Fat Neck – The Chairman competing at the 154th University Boat Race

Bottom left if you're eyesight is too bad

Just in case you missed the ITV coverage of the 154th University Boat Race on Saturday (which included 1 hour 15 minutes of “build up”, but omitted the Isis-Goldie race), you might have missed the extra member of the “Oxford crew” who helped his Father’s alma mater celebrate their 74th victory in the race in front of a worldwide audience of aprox. 100 million viewers and was drenched in Champagne for his trouble. Watch closely at aprox. 1 minute 40 seconds for a chap in a red jumper and a receding hairline, who was greeted in the post-race reception by an American member of the Oxford crew with the words, “Hey, you’re the guy from the podium”. Karl Power eat your heart out!

Speak and ye shall be heard

Blending in with the locals last October in Giza

Just in case you were not aware, your Chairman is due to address his other club, the New Sheridan Club next Wednesday, in a similar ensemble as to that in which I appear above. As the NSC site puts it so aptly,

Matthew “The Chairman” Howard will bluff his way on The Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians (revisited). He styles this as the "Lady Malvern Memorial Lecture". (Lady Malvern was introduced in Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest—or Series 3, episode 1 of the television series. She was noted for writing books such as India and the Indians after only the briefest of visits and hoped to write a companion volume on the United States after having spent less that a month therein, on the grounds that one of her friends wrote America From Within after a visit of less than a fortnight. Mr Howard spent two weeks on the Sinai Peninsular last October, and visited Cairo for two days, and hence feels amply qualified to deliver an informed insight into his chosen subject, one first addressed by the anthropologist E.W. Lane in 1836, and long overdue for re-examination. You have been warned.)

Never a truer word said in jest, although I thought the “you have been warned” a tad ripe. Wish me luck – I think I’ll need it.

This could make the news, you know

No expense spared (and very little incurred - the mount

cost more than the frame, you will be surprised to note)

Members and friends might like to see the framed masterpiece from the Chair of the Fine Arts Committee which the Chairman is due to deliver to the Royal Academy for "consideration" next week. Even if I say so myself, “I Predict a Riot” does look rather fine, and I am confident Ruby has a long and illustrious career ahead of her in the world of the arts. I mean, if she’s half as good as her mother is at painting, she will be twice the painter her father ever was. And you can’t get higher praise than that, can you?

Beating the Royal Academy into submission

I Predict a Riot (c) Ruby Alice Carter CFAC WRC

You will be delighted to know that the Chairman has arranged for submission of the Chair of the Fine Arts Committee’s first artistic offering for consideration of the hanging committee of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, with the application for her first work being submitted today. In recognition of the fact that the Kaiser Chiefs named their song “Ruby” after the Chair of the Fine Arts Committee, Ruby suggested to the Chairman by the medium of telepathy that the picture should be titled “I Predict a Riot”, perhaps the Kaiser Chief’s finest hour to date, which is hopefully the reaction of the hanging committee when they consider Ruby’s endeavours. Ruby had originally submitted a picture entitled “Fire and Flames” for consideration, but as the picture was almost the size of the Bayeux Tapestry (but not quite so detailed), the Treasurer thought that the framing budget of “£20 max.” might be “stretched slightly”, as the Captain might have put it in his characteristically understated style……

Putting on the Ritz

....and a jacket and tie, of course.

The First Lady & Captain after a good lunch in the early spring sunshine

The Vice Captain of Boats, 1 week prior to release from plaster prison

No biting. Grrrrrr....

The finest beef in N21.

Some photos of the weekend with the Campos, sans the Secretary, who had a prior engagement at a sleepover. As you can see, the Vice Captain of Boats is still sporting her plaster cast, the Treasurer a gum shield (a precaution insisted upon by the Captain) and the Captain a vintage WRC t-shirt from the Rogan era (pre-Crimewatch). As you may note, the Captain is defying the aging process as only he (and Grecian 2008) knows how, with his pre-birthday lunch at his club consisting of a large G & T, 2 bottles of wine, port and a Vesper Martini at the Ritz to finish us (no sorry, the lunch) off. Oh yes, and three courses of the club’s finest fayre. And a bowl and a half of nibbles at the Ritz.....

He wanted to be a diplomat, you know.

