a new year ahead of us ..... 
There was a good attendance at the AGM on 5th December 2009 (around 50 members). Both the General Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were unanimously accepted and it was agreed that subscriptions for 2010 would stay the same. A new committee was elected which included some new faces as well as several stalwarts who have supported the club for many years, there was enthusiasm for the coming year. Thanks to all the members who took the time to attend and to those who took the trouble to write. The encouragement and support is always appreciated.
The new committee have already started work on the programme for the year and we can look forward to some really good evenings and days out so watch this site for future events. Current plans are promising to include several outings, some groups or tribute bands and Thames Riverboat trip. Click on our pages on the left for further info. Here's to the future....!
MARCH/APRIL 2010
We are getting ready for a good summer this year and our Social Secretary has been working hard on the programme with a number of outings and events arranged that will make the most of the sunny days. (Browse through the links on the left and see what takes your fancy). The Riverboat Cruise in May should be a great evening. We last used the MV Kingwood 10 years ago and we have done several of these trips before, always being very popular.
It seems our members like something to soak up their liquid refreshment so we are introducing more buffet evenings with our dances this year. As there is no additional entry cost - these evenings are good value so do come along, bring your friends and if you are a member not only is admission cheaper but you also get the chance to enter our membership draw which offers a cash prize for the lucky winner!
Every year around this time a group of us go off to a 60's weekend which for the last couple of years has been in Folkestone. This year was no exception and we all trooped off to The Grand Burstin Hotel to listen and of course, dance. Some of the legends are older now (aren't we all)! and can't always quite make the high notes, and the trousers are not quite so tight - but they are a wiz at playing their instruments and driving the fans wild. Lots of talk about the old days and the old hits that made them popular. There were around a dozen groups this year including Herman's Hermits, Union Gap, The Tremeloes and others. Anyway, the reason I am going on about this is because we have managed to book one of the legends for a big club event later in the year. We have done this sort of thing before having hosted Brian Poole, The Cufflinks, The Dreamers, The Fortunes, The Ivy League, The Merseybeats, Vanity Fayre...........and now you can see another group added to our list - their most famous hit was 'Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes' and it stayed at number 1 for 12 weeks in 1970 - have you guessed yet? Well it's Edison Lighthouse. Keep an eye on our calendar of events for full details.
So as we are about to celebrate our 32nd Anniversary with a Dance and Buffet it looks like the club is set for another year of varied activities to suit all.
Hope to see you sometime.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
The Annual General Meeting of the After Eight Social Club took place on Saturday 5 December at the Maldon Town Hall. The written reports of the General Secretary and Treasurer were unanimously accepted and the Committee's proposal to leave the membership joining fee as it is was also unanimously agreed. The new Committee and the auditors were elected.
The Chairman thanked the 2009 Committee and auditors for all their hard work during the year and in particular Bob, Denise and Shirley who had announced their intention not to seek re-election for 2010.
The Chairman pointed out that although the club had had a good financial year in 2009, it could not afford to run disco's that members did not want. The Committee would instead, concentrate on areas where we had been more successful.
The Chairman also thanked all those who helped with the AGM buffet.
Later in the year we hope to arrange a trip on a Thames Riverboat. We have done these in the past and they were very popular. There is usually an option of dancing on board as well as a buffet and bar.
We are joining Club Elite on Saturday 6 March for another Barn Dance. Last year it was very successful with over 100 dancing to music played by a local band complete with caller.
Sadly, Ivan Hillman, a long standing member of the club passed away after being ill for some months. His funeral was at the beginning of December and we would like to offer our sincere condolensces to his family.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
Despite gale force winds, a crowded boat and being bussed back from Tilbury where the boat was forced to stop - we had a brilliant day out on the paddlesteamer 'Waverley'.
Our next excursion is to the market town of Bury St Edmunds to their Christmas Fayre. It is the biggest in the region and last year ther were over 170 craft, gift and food stalls, a continental market, fun fair, Medieval market and the Cathedral gift fair. There were also over 70 different entertainers, acts and events, reindeer, bell ringers and the local school choirs. This year is expected to be bigger than ever and of course there is also the cosmopolitan town centre. The trip is on 28th November and full payment must be made by 14th November.
Our Christmas Dinner Dance is on 12th December and payment for this is required by 28th November. Both these events are likely to be very popular so please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.
Every year we are obliged to hold a General Meeting which this year will be held at Maldon Town Hall on 5th December. All club business will be discussed, the General Secretary and Treasurer will make their reports and a new committee for 2010 will be formed.
We always welcome new blood on the committee and this year is no exception as some of the current members will not be standing again. If you have a couple of hours a month to spare and some enthusiastic input please put your name forward - or if you are shy get someone else to nominate you!
We are hoping for a good turn out again this year. The club has been running for 31 years. It is your club and needs your support if it is to continue into its 32nd year.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
So what's new for the next two months? Well, we have arranged a trip on the only surviving paddle steamer in the world - The Waverley. The boat leaves from Southend Pier and cruises to Tilbury, the Millennium Dome and Tower Bridge before returning. Seats are going fast so book early.
Regrettably we have had to cancel our planned trip to Leeds Castle due to too many people dropping out or not paying deposits by the deadline set. Leaving us with less than half a coach full we have had to cancel or the club would have lost at least £200.
