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Celebrating 40 years of fun and friendship
President: Paul Weaver
Secretary: Ken Collins
Treasurer: Peter Edwards
Monthly Lunches
We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the Tottington Manor Hotel to enjoy each other's company, lunch, and, often, listen to a speaker.
8 July - with guest speaker Michael Carroll talking about the "Pharmaceutical Industry"
12 August - Annual General Meeting and Presidential Hand-over
9 September - with a guest speaker
14 October - with a guest speaker
11 November - with a guest speaker
9 December - Our festive Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings
Our Past Year
2 June 2026 After lunch our guest speaker Frank Hurst gave us a most interesting illustrated talk on the subject of "Drug Smuggling"
13 May 2026 Ian Currie, our incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker, talked about his pet subject, “The Wonderful World of Clouds” (those in the sky, to avoid any misunderstanding). To most of us they do little more than provide a fabulous backdrop but not to Ian. He told us that clouds are harbingers of the weather. Historically and along with personal experiences, they influenced the phrases, sayings and observations used by those working outside to help indicate weather patterns. Bearing in mind these people knew little of the physics of the atmosphere, let alone what was happening at 33,000ft plus and many miles away. We learnt that it was not until the early 19th century when the amateur meteorologist Luke Howard produced a scientific classification of clouds and their behaviour patterns leading to ten definitions and countless segregations which are still used to this day. So look to the sky, learn your stuff and banish all clothing indecisions. (ML)
8 April 2026 Are these people heroes or not? Forty-five minutes of astonishment as we Members listened to a lecture from Dr John Wyatt MBE, PhD. An explosives consultant who had grown to the top of his profession not only by making bombs safe but also by giving expert advice on the consequences and avoidance of explosive detonations. His career had started as a bomb disposal officer in the Army. It had taken him from the “Hermann” and “Satan” bombs of World War 2 to the frightening IEDs of today’s terrorist. Rarely was he scared but often lonely when he only had a bomb for company. He spent time in the employ of the Security Services. He advised on Lockerbie, First Gulf War, Falklands and the Troubles in Northern Ireland to name but a very few of his theatres. His views were sought on protecting the Crown Jewels, the Shard and the British Museum from explosive devices. He knew a bit about assassinations as well! Forget about cutting blue wires, we heard how it is really done. (ML)
And if that wasn't exciting enough, there followed our Grand National sweepstake draw when our Social Secretary explained the not-so-simple rules. But, apparently, someone will win something! Maybe!! (ML)
11 March 2026 “We do not appreciate how good things are today”. With these words Andrew Relf launched into his educational and entertaining lecture on how all drugs and treatments have come a long way from the Victorian Operating Theatre to today’s High Tech Theatres. He emphasised that the research backing this extraordinary process unfortunately takes time. Rarely is there a quick fix. Oft possible solutions appear from the most unlikely places and thoughts. Then and only then are they subjected to much testing before they reach the “Gold Standard”. Andrew named many pioneers of medical history and paid homage to their discoveries: antibiotics, vaccines and anaesthetics to name but a few. All have helped in significant medical and hygiene advances. Making our life more comfortable and helping increase life expectancy by about 30 years. Nor is the common cold forgotten! The 31 members present applauded a great lecture. (ML)
11 February 2026 President Paul was pleased to induct Mark Foss as a new member.
This was followed by a talk by Mike Scott Rumble entitled"Lucky Breeze – The Rise And Fall of the British Airship Service". He noted at the outset that it took a mere fourteen years from inception to conclusion. To an intrigued audience, Mike recounted how those behemoths of the sky developed from technology learnt from the downing of a Zeppelin in 1916. He included the R34 which made the first and only two way Trans-Atlantic flight in July 1919. But also the Airship R120 where hubris and inefficiencies allowed this 770 foot long monster to take to the clouds in 1930 on a flight to India. It crashed across the channel in the town of Beauvais just 300 miles away. This fatal trip brought the ambitious project to an end. (ML)
14 January 2026 After lunch, our guest speaker, Jo Larcombe, gave us an amusing life-story about how she changed career from being a disillusioned college teacher to children's book writer. Her talk, "Losing the plot – from teacher to writer in countless steps" evidenced her determination and drive to overcome some of life's obstacles - and to succeed.
10 December 2025 Christmas lunch with all the festive cheer.
12 November 2025 Guest speaker Graham Feest on “Transport Traffic, Safety Roads”.
8 October 2025 Guest speaker Pat Langford on"The human and the divine: the art and craft of Chichester Cathedral" .
10 September 2025
Our speaker, David Bickerton, followed up an earlier talk on “Finding and Sinking the Bismarck”, with a very well received talk on “Operation Husky – The Allied Invasion of Sicily”.
David’s father had been involved in this Second World War operation and he had therefore conducted detailed and extensive research into the invasion of Sicily. Members of the Club were treated to an explanation of the leadership, Allied countries, troop, aircraft and naval numbers involved in the campaign.
13 August 2025 Annual General Meeting. Paul Weaver succeeded Peter Edwards as club president for 2025-26.
12 July 2025 Recruiting at the West Chiltington Village Show.
9 July 2025 Our very own Dr Les Allen-Williams talked to us about the future of the human race and its “Extinction” or otherwise.
A noted academic, Les gave an interesting, informative and humorous presentation which drew on the wide range of theories relating to the extinction of numerous varieties of creatures ranging from the dinosaurs, through Dodos and Tasman Tigers to the expected demise of homo sapiens.
Apart from the speculation concerning the demise of dinosaurs, Les gave clear evidence of the impact of homo sapiens on the extinction of many creatures. Destruction of habitats and eating creatures were just two examples of how this extinction has come about.
As for the eventual demise of homo sapiens, Les pointed out that history shows us that it is just a matter of time. As it is impossible to determine the timescale for such an event, He concluded that everybody should just enjoy themselves!
4 July 2025 Friends Afternoon Tea.