Here comes the summer (exhibition)

Time to get your brushes out, Ruby

The Chairman would like to remind the Chair of the Fine Arts Committee that the deadline for submitting works for consideration by the Summer Exhibition hanging committee of the Royal Academy of Arts is approaching with alarming speed. As they say in the art world, you've got to be in it to win it. Good luck, Ruby.

Tempus Pro Giveitupio

The VC looks on in a concerned fashion at the VC of Boats's endevours at Henley, and fears for the future of the club.

Many happy returns of the day to the Vice Captain of Boats, Daisy Elizabeth Campion WRC, who has reached the grand old age of 8 today. As you can see by the above picture taken at Henley last year, Daisy takes her duties seriously, but as she’s now 8, perhaps the Captain of Boats might like to have a chat with his daughter and explain the precise nature of what “rowing” means to a club such as ours. As I’m sure you will all agree, you’re never too young to learn the joy of avoiding being on the river “in anger”….

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross.....

The VC after half a shandy at Henley last year

The Chairs of the Wines & Spirits & Fine Arts Committees


The High Commissioner, enjoying a large G & T in N.21

Just like her Mother (Father, Uncles, Aunts, Grandparents.....) - The Consul General, never happier than with a drink in her hands.

Never let it be said that the Chairman is not a contemporaneous blogger (although he’s be called a lot worse), so to belatedly celebrate Australia Day, which fell on Saturday, your Chairman is delighted to present three of his favourite recent pictures of the Australian members of the WRC (although they could yet decide to be British or Kiwi – after all, the Captain’s not a Singaporean). I’m sure they all had a good sing-song on Saturday, with renditions of “Tie the VC down, sport” and “Waltzing Megranny” very much to the fore. That is unless, of course, Sam, Poppy & Ruby are as musical as the VC, who holds a note about as well as he holds his beer…….

Sacre Coeur!Le Bunkers Hill Mafia on tour in Paris, November 2007

Can you see who it is yet?

"Who's this one by, Margaret"

"Shall we do the Sound of Music"?

"I think you'll find that was Saltzburg, Margaret"

Ou est le tea shop?

Here is a selection of photographs of the Bunkers Hill Mafia on their recent visit to Paris in November last year (kindly sponsored by Ecco Shoes – comfortable shoes for the discerning crumbly, as the Captain puts it) .As you can see, a good time was had by all, although the founder’s parents trip coincided with a transport strike which resulted on the whole trip on Parisian soil being undertaken on foot. Well, as the High Commissioner said the only the other day, what else would you expect from those 'cheese-eating surrender monkeys'? Wise words indeed, especially as Sam’s only 6.

VIVE LA WRC et LA BHM!

Freeloading? Moi?

Thank you, Darling. The Captain on the piste (not for the first time) courtesy of HM Treasury defence budget.

The Chairman is delighted to announce to members & friends of the WRC that the UK’s most productive use of the taxpayers’ money, our non-flying Sqdn Ldr and Captain of Boats, is competing as I write in the RAF Ski & Snowboard Championships which are being held at a top-secret location, and which have been thoughtfully funded in the main by the already overburdened British taxpayer. Bugger the troops in Afghanistan who seem to be struggling for kit, say I, and providing the Captain can get access to fondue, schnapps and duty free cigars, all is well with the world. Who says defence spending budgets need closer scrutiny? Still, all work and no play makes for a dull life (if not a dull Captain), and apparently the fact that the Captain skied most recently over three years ago places him in not only the “dedicated” category but also the “advanced” one to boot. You just know he’s going to give a good account of himself, don’t you?

Tempus Pro Topofthepopsappearanceio

The Chairman appearing in public without a tie

The Chairman browsing the pretty songbird

Just in case you missed the Top of the Pops Christmas special on Christmas day (which as half the club are resident in Australia seems highly likely), you will have missed your First Lady being the first person in the audience panned onto when the first act the Kaiser Chiefs were on. I’m afraid I don’t have any stills of this fleeting appearance (one of a number I might add), but courtesy of a friend of my sister-in-law, a number of stills of Katie Melula’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” featuring your Chairman quite prominently managed to find their way to me by email, which I thought I might like to share with the wider world. As my brother said in a text message, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas….and stop staring at Katie Melua’s bottom”. Sometimes, the evidence for the prosecution can be somewhat overwhelming, but luckily enough, the clip has not yet made it to YouTube, thus my over-animated clapping will not reach a wider audience yet, but even I winced when I saw my shameful performance. Hope you managed to catch it - or not as the case may have it.

