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SPG Meeting October 2015
A meeting of the SPG was held on 8th October in the Gosforth Hotel. Those present were David Appleton, Maureen Angus, David Robinson, Mary-Clare Robinson, Brian Angus and Tom Ashcroft. Tom’s daughter Sarah briefly attended. Apologies were received from James Henry, Chris Wright and Adrian Morley.
Sad Notice
Members were dismayed to hear of the sudden death of Ian Clarke, husband of Judith Bulmer. Judith has been a colleague and friend of several SPG members as a fellow Pathologist in Newcastle for many years. The Funeral Service was held on the 8th of September 2015 at West Road Crematorium. Our sincere condolences go out to Judith.
Prologue
David commenced the meeting with admission that he had failed to produce minutes for the previous meeting of the SPG held on Wednesday 9th September, as promised. He claimed that the dog had eaten his note cards (See evidence at the foot of the minutes). Faced with repudiation of the excuse on the grounds that he does not have a dog, he confessed that computer, software and internet problems may have been at fault. He had written the minutes but they had disappeared.
1) Best Moments
Mary-Clare suggested that we could start with members present describing their “best moment of the month”, rather in the style of Andrew Neil’s commencement of his brilliant show “This Week”.
a. David R. commenced by describing his recent attendance at a Rugby World Cup match at St James’ Park between Scotland and South Africa. He had gone to the ground on spec (no ticket) and managed to get a ticket by bargaining with a well oiled fan in the Strawberry. As a Welshman he enjoyed the match.
b. David A described an enjoyable visit to his former colleague and friend, Doris Wakeman, (now 97 years old).
c. Mary-Clare described a party she had held for her 4 year old grandchild Robyn, with the theme of Pirates and Mermaids. There were 36 guests. A friend who attended was an orthopaedic surgeon who came as a mermaid apparently. Members thought this a bit fishy.
d. Tom felt all of his recent activities were enjoyable and could not single out a particular special moment.
e. Brian described final printing of his fathers war memoires entitled “5 Years in the Royal Marines” as a well presented and designed book, production managed by his son Paul.
f. Maureen said that she had greatly enjoyed her Golf Club Lady Captain’s away day to Hartlepool when she nearly missed the bus, taking 20 minutes to get from her house to the Golf Club on a rainy school morning. The rain fell half the day but when the sun came out eventually the views over the sea were brilliant.
2) Wedding
Mary-Clare went on to say that her daughter Louise had suddenly announced her marriage to her long engaged boyfriend (an orthopaedic surgeon). Both Mary-Clare and David were obviously very happy and members shared their delight.
3) Autumn Dinner
The main business of the evening was to arrange the Autumn Dinner. There was unanimous agreement that Poon’s (now called the Gosforth Palace) was the preferred restaurant. Brian agreed to poll members regarding their availability for the week commencing 9th November. It was hoped the private room could be booked.
4) Punctuation etc
The meticulous attention to clarity and elegance in prose which Alec Watson applied to Pathology report writing was remembered, particularly by Mary-Clare. His attention to grammar, syntax, and especially the use of the apostrophe was especially emphasised. The discussion ranged far beyond the familiar “Apple’s and Pear’s for sale sign” on fruiterers’ stalls, and David Appleton has expanded further on the topic of punctuation, on which he deliberated at length at the meeting, as an annexe to these minutes (vide infra). For example he pointed out the problems with the use of the hyphen, citing the difference between extra-marital sex and extra marital sex. He also amused members by pointing out the ambiguity in the historical advertising logo “Nothing Acts Faster than Anadin”. Brian was slow to get that one.
5) Sustenance
Members all consumed speciality beers, or more delicate beverages, and victuals such as bacon rolls and other fare were served.
6) Closure
A lively and entertaining meeting was closed at 10.05. The next meeting is the Autumn Dinner to be arranged by Brian for the week commencing 9th November (see item 3 above).
Annexe.
David Appleton has published an article on grammar and punctuation and perhaps other aspects of construction of prose entitled Cross Words. This can be viewed by clicking the Anadin on picture below or clicking here . This note-taker commends the article to members.
 Nothing acts faster than Anadin
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