Albany MYC Christmas get-together at Warner’s Hotel, Runneymede

Albany MYC Christmas get-together at Warner’s Hotel, Runneymede 8th-9th December 2024

Sixteen members of Albany MYC were booked into Warner’s newest venue in the Runneymede Hotel, arriving on Sunday 8th December, leaving on Monday 9th. Unfortunately, Chris Barry had to cancel due to a bout of ‘flu, leaving 15 members to enjoy what Warner’s had to offer.
Members gathered from 11am onwards and made good use of the bar for drinks and lunch.

Tony & Sharon, John & Geraldine, and Russ & Mary signed up for an archery session in the afternoon, with Sharon displaying a hitherto unknown talent for the sport, scoring several good “bulls”. Other members went for a swim. At 5.0pm, eight members gathered in the bar for the pub quiz. This consisted of two rounds, one identifying celebrities and locations from their photos, and a second of 20 general knowledge questions. The Albany team finished joint first. The winning team was decided on a tie break question which was to guess the combined age of the five bar staff. Remarkably, Albany won with an answer only three years out! The prize consisted of the “Runneymede Rubber Duck” and a copy of the Magna Carta scroll.

Everyone gathered at 7.15pm for dinner. It had been decided that this should be a “black tie” event. Albany certainly scrub-up well! The meal itself was very good. After the meal, we gathered in the theatre for a show and dancing. The Commodore even managed a dance with Sharon– an emotional moment, as he had promised her, he’d dance again after his accident earlier in the year. A few tears flowed, especially when the whole group gave them a “strictly come dancing” group hug as the music finished. At the end of the show, Albany comprised almost the total audience remaining. How’s that for staying power! We then adjourned to the bar, where there was more, impromptu, dancing to the accompaniment of a very good singer.

The following morning, members gathered for breakfast, wearing their best Christmas jumpers.

Special thanks must go to our Vice Commodore, John, for organising such a successful event, especially as it was not without its problems – Warner’s at one point trying to charge us twice for the rooms!