David Selves often quotes Harold Macmillan’s famous expression, “Events dear boy events”!

How true that was for our planned beach party on Bermondsey Beach on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, the 6th of June. Well over 30 members were looking forward to this novel idea enjoying a day watching Olde Father Thames roll in and out of the City of London basking in the glorious June sunshine. 

But it was not to be. Either events intervened or the meteorological office had not consulted our events programme before delivering a day when, although rarely very hard, the rain did not stop in central London. But the thing about such events is not to let them dampen your spirits or ruin your day. We did not. Plan B swung into operation and although, because there was a wedding taking place, we did not gain the anticipated access to Southwark Cathedral which was to be part of Plan B, we nonetheless had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon meeting at The Mudlark opposite Glazier's Hall in Montague Close and drifting around Borough Market sampling its highly varied food offerings with a number of the party investing in the wares that were on offer to take away.

Before leaving The Mudlark, President David Selves said he had chosen Bermondsey Beach because of fond memories sharing marmite sandwich with his Great Grandfather there in the early fifties. The date chose itself when in the early stages of planning the event the two days where the tides worked were 6th June and 20th June which meant by having the event on D-Day we would be able to raise a glass in recognition and thanks to those who 82 years earlier had been on a far less hospitable beach endangering their lives to enable us to have the freedoms we do today. A view endorsed totally endorsed by members who joined in a toast of gratitude.

After Borough Market, we reconvened in one of the upper floors of the Anchor Bankside overlooking the River,although it took a pincer movement from our experienced and skilled negotiators to persuade the staff that it was in their best interests to let us occupy empty tables which were not booked until 7pm or later that evening. It's certainly raised a few questions in the minds of our commercially-minded group as to why someone would block out tables all afternoon that weren't needed until the evening! But in the end, we tucked in heartily enjoying our food and ale and look forward to our Beach BBQ on another occasion and were pleased to welcome two new members following the event.