badly. Refreshments, a raffle and a karaoke helped raise £280 on the day coupled with a kind donation from Consett Rotary Club and from our charity account has meant that nearly £500 will be sent to MacMillan Nurses. Special thanks must go to Dave Clough who had the great idea in the first place, Leadgate Cricket Club who were superb hosts, Lorraine and all her family and our very own Area Chairman who kindly came to lend his support, thank you all! The day has already been pencilled in for next year so we will be looking for teams to come and join what has been a fabulous success and most importantly a great deal of fun! Michael Weightman and friends Derwentside President Stephen Wilson showing how it should be done Ross Bullerwell celebrating in style Members of Derwentside Round table Emily Weightman and friends Lorraine and Consett Rotary Club's President with the Stewart Weightman cup The winning captain being awarded the Stewart Weightman Cup

Coquetdale Round Table reached a memorable milestone on Wednesday 5th September it being their 1000th meeting since their first one on 5th May 1954.  Their meeting was held in the Newcastle Hotel, Rothbury and chaired by Phil Shadforth.  Although none of the founder members could attend there were several past Tablers there to toast the occasion.  The evening was marked by a commemorative 'tot' glass in Round Table tradition and the resurrection of the original menu from the first meeting consisting of :   Asparagus Soup, Cold Coquetdale Salmon, Grilled York Ham with Mushrooms, French Beans and French Fried Potatoes, Peaches and Fresh Whipped Cream, Assorted Cheese and Biscuits and Coffee with Fresh Cream   They certainly new how to put on a meal in those days!   A review of the past 54 years was given by Rich Hurst reliving memories of many of the social and community events through the decades supported by the showing of old cine film and more recent videos.  They have come a long way since May 1954 and although many things have changed some things stay the same or at least similar, notably their work in the community.  The list is almost endless of the things that have been achieved in support of the community and although this is a very important aspect of Round Table the essence of the organisation is to have enjoyment.  The Carnival was THE highlight of the year in Rothbury for about 20 years from the mid-60’s to the mid-80’s and after a 5 year gap they are now fast approaching the 20th anniversary of it's replacement, Rothbury Street Fair!  Bonfire Night is still going almost without a break since the beginning and has always been a great event with long lasting memories from contributing to global warming by burning most of the rubbish in the valley in one night to having the bonfire washed away down the Coquet in one of the famous floods and finally setting off their own mortars and rockets when Health & Safety wasn’t quite an issue as it is today.   Other community events that have stood the test of time are Bonfire Night, the 'Old Folks' Christmas Dinner and Log Chopping that, due to the demise of open fires, has more recently replaced by Santa's Sleigh.   It is good to see that the fun and fellowship of Round Table is thriving in Coquetdale borne out by the fact that their members hold several important offices in the Northumbria Area.  In fact they hold something of a record at present having no fewer than five important chains of office among their ranks, notably (left to right in the photo) Area 20 Chairman Stuart Eaborn, Table Chairman Phil Shadforth, Table President Gavin Findlay, Area 20 President Rob Richardson and the only Lifetime Honorary in the Area, Rich Hurst.     If you would like any further information please give me a call.   Many thanks, Rich Hurst Lifetime Honorary Member Coquetdale Round Table 443 Tel: (01669) 620593 Email: crt443@btopenworld.com