Organised, very ably Claire Morrissey, the Dinner this year was held at the Watermillock, Crompton Way, with 85 team members and guests present.
Before the meal, there took place a presentation of a framed, 25 years Certificate For Long Service to Mountain Rescue, in recognition of 25 years service by team member and current team president, Bob Hutchinson. The certificate was presented to Bob in front of assembled guests by the Secretary of the MR – England & Wales, and long-time friend of the team, Peter Smith.
The excellent meal was followed by the presentation of the “Stanley Award” for The Most Promising New Team Member, awarded to Chris Gaskell, who joined us last year.
The Howard Hill Memorial Tankard, awarded to the person or persons making the greatest contribution to the team over the previous year was awarded to our Fundraising Officer Mark Dooley, in particular recognition of his vision and ultimate success this year in setting up a team support group.
As ever, and for the 20th year running, there then followed our annual “Alternative Awards Ceremony”, our version of the “Gotchas!”, where team members and some guests(!) were reminded of all their misdemeanours over the last year, with 19 different awards being made in 18 categories. Each award had been hand made, personally by our team leader, and followed on from his very well received and very hilarious review of the team’s year. As has become the tradition, Garry’s ramblings were subjected to a “Guess the length of the team leader’s speech competition”, which at 1 hour 43 minutes, was won by team member’s wife, Carolyn Sawyer, who donated back her winnings to the team, bringing in £84 to the team thanks to Garry’s after dinner speech.
Proceedings on the night (at least those we can report on!), ended with the drawing of 33 prize raffle which raised a further £236.
In total, the night raised for the team, besides the belly-laughs and hangovers the next day, a staggering £320.
Our many new guests all commented that they will be here again next year, if only to find out if they are the recipient of one of Garry’s infamous Gotchas!
