Newsletter: 141 for May 2008 Dave welcomed everyone along to this very emotive evening. Members were aware that since the last time we were all together, we had lost both Reg and Bob and the Committee had felt it only appropriate to take a moment out before the evening started proper to remember them. As it was The Tony Richards Memorial Competition night too, it was suggested that we think of both him and Tom Hooper aswell. All very sad. After everyone’s contemplation, Dave started with tonight’s notices which included a congratulations to him and his wife (Paula joined us this evening) were celebrating their 3rd wedding anniversary. This would be “leather” and I will only leave you that thought and say nothing more! He also let everyone know that we will be loosing original ACES member John Taylor next month as he and his wife will be moving to Yorkshire to live nearer to one of his daughters. Iris has been ill for some time and John needs some family support. We will miss you dreadfully John – one of the old boys who enjoyed many a meeting at Thomas A Beckett even when only 6 or 7 members turned up! We would have to appoint a new Auditor as the accounts for the AGM would require to be checked and Reg Moores has stepped into the breach for us. If he is happy to continue at the AGM we will see how members vote and he may well have got himself a job for life now! Huge thanks Reg and we know you’ll keep John on his toes. Martin and Nicky had been busy too and most members had seen them on Bargain Hunt and some had even bought the Daily Mirror to read their article. ACES had, of course, been mentioned. AGM agendas and voting slips had been distributed at the beginning of the evening with a reminder to have these back as soon as possible or at the very latest by next month please. Your Committee had held a meeting this last week to run through our accounts and we still continue to have a healthy bank balance. There will be some additional expenditure for the Tri-Wizard as we are hosting this year and categories had now been chosen to follow an Olympic theme. They are Magic of the Rings; Flaming Magic and Flags of the World. Any potential ACES competitors to come forward after the break. Each routine to be a maximum of 5 minutes in length. Nicky updated everyone on the Annual Dinner and letters and information had again been distributed. Menus would be available to all either by email or handed out next time we meet. Again please could she have your menu orders back quickly. We have organised a star lecture from Wayne Dobson for September’s meeting where we hoped to have many visitors. The other clubs in Sussex would also be made aware and flyers prepared for the Tri-Wizard night. So onto the Challenge Competition and unfortunately Robbie had got a very late booking in Bournemouth so was unable to take up his challenge against David C. The theme was newspaper and David showed us a piece of folded newspaper (just so long as it wasn’t Nicky and Martin’s Daily Mirror article) which he cut the top off only to produce a ring of newspaper again and again. Short but very sweet routine David and very well done. There was little doubt you’d win tonight but stranger things have happened here at ACES. So on with the Tony Richards Competition and tonight we had five competitors. Details of each member’s act are noted below and although not exhaustive (you should have been there to see them) hopefully give an impression of what went on. It’s worth mentioning that the theme for this competition is children and comedy. Stan was up first with a 3-part routine consisting of a “recycled” rope with two knots, a credit card fraud using John Holden’s visa-card came under the title “security” and the “mystery” of how the card chosen by Reg got into a brown envelope inside a blue envelope. Excellent stuff Stan as always especially as everything ended up in a recycled bin at the end. Peter took to the floor with a very good Max Bygraves impression wanting to tell us the story of the three ropes of unequal length. He finished off with a Tommy Cooper coloured painting appearance of a chosen card routine which was very nicely put together. Well done Pete although Nicky was sure you said last meeting you were going to do something with two glamorous assistants tonight? David C. took to the stage with his well rehearsed and very funny mime set using carnival and circussy music. There is some discussion that Martin and him will be starting a street act so keep your eyes and ears open as to whether they get this together. He finished with a very good levitation which would work very well on the streets. Enjoyed this David, good stuff. After the break potential competitors had come forward for the Tri-Wizard and our competitors were agreed as : Magic of the Rings - Mike Elvin Flaming Magic - David Croucher Flags of the World - Martin Lewis It was suggested that to give the President’s an opportunity to perform, we would get Chairmen to vote for winners this time. Nicky would prepare voting papers for use during the evening. The winner of the Challenge was, of course, David and John Holden challenged him to “manipulation” and both were warned that as the other two Clubs would be with us, it should be quick but very good. Looking forward to seeing this – is Pierre coming out to see us again, probably I think is the answer there! Mike Pettitt was up next with a story about Hung One and his magical Chinese sticks and friends Tissle and Tassle. John Holden helped with the next part of the act using Mike as Daphne his glamorous assistant and finishing with a smashing mutilated umbrella to “Singing in the Rain”. We’ve said it before and it we probably will say it again, that Mike really does have a trick for every occasion! Martin was last on with a great skipping rope routine, followed by putting his knife through David’s very nice jacket, following with a huge rising card effect (designed funnily enough by Martin Lewis) and finished by sawing David in half. It had to be done and for those members who couldn’t see, David was actually quite scared about this. Something to do with the power saw we think. Excellent performance Martin, some things there we hadn’t seen you perform before. Well the time at this point was 9.50pm and to save time in voting, Nicky went round asking for people’s votes and counting them up rather than using slips. The final count was really close (no, honestly it was this time!) with only one point between the top two but Mike eventually came out on top. I hope Brenda is strengthening their prize shelf at home as I think he has done rather well this year. Congratulations to you for this win and we’ll see if anyone can topple you next time. So it was the end of another meeting mixed with sadness and comedy and roll on next month were we will be hosting the Tri-Wizard. Friends and family are all welcome (just so long as they buy a cup of tea) and we’ll see you there. Meeting finished at 10.10pm. Post meeting – if anyone has any thoughts about who should win the Cock-Up Award this year, please let Nicky or Martin know, in confidence, as we don’t believe there have been any major unfortunate incidents this year. Thanks. Written by: Nicky Lewis |
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