B2PCa 2014 Summer Function 21st June

Dear Friends,

Thank you for all your messages, emails and PHOTOS (lots of them).http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif I'll make a start putting them into the albums soon.

Well, the weekend was fabulous. So many old friends together again - and so many new friends there for the first time.

It was a real pleasure to meet you all.

The new function manager put on a superb buffet and the presentation was so professional. Thank you, Gemma Walsh!

So much to say about the day, and so few brain cells to store the details, but I'll try....

Barry gets embarrassed when he gets a mention, but I'll say this. He ain't called Topgun for nothing.

He NEVER fails to hit a target. I never doubted for a moment that he'd get to The Mill on Saturday, and in the fashion stakes he outdone us all with his Union Jack waistcoat.http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif

There were a lot of very brave ladies there too (great to meet you at last Mo), who have continued to meet up each year despite their sad losses. Girls, you do us all the world of good.

To see you looking so well and having fun (and some VERY late nightshttp://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif) is great comfort to all we men who worry ourselves silly about the future. Long may you continue to enjoy your weekends at The Mill.

A special thank you to Si, who arranged for his oncologist, Jamie Mills from Nottingham City Hospital, to give us a talk. What a nice bloke he was, and we learned a lot of interesting facts from him.

The big surprise of the day was the raffle. Our friend DerrickB1943 was home from Malaysia and had brought a bottle 10yr old Jura Malt whiskey to raffle for PCUK funds.

No sooner had I started to announce the raffle than he took me aside and told me he had added another prize - the use of a holiday home in either Australia or Malysia. Tickets went like wildfire, and an amazing £317 was raised from that alone.

The winner of the holiday home happened to be one of our longest serving members, Keith. We were all delighted for him and Nette.

And the funny thing was...the malt whiskey was won by a 'Wee Scots Chick' Elsie.  Scotch to a Scot!http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif

Donations for PCUK badges, keyrings, pens and a couple of t-shirts raised another £74.

You may all know, we have a poem by Chris Boothby read out every year. They are usually outrageous verses, and we love them!

Unfortunately, Chris couldn't be there personally as he's undergone a hernia operation, but he did send an 'apology poem'.

Here goes:

My friends I am so sorry
A Hernia's knocked me flat
Cant sit, cant stand, cant walk about
I'm flat out, like a t*** !

Following from the surgery
A Haematoma did the biz
And I morfed into that character
Buster Gonad out of 'Viz'!

Whilst things slowly are improving
To join you would be folly
As I'd be up there with my tackle
In a supermarket trolley!

So apologies, no poem this year
And whilst that really is amiss
Normal service will return next time
When I'll be back to take the piss!

So please ensure you have a ball
And just one comment from afar
Barry 'Topgun' Newman
You are a much loved 'superstar'!

THANK YOU CHRIS!

And thank you to another Chris, (Exbus) for taking the customary panoramic group photo outside the venue.

Our usual photographer Dan had moved to South Africa. You did a great job Chris.

If I have forgotten to mention anything else, no doubt I will be back here editing like crazy.http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif

Finally, THANK YOU ALL - just for being there., because by being there you lift the hearts of everyone else in the room.

There are always a few tears, but a whole lot of laughter too.

We have such a wonderful gathering of friends, year after year, and I think we all come away feeling happy, batteries re-charged, and totally uplifted.

I will post details at a later date about how to access the photo albums.

Here's to next year..Sat 20th June 2015. Midsummer madness again!http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif

Edited by member 24 Jun 2014 at 13:06  | Reason: Not specified

Speaking personally, I never had as many good and true friends before I was diagnosed as I have now, and seeing them every year in mid summer is the icing on the cake.

I've made a start on the photos (did you see my quick change of avatar?) and hope to get them in an online album so that you can all see them. Watch this space, as they say.

If anyone has any more photos for me, please email them and I'll get them added.

Cheeeeers

George.

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Talking of preparation I fear I may miss the Euston do this year as I am in Hong Kong until mid December. But not seen a date yet? Is there one identified?