Steve Gunn is already working hard with the prospective medallists for the 2018 Olympics!  His talk informed us about the exciting programme that he has been running for the past 7 years to spot prospective Olympic rowers.  They need to be under 19 (or 23 for women) over 2m tall with above average arm length to even be considered but they do not need to have rowed a stroke – in fact its better if they have not as they will not have learnt the wrong habits.  Steve gave a fascinating and enlightening talk about the successes of the British rowing team over the past three decades and the fantastic prospects for the future.  Of course we wish the current team the best of luck too – particularly as they are literally competing in our back yard!

23 members of the club and friends visited Avebury on Sunday 15th July.  Amazingly it was possible to walk around the standing stones in the dry and speculate on how and why our ancient forebears managed to create this remarkable monument.  This NT establishment also has a beautiful manor house with gardens which was home to a remarkably varied group of residents.  Everyone had a delightful day taking in many different historic aspects as well as coming up to date with a delicious cream tea!

The Club is absolutely delighted that the Child Contact Centres of Slough and Maidenhead have jointly been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.  The notification was received on 2nd June.  Slough Child Contact Centre which is one of the three Contact Centres to jointly receive the Award is entirely supported by SI Slough Windsor & Maidenhead.

No sooner had President Pam put on her chain of office than she was called upon to present long service awards to two club members who have each been members for more than 25 years.  She also received one herself for 50 years of membership.  The photographs show Pat and Jackie receiving their awards from President Pam at the recent Annual General Meeting.

The Golden Anniversary weekend was blessed with amazing warm sunshine to greet guests from around Europe.  Members from Amsterdam, Ankara, Brugg-Baden, Coleraine, Morpeth, Tubize  and Old Vilnius were joined by London Chilterns and SIGBI Federation President Maureen for a fabulous weekend.  As the temperatures rose, the overseas guests were able to discard their raincoats and umbrellas and bask in the English summer.  The welcome reception at St Mary’s Church in Slough kicked off with  canapes and bubbly and concluded with some wonderful piano playing by James Church.  The Amsterdam Amstel club brought a present of a Sarah cake which is a typical cake for 50th anniversary celebrations in Holland – not only amusing but edible! On Saturday, members and guests visits Windsor Castle and Eton College or took a bus tour.  In the evening there was a splendid banquet at The White House in Old

The guest list for the Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 23rd March has been enhanced by the agreement of the two Mayors who preside over the area of SI Slough Windsor and Maidenhead to attend.  They will be joining SIGBI President Maureen together with visitors from Friendship Links in Vilnius, Amsterdam Amstel and Morpeth and also Baden, Coleraine and others from SI London Chilterns at this very special evening in the calendar.

February saw the last member of the club taking the plunge into the electronic age – a little reluctantly.  Now all communications to all members can be sent electronically which improves the efficiency of the organisation greatly.  We are very thrilled that all our members have decided to embrace new technology and recently held a coffee, cake and computers coffee morning to give a few tips to the newest converts.  Despite the mixed age groups – with a fair sprinkling of silver surfers – everyone has embraced the 21st century.  In fact our 93 year old member has been on email since she was 80 and is regarded as a ‘Cool Granny’ as she regularly Skypes her grandchildren.

The winter months have not deterred the Fund Raising Team from continuing to find fun ways of raising funds for the President’s Charity.  In November there was a great day out visiting the Christmas Market in Winchester and in  December there was carol singing and mulled wine.  January brought out a good crowd for a Beetle Drive.    The President’s Charity Fund has now topped £1,700. A coffee morning in aid of books to assist learning to read in Afghanistan was also held recently which raised over £100.  Jackie Paling has already bought some of the books but is looking forward to doing more on her next trip!

Over 60 contestants turned out for the Annual Quiz held in St Luke’s Hall.  Quizmaster Margaret created a tough set of 120 questions which kept everyone on their toes – to mix a few metaphors!  The fish and chips went down well and helped contestants to recharge their brains.  The winning team were delighted to receive a bottle of wine each and it was impressive that President Penny was in the team (pictured below). The event raised over £400 for the President’s charity.