RSA Liverpool

The RSA Liverpool Branch, were delighted to extend a warmest welcome to branch members, friends and guests for their Annual Christmas Dinner. We were also especially pleased to see Colin Svenson and his good lady Anne who had both been away in Wales for convalescence; they had equally, recently pulled through a visit to Hospital following a spell of ill health.

The event this year was held on Saturday 1st December at the Sergeants Mess, Aintree Barracks long Lane Liverpool.

We had yet again another entertainment packed programme which consisted of; gathering in the Sgt's Mess to enjoy pre-dinner drinks, with light refreshments. At 20:00 hrs we were ushered downstairs to the Drill Hall for a most enjoyable Christmas Dinner.

At one point a small knob of burning candle wax landed on the table in front of two guests causing one of them to spring into immediate action by extinguishing the flame with expert proficiency. We couldn’t have been in safer hands as the guest Dave Whitehead is a retired Station Officer from the Merseyside Fire Service. This episode passed without further incident and was unnoticed by the majority of diners.

One member of the Branch; Aussie Graves who is the Chairman of the Liverpool Burma Star Association had secretly arranged for Steve Brisk to be presented with a “Friend of the Burma Star” badge. This award is for the help and support toward the Burma Star Association, and is worn with pleasure and pride by all recipients. The badge was presented by the Branch Chairman Bobby Taylor. Steve later commented that it is an honour and he felt privileged to be bestowed with such a reward.

During the “Toasts” there was a particular extended absent friends “toast” to Bill (Knobby) Clark who had been taken back to Broadgreen Hospital. Bill had suffered from a fall last year and had been in and out of Hospital during the year. We wish Bill and his family well and hope for a speedy recovery.

It was then back up to the Sgt's Mess; for the eagerly awaited raffle draw. Prizes had been donated by guests and members of the branch. We were then entertained by live music kindly provided by The Narks' who amused us with their vocal and guitar talents’ well into the small hours. Reg Hazledean even tickled our eardrums with a well rehearsed rendition of a couple of old favourites.

Our thanks go to, Maj A. McFarlane for allowing the Branch the use of the Barracks and not forgetting all those people who work behind the scenes and volunteered their help and support towards achieving a most enjoyable evening.
Another good time was had by all