The Meridale News
Page 5
Meridale’s Birthday
Exhibition brings in 100s
despite the rain!
By Oliver Monk [email protected]
On Saturday 14th
November, trustees,
staff and members
began the official 50th
birthday celebrations by
opening up Meridale to
everyone for their one
day exhibition from
10am - 4pm. People
Meridale supporters and visitors at the Exhibtion
flocked from far and
wide throughout the day to see what Meridale was all about, relive
memories from earlier years and take the opportunity to catch up with
old friends.
Pictured left: Former Meridale
Chairman Andrew Wagstaff along
with his father, viewing
photographs and remembering
when Andrew attended Meridale as
a teenager himself and how he was
involved with running the club.
Pictured right: Mark and Wendy
Nicholson observe some of the
memories from the Children’s
parties we have hosted in the past.
The Nicholson’s have had a long
and firm connection with Meridale,
with Mark attending as a teenager,
followed by his children and now
their grandchildren who have
joined Kidz Klub.
The Meridale News
Meridale’s 50th Gala Dinner
The exhibition was a massive success and the whole of the
Meridale team thank everyone who visited during the day.
ISSUE 99 - December 2015/January 2016
TELEPHONE: 01507 441481 : EMAIL: [email protected]
By Dan Turner - [email protected]
Christmas Greetings to all our readers!
What an honour and a privilege
it was to have been asked by
John Monk if I would co-host
the proceedings at Meridale’s
Gala Dinner on Saturday night
with Reece Brant.
150 invited guests filtered into
our beautifully decorated heated Members of Meridale past and present come together to
acknowledge 50 years in Sutton on Sea.
marquee, hired especially for the
occasion which spanned the length and breath of our courtyard.
We enjoyed a fantastic 2 course dinner, with catering and waitress service
supplied by Dave’s Restaurant in Mablethorpe, followed by a surge on
raffle ticket sales between the dinner and the evening’s presentations.
Former Chairman, now our current Treasurer, Andrew
Wagstaff proposed a toast to Meridale’s 50 years and
wished the organisation continued success in the
forthcoming years.
John Monk MBE with former Assistant
Youth Leader Neil Bromwich.
Maureen Monk receives a bouquet of
flowers from husband John.
Pictured left: Janine and
Katrina (Hadden) revisit the
early days of Meridale Junior
Club, now Meridale Kidz Klub.
Janine remains local to Sutton
on Sea and is married with
children who have also
attended Meridale in the past.
Katrina also lives locally.
Page 6
By Daniel Turner
Prime Minister
David Cameron MP has written
personally to John Monk MBE and
the Meridale Organisation to
offer congratulations on their
50th milestone and wish them all
the best for the future.
Speaking at the Gala Dinner held
at Meridale on the night of
Saturday 14th November, Victoria
Atkins MP read out the letter from
the PM and followed it by stating
he had also donated a bottle of
Single Malt House of Common’s
whiskey, signed by him. The letter
came as a complete surprise .
John Monk MBE with the evening’s hosts,
Reece Brant and Daniel Turner.
Vice Chairman Janet Shields JP, receiving a
bouquet from Secretary Daniel Turner.
Andrew Wagstaff
presiding over the official
toast to Meridale during
the Gala Dinner.
During the evening speeches were given by Meridale
President Councillor Bernard Dobbs and Vice
Chairman Janet Shields read a letter on behalf of the
Chairman Robert Watson who was unable to attend.
Victoria Atkins MP receiving a posy of flowers
and club member Oliver Monk receiving the
Prime Ministers letter.
Prime Minister
sends
his best
wishes!
Member of Parliament for Louth & Horncastle
Victoria Atkins MP, was invited to attend as guest of
honour. At the beginning of the evening, Victoria
took to the stage, welcomed everyone to the event
and stated “Tonight we celebrate the best of
humanity, but before we do, let’s take a minute to
remember those who have been effected by the
attacks in Paris”. Victoria returned to the stage later
in the evening to say a few words and read a letter of
congratulations from Prime Minister David Cameron
to The Meridale Organisation and John Monk MBE.
