Archived Reports for Ladies Lunches

"Broadcasting to the World: The Way It Was - BBC Part2"

By Margaret Hunter on Wednesday 3 rd December 2003

This function was held again at Cuddington Golf Club and supported by about ninety members and guests, this venue was again popular and made a change from our normal venue of Bourne Hall. The service at Cuddington was efficient, quick, and indeed most friendly, the meal was both enticing in choice, presentation, and quality, and the President in his vote of thanks remarked on these factors and duly thanked the staff.

After this excellent repast our President Ken Robinson warmly welcomed Margaret Hunter (left) to speak to us on part 2 of her time with the BBC, Margaret gave a quick resume of her first presentation at the last Christmas lunch and felt honoured to be asked again. To ensure there was little overlap she started at the very beginning of her long career with BBC, by recalling her early graduate days and the transition from a graduate to the start of her professional development.

Margaret recalled that her family had "genes" that seemed to indicate that teaching was the default status as many of her family were happily engaged in that sector of education.

But having a wish to be different, after gaining an honours degree in English and having a good grasp of both the Italian and French languages and a flair in music and debating. She found the advertisements for a BBC Controller nicely fitted her attributes and the possibilities both fascinating and appealing.

Margaret recounted her application procedure and the daunting "Board" type selection procedure most nerve racking and gave a humorous account of the procedures adopted. Needless to stay she was accepted for training, which was of a six weeks duration covering many aspects of the broadcasting techniques, not only speech and presentation, which she had expected, but the engineering aspects of technology current in those pre computer days, which reverted back to those science subjects she had ditched way back, having, chosen a classics type option.

She was able with her vocal impressions to make a boring subject list, such as Ohms Law interesting!

After completing the course and passing the final examination which was in the form of a Viva (oral examination) she passed onwards, not on to the front line as expected but as almost a shadower of the real players?

This meant being very versatile in many areas such as editing disc, sound desk, amplification control, microphone technology, and many other aspects. In each of these sectors Margaret was entertaining and humorous especially when she related this to some of the top personalities and their attitudes to minor staff and indeed their conduct. Perhaps it is best not to mention names on this site, but many of our members and guest understood the personnel, implications and were duly amused.

It was indeed a most absorbing presentation which laid bare many behind the scene aspects that we the general public are totally unaware of. Margaret emphasised that some of the advanced technology of the twenty first century, where the computer today controls a great deal more than those early days where manual dexterity was all important and the introduction of digital and massive disc abilities has made redundant many long acquired skills, many of which she had covered in her talk.

Never the less a most enjoyable presentation, indeed it has been whispered that the President will be using the microphone at the next meeting to develop his low and husky voice, with it's sex appeal!

The vote of thanks extended by Eric Hussey a member of the Committee indicated the pleasure of all members and friends who responded with generous applause.

On behalf of the guests the Presidents wife Sheila Robinson thanked the members of the Probus Club of Ewell for their kind invitation and for a most enjoyable presentation and very pleasant Christmas Lunch.

A collection for the Presidents charity Appeal on behalf of the North Surrey Multiple Sclerosis Group had raised £181.

The President, on behalf of all those present, thanked Richard Whittington for all his efforts in arranging what had proved to be a most successful day. He finally wished everybody a safe journey home, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

14th May 2003

My Life Behind Bars by Rev. David Wotton

Rector of the Parish of

St. Mary’s Headley (more details below **)

with St. Andrews Box Hill.

This meeting took place in the delightful setting of the Cuddington Golf Club. Seventy six diners and their respective partners enjoyed the meal served in the bright and well-furnished dining room.

The dinner started with grace offered by Rev. David Wotton our after dinner speaker, he offered two graces the second rather humorous, which went something along these lines.

"Lord we thank you for this food and these friends

For this we thank you

Make us able to enjoy both

But make us able to decide which we eat and which we just enjoy"

The President Ken Robinson introduced our speaker who gave an interesting review of his life behind bars that is prison bars in his capacity of a prison chaplain. Although David gave an insight into the other type of such a bar (of the pub) and indeed the formation of a bar he started with permission in the basement of his College during his period of theological training.

In the main gave case studies of various prison inmates both in a hilarious aspect and some rather pathetic circumstances.

He gave a whole series of examples, from his introduction of his first visit, managing to lock himself into a cell with an inmate who had an anti uniform attitude and later he found out could be unpredictable in his conduct to staff.

Gradually he gained more experience and was able to form an excellent relationship with the prisoners and help in their rehabilitation back on the road to rejoining society.

In essence he concluded his ministry followed the ethos of the scriptures which state: -

Romans 12:15

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice,

and weep with them that weep."

