Chirstmas Party

Obviously this had to be a Christmas party with a difference. We all sat in our own homes, with those who wished wearing silly hats and/or other Christmas gear and, in some cases, with a glass of some suitable beverage. We were joined by some members’ spouses and by Angela Dickman, one of our former members and a Past President. She is now Vice President of the Rotary Club of Maldon.

We all sang Christmas carols and songs, led by “Santa” John Scammell (pictured right) on his guitar and ukulele with the words shown on our screens. Trying to sing together over Zoom was, shall we say, an interesting experience. Because of the delay in relaying the sound through the Internet, different people ended up singing the lines at slightly different times. The sound quality through various computer speakers wasn’t that great either. Actually it all added to the fun!

The singing was interspersed with readings from members. These included some well-known and some lesser-known pieces. President Jan gave us some topical Christmas cracker jokes. To give you a flavour:

• What is Dominic Cummings’ favourite Christmas song? - Driving Home for Christmas.
• Why are reindeer allowed to mix together? - Because they have herd immunity.

We finished with a rendition of “Winter Wonderland”, which John Scammell told us had been the most popular Christmas song in the members’ poll.

Then we came to what is now one of our Christmas party traditions, the announcement of the member awarded the Harry Hatcher Shield for this year. At the beginning of December each year members send our Secretary their nominations for the member they consider to have made the most outstanding contribution to the Club, Rotary or the wider community during the year. The Shield is awarded to the member receiving the most nominations. In the event of a tie the President has a casting vote. This year the Shield was awarded, not unsurprisingly, to Philip Smith (pictured left). Since the first lockdown Philip has worked tirelessly to publish a regular online Club Bulletin to help keep up the close contact and fellowship among our members.

In thanking members for awarding him the Harry Hatcher Shield, Philip paid tribute to all those other members who had given him items for publication in the Bulletin, without which there would regular publication would not have been possible.