MD Christmas Dinner ~ Thursday 1st December

Just a note to say that I have emailed the menus to all that have indicated they wish to attend. If you haven't received the email please let me know ASAP!
Thanks
Chris

Meridian Diners!

MDers gathered at the Gun at Gun Hill for a few seasonal drinks before  festive three-course nosh in their newly named 'Divers Retreat' dining room. Despite meticulous planning and record keeping nearly everyone denied their dinner choices, well OK,a slight exaggeration! 

Xmas Dinner Divers

Sadly not all could make it and amongst them were Debbie & Ian who have just recently taken-off for a one year stay in Portugal, but thanks to them for sponsoring the prizes for the Annual MD Photo Competition. This year MDers were asked to confine their photo submissions to one photo in each of the two categories. This reduced the judging time to a few minutes rather than what has seemed like days in the past! The two category winners are below, so personal thanks to Debbie & Ian too!

Photo Competition Winner (Above Water Category) (by Chris-P)

Photo Competition Winner (Under Water Category) (by Nick P)

Alex submitted a rather contemporary photo of a sheep in the 'above water category' and going by recent years judging which has favoured four-legged mammals with coats it had to be regarded as a very serious contender for the category. And for that matter ,who knows, even the under water category too! It's anyone's guess when you ask judges their views after a few drinks!

And contrary to popular belief the Meridian Divers were not the last ones to the the establishment, as unbeknown to many the kitchen cleaner was working overtime that night!

Best wishes to all MDers for a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Christmas is Coming the Goose is waiting to know what you want!

Just a reminder ,well one of a series of reminders, about letting me know your menu choices and getting your deposits in! Menu choices have been emailed out. If you are NOT coming just let me know as it helps minimise the running around!

Thanks

MD Christmas Dinner ~ Wed 15th December

An update on the previous MD Christmas Dinner posting ( Click HERE) :-

The MD meeting of 4th August decided that the Xmas Dinner will be held at The Gun, Gun Hill, Chiddingly , TN21 0JU on Wednesday 15th December.

Seating is limited 24 , so first come first served (er , literally!) . And, speaking of serving, The Gun has agreed at our request to add an option to the menu of Roast Beef.

Sue will be collecting deposits , £10 per person by 1st September, with the balance of £12pp by 3rd November. Menu choices are also required in advance and Sue will circulate those and note your preferences!

Meridian Divers Xmas Dinner 2010 ~ Wednesday 15th December

We are in the process of identifying where this years Xmas Dinner will be located, several options are being researched as per the last MD meeting.

I have circulated specific details on the following locations:-

1) The Gun at Gun Hill

2) The Sussex Ox at Milton Street

More will follow. In due course it would be useful if MDers made comments on their preferred location , by adding a comment or emailing me!

Christmas Dinner 2009 ~ Done!

The Meridian Divers' Christmas Dinner was held at the Berwick Inn, Berwick on Wednesday 16th December. The Berwick Inn has been under new management since last April and landlord , Tony, has done a great deal on improving the Inn and creating a very welcoming atmosphere.

The 'traditional' MD pursuits of a Christmas raffle and Photo Competition were honoured. The photo competition was a challenge with over 100 photos taken from the blog over the last year being viewed, well just about anyway! Ernie took pole position with his black tipped reef shark , photo'd in the Caribbean !

After the dinner there was a compered quiz that had been arranged by the Inn and prizes were awarded for the winners, again courtesy of Tony , which we thought was a very friendly gesture.

The cold and dark night made us all think of warmer seas and good viz, lets hope we can get those plans acted upon as 2010 unfolds.

Raffle - Christmas Dinner

We will be doing the raffle again at the dinner. Prizes would be gratefully received.

Christmas Dinner

I am still waiting for some deposits & menu choices!! An email has been sent to those concerned but if you want to come & not yet paid or given me your choices you need to do so by the END OF THIS WEEK!

There are still places available so email me or add a comment

Thank you

Christmas Dinner 2009

Hi all,

Just a reminder that the Christmas Dinner is to be held on Wednesday 16th December at The Berwick which as you are probably aware is under new management and now doing very well!

The price is £22 pp for 3 course meal plus coffee, mints & mince pies. A copy of the menu will be coming round by email shortly. I will need confirmation plus £5 pp (non-refundable) deposit by end of the month. Remember we also hold our annual raffle so any donations of prizes gratefully accepted!