However, not all is lost for that weekend (Saturday 12th September). The Iceni Club are holding a Barn Dance at Hatfield Peveral Village Hall to which our members are invited. We have had a joint Barn Dance here before and it was a fantastic evening. So if you fancy it, do go along. Members pay £6 but don't forget your membership card. Please also take along a plate of food to be included in the buffet.
We have a live band 'The Southern Soul Machine' in October. This promises to be a great evening and this very popular local band plays hits from the 60's, 70's and 80's so plenty to dance to.
You may remember that in May this year some hardy club members took part as marshals for the Great Baddow Marathon and Fun Run where over 2000 people took part in pouring rain. At the dance on 29th August, race organiser Bob Hendrie presented a cheque to the club for £250 which is to be given to the club's chosen charity - The Macmillan Nurses.
The committee has decided to run a membership draw at every disco dance beginning in September. A sum of £5 will be given to the member whose membership card number is drawn on the night. The member must show their membership card in person on the night in order to claim the prize. If the money is not claimed it will roll over to the next dance where another £5 will be added and continue in this way until it reaches a maximum of £100 when it will stay at that figure until it is claimed. Sounds a bit confusing but it will all be clear on the night. This is to encourage more members to come to dances and also to remind members to bring their membership cards to all club events.
If you look at your newsletter or the website calendar you will see there is a very varied calendar for the next couple of months getting us in the mood for the forthcoming festive season.
Thanks for using the comments page, it is proving very useful. Remember this is your club and we try to please as many members as possible but if you don't tell us - we don't know!
JULY/AUGUST 2009
It might look as though we have a lot of coach outings this year. Five if my sums are correct. However it does reflect the results of the request sheet that was filled in earlier in the year.
We have a group coming at the end of October. They play under the name of 'Southern Soul Machine'. A band that specialises in the popular sounds of soul music although we would probably just call it disco music. Mostly stuff we know.
In response to some requests we have listed some of the significant forthcoming items for your diary. Hopefully this will help you plan your social life way ahead of time so as not to miss out on anything!
The Marathon organised by the Rotary Club of Chelmsford Mildmay and for which many club members helped, was regarded as very successful. The following is a quote from a letter of thanks sent to the Club by the Race Director.
'I'm pleased to say that the day was a success in spite of the weather with some 1800 runners taking part....Thank you all for your help. We cannot run this event without support from Clubs and organisations such as yourselves. I just wanted to get a 'thank you' off to you all as soon as possible after the Race.....'
All those who took part have been invited to a presentation evening where the cheques will be given to the charities the race was organised to help. There will also be a buffer which will include wine, a little thank you from the Races Committee.
MAY/JUNE 2009
On our last visit to Hampton Court the weather was fine and there were several roaming actors dressed in Elizabethan costume and a band playing period music with odd looking instruments. Then there were the fantastic gardens quite apart from Hampton Court itself which took most of the day to look round. There were restaurants and picnic areas and - well I could go on but then again you could see for yourself. The coach is getting pretty full so if you haven't booked yet, don't leave it too long.
Unfortunately our Summer Ball has had to be cancelled due to ill health of the owner of the venue. We do wish him well and look forward to other events in due course. In the meantime, we have decided to have an evening walk around Maldon. It shouldn't be too strenuous and will no doubt end up in a pub somewhere so if you feel like joining us, you will be very welcome.
We enjoyed a great Barn dance evening in conjunction with Club Elite and our Anniversary Dance was very well attended and a fabulous buffet was provided by several ladies and many members contributions. Thank you to you all.
Over the next couple of months we have a full calendar including two excursions, games evenings, coffee mornins, barbecue, disco, walks etc.
If you haven't already been to any of our events, please do come along, you will be very welcome.
In the meantime, take a look at the contents of our website and see what takes your fancy.
MARCH/APRIL 2009
Lots on our calendar over the next two months including a couple of new events we have been trying out. In March we have a evening of Chess and April hosts an evening of cards. Whether you are an addict or just like playing, come along and enjoy a sociable evening of thought and ponderance.
This year sees the club's 31st year as a social club. We started in April 1978 and had our first anniversary dance in a small hall in Maldon with about 50 people. We also had a buffet and everyone brought food along to share. A good time was had by all.
Here we are 30 years later and planning another anniversary dance, this time at Hatfield Peverel Village Hall complete with buffet and bar. We are expecting far more than 50 people this time!
March and April heralds the coming of Spring and with it, two weddings! Our congratulations to both couples and every happiness for your future together.
The club has been asked for volunteers to act as marshalls for the Road Race organised for Sunday May 17th where over 1,800 athletes will be taking part. There are two races, one a two mile race and the other a ten mile one. The volunteers would need to be at the Recreation Grounds in Great Baddow by 9.30 am for their briefing, instruction pack and tabard. They will be taken to their positions by mini bus before the race starts at 11.00 am and picked up after the last runner passes, (approximately 1.5 hours after the start). After your stint there will be refreshments at the Recreation Grounds.
The main charities that will benefit from these races are: The Farleigh Hospice; Hargrave House; Hosptial Radio; St John's Neo-Natal Clinic and the Guide Dogs for the Blind.
If you would like to volunteer ring Mike in the first instance on 01621 856219. This is a very worthwhile event which will help the charities mentioned above and we hope to do as much as we can to support it, especially in the current financial climate where charities are most likely to suffer.
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