PRESENT: B.H, K.S, J.G, P.L, P.B, H.C, T.H, D.F, T.M, F.B, P.F.

RESULTS: 2 x 2’s posted by Mr.McKay and the Straggler who had a share of £2.20 and £1.40 carried forward from last week. DoD was Brains with 31 points. The DDoD was the Laird on 34 points. The Cardinal and the Geezer were joint runners up with 41 points. The winner and champine of the week was the indomitable Mr. McKay with a masterful  42 points.

The Straggler paid the entrance fee for the Lavender Hill Mob, namely Del, Des and Snoots, for the Chairman’s Quaich competition.

The Geezer’s cards realised a total of £2.40, whilst the swears total was £1.

APOLOGIES: Crocs, Jethro, El Mat and Biggles.

TOASTS: To the recently returned Laird, fresh from his trip down under and looking fit tanned and slightly rotund.

To the Cardinal in recognition of his victory in last week’s Senior’s competition.

LAST WEEK’S MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD OF EVENTS.

MATTERS ARISING: The Chair rather shamefacedly apologised for missing last week’s game. He apparently peeked out of the window last week, saw a feeble shallow smattering of snow on his garden and leapt back into the warmth of his recently vacated bed. He was under the misguided impression that his fellow MOHGS would have come to the same conclusion.

AWAY DAYS: There are 8 MOHGS interested in the trip to Dalmahoy. Crocs has booked 2 tee times, 10.00 and 10.08 for Friday at the Bridle Path. Six people signified their interest in attending although the weather looks rather iffy and there may need to be a rain check. Soapy suggested that participants may want to purchase hand warmers. There was a rather sour note when the Treasurer categorically announced that there would be no subsidy in the current stringent economic climate. The Comp. Sec. gave his blessing to the competitors in deciding their own format for the game. Brains, Soapy, Straggler, Crocs, Laird and the Rabbi will contest the match.

SOAPY’S DAY: Brains asked for a date for Soapy’s Day. Soapy remarked that he would prefer to play on the Monday closest to his 81st. birthday on June 10th. He further stated that he was prepared to put money behind the bar for refreshments after the game although he would be unable to replicate the same generous amount as his previous contribution. This gesture was warmly received by the boys.

Today’s meeting was in danger of fragmenting on several occasions and the Chair experienced difficulty in trying to hold it together, although he strove manfully to do so but he’s no John Bercow. The Cardinal suggested that he should make greater use of his gavel. The Chair agreed that he was remiss in under use of the gavel and would strive to remember to bring it to future meetings.

Tee times for next week are as per usual, 8.48, 8.56 and 9.04.

The Falcon apologised for his absence next week.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.10pm.

BURT E. KWOK( Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: P.L, P.B, J.G, K.S, B.H, T.M, P.F.

The Chairman was absent therefore his seat was adequately filled by the resourceful Rabbi.

RESULTS: There were no 2’s therefore the £1.40 will be carried forward to next week. DoD was the Cardinal with 26 points. The Geezer was DDoD with 30 points. The runner up was Brains on 36 points. This weeks champine was the ever popular Comp. Sec. Mr. B.H with a tremendous 41 points in incredibly difficult conditions.

APOLOGIES: Laird, Jethro, Matador and Biggles.

FINANCES: £1.40 was collected from the Geezer’s cards. £2.60 in swears. The geezer overpaid and has 4 swears in credit.

LAST WEEK’S MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A MORE ACCURATE RECORD THAN THE WEEK BEFORE.

MATTERS ARISING: The Cardinal reported that the restaurant formerly known as Saffron has risen from the ashes and will henceforth be known as Ephesus. He was unable to identify its ethnicity but was convinced that with that monicker it was likely to be Greek. There would have to be an advance party to ascertain its credentials before the real party. However Soapy continues to champion the Manzil and recommended the vindaloo to all serious aficionados.

The Cardinal discovered that the Marriott at Dalmahoy is offering 2 rounds of golf, dinner, bed and breakfast for £129 during the month of April. This rises by £7/ head during May. It was felt that May would be the better option weather wise. The Geezer has played the course but urged caution, since he found that after a couple of drinks, it was almost impossible to find his way back to the bedrooms because of the weird layout of the accommodation.

Carlisle and Selby courses were suggested by the Geezer although P.B said Carlisle was very wet when he last visited. P.L recommended Seaton Carew as an admirable links course.

The Rabbi has booked the tee times for next week: 8.48, 8.56 and 9.04.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 12.55.

BURT E. KWOK ( Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: P.F, T.M, P.B, F.B, P.L, C.M, K.S. D.Givens walked the course and St. Rappe attended the meeting but did not play. Conditions were extremely windy and intermittently wet which had a negative effect on the standard of play. C. M was heard to exclaim above the noise of the gale as we embarked on our adventure, “We’re lucky old gits.”

