Our Chairman Michael Fisk was able to make an excellent start to the lunch by presenting a bottle of champagne to Michael Bramwell in recognition of his ninetieth birthday.
This month's meal was an excellent Steak and Ale Pie with Mashed Potatoes and Roast Root Vegetables followed by a Steamed Syrup Sponge with Vanilla Custard. It would have been easy to fall asleep after such a fine meal but we had important business to attend to, our Annual General Meeting. Our Treasurer Phil Wilkins was able to propose that our Annual Subscription for 2024 would remain as 2023 at £32.00 and that for the first three months, at least, the Dining Fee would remain at £26.00. The Committee for 2024 was voted in, the same faces just some change of roles! Our Chairman for 2024 will be John Goodhead. There being no matters raised by the members the AGM was closed and we moved onto our after-lunch speaker Dr Geoffrey Mead to hear about Brighton's Theatres.
Geoffrey gives guided walking Tours of Brighton and he took us on a 'virtual' walk around historic Brighton highlighting where the many theatres and music halls were originally built and where several still remain.
The Cultural Quarter situated behind The Lanes is home to the Theatre Royal, originally built in 1807 as well as several other theatres developed since the 1750's when Brighton was a thriving "Spa" town.
Brighton born comedian 'Cheeky Chappie', Max Miller featured many times at the Hippodrome and was commemorated by a statue which is now in the Royal Pavillion Gardens.
Thank you Geoffrey for a fascinating insight into Brighton's theatrical history, I'm sure we will now be tempted to explore the back streets of Brighton when we next visit in the summertime!
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