Otterburn XXIII

^ Members of The Otterburn Society,  The Otterburn Tower Hotel,  November 2004.  

From left to right:  Jeremy JR Featherstone, C Basil Firth, "Big dick" Tarn,  Andy MQ Jordan,  Karl Beattie,  Wandal Fwack,  John "clendestine" Beck and  Alastair Scarborough.

Otterburn XXIII and the long awaited return of The Society to the Otterburn Tower Hotel,  had followed some of the most difficult and challenging negotiations required by a Treasurer to the Society in recent years.

Despite this,  Karl had ensured that everything was in place for one of the most successful Otterburns in recent memory !. 

However, this was very nearly not the case !

The end of Otterburn XXII had left the Society with a surplus of at least one box of Romeo and Julietta corona cigars,  which had been accepted by the Treasurer at the end of Otterburn XXII for safe custody.   

The members were very disappointed to learn from the Treasurer that these cigars had been very unfortunately “lost”,  in what the Treasurer could only describe as “ a series of small fires” in the first few weeks of 2004 !!!

Despite apparently assuring Treasurer that suitable replacements would be imported for this year's celebrations,  Alastair arrived in Otterburn,  with only the Champagne !

Incredibly, the day was saved by Randall,  who produced a box of suitably matured cigars,  to the very obvious relief to both Treasurer Karl and the Director of music,  Mr Scarborough !
^  A very relieved Director of Music, Alastair Scarbourgh, receives a mature box of King Edard cigars from Mr Fwack.

Alastair,  to his credit,  did provide an excellent bottle of champagne from France, this year, a Methuselah 8 bottles ! .

 
  • Presentations

Presentations to the society were of an excellent standard once again this year.

 

Mr. Flack, rather predictably,  presented the work of the employees of Pearson Engineering,  funded by the US DoD. 
 

Mr. Firth presented his proposal for the development of "the Otterburn",  a device for ensuring the appropriate decanting of a Melchior.  Mr Featherstone agreed to accept the role of project manager for development of "the Otterburn",  and Pearson Engineering agreed to act as main contractor to the society in this respect. 

 
 

  

Mr. Jordan spoke about Spanish medical students whilst the members were enthralled by Karl's repost on the Hunt !.  Karl did speak at length on other matters however despite extensive enquiries it has not been possible to trace anyone who remembers exactly what these were.

 

The very honorable member for Scotland,  Mr Beck, led the members in a rousing chorus of the society anthem, "Old Prof o'Callahan" on the Trumpet !.  

Alastair's presentation was on money laundering, and the trumpet. 

 

 

  

Jeremy talked about the world demand for energy and how agriculture might see a resurgence.  He also showed some family snaps.  Big Dick talked about the balance of trade between Japan and the United states.

 
  • Forfeits.

It was very much regretted,  especially by the disgraced Secretary to the society,  Jeremy Featherstone,  that the members were reminded that yet another year had passed without the publication of an Otterburn Society Journal.  

The forfeits suffered by the secretary for his failure to produce a Journal during the previous year were unanimously agreed to have been a totally ineffective deterrent and that a severe forfeit was therefore justified and required.

In light of this both of the sleeves of the Secretary's shirt were removed using the ceremonial sheers.

 

 

  

^The Disgraced Secretary, 2004

Mr Scarborough also paid a forfeit on the basis that this would be good sport,  but more importantly for the confusion surrounding his agreement to provide non-vintage cigars !

For the record,  Mr. Scarborough agreed to wear his red suit at the next Otterburn,  or pay a substantially greater forfeit.  Mr Scarborough also agreed to have similar suits made for each of the other members of the Society for use at Otterburn XXIV.  The Chairman agreed to collate the measurements from each member's tailor and forward these to Mr Scarborough.

^ Alastair seeks solace after making a forfeit

 
  • The Wolfgang Award

In the absence of an Otterburn Journal,  members have had to decide other suitable criteria for qualification for the converted Wolfgang Award.

The members were very generously of the opinion that the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Basil Firth, should be nominated this year in light of his publication of the Otterburn Website, on the grounds that it was the only work published during the year.  Mr. Firth was presented with the prestigious award by the Chairman of the Otterburn Society,  Karl Baettie. 

 

  

^ Mr Firth receives the Wolfgang Award

 

  • Annual general meeting

The retiring Chairman,  Big dick Tarn had narrowly escaped a forfeit by presenting the accounts for the Society for the year ending 2003.

These were approved.

Chairman Big dick retired in accordance with rotation and in doing so, thanked all the members of his committee for their efforts during the year, particularly those who were leaving office for greater things.  

He hoped that those still in the same office would try a little harder next year !

The following nominations for the offices indicated were proposed, seconded and unanimously approved with immediate effect:

Chairman:   Karl Beattie

Treasurer:  John Clendestine Beck

Secretary:  Jeremy JR Featherstone

Director of Communications and Public Affairs:   Basil Firth

 
On the stroke of midnight, as is the tradition,  roast beef sandwiches were served. 

Another successful Otterburn was drawing to a close.  

Following the sandwiches and a number of brandies, the haunting sound of the Last Post echoed eerily over the ancient battlefields of Otterburn,  as the newly elected Chairman,  accompanied solely by his secretary,  made the symbolic journey to the grounds of the hall to once again,  take the lake.

The Sunday of Otterburn was quiet.  All members were present for a full breakfast.

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