Editor: John Monk MBE. Art & Design: Daniel Turner. Compositor: Oliver Monk - © MeriPrint MMXV
Sat 30th Jan 2016
Kick start with special guest; former
England, Leicestershire & Yorkshire
Cricketer
Matthew Hoggard MBE
—————————————-
£30 per ticket
includes two-course meal
—————————————-
Seacroft Bar, Trusthorpe
7pm - 7:30pm start
—————————————-
Tickets:
Adrian - 01507 442953
Reece - 07773 571443
Poynton’s Shoes - 01507 472338
DRESS CODE: LOUNGE SUITS
It has been an extremely busy year for Meridale.
In February we celebrated our 45th Table Tennis
Marathon with a bang - raising enough money to
purchase a defibrillator. The 6th Let’s Celebrate
Sutton event, swiftly followed and involved all of
our community. In May, we saw the official
opening of the Meridale Community Garden.
And as well as making our venue available for so
many groups, we found the time to celebrate our
50 years anniversary. Having
been.nghbujhygvvjhvjv totally involved with
Meridale since its opening on Friday 12th
November 1965, I feel we have grown and
matured(!) together. As far and our own lengthy
and extensive investigations go, we have
determined that Meridale is the longest serving
youth club in the UK. An unbroken run, same
venue and the same bumbling founder member
can still be painting walls and emptying bins! The
culmination of our celebrations was a trip down
memory lane, with hundreds of photographs
displayed in the exhibition which was followed
by a Gala Dinner with further films, stills and
video clips. Full story and pictures on pages 5 & 6.
I cannot mention names but, I must pay tribute to
everyone who has passed this way, the thousands
of people who have visited, belonged, loved and
felt that connection with Meridale. Bless you all.
And now to certain things.....
The Annual Christmas Quiz
Thursday 3rd December @ Bacchus Hotel
The Annual Christmas Concert
Saturday 12th December (Tickets available)
The Annual Christmas Cracker
Tuesday 15th December
Children’s Christmas Party
Saturday 19th December
Christmas Tree
By R Brant - [email protected]
You should have noticed our 25ft 2015
Christmas Tree is now in place pending
it’s light switch on for December 1st.
We would like to take this opportunity
to thank Peter Strawson, of Strawson’s
Farm, Little Cawthorpe who kindly
donated this years tree. Adrian Turner
of AT Builders of Louth who
transported it and put it in the hole
and Rob Majer for providing his cherry
picker which made the task of
decorating the tree that little bit easier
on a cold, wet and windy Saturday!
Thanks once again to David Monk for
organising the troops this year.
Deadline for the 100TH issue is Tuesday 19th January 2016
The Meridale News
Page 2
Tuesday 1st December
Creative Hands Craft Group invite you to a Craft Exhibition on Tuesday 1st
December from 10am - 12noon at the Enterprise Hall. Crafts and
refreshments will be on sale.
Thursday 3rd December
Please join us for the Annual Meridale Christmas Quiz at the Bacchus Hotel
at 8pm. Teams strictly 4 to 6 members - £5 per team. For info call 441481.
Saturday 5th December
Light up a Life with St Barnabas at the Meridale Centre from 2pm to 5pm.
Christmas Craft Fair at the Enterprise Community Hall from 9am -12:30pm.
Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Sunday 6th December
Visit the Craft and Gift Fayre at the Meridale Centre today. Open from
10am - 4pm. Free entry, refreshments served.
Thursday 10th December
Join us for a Glitz-Glam Christmas Party at the Enterprise Hall from 6:30pm
till late. Buddy Holly Tribute and Coastal FM will be there on the night.
Tickets are £10 including fish, chips and peas, a dessert, mulled wine and
mince pies. For all the details contact Pauline on 01507 441948.
