The Lytham Meeting. Saturday 7th June 2008.

A full programme awaited members arriving at Lytham Assembly Rooms on a lovely June afternoon for the summer meeting. Pride of place in the perfectly arranged venue was taken by the display of highly polished trophies beautifully arranged by Competitions Secretary Olive Riley; the other end of the room was occupied by the well-stocked bookstall. Welcoming tea and biscuits were provided by the hard-working ladies who quietly and efficiently contributed to the friendly atmosphere which is so typical of these get-togethers.

President Eric Holt set the scene by greeting all members and Madam Chairman Elizabeth Ashworth, after asking Eric (in his role as General Secretary) to announce apologies for absence introduced the Reverend Stuart Westley, himself a member of the Association, who was to speak to us on the subject of ‘Lancashire Pride’.

Perhaps Stuart’s talk might have been called ‘Lancashire Pride – What’s That’ as a reflection of his disappointment (or perhaps ‘chagrin’ is the better word) that so often on his attempts to explore local sites of great historical interest and in which as Lancastrians one ought to feel great pride he was confronted by indifference or even ignorance. This was a most enjoyable presentation notwithstanding that all we at the meeting felt a bit sheepish and Lancastrians in general were given pretty low marks for their seeming indifference to county pride. But it was all good fun although perhaps Stuart has a point. One has to wonder, though. Was his tongue very much in his cheek?

Next on the programme came the presentation by the President of trophies and prize certificates and here it is appropriate to thank Olive Riley for her sterling work in dealing with all aspects of the competitions, the job she took over from Kathleen Wildman twelve months ago. It was a great pleasure to have Kathleen with us today. As always the highlight of the presentation ceremony is the announcement of the Writer of the Year and the name of Michael Finney was revealed to much applause. Michael also received, with the Geoffrey Handley Taylor Rose Bowl, the Lady Hulton Award.

After more tea and biscuits and visits to the bookstall our indefatiguable Eric put on his third hat as Master of Ceremonies and launched the entertainment spot. Marlene Talbot, Mary Cardwell, Betty Lightfoot, Charmian Coates, Ron Standring, John Clays, Jacqueline Davitt, Sandre Clays, Beryl Hall and Elle-Marie Hinchcliffe all contributed to an enjoyable session. Eric quoted from ‘The Record’ of 1938, the year in which the Batty Cup was introduced and gave us a reminiscence of that great past member Joan Townsend.

All good things come to an end and our President led us, as always, in the singing of Edwin Waugh’s ‘A lift on the way’ followed by our National Anthem – a good old tradition which saw us on our way with the sun still shining.