Tempus Pro 2008io

Guess who got a new WRC rugby shirt for Christmas? The Chairman & First Lady at Chez Campo on New Years Day.

A very happy new year to all members & friends of the WRC. Tempus Pro Blogio will be back as and when the self-assessment deadline allows. Sadly, even the Chairman has to knuckle down occasionally.....

A spouse is not just for Christmas

Hold very tight please

The Cox & her Consort, Beryl & Richard

Mr & Mrs Jobless-Curran, Jo & (Hello) Dave

The bride & groom modeled in lego

The First Lady, Chairman & Chair of the Wines & Spirits Committee making merry

As promised, a selection of photographs from the wedding of a dear friend of the WRC, Jo “Lockers” Lockley. It was a splendid day, and providing you were sporting in excess of five layers, you were not susceptible to the chill of the Leicestershire countryside. Anyway, a jolly good time was had by all, and the bride looked delightful, as you might expect. The presentation of what appeared to resemble “twigs” to significant guests was a surprise to all of those gathered, but both the First Lady and your correspondent surmised that it must have been a Welsh thing. Either that or all of the leaves had fallen off by the time they got hitched.

To celebrate their nuptial alliance, your ever-thoughtful correspondent and the First Lady purchased Jobless & Dave a goat from Oxfam, which they named “Ed” after the Vice Chairman. so at least he can say that he was represented at the wedding as a goat, if not in person. And it will save the newly-weds wasting their money on luxury consumer durables at John Lewis in the new year, which of course will be a burdensome task after their festive honeymoon in Paris.

Tempus Pro Undressio

Lockers Lockley, the First Lady and the CWSC after a good lunch yesterday

The Chairman is delighted to announce the arrival in the UK of the Chair of the Wines & Spirits Committee, who looks as youthful as the day I first met her. Apart form having to squeeze in a nap yesterday afternoon, she showed no ill effects from her flight, although when she arrived at the residence of the Chairman & First Lady she rather resembled a Russian doll, in so much as that when one layer of clothing was removed, yet another one of similar substance seemed to be sported underneath. It was only when she peeled of one layer to many that I realised we had the heating on too high, resulting in the CWSC swiftly donning her splendid club zephyr in order to protect her modesty. Anyway, welcome back to Blighty Marie. Even if it’s only for a week.

Batteries not included

Tiger Campion WRC playing with her rabbit

Many happy returns of the day to our Tiger-ish Treasurer, Tiger Campion, who is 37 years young today (or 38 according to her husband the Captain). What more needs to be said but grrrrrr. And, of course, happy birthday.

Choc's away!

Bomb(er)'s away!

Alan recently photographed on manoeuvres in a top-secret locatation

Many happy returns of the day to Campo "Campo" Bader-Campo DFC, who is 69 years young today. You may be surprised to to know that Alan is not celebrating by doing a 360 degree roll over Hillards, but is instead being entertained by the Cox & her Consort at the spiritual home of the WRC on Bunkers Hill. The precise menu has not been released yet, but rumour has it that the Cox might be attempting Bombe Surprise for pudding in Alan’s honour. Happy birthday Alan – properly considered, you don’t look a day over 68.

Mentioning the War

Hope you're paying him well, Ma'am

The Captain assembling his billet during the Battle of Henley 2007

The Chairman wishes it to be reported that after years of complete combative inactivity, our Captain of Boats has finally been press-ganged into action by HM the Queen. As such, the Chairman will for the period of his tour of duty be writing to the Captain on a daily basis in order to keep his spirits up, and you can read his missives by clicking on the following link. Modesty forbids, but each should prove to be cracking entertainment and hopefully a tonic for the troops. Unfortunately, the Queen has neglected to give the Captain a gun, but all things considered, he seems in very bright spirits. Perhaps he has managed to smuggle in a sharpened mango or two in much the same way as another noted Captain did in Africa during the Battle of Mboto Gorge in 1892. Who knows. Anyway, good luck Captain and come home soon.

