RIVERSIDE CHRISTMAS CRACKER! 10th December 2008

By Gray Standen

The Riverside Committee and helpers converged on York House at 6.30, arms full of fabric, food, booze, wine glasses, programmes and catalogues. At the beginning it seemed like an ordinary night, but within an hour the Terrace Room and adjoining Parlour were festive with red and silver hangings and other Christmas decorations, and two giant Christmas crackers had been fixed to the walls, all organised by Sue Kennedy and her helpers. In the Parlour, the glasses and drinks were lined up by Bertie Ekperigin and Neil Mason, the food was displayed enticingly by Andrea Blackie, and we were at finally ready for a party which had been months in the planning.

Maria Hemming commanded the entry table, handing out drinks tickets, auction catalogues and paddles (don’t ask!). Soon afterwards, almost all members and and their guests were celebrating in the Parlour (which served as the kitchen where party-goers usually congregate). At last we all had time to talk to one another. The buzz was delightful. It was just great to see everyone having fun.

At 8.30, we all moved into the Terrace Room for the entertainments, including a Sale of Promises, with Anil Ramchandani acting as our banker.

After an exuberant welcome by the President, John Craddock took us direct to Santa’s Flight Control Centre, answering our most pressing Christmas queston: How does Santa get his presents to us on time each year?

Then Andrew ‘Have Gavel will Travel’ Klimaytys took the stage, dressed nattily in his pin-striped suit, to do a fantastic job as the auctioneer for our Sale of Promises, which included members’ professional services, paintings, tango lessons and so forth. The auction was a huge success, thanks to the donors, the bidders and Andrew.

Next, Franco Vaccaro treated us to three different sorts of Table Topics. Caine B Free, in the blogger’s opinion, gave an outstanding topic, in the guise of a tired and emotional businessman, complete with glass of wine and glowing fake cigarette.

Finally, advanced member Trevor Stokes won the prize draw – a dinner for two at Julie’s Restaurant.

It was a terrific evening, an excellent group effort which allowed us all to get to know one another a little bit better.

After the Christmas break, we are all looking forward to another year at Riverside Communicators.