Christmas Meeting with partners, 6.30pm

Christmas Meeting 15/12/2025

Musical entertainment. Quizzing, Poetry and an Award Ceremony  – this meeting had it all, with a recurring theme of Christmas and Rotarian Kathy Hobson!

The musical entertainment was provided by Sheila Harrod and the Kentwood Show Choir.  A baker’s dozen of lovely ladies with wonderful voices singing a selection of Christmas songs, carols and Musical Theatre.  Including a rousing “You’ll never Walk Alone” as they walked around among us saying hello and exchanging handshakes.   Our very own member, Kathy Hobson, was one of the lovely ladies and Sheila surprised her by requesting her to be the lead solo in an unrehearsed “The World in Union”.  Absolutely delightful.

Pictures above.

Kathy again – she handed out papers for a fun Christmas themed quiz.  There were no prizes on offer, just as well as although some questions were simple, others were impossibly hard.

At our Christmas meetings, we can rely on our very own Pam Ayres, aka Linda Goodearl, to amuse us with a newly written Christmassy poem and this year was no exception.   Her poem is at the end of the page.

Kathy again – and another big surprise for her.  President Mike awarded her with a Paul Harris Fellowship.   A well deserved reward for Kathy who constantly goes above and beyond for Rotary and for our Club.

Pictured above.

All in all a very enjoyable meeting which was further graced by the presence of a delightful young couple from India.  Joining us for the first time were new “Friends of Rotary”, Sreeharni and Adhavan.  They moved to Swindon about 3 years ago and are looking forward to staying here.  And we are looking forward to them joining us again soon.

THE PARTY.
Written by Linda Goodearl.

There’s going to be a party, hip hip hip hooray,
It’s going to be in the village hall and a brass band’s going to play;
We all can dress up very posh – put on our very best,
Yes Jimmy you must have a bath and put on a clean vest!

We’ll decorate the hall just right with lots of pretty holly
Some lights and mistletoe as well – it will look very jolly;
Tom be careful on that ladder I think it’s going to wobble
Oh dear oh dear-well never mind – you’ll have to learn to hobble.

Polly said she’d make the punch - I hope it’s not too strong
‘Cos last year several glasses made the vicar sing a song;
It would have been o.k. if he had sung the proper verses
But his version of the carol was rather full of curses!

Don’t let Mavis make the mince pies – I know she just means well
But we can’t afford the Dentist’s bills as last year’s claim will tell;
And Harry’s sherry trifle could be risky in the hall,
Don’t put it near a naked flame unless the Fire Brigade’s on call!

We can dance around the Christmas tree if we put it in the middle
And Dan can play a little jig upon his trusty fiddle,
We must be careful this year not to get in such a tangle
As last year’s dizzy heap produced a damaged dingle dangle!

So get the glad rags washed and pressed – no that skirt is much too short
You’ll have Alf’s eyes come out on stalks and make the people talk;
Those heels are high – your knees will ache – a price you’ll have to pay
But they might be handy weapons when the boys come out to play!

So come on now let’s have a ball – its Christmas after all
No good waiting in ‘cos Santa might not even call
Leave a list out by the chimney with a mince pie and a sherry
For a dance around the hall will be much better than the telly!