TEMPUS PRO AGMIO

Our caterer and hostess in chief encapsulated in plaster, photographed with the loving cup

The WRC after dinner (and after midnight)

The table at Toad Hall prior to the AGM

Founders reunited - The Ambassadress & Captain

Back row: The Treasurer, Antipodean Ambassadress & First Lady

Front row: The Captain of Boats, Antipodean Ambassador & Chairman

The Chairman is delighted to announce that the 11th Annual General Meeting in the 16 year history of the WRC was held on the evening of 13th October 2007 at the family seat of the Chairman's family, Toad Hall. With the exception of the Vice Chairman and Chair of the Wines & Spirits Committee, all full senior members were present, the VC and CWSC excusing their absence due to their having attended a food and wine festival. In Adelaide, it should be added (the highlights being “the food and the wine”, as the VC stated when excusing their absence), so a reasonable excuse, especially when teamed with their being involved in ongoing negotiations re the purchase of land in Australia. A recreational six courses (and two puddings) later, all lovingly prepared by the mothers of the founding members of the club, the Chairman announced that the main business of the evening had been concluded, and declared the AGM closed. As your correspondent observed over dinner, to have one AGM in a year is all well and good, but to have two within 4 months is excessive, even for a club with our unconventional constitution.

Style never goes out of fashion

It's all in the detail, you know

Keeping hoodies off the streets - At home with the Howard's

Water water everywhere, but only gin to drink. The VC & CWSC after a hard outing (but unlikely to be an early morning one)

The Chairman is delighted to present for inspection photographs of the VC, CWSC, Chairman & First Lady sporting our recently commissioned club kit, to which the VC and CWSC have enthused about since the delivery thereof like it’s going out of fashion (which of course such classic apparel never will). I understand that the Ambassadorial Abode has recently contemplated a sizeable order to be available for their collection whilst in Blighty, and the Chairman is confident that they will cut a dash whilst visiting the Metrop. in October. Than only leaves the Campion’s, who seem to have fallen foul to the adage the one can have too much choice. Either that, or they’ve been busy rebuilding their house, playing hockey and preparing for war. Anyway, enjoy.

Hoodie alert

The Chairman & First Lady are delighted to announce that they have placed their first order with Godfrey Sports for a matching pair of hooded tops. These should hopefully be ready in time for the state visit in September/October, and will no doubt help stave off the autumnal chill from early mornings on the river. Or not, as the case may have it.

To cap it all....

Hot off the press from Godfrey Sport, I am delighted to announce that due to constraints of space, the cap badge to go on the club baseball cap is to be as shown above, which I have confirmed is in order. How kind of Godfrey to show such attention to detail – an excellent opportunity to reward their endeavours with a kit order, perhaps?

The CWSC, who shows no sign of the stresses and strains of 11 years in the chair

Many happy returns of the day to the Chair of the Wines & Spirits Committee, who is 36 today. Unlike Vice Chairman, the CWSC shows no visible signs of age, and is, properly considered, in her prime as I’m sure you will agree this photograph shows. The pirate trousers are an acquired taste, perhaps, but I’m sure you will agree it’s what you’ve got on top that counts. Or so the VC tells me, anyway. Happy birthday Marie.

Guess who's 35 today?

The VC, bearing the customary two drinks as usual.

Many happy returns of the day to the Vice Chairman, who today reaches the grand old age of 35. Not that you would have thought so to see him, as in this photograph, he looks more like 40. Then again, you should see how old he looks in person.

Happy birthday Vice.

Tempus Pro Embroideredcrestio

The Chairman with Tom from Godfrey Sports at Henley in July

Good work - It's only taken me 16 years to sort this out

The Chairman is delighted to present, courtesy of the fine folk at Godfrey Sport, a picture of how the embroidered crest will appear. I have approved this work, which appears to have been embroidered on lycra, hence its appearance. I hope you all approve.

