April 2018

Presidents Report
Another month has gone by so fast and it is now Spring and a young man’s thoughts turns to
you know what. Well mine has turned to December, the Christmas show to be exact. We
have only two more meetings (not counting the April meeting) to discuss the show. Will we
have it or will we not?
If we do have it, then we have to come up with ideas for the entertainment. If not, then what
will we do as a fund raiser to support the club?
So put your thinking caps on and bring your ideas to the next meeting.
Best regards
Colin

Dates to Remember—Mark Your Calendar

1. Sunday, April 1st 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Royal
Air Force.
2. Sunday, April 1st Founding of the Royal Canadian Airforce, 1924
3. Monday, April 9th Monthly meeting at 7:30pm.
4. Sunday, April 22nd International Mother Earth Day
5. Monday, April 23rd Saint Georges Day

Luncheon Report
We had a good turnout at one of our favorite places, The Black Bear. One of the
few places you can get Soup & Sandwich including tea or coffee for $10.00!
Next month we go to the Quarterway Pub on Bowen Road. Let's hope we have
at least 25 hungry members. See you there.
Graham the Gourmet
 UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
April May
Alan P 4th Bob D 6th
Phyllis S 10th Ursula B 8th
Alison L 11th Gerry S 10th
Ruth F 20th Malcolm C 13th
Janet H 19th

Sunshine News
We send our deep sympathy to Bill L and family on the passing of Ann, who was a long-time active
member of our club. Ann served as treasurer and was always willing to help out wherever needed. The
service for Ann will be on Saturday, 7th April at 2:00pm at Moose Lodge, 1356 Cranberry Avenue.
Alan P has had his knee replacement surgery, and after a couple of return visits to the hospital, is now
home and recovering. Get back on your feet again soon, Alan.

Editors Notes
There was a suggestion for an Buy & Sell link in the Newsletter and I can usually find space for such an
item. Please let me know your thoughts via the email link below.
Some of the items in this Newsletter have links to outside sites. You can tell them by their blue colour
and the underline. These are safe sites that can be clicked on for more information.
Website: www.nanbritclub.ca email: nanbritclub@hotmail.com

2018 Executive Name Tags

President Colin Bishop
Vice President Ron Brick Friendly reminder to please remember
Treasurer Susan Brick to wear your name tags.
Secretary Alison Lowrie
Past President Allen Cunningham
2018 Committees
Audio #1 Brendan Rogers
Audio #2 Ian Hodson
Audio #3 Bob Davies
Luncheon Host Graham Shuttleworth
Membership Sec. Christine Cottrell abritchick@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor Malcolm Cottrell
Webmaster Malcolm Cottrell
Photographer John Martin
Publicity John Martin
Social #1 Jill Steff
Social #2 Gill Walker
Sunshine Person Jill Seip
Telephone #1 Pat Heyward
Telephone #2 June Hale
Telephone #3 Margaret Marsh
 Mayan Riviera Highs & Lows (Contd.)
We did enjoy a couple of trips to the casino in Playa Del Carmen. Great fun-all the machines were in
English!! We had one visit to the beach, but Jill and I are not beach people-too much sand getting
into places where it is not wanted. It was quite rocky with a lot of coral. The snack bar there was
great.
One day Jim managed to scratch his forehead with the resort bracelet, and on the same day he
crushed his left hand in some sliding doors which were not working properly because the electrical
wire had been chewed through by one of the residing animals. His wedding ring saved his hand
from being broken and six staff looked after him, trying to get the ring off. After much oil and lots
of suggestions, they managed and the ring was stretched back to its original shape. He arrived
back at the pool wearing a rather obscene looking rubber glove filled with crushed ice!! Great hilar-
ity all round-poor fellow, especially as he was wearing his Wounded Warrior Legion shirt.
The holiday was over far too soon. The last day was perfect in the morning, but dark clouds rolled
in around 2 pm. I had been swimming in the pool, and noticed the sky going from blue to black.
Before Jill and I had time to gather up our books etc., the heavens opened. Have you even tried to
shelter under one of those grass-roofed huts? We scrunched up on our chaise lounges while the
rain poured down and the water ran down the chaise, so we were both sitting in puddles. Jill’s
shoes were full of water!! We sat there and laughed our heads off!! Eventually when thunder start-
ed, Jim arrived with umbrellas and we both went back to our rooms-for a hot shower. A few
minutes later there was a simultaneous boom and flash-and we were sure the pool had been hit by
lightning. The day we came home it was still raining.
We’d heard about the rains and flooding on the Island, so were glad we’d had plenty of sunshine,
and even picked up tans. All went well until the plane touched down in Vancouver. We had asked
for wheel chair service for Gerry as we knew that the hike from the International area to the Domes-
tic area was like 5 miles!! There was an hour and 20 minutes between flights - a bit tight we
thought. Still West Jet must know what they are doing. We were about to get off the plane to col-
lect our luggage when there was another medical emergency, and the patient needed to be taken
off the plane by paramedics. That took about 30 minutes!!