Saturday 12th December
Meridale Annual Christmas concert!!! Songs, sketches and lots of laughter.
Tickets available beginning December at £6 which includes complimentary
drink and hot and cold buffet. Doors open 7pm - show begins 7.30pm
Sunday 13th December
Visit the Craft and Gift Fayre at the Meridale Centre today. Open from
10am - 4pm. Free entry, refreshments served.
The Women’s Institute will be holding their carol service at St Clement’s
Church from 3pm today. All welcome.
Tuesday 15th December
Meridale's Annual Christmas Cracker from 6pm to 8pm. All charity stalls
welcome at no cost. Telephone 441481 to book a table. Free admission –
visitors welcomed with mulled wine and cake. The evening culminates with
Carols around the Tree with the Alford Silver Band at 8pm. Then Christmas
time can begin.
Wednesday 16th December
Join Sutton Carers Group for Carols in St Clement’s Church from 2pm.
Christmas Celebrations at Huttoft Village Hall with the Alford Silver Band
from 7pm. Money raised will go to Huttoft Playing Field.
Friday 18th December
Representatives of the Alzheimers Society will be at the Meridale
InfoCentre, between 10am - 4pm today to offer advice to anyone affected
by dementia.
Page 3
Sunday 3rd January
A joint service between St Margaret’s and Huttoft Methodist Church will
take place in Huttoft Village Hall from 10:45pm.
All services for St Margaret’s Church will take place in Huttoft Village Hall
during the winter months.
Monday 4th January
Barn Dancing returns to the Meridale Centre for the New Year today.
Please contact Rosslyn for more information on 441550
Tuesday 5th January
Mablethorpe Ladies Group New Year Party.
Friday 15th January
Representatives of the Alzheimers Society will be at the Meridale
InfoCentre between 10am - 4pm today to offer advice to anyone affected
by dementia.
Tuesday 19th January
Mablethorpe Ladies Group meet tonight at the
Community Hall on Stanley Avenue. Tonight's topic is
Women at War with Denise Harrison. For information
on becoming a member of this very friendly social
group, please call Maureen on 477428.
Tuesday 20th January
Carnival Beetle Drive today at the Meridale Centre
from 3pm to 5pm. For more information please call
Rev Gillian Stevens on 440263
Sunday 24th January
Visit the ever popular Craft and Gift Fayre at the
Meridale Centre today. Open from 10am - 4pm. Free
By Sgt Gary Joynes
entry, refreshments served.
Policing
Matters
Visit the Tabletop/car boot sale at Mablethorpe
Community Hall from 9am to 1pm for those bargains.
I would like to take this opportunity to send my
congratulations to everyone involved with The Meridale
Organisation, as you celebrate 50 years of supporting and
entertaining young people in Sutton on Sea.
It is so inspiring to hear that a youth club set up by young
people themselves remains such a force for good in the local
community.
St Margaret’s Church welcome you to join them for their Crib Service in
Huttoft Village Hall from 2:30pm.
The Meridale Organisation is a wonderful example of the
significant and sustained impact that volunteers can have on the
people and area around them. I would particularly like to pay
tribute to John Monk for his half-century of community service
at Meridale. This is a wonderful achievement that will have
inspired so many over the years.
Newhaven Residential Home opens its doors for its Annual Carol Service
from 11am. Everyone is welcome to join us.
I hope that you all have an enjoyable evening celebrating the
continued success of Meridale.
Saturday 19th December
Children’s Christmas Party at the Meridale Centre today from 3pm to 5pm.
Visit from Santa with gifts. Unfortunately we have only 50 free tickets
available on a first come, first served basis. Collect at Meridale.
Sunday 20th December
Huttoft Methodist Church will meet in Huttoft Village Hall from 3pm for a
special Christmas Tea.
Thursday 24th December
Last meeting of Weight Watchers at the Meridale Centre today.