APOLS: Biggles, Brains, Laird and Falcon.

RESULTS: One two was posted by Kwok. DoD was the Straggler on 23 points. DDoD was Crocs  with 27 points. The runner up was Soapy with 31 points. The winner with 36 points in extreme conditions was the redoubtable Rabbi. The Chair is looking after Soapy’s winnings.

Last week’s minutes were disputed by several regulars and Kwok was forced to eat humble pie and apologise for several omissions and duff information, chiefly that the Senior’s captain is not the Chairman and that the swears cash amounted to £3.60. Swears cash this week, lest we forget is £1.60.

THE AMENDED MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED.

MATTERS ARISING: The cardinal announced that the Indian Restaurant known as Saffron, is no more, it is dead in the water, closed down, shut and no longer trading. If there were to be an exploratory advance party to certify the credentials of an Injun for gastronomic purposes it would have to be the Manzil.

TOASTS: To Andy Sullivan who won the South African Open.

Crocs announced that Vince’s mother had died on Sunday. The MOHGS were saddened by this news and send their sympathy to Vince and family.

BUSINESS OF THE DAY: The Chair revealed that the Hull v. Newcastle game is live on the telly on 31st. Jan and that he and the other member of the Executive may watch the game in the golf club. Other interested parties would be most welcome.

The Cardinal remarked that it would soon be necessary to bottom out the venues for away days and overnighters. Crocs revealed that the Bridle Path, did a deal on Fridays. Whitley Bay, Bellingham, Bedlington, Arcot and Garesfield were mentioned as possibilities. The Cardinal was also aware that Dalmahoy was offering a good deal.

The new golf club manager began work today. He is Matthew Bowman.

Tee off times next week are as usual, 8.48, 8.56 and 9.04.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.20.

BURT E. KWOK ( Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: P.L, K.S, P.B, C.M, B.H, F.B, P.F, J.G, H.C.

APOLS: J.G apologised for missing next week. Apols from E.E, Biggles, G.W and the Laird.

RESULTS: There was one 2 from Soapy on the 14th. Today’s game was played off club h/caps, since it was the first game of the New Year. DoD was St. Rappe with 28 points. The DDoD was the Falcon on 34 points. Runners up were the Cardinal and the Straggler with 38 points apiece. The champ for the day with 39 points was the ever popular Kwok.

THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

BUSINESS OF THE DAY: Soapy revealed that he had paid for swears that he had only thought about but not actually uttered. The gathering was impressed by his generosity of spirit and humbled by his openness and integrity.

The Chair was concerned by the lack of cash in the kitty and suggested that whole teams should be fined hefty amounts if they fail to ring the bells. The Cardinal would arbitrate in all disputes and set an appropriate fine. The Cardinal would like to grade the swears and charge extra for the biggies like f+++, c####, and k***, whilst words like b+++++ and b~ll~~~s! would receive a mild caution and a lesser fine. The Cardinal will no doubt draw up a list of offending words with the appropriate tariff for each cuss. The Cardinal himself was taken to task for omitting to distribute the Geezers cards. A vexed Cardinal responded with a tirade of abuse and then with good humour paid the price for his outburst into the swear box.

Little Burt E Kwok, asked for a stationery allowance, since he had been forced to go into his own pocket for a new minutes book. He was savaged by the Chair and the Cardinal who accused Little Burt of being parsimonious and told that if he wanted to keep his job he should button his lip and pay the stationery bill.

CHAIRS QUAICH: An entrance fee of £2/person is required for admittance to the competition, payable to the Cardinal.

TOASTS: To the Cardinal on his elevation to the Chairmanship of the Seniors.

GEEZER’S CARDS will be operative next week.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Chairman opened the autopsy by declaring that he felt that the atmosphere this year, lacked the zing and sparkle of previous festive get togethers. Reasons why, may have included the fact that the Cardinal and Crocs had other fish to fry, there was no dart board and we started the snooker too early. Most people appeared to enjoy the food. However it was proposed by the Chair, that an injun in the toon might be a more satisfying format and that it should be given more thought. The President suggested a trial run to check out the cuisine and St. Rappe cautioned that we wait until the clocks go back before embarking on the culinary adventure. This was agreed upon and will be discussed at a later date.

AWAY DAYS: The Cardinal thought it was not necessary to purchase County Cards as there were good deals to be had. Eyemouth and North Berwick, Whitley Bay and St. Andrews were all mooted as possible venues, whilst the Chair with a glint in his eye exclaimed that he would like to take Soapy along the Bridle Path. Was Hunley still on the list since we have had pretty poor weather on previous visits? It was agreed that another meeting was required to bottom out away days and possibly a steering committee to recommend venues.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.10pm.

Tee times next week are 8.48, 8.56 and 9.04.

Burt E Kwok ( Hon. Sec.)