2006 ANNUAL LUNCH

Friday 15th December 2007 @ 11:45 hours and here we are once again, assembled to enjoy the company of friends and colleagues at our annual feast. Once again the spread put on for us by BAWA was excellent and I believe much enjoyed by all those present. We numbered about 120 persons all told about on a par with numbers for previous years and I believe up just a little on last years lunch.

This year we had three invited guests. Dr Iain Gray, his secretary Ms Barbara Ward and Mr Martin Lang. Unfortunately Mr Lang was unable to attend due to illness but our other guests, though delayed, joined us and thoroughly enjoyed their time with us.

In previous years we have started the lunch at noon. This start time is always delayed as members not having seen each other perhaps for 12 months; renewed their acquaintance and conversations were joined all over the room leading to the inevitable delay in getting everyone seated and ready to go.

This year, we the committee decided to see if we could get things back on line by giving a little more conversation time with an earlier start time of 11:45 hours. That didn’t work as it allowed the members to get even more deeply involved in their onversations. The situation was further aggravated by the news that our guests were unfortunately delayed by matters that required their attention and attendance.

We did finally manage to get everyone seated within minutes of the arrival of our guests. Grace was offered by Mrs Dorothea Bartlett and dining commenced.

BAWA provided plenty of staff and the dinner was served quickly and smoothly and the finished servings were cleared just as quickly to the satisfaction of all concerned.

As the meal drew to a close, Dr Iain Gray took the microphone and addressed all present. He thanked the RMSA for the invitation to himself and his secretary and gave thanks for an excellent meal. He went on to give us an idea of what was happening on site with regard to Airbus activities. He gave the general impression that all was proceeding very much to plan in spite of some of the reported technical hitches. He advised that the A380 had received its certificate of airworthiness from both the CAA and the FAA and not to place too much credence in media reporting.

The Newsletter Editor stated to Dr Gray that one thing that would assist the members in understanding what was happening on site would be a formal input from Airbus to our Newsletter. Dr Gray agreed and stated that if we would advise him of our publication deadlines, he would see what could be done to achieve those ends. His secretary Ms Barbara Ward, will be advised of the appropriate dates.

Our Chairman Frank Webb then thanked our guests for honouring us with their presence and gave general thanks to all concerned for their efforts and attendance in making our annual event the success it has become.

The formal event terminated at about 3:00pm and a number of us moved to one of the lounges (as is our want) to discuss the projected days-out and the short break for 2007.

Watch future Newsletters for both events and booking forms.

Bill Brand