The Meridale News
This comes with my very best wishes on your special
anniversary, and here’s to the next 50 years!
November 2015
As I sit here in what is still
effectively the afternoon
looking at the pitch black,
the glorious summer we
enjoyed seems a dim and
distant memory. The early
nights are perfect for
people to skulk about in
and look at our houses with
criminal eyes. I would ask
you to look at your house
with criminal eyes too.
How would you get in
without a key? Do you
have a secluded area in the
garden at the rear where
someone could force entry
without being seen? It’s
time to get the timer
switches out and check that
those security lights work.
If you do see someone
acting suspiciously call us!
101 is the 24hr nonemergency number. You
will never be criticized for
making a false call with
good intent. Lastly I would
encourage you to join
lincsalert it’s a great
system for us to advise you
of goings on in your
community by e-mail or
phone message. See John
at Meridale or ask any of
us for more information.
Page 4
To the whole Meridale Team,
What a fantastic evening last Saturday to mark the 50th Anniversary
Celebrations of Meridale. The exhibition was superb and the Marquee was
something else. Thank you for inviting us. The catering was second to none and
the evening’s entertainment could not have been better. Reece and Daniel did a
cracking job of hosting the evening too. Well done!
John and Barbara Turner - Huttoft
Dear John,
Congratulations to you and your teams past and present on 50 years
involvement with our community. Best wishes for the future
Sutton on Sea, Gardening Group
Dear John,
Firstly, many many thank you’s for the flowers you gave me on Saturday
evening, they were beautiful. What a wonderful evening, the work that was put
into this was amazing. Congratulations Meridale. The food, absolutely perfect
and delicious. A credit to Daves Diner “Well done Dave”. To sum it all up
absolutely marvellous-superb-fantastic. Best wishes to all.
Eveline Holmes - Sutton-on-Sea
Dear John, Maus, Reece and all of the ‘Dream Team’,
Thank you so much for inviting us to share your splendid evening,
Celebrating 50 years of Meridale. Many congratulations for providing such a
totally memorable occasion. It was great food and entertainment and evening
full of warmth and love. A truly wonderful achievement by you all. Fondest
love.
Carol Thomas and Richard Foye - Sutton-on-Sea
Dear John,
You and the various incarnations of your team (but mainly you!) have
made such a difference to the lives of so many of the families in Sutton and
beyond. I am so proud to have spent a little bit of time on that journey with you.
Allie Majer - Cleethorpes
Dear John,
A note from both of us to say thank you for inviting us to the celebration
last Saturday. We were delighted to be with you on such a splendid evening,
and an honour to be there. The company was most interesting, and all the
speeches about the last 50 years brilliant. The food was a delight, well prepared
and presented. Meridale is such a great place—created by a very caring man you. Again great to be there, see you in the new year.
Sir David & Lady White
Dear John, Maureen & Co.,
Many thanks for the invitation to your 50th Anniversary evening. We
would like to say what a wonderful evening it was. Congratulations to everyone
on pulling it all together, you must be so proud as we know you always are.
Well done, Best wishes.
Michael & Shirley Mitchell - Alford
Dear The Meridale Team,
My wife Ann & myself would just like to extend our thanks and
congratulations to everyone involved in the splendid event on Sat. night.
It was a smashing evening, enjoyed by all, old friendships renewed, new
acquaintances made, everyone warm and welcoming, proving just what
Community is all about, thanks to you all, especially your inspired leader,
Here’s to the next 50 !!
John Handley - Mablethorpe
Dear John,
What a great night! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. You must be very
proud of your achievements and the way some of your youngsters have grown
into young men. Thank you for allowing us to be there to be a part of it.
Pat and Roy Griffiths - Sandilands
A massive thank you to the Meridale Team for the hours of preparation for the
event, in particular Daniel and Reece, Maureen, Lesley, Alex, Oliver, Aidan, Janet
and Andrew also to David for the technical wizardry.