Foxfield’s Country Hotel, Whalley Rd, Billington. BB7 9HY |
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Saturday 30th October 2021 |
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Welcome to Foxfields |
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| Here it was at last the event we have all looked forward to for over two years a trip to Foxfield’s for the Mark Ball. Set in a great location with all the leaves turning to gold, plenty of parking spaces, up the steps and once inside you are welcomed by the very pleasant reception staff with any information you may require, once you are signed in and handed your electronic room key you are soon in your spacious bedroom with its large comfy bed, separate dressing room and spacious bathroom. Now it was time to chill out before the Festivities began, have a coffee, a biscuit and watch some TV, or you could go for a pleasant stroll in the lovely surroundings. | |
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Glorious Surroundings |
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| Reception Awaits | |
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Always say Hello with a Smile
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| Now it was time to attend the reception, 6.30pm, plenty of friends old and new could be found having a good chinwag along with perhaps a Gin and Tonic, a glass of wine or whatever took their fancy, slowly everyone began find their allotted places for dinner. Once everyone was happy at their tables the PGM RW Keith Beardmore along with his wife June paraded into the room along with his Dep PGM VW Bro. Geoffrey Lee, the two Asst PGM’s W.Bro. Giles Berkeley and VW Bro. John Bicknell and their Ladies. | |
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The Tables Are Set |
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| Let the Fun Begin | |
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Asst PGM John & Jennifer
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| Asst PGM Giles & Sandra | |
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Keith & Geoff
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| Proceedings were opened with prayer of thanks from the Chaplain, Keith welcomed everybody for their attendance and once that was done the Festivities began, an excellent meal was served up by the very pleasant and attentive staff. At its conclusion Keith also had the pleasure to present several flower arrangements to some hard working people who had assisted in staging the event, one I do know of was Giles’s Mum who had a lot to do with the lovely seat coverings, I was also told by a little bird that Keith had assisted in fitting the chair covers earlier in the day, which all went to making the room look so good. | |
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Tony Harrison - Craft PGMG |
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| Jrand Stewards Leader Eric & wife Tegwyn | |
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The Band “The Backbeats”
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The First Dance |
Keep Still Giles |
| Once the meal came to an end and everyone began to relax the Band for the evening “The Backbeats” struck up with a traditional Waltz for the first dance, with June and Keith taking to the floor soon to be followed by others to accompany them. Some well-known tunes from several different decades soon had the floor filled with the revellers only dropping out when they were, shall we say slightly exhausted. A quick drink and they were back on their feet. | |
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Three Lovely Ladies |
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Keith, Kieron & Travelling Porphyry Stone |
Keith in Full Flow |
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| Eric said “is this one mine” | |
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| Eventually all good things must come to an end, if you didn’t make it this year get booked in for next year, after a really relaxing sleep on a huge bed we went down to breakfast and what a breakfast, everything you could possibly need served up by the welcoming staff. Loaded up the car, said our goodbyes to the few late-night revellers who were up early and off we went after what had been a really enjoyable weekend, it even saved me from going to the Etihad to see my team beaten, What Happened! | |
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| Happy Mark Degree | |
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We Agree
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| Only a short report but let the pictures do the talking, (see part 1 & 2) you can see how happy everyone is, after all it is the Friendly, Happy, Mark Degree, here’s to our next meeting. | |
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| Link to yet more photographs Click here | |
Stay Safe and Look After Each Other! |
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| Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173 | |