In his warm vote of thanks, the Vice President David Wood thanked the Rev. David Wotton for an interesting talk about a sector of life that very few Ewell Probus members had tasted or he hoped that was the case even though we have a high security prison very close to this venue. The membership responded with well-deserved applause and this left the Presidents wife Sheila to give an appreciative thanks on behalf of all the ladies present.

** St Mary’s church (left) was built in the 1850’s close to the site of a much earlier church which had become to small for the needs of the congregation. Stones from the old church helped to construct the new and stonework remnants are preserved in the churchyard in the form of a grotto built in memory of the Reverend Ferdinand Faithful the rector at the time of the rebuilding.

The church is a typical Victorian church with nice stained glass in the windows that is of various ages. The wood panelling is said to have come from Newgate Prison in London as a gift from the Cunliffe family of Headley Court. The choir screen is in memory of Theodore Evelyn Reece Phillips the rector of Headley until 1941 who was a very famous amateur astronomer and President of The Royal Astronomical Society. Headley's bells are not rung by a team of bell ringers but can be rung by one person from the choir vestry using a rope pull and hammer system. A modern lighting and sound system are in place to cater for the entire congregation during services.

Unlike many churches St. Mary’s is open to visitors during the day but with access to some areas restricted by alarms. The Church is positioned high on the North Downs and the spire is visible from much of London, along with Ranmore Church on the other side of the Mole Gap the churches are known as the North Downs Twin Spires.

Services are held every Sunday, precise details are available in the Parish Magazine. For information on special services and weddings etc contact the Rector. The majority of the old church records are lodged with the Surrey History Service at Woking.

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4th December 2002

"Broadcasting to the World: The Way it Was"

by Margaret Hunter

This function was held at Cuddington Golf Club and supported by 102 members and friends, this new venue was to obviate certain members disquiet about the quality of meals at our normal venue of Bourne Hall.

The meal was highly satisfactory and consisted of Parsnip Soup with Croutons, followed by Baked Breast of Chicken with Cranberry Sauce and Orange Stuffing, really delicious and a nice change from the traditional Turkey which can become much of a standard fare.

This was followed by either Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce or Rich Chocolate Torte with Cream, Coffee, Mints and Christmas Crackers a meal worthy of the best traditions of Probus.

Of course there was alternatives for those wishing a vegetarian type dish.

The atmosphere and facilities were considered a vast improvement on that offered at Bourne Hall: and provisional bookings have been made for the Ladies Lunches in 2003 to be at the Cuddington Golf Club.

This repast was followed by an excellent presentation by Margaret Hunter she started with a monologue ' MY GLANDS' and continued by talking about her past experiences in the media of broadcasting and the behind the scenes activities which in general are shielded from the public gaze.

The generous applause after the vote of thanks proposed by John Garlick indicated the pleasure of all members and friends.

On behalf of the guests Joan Youell thanked the members of the club for a most enjoyable and friendly Christmas Lunch.

A collection on behalf of the Boy Scouts of Epsom and Ewell had raised £217.

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Ladies Luncheon, Bourne Hall, Wednesday 1 May 2002

Following the recent and successful Christmas Luncheon our Summer Luncheon was held once more in Bourne Hall in the Merry Month of May.

As usual, there was a three-course meal with a choice of dessert.

Each Lady received a complimentary raffle ticket and a rose from the President.

About 55 Members and friends attended this most enjoyable occasion and were later enthralled with the military trappings used by the Roman legions. John Eagle talking (and dressed the part) on the subject

"A Roman Soldier Speaks"

Later the ladies were able to question John about the apparel from a feminine aspect! In the demonstration of the fighting sword we nearly lost our Ladies Luncheon Organiser, but with a quick duck of the head Richard , is still with us.

Ladies' Luncheon, Bourne Hall Wednesday December 5th 2001

The Christmas Luncheon was held in Bourne Hall by popular demand of the Members after a two year's period of trying other venues. About 70 members including their guests attended this happy occasion.

The large dining room suitably decked out met our needs, a bar service, a good quality meal at a reasonable price and in accordance with our usual custom Ladies were invited to this function.

The meal included, Cream of tomato and Coriander Soup followed by Roast Turkey with chestnut stuffing, chipolatas and cranberry sauce. The final course of traditional Plum Pudding or fruit Salad and Coffee and Mince Pies and Christmas Crackers. Each Lady received a complimentary raffle ticket.

The members enjoyed this occasion and were entertained by a script writer of well known comedies.

Members are invited to send their comments about the venue for future Ladies Days and to indicate if they are happy with the quality and service of the meal, Derek Youell can be contacted by e-mail, CLICK here.

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