When we finally got off the plane, the wheelchair was there, but no-one to push it up the ramp.
Eventually someone came, and Gerry was deposited on the next level where there was a folkswag-
on waiting....but no-one to drive it. Jill, Gerry and I all sat on it while Jim went off to look for the
luggage. Another plane load of people came through, but no driver for the cart. We got some
pretty strange looks as they all filed through. Eventually we decided we’d better try and make it on
foot to the customs area, which we did. There were about two plane loads of people all trying to
get through the same little gate! The machine that does your customs form refused to take either
Gerry’s or my photo, and Jill’s looked as though she’d been stuck with a pin.
 Contd:
Once through customs we found the West Jet desk. We were assured that the plane to Victoria was
being held as there were several people from our flight still trying to get on it ... good thing as it was
now time for the plane to take off. Eventually our suitcases were sent to the plane, and after a long
wait, a folkswagon arrived and took us to Security. The lady driving it said she’d meet us on the
other side. Jill and Gerry both set off the beepers. Jim had trouble getting his belt back on, and
meanwhile the lady driver had disappeared!!!! We were all getting a bit frazzled to put it mildly. It
was now 30 minutes past the time the plane should have left, and we were still nowhere near the
gate. Jim spoke to another man who seemed to be official and he phoned for a driver. Our original
driver finally came back and we were whisked over to the departure gate which was in the bowels
of the airport. We limped over to the plane (exaggerating our disabilities to gender sympathy from
the waiting passengers). Nobody booed us as we slunk into our seats, and the plane took off 45
minutes late.
Victoria was a welcome sight. Our luggage was all there. The taxi took us to the Waddling Dog ho-
tel—a taciturn driver who drove much more carefully than the previous one. We gratefully col-
lapsed into bed.
After a great breakfast the following morning, we made our way home in bright sunshine. The
pond in the Steff’s driveway had ebbed to an overflowing ditch. We arrived home to find our wash-
ing machine had conked out while we were away, and there was a pile of newspapers telling us
about the horrible weather we had missed while enjoying the sights, sounds, sunshine, food and
drinks on the Mayan Riviera. Jill and I are both planning to go back to the Sandos Caracol Eco Re-
sort-not too sure if the guys will be coming!!
Gillian W

BC Cadets Honour Band

Several members of the Nanaimo British Club together with the writer attended the concert given by the
“BC Cadets Honour Band” at The Port Theatre on Tuesday, March 27th. We were entertained by a band
of exuberant and talented young musicians who played to us a program of modern and traditional music.
Notable amongst the music was the pipe and drum band that formed part of the ensemble. Also notable
was a solo sung by one of the young lady members.
It was an enjoyable performance and the program delighted everyone.
We can look forward to October when the Naden Band will be coming to The Port Theatre to entertain us
in a similar fashion. We have been privileged to have this band entertain us for as many years as we can
remember. A band that can hold its own amongst some of the best military bands in the world.
John M