Please add a comment, email or text me if you wish to be added to the list.

Date for your Diaries!

With the sun shining and the evenings getting longer, we thought it was about time we started thinking about . . . . . . . . . . . .Christmas!!! It's time for you all to block out your diaries on Wednesday 16th December 2009 for another awesome Christmas Bash. We are going back to the Berwick as it has changed hands and looking good!

Menu is not yet finalised but I will keep you informed. I will gather definate numbers a bit nearer the time!

Christmas Party Comments........

Doh! Done Xmas Party post ... it doesn't look anything like it dis on the screen I was working on ! Never mind you get the idea!!

Top Christmas Dinner Party !

Well, if a round of applause for the staff at the Tudor House Restuarant, Alfriston is any guide I think it's fair to say everyone at the third MD Christmas Dinner had a very enjoyable dinner!

Personally I thought the meal was even better than the dinner we had enjoyed back in July at our Mr Jack Commemorative Dive Dinner.

A clue that the food was exceptionally good was that the MD group are not know for being shy , retiring or quiet ....but yep, it went quiet three times during the evening - just after each course was served!

The 'Diving Dinner' ambience was built by our own videographer and editor , Tad.

Nicki reminded us just how many hours Tad had spent slaving over a hot computer to create a DVD of video and still shots depicting the MD exploits through out the year.

Tad's work was projected on to a screen and the music provided a backdrop to the clatter of cutlery & chinking of glasses!

Linda & Simon get my personal vote of thanks for donating a bottle of Fine Champagne Cognac VSOP to the raffle.

Excellent decision, as was my decision to buy just the right raffle ticket! Cheers!

Still there were plenty of other prizes donated , including places Channel Diver and Sea Zones dive charter boats.

Ocean View Diving donated an Air / Nitrox fill card which will also always be a welcome gift!

They say a picture paints a thousand words - well if that's the case , may be I should let some of the photos speak for themselves .

They do seem to tell a story of people having a great time!

This shot shows Sean discussing 'Bottom Time' with Tracey - Divers eh? Always chatting about some technical matter of another!

And, similarly this shows Matt impressing on other divers the need to keep close to your buddies in poor visibility and in particular to ensure you wear distinctive headgear to aid identification!

Sheila and Ernie were pressed into service as Raffle Organisers. Sheila of course arranged for Ernie to win a major prize just about as fast as she could - well may it was just good luck but Ernie won the "Mr Jack Prize" an electronic photo frame ! Ha ha, all you have got to do now Ernie is take a nice picture or two to put on it!

The Meridian Divers Photo Competition was run and 50 images from the MD blog were projected , votes were taken and the winning photo , by a margin was a photo of "Parsley" the puppy owned by Debbie & Stuart and taken by Tracey! It was a shock result for professional cameraman Steve who had bet a drink from the bar for everyone present if his underwater shots didn't win - nice one Steve - mine's a port & brandy ... large! Tracey went home with more than she bargained for - er, the Photographer of the Year award I mean!

Several other compeitions were decided with Tad being presented with the NAS Adopt -A-Wreck Decanter on behalf of MD for his work on the project AND.... he also won the Meridian Diver of the Year award & trophy for his efforts across the raneg of activities (mind you I think his video work has really been worth a trophy on it's own).

Matt won the MD Pier Diver of the Year accolade , for having dived four different UK piers in the year! I'm sure someone will break that record next year! That's if all the piers don't fall down or burn down!

The Grand Raffle saw many , many winners - far too many to show ALL the photos but not to be left empty handed , Nicki bagged a super MOSCHINO perfum prize.

Santa Claus is usually depicted wearing a red suit so methinks Sheila had that image in her mind when she became cheif raffle caller and prize manager!

Tina's thinking "OK what am I going to do with a free ride on Channel Diver - apart from give it to Matt for his Christmas present"?

Only fair then that Steve , who donated the place on Channel Diver should himself be a winner - looks like one of Sheila's 'secret' prizes - hope you will find in coming in handy Steve!

This shot is of course no reflection of Paul's personal hygiene - it was just a complete coincidence that he should win the pack of assorted smellies! That should make your Christmas more bareable Mandy!

The growing 'Clan Parsons' weren't to be outdone either , I lost count how many prizes they won but I thought I use this photo of Nick with his navigational aid. Knowing how much Nick likes boats this prize will remind him that the left side of the boat with the red light is the PORT side!

