Club 1280 Conference 2000



It must be said that this was a fantastic weekend. Although attendance from Saddleworth Rotaract was very small (that is that I was the only one attending) I was made quite at home by all the other clubs.

The Friday night was fantastic, everyone dressed up in Medieval costume with only a few exceptions. Certain costumes have to get a mention here. Ian Madeley and his son Nathan in matching Joker's outfit's were a site to be seen, especially when you add a cigar to the picture. Mike Hendry had an interesting costume, the best codpiece award he won was fairly deserved, though what happened to it later I don't want to know.

Saturday morning saw the emergence of many hungover looking people turning up for silly games. Drinking started early, with the bar being swamped as soon as it opened. Games played included a quiz, writing a play in various styles (Sleeping beauty in a carry-on style was fun to perform), killing a dragon (blindfolded), and rescuing a damsel in distress. For those who don't understand any of this, I recommend that you come along next year and find out what it's all about.

For me, Saturday afternoon carried on in the traditional style of drinking in the bar. This was accompanied by a game of some sort (I can't remember the name) which was a good laugh.. Other afternoon past-times included walks round the lake, feeding ducks, swimming, and various other activities.

Saturday night soon came, and with it the usual joy of putting on a dinner suit that fitted me when I weighed slightly less. The night proceeded with a great meal, lots more beer, and much merriment. Thinking that no one new that it was his birthday, our district Chairman Paul Holt thought he was safe, but in the true spirit of Rotaract this had been found out and birthday cake shaped like a pair of breasts soon appeared. The partying continued until the early hours to the sounds of a great jazz band that had been hired for the event, and after this finished many stayed even later in the hotel bar.

Sunday morning mainly consisted of a walk round the craft fair at the hotel, and a few more drinks for those who were not driving. Everyone else slowly recovered from the night before and soon made there way home.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend which I strongly recommend for next year.

Al.