Otterburn XXV

The landmark silver jubilee celebrations of the Otterburn Society were held at the Otterburn Tower Hotel, Otterburn, on the weekend of 26 November 2006.

The start of Otterburn was marked, as always, by refreshments at the residence of the Director of Communications on the Friday of Otterburn.  Members enjoyed a very successful night at the tables followed by a splendid traditional Turkish supper, about four hours prior to breakfast on the Saturday !

Members were delighted to have been welcomed so warmly back to “The Tower” again for their 25^th anniversary extravaganza.  The Tower has always been regarded as “the natural home of the Otterburn Society”.

• Presentations

 Papers presented at the silver jubilee conference were both entertaining and informative, whilst varying in both style and content !

 

		Chairman Beck presented “A historical précis on the methods used to enjoy champagne”.   A number of designs of old champagne taps were presented and the advantages and disadvantages of each were discussed.   A video of a recent technique developed by a friend of Chairman Beck,  Ginger, was also presented.  In summary, it was agreed that,  on balance,  none of the techniques were considered acceptable or appropriate for use by the members of the Otterburn Society for serving a Melchior,  with the possible exception of the technique developed by Ginger!.
Treasurer Firth reported on the progress of the society’s development programme for a technologically advanced means to enjoy large bottles of Champagne.  Mr Firth was pleased to be able to report some excellent technical advances.  Mr Firth presented the solution to the society’s needs, a Melchior sized pressure vessel, especially developed for the purpose, from which large amounts of Champagne can be enjoyed !    This was to be shown to be a superb success!  Champagne from the vessel being later enjoyed in the peek of perfection throughout the night and until breakfast on the Sunday morning !
	Jeremy Featherstone was pleased to demonstrate an early design of an “Otterburn” complete with plunger !.  An excellent demonstration was made on how to remove carbon dioxide from champagne and how the particular configuration is eminently suited to the decanting of fine clarets when compared to other high pressure Otterburn poring devices.  This demonstration was regarded as great success !		Big dick Tarn presented his account of a gruelling cycling holiday in the Alps that he had enjoyed that summer.  It is apparently more fun cycling down the mountains !
Randall Flack’s presentation to the society had been inspired by a paper written by the Chairman of Pearson Engineering,  Dr Alan Reece.  The presentation was well balanced and considered and provoked some healthy discussion.  Mr Flack also provided some excellent Romeo y Julietta cigars for the enjoyment of the members !

At more than one point in the year,  one or two members had apparently doubted that a Journal would be published in our silver jubilee year !  Any doubts were proved to be completely unfounded and Secretary Jordan presented an excellent Otterburn Journal as his presentation.  Not only did this include contributions from a large number of members,  but was bolstered by a large number of historical documents that had been reproduced from the society archive,  for the individual enjoyment of members as part of their personal society archive.

Mr Jemmet thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings.

• Celebrating in style ?

In light of the significance of the silver jubilee in the history of the society,  it had been agreed at Otterburn XXIV that it would be appropriate to celebrate the Silver Jubilee in style !

Director of Music,  Alastair Scarborough,  had very kindly offered to provide each member with a ceremonial red suit to mark the forthcoming silver jubilee.

These he had agreed would be procured from his native village in Malawi,  of a Kathryn Hamnett inspired style but evocative of the style made famous by Mr Scarborough and the original red suit worn by him as an undergraduate. 

As promised,  each member was provided with a superb red suit !

Mr Scarborough had triumphed !   The suits were nothing less than exemplarily !  

The quality was way in excess of that that had been anticipated.  They were regarded by many to be some of the finest tailoring enjoyed outside London in recent years.  The cut and style was worthy of any Savile Row tailor. 

The finest Malawi cotton had been used in the creations.  They were indeed a pleasure to enjoy.

Each member was also provided with a silk silver jubilee tie to complete the ensemble.

^ Members of the Otterburn Society at the Otterburn Tower Hotel, Otterburn,  November 2006,  From left to right,  Randall Flack,  Dr Mark Cooper,  Big dick Tarn, Basil Firth,  Jeremy Featherstone, Alastair Scarborough, Clendestine Beck, Nick Jemmet, Karl Beattie, The very honourable Laird of Fingesk,  Gavin Stuart Murray-Thriepland.

• Annual general meeting

All motions on the agenda were passed unanimously.

The annual accounts were also accepted without question.

There were no forfeits required for the year.

It was agreed that a portrait should be commissioned to mark the silver jubilee celebrations.  This to be procured by Mr Beattie in his newly elected capacity as Director of Procurement of Fine Arts to the society.

The Director of music,  Alastair Scarborough, was elected Treasurer of the Society in addition to the life appointments of Director of Music,  Director of procurement of Melchiors and Honorary Tailor.

Dr Mark Cooper was delighted to be elected Secretary of the Otterburn Society.

In accordance with rotation Chairman Beck retired from office and Mr Basil Firth was elected Chairman of the Otterburn Society.

• Annual dinner

In addition to the successful procurement of red suits,   Mr Scarborough had been able to procure a Nebuchadnezzar of Champagne,  at a very reasonable £700 ! from a UK supplier.   This was served as an aperitif prior to dinner.

Great care was taken in the handling of the Champagne !

The Champagne was decanted using a nineteenth centaury champagne tap,  procured specifically for this purpose.  The Featherstone syringe was also used.

The Champagne was enjoyed in the peek of perfection by use of a 6 bar (87 psi) pressure vessel,  which ensured that the champagne remained effervescent through the night and for breakfast.

Dinner at the Tower Hotel is always a great pleasure and this year was no exception.

An excellent pyrotechnic display followed.   This was enjoyed by the members and staff of the Tower and also from the village,  as was apparent from the cheers of appreciation heard from afar.

Celebrations continued well into the morning.

All members were present for a Northumbrian and Champagne.

The Otterburn Society Melchior was presented to our host prior to departure as a mark of appreciation,  whilst members greatly looked forward with anticipation to Otterburn XXVI.

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