Matt puts on a brave face - that lovely Champagne Cognac has already been bagged , it was enough to make him turn to gin!

Poor lad , take care it's mother's ruin you know!









Judging by the smile on Debbie's face she thinks she knows what's inside this long narrow package. Shiela , who is having a laugh at the idea actually does know what's in there - sorry Debbie better luck next time!

Sean had a very clear idea of what prize he wanted - and looking at the smile on his face he must have been promised it.

All told the evening was really fun , the food was super , the staff attentive, the atmosphere lively and most importantly the company excellent. It was also good to see a couple of our dive buddies who coldn't make the whole evening pop-in for a Christmas Drink. Sadly , due to work another couple of MD chums couldn't make it and Matt C , who is only briefly back in the UK from Malta also (sadly) missed a great night out!

Best wishes to all Meridian Divers and their families for a very happy Christmas and New Year. We hope to see you all in the water and at the socials next year - and don't forget the Bowling Challenge fast approaching! It's going to be a challenge to do a better Christmas Dinner next year - but ...we are up for it!

MD Christmas Dinner at The Tudor House Restaurant

Hi y'all,

We're getting close now ... to the MD Christmas Dinner at the Tudor House Restaurant , High Street , Alfriston , East Sussex on Wednesday 17th December.

For those of you who need a little help in finding it click HERE

For those of you who want some last minute info on the place click HERE

The rendezvous time is 7.30pm for drinks in readiness for 8.00pm at the table!

There is adequate parking in Alfriston but you may have to walk a few hundred metres! Take care if there is rain !

Looking forward to seeing you all there. In addition to the raffle, several MD challenges / competitions will be decided on the night! With awards & trophies to the winners. The raffle has a good selection of prizes including:-

* Air / Nitrox Card from Ocean View Diving
* A Place on a Boat Charter from Sea Zones
* A Place on a Boat Charter from Channel Diver
* The 'Mr Jack' Prize (Donated by Mr Norman Jack)
* Diving Equipment
* A bottle of Brandy
* A bottle of Gin

(Don't forget you can add more to the raffle prizes if you wish! All donations gratefully received)

Christmas Dinner ~ 17th December

Just to let MDers know, I have now sent the menu choices to the Tudor House Restaurant (there have been no changes notified to me following my 'check' email of 9th November).

I believe that there are one or two people who wish to attend but who haven't yet notified me of their meal choices or paid . If there is someone who has not given me their choices & their cheque they are NOT included on the list sent to the restaurant.

If this applies to you and you do want to attend you should contact me immediately.

Xmas Dinner Raffle

Mick Luff of Seazones has donated a very tasty prize for our Xmas Raffle !
Many thanks to Mick.

Christmas Dinner Raffle

Don't forget to bring your raffle prizes to the meeting on the 26th. Lets make it a raffle, as well as dinner, to remember and even raise some money.

Meridian Divers ~ Xmas Dinner ~ Meal Choices

I have emailed my list of all the meal choices that I have recorded for those of you coming to the Tudor House Restuarant on the 17th December.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY OF YOUR CHOICES SHOWN INCORRECTLY!

If you are attending and you don't receive the 'check list' let me know by email or add a comment!

Thank You Graeme!

A BIG thank you to Ocean View's new proprietor, Graeme, who has kindly donated an Ocean View gas fill card to Meridian Divers for use as a prize in the MD Christmas Dinner on 17th December. Graeme is pictured handing the prize to Sheila (MD's Hon Sec!)

Raffle - Christmas Dinner

As discussed at the meeting we are holding a raffle at the Chrismas Dinner and we are looking for donations of prizes.

If you would like to donate a prize please put a comment on the blog and either bring it to the next meeting or at the dinner.

Many thanks in anticipation of your generosity.

Meridian Divers Christmas Dinner ~ 17th December

Thank you to all of you that have now given me your cheques , the 'admin' for the evening is almost complete. There are twenty seven guests on the list and I very nearly have all your cheques and your meal choices. I anticipate banking the cheques next week (shock horror!) . After that any late bookings may have to deal directly with the Restaurant.

Their details are available on: The Tudor House Restaurant

It should be a first class evening .

I will soon email out the full meal choice list to ensure that I have your choices recorded correctly. The evening will be a good opportunity to meet-up with all the 2009 Red Sea Liveabord Divers (but there will be plenty more opportunities!).