Teaching Civilisation to the barbarian

The Devil makes work for Idle’s hands

So to Adelaide, where the Chair of the Wines & Spirits Committee is about to commence something resembling full time employment whilst Ruby is entrusted to professionals during the business hours of the day. All in all, a quite important turn of events in Ruby’s short life thus far, and also important for Marie, who had a bonding lunch with her new team on Saturday with Ruby in tow. All the VC had to remember to do was to do the shopping, as the Adelaide abode was bereft of provisions.

A simple enough task, one would have thought, but what should the CWSC find upon her return? No food, the car engine still cold and the VC unmoved bar the visit to the cellars to choose a bottle of wine for the afternoon which was spent playing Civilisation, a computer game which can last for days if the quest for global domination goes well. As the VC said to me only yesterday, “It’s lucky Ruby likes cold Chinese food for breakfast. And that I was wearing a suit of armour when Marie got home.” And to think that the VC feels hard done by the soubriquet “Idle Vice”…..

Tempus Pro Blendio

Not a classical method for testing the nose of a port, I would respectfully suggest.

No Captain, surely not the sherry as well?

Save time on port blending by decanting both of your ropey old bottles of port at the same time

It’s not only the Cox who lays claim to that of master vintner of the WRC (and laid out guests who historically over-imbibed on her splendid vintages of yesteryear). As the above picture taken at the AGM shows, the Captain of Boats celebrated hosting the first Annual General Meeting since 2004 by creating his own blend of port for the occasion, which the VC and Chairman sampled following the early departure of the Captain due to over-exercising, the ladies having forsook the port for the sake of their relative sobriety. Following on from the last efforts the club made in the field of blending drinks, this could properly be considered a success. Even if the Captain's blend was a tad tart.

It was seven years ago today....

Close but no cigar - The WRC at the wedding of the Chairman to the First Lady in 2002

Congratulations to the Vice Chairman & the Chair of the Wines and Spirits Committee on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. It seems like only 7 years ago, I’m sure you will all agree. As I do not have any digital images at my workplace of their own nuptial celebration, you will have to make do with a picture of your correspondent’s own wedding, which followed two years later. At least Ed & Marie are on it, and were hugely helpful with our own wedding, as I hope we were with theirs. And to think, this momentous occasion will pass without a drop passing their lips, the VC & CWSC being on a self-imposed detox as a result of mild over-indulgance whilst in Blighty. Worry not though , as the First Lady and I shall raise a toast in their honour this evening. Even if the occasion is a dry one in Adelaide.

The seventh (or eighth?) WRC AGM - 6.vii.2007

Attendees at the Annual General Meeting, the definitive contradiction in terms if there ever was one

The Chair of the Wines & Spirits Committee, who as ever did her job most ably as ever, and the Chairman sporting the newly commissioned WRC shemagh

The CWSC, the Treasurer and the First Lady prior to dinner

The 5th item on our extensive agenda

The VC posing with the loving cup

The Captain, just prior to his early departure

So, somewhat belatedly, the Chairman is delighted to reproduce for your entertainment pictures from the recent AGM held in Carterton. The Agenda ran to the customary seven courses, brilliantly executed by the Treasurer who worked very hard to ensure a splendid time was had by one and all. The Captain was keen to ensure a similar conclusion, but accidentally went to a dinner night the previous evening, thus precluding any assistance in respect of the forthcoming festivities by his own hand. Going out for a run at lunchtime on the day of the AGM cannot have helped much either, which proved to be a self-fulfilling prophecy after he fell asleep with a thud after the sixth course. No matter – we struggled on as a quintet following his early departure, which followed only shortly after that of the Secretary, who took the minutes at her first AGM, the first for three years and the first minutes taken in joined-up handwriting. Toasts to absent friends were drunk from the newly commissioned WRC loving cup, as were toasts to our hosts, the Club and the Queen, after which the CWSC, First Lady and Treasurer went out for a swift Romeo y Julieta with Aligene whist the VC and Chairman washed up and looked after the children. And to think, this is only the first AGM due to be held this year. Even when it rains, as it does in a biblical fashion as your correspondent writes, the sun always shines on the Witham.