I blame the parents, myself

It seems scarcely possible to believe that the Captain has made it to his 39th birthday, which you will be delighted to know that he celebrates today. I mean, statistically, you would have thought he might have been “winged” once or twice in his high profile position on the front line, but perhaps defence psychiatry is a little less dangerous a profession than is painted by the Captain. Still, as the Captain will tell you (ad nauseum), he has survived the combined forces of the Mick, the Mad Mullahs, the Taliban and the Iraqi insurgents, not to mention the Hun who he encountered whilst in continental Europe. In fact, the closest he came to being shot was in Cyprus, where he asked for a Turkish coffee in down-town Larnaca, but that’s another story. Anyway, many happy returns of the day, Captain. Here’s hoping you make it to 40, at the very least.

Scruff Ahoy!

What do you do with a drunken sailor? Especially after the Melbourne Cup....

The spirit of Maria Hardy, who encouraged cross-dressing with menaces at Hawthorn Road in the 1970’s, is alive and well in the Colonies, as recent evidence from the Antipodean Ambassadress amply demonstrates. By the look of things, Captain Consul General is looking for scruffy pirates to make walk the plank. Let’s hope that the Vice Chairman smartens his act up, otherwise I fear for his long term future. Especially as and when Long John High Commissioner Sam catches up with him……

Get well soon Daisy

Don't be glum, Daisy. As a result of global warming (discuss), summer's just round the corner...

The Vice Captain of Boats & Treasurer, wisely photographed behind perspex. Let’s hope her injury it doesn’t interfere with her playing with her DS Lite

As the Captain could no doubt attest, were he not constantly on the make at the taxpayers expense, if a little winter sports is a bad thing, just imagine what would happen if the whole family started sporting body warmers in anger whilst watching Dancing On Ice and Ski Sunday over the weekend. Well, as self fulfilling prophecies go, the Chairman’s forecast of broken limbs at Swindon ice rink has unfortunately come to fruition, as our Vice Captain of Boats has sadly broken her arm whilst skating, resulting in her sporting a plaster cast on her left arm. Living proof, if any were necessary that if a little exercise for children is a bad thing, just imagine what damage a full exercise regime may result in on the delicate frame of our junior members, as the Antipodean Ambassador was only conveying to me the other day.....

Never mind the shoes, just look at that hat.

Franz Klammer eat your heart out

Members, friends, Romans, taxpayers and sportsmen.

You will be delighted to know that the Captain has returned from the RAF Skiing & Freeloading Championships in one piece, and would have confirmed as much earlier except he had been spending the last week polishing his medal for 20th place in the men’s downhill championships. As the Captain put it himself,

Chairman,

Just in case you thought I may have been fraudulently taking taxpayers money and not using it for earnest endeavors, I attach a photo of me coming 20th (out of 96) in the Fiacalle Downhill race at Winterglem, Austria. The race is the 'Adventurous Training' bit that justified all the freeloading apres-ski.....

Glad that’s all cleared up then

Kate Moss eat your heart out

The First Lady with her new Posh Spice-lite haircut

A scarf fit for the Witham

Love is....Club kit.

Don't worry about the scarf Tiger - you'll grrrrr-ow into it.

For members inspection, the Chairman is delighted to present items old & new from the Club wardrobe. In addition to the First Lady sporting her new Club zephyr, the Captain of Boats is sporting the WRC polo shirt from the 1994 kit order, whilst the Treasurer is sporting the bespoke WRC scarf commissioned by the Chairman from Luke Eyres, the collegiate sportswear supplier for the discerning. Should members require any kit not previously made available to purchase by the Chairman, please let him know and he will see what he can do. As the VC was saying to me only the other day, you can never be too well dressed, and he should know.

Cobblers to the Captain

" Nice shoes, Captian."

"Shut it."

As a self-confessed foot fetishist, in the main attributable to a love for beautiful footwear, my eyes are often drawn to peoples shoes, and imagine my surprise when I found the Captain wearing these beauties when we visited the Carterton for the New Year. I can offer not comment on the image other than that the last time I saw shoes like these was on the opening credits for The Sweeney, which is considered quite retro nowadays. As ever, the Captain has his finger on the sartorial pulse – what would we do without him?

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.