KC&RC AGM

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The AGM of the KC&RC was held in the village hall.  Barry stepped down from the committee.  Richard has taken up the post of Chairman; his main concern was he going to have to use computers. Mick to continue as secretary and Ian as the treasurer.  I am still on the committee.

We decided to keep the club running in the same form.  Some discussion on purchasing automatic traps, but again we have a couple we can use. Could we also advertise, or do something to get new members into the club.  Peter said the P&A were coming to the Boxing Day shoot.  Some members thought this was worthwhile and we should help and try and recruit a few

To the pub for a few pints of beer and some sandwiches, chips etc

Weekend in Norwich

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This weekend we visited Norwich to see Ann and Mike.  Quick drive over on Saturday morning, thought they were all out when we arrived.  No car, no dog.  Nice bean soup for lunch, then we were dropped off in Norwich to do some shopping while they went to Aylsham

Walked around Elm hill, not seeing much, we then proceeded to Country and Eastern to look at rugs etc.  Here they pointed us to their larger shop at the old ice rink.  Beautiful building filled with Persian rugs and furniture.  Purchased an Afghan rug, and called Mike and Ann to pick us up

The evening was spent drinking, doing crosswords and training.  Managed to show Mike how to browse the Internet, and see the pictures we had taken of Peter, Nick and the children before they had departed to NZ

Sunday was a horrible day, raining all day, cold and miserable.  More reading of papers, more Internet training and lunch.  Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Left at around 5.30 after the Brice’s arrived, for yet another quick drive home

Oxford with the Elevon team

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While Karen Yanson was over here from the Elevon Chicago office discussing our implementation of XML, we decided to take a break in the evening and head over to Oxford. A quick tour of the city on foot and then a curry.

Shooting

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Today was a club shoot at the Kingswood Clay and Rough Club. About ten people turned up for a shoot on Pete’s farm. Afterwards I did a bit of wood cutting in the grave yard, and then said goodbye to Rikki from the Plough and Anchor. He is moving on to the Bull and Butcher.

Support the firemen

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This is the content of a flyer from the Egham fire station. It makes some very good points.

On Thursday 11:15 pm, Egham’s Firefighters left their picket line and answered a call to a serious traffic accident on the Windsor Road. On arrival the crew were faced with a serious Road Traffic Accident with a young man trapped in his car, with what we can only describe as critical injuries. The Green Goddesses and the Navy Rescue Tender had already been on scene for ten minutes although no real progress had been made.

After standing down the army, the Egham’s Crew, now accompanied by the Rapid Intervention Vehicle from Chertsey Fire Station, took 15 minutes to cut the casualty out and transfer him to the ambulance.

Despite the Navy Rescue Tender having the same cutting equipment as the regular Fire Engine, the personnel were still using hacksaws to remove the windscreen. The Doctor at the scene stated to Egham’s Crew – If you had not turned up, then this man would still be in his car this morning.

We are not blaming the Army lads for their efforts, as this is not
their job. But this accident we feel clearly demonstrates the point, that even if you are provided with the necessary equipment to carry out the task, you still need the TRAINING, the SKILLS and the EXPERIENCE to save someone’s life.

For this expertise and numerous other skills we are currently paid £6.50 an hour. All we want is £9.00 an hour. Is this really too much to ask.

Kingswood Clay and Roughshoot Club

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Busy weekend. Selina was home to see Graham, and the KC&RC were hosting a League Shoot leg.

Saturday afternoon, (sun shining) was used to set up the shoot. Five stands with automatic traps were placed in the field and loaded with clays for a Sporting layout.

Sunday was a wet and miserable day. We did not expect many to turn out for the shoot, but they did and I was told that was more than the average for a league shoot attended. By the time we had cleared up it was 1 o’clock.

Guernsey

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Just got back from a holiday on the island of Guernsey. Flew out on Saturday morning the day before the storm struck the UK. Sunday was fun standing on the cliffs leaning into the hard wind, and driving the car along the North coast road being covered with sea spray. A few fences blew down around the hotel.

The rest of the week was peaceful, and warm. Did several walks and generally ended up walking in tee shirts.

Visited Herm where Rosemary picked up lots of shells. This was one day when the sun never shone, it was very misty, but warm. Even the top of Herm was out of sight, and there was no way you could see Guernsey from Herm. This was a short visit to Herm, out on the 8.30 boat and back on the 12.35. Wanted lunch and did not really fancy fried Scampi, so we rushed back and over to the Auberge restaurant which is South of St. Peters Port. Lovely views if the weather was clear.

Most days we ate out at least once. This was usually lunch. Food seems much better then it was ten years ago. Maybe it is because we go to better restaurants. The Grande Mare Hotel, where we stay though was a lot better then it was ten years ago food wise. We used to be disappointed when we ate there, but now they seem to do some really decent meals. The last lunch we had had at the hotel was excellent value, and very good for a three course meal in the Islands Tennerfest initiative. This Tennerfest initiative runs during October and the first part of November. Participating restaurants produce lunchtime meals for ten pounds. Generally they are pretty good quality and value. 

Friday was the one bad day when it drizzled all day. We really did not do much other than have a swim in the pool and lunch at the hotel. You need these wet lazy days.

Sloe Gin

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Friday night, Saturday morning there was a hard frost. So with ladder and bags we crossed the field and collected Sloes for the Sloe Gin. Last years Sloe Gin was a bit bitter, so this years mix was changed slightly.

o Fill 1 litre bottle with Sloes
o Fill with Gin (will be about 500 ml)
o Add 4 ounces of sugar.
o Keep for a year and decant.

The difference this year is we are using a little more sugar, and the Sloes were collected after a frost.

We collected far too many Sloes. There was a very good crop. We did not have to venture on to any and, other than our own to collect the Sloes. The extra Sloes we gave to next door, and John Curd.

Garden work

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Yesterday and today I have spent several hours working in the graveyard cutting down many dead Elm trees which have succumbed to Dutch Elm dieses. I thing we will have to replace some of these trees with other English woodland trees.