26 Coming home by Bill Phillips

After so, so, long, now more than a year, it was such a joy to enter by the red door, go down those familiar stairs like it was just a month or so ago, and to enter our Wigwam, already filled with happy voices of friends not seen for so long. What a wonderful feeling it was. We had arrived, dressed very casually, and wearing masks, but there was no disguising all those faces we knew so well and the collective comfort they have given us for quite a good chunk of our lives; this is where we belong.

We knew there were to be changes to our cherished Wigwam and we were rather apprehensive, but what we found really pleased us. There was the new bar, looking as though it belonged there. Gone were all those pieces of taxidermists’ art or spoils of game hunting, forays of our forebears and other gloomy pieces of paraphernalia, all of which many of us, myself included, would have resisted their removal but, from my own reaction realise they will hardly be missed at all! In their place, some welcome open wall space, making the whole hall lighter, and a very tasteful display of musical instruments hinting at one of our club’s principal reasons for being - and giving relevance. We came to enjoy actually being at the first live entertainment session of our newly branded club, rather than watching from home on Crowdcast. We also came to witness the naming of the handsome new Heming Bar, in President Michael’s absence, his being cared for at St Peter’s Hospice, sadly not realising that this was to be his very last complete day still with us.

John Bedford then gathered us together and introduced our first entertainer Stuart Potter, who showed us why he is known as ‘Fingers’, with three very lively Jazz numbers. Then it was John Davenport, who chose to delight us with three light but nimble classic performances on the grand piano. Next, ‘Fingers’ again, firstly on his own, then joined by Graham Smith with his fabulous violin keeping up with Fingers, or was it the other way round? But we all loved it. Finally, it was Graham with his frisky bow reminding us how much we love what we have in our privileged membership of this fantastic club. Thank you, J, S, P and G.

Sadly, we were oblivious to the fact that the airing of this concert was not leaving the premises, so all those ‘tuning-in’ to their screens at home missed it. Thankfully the whole performance was recorded and they will be able to enjoy what was an absolute treat very soon.

I should add that some of us brought our own supply of drinks for the evening. There were forty plus of us a party spirit prevailed. Congratulations and thanks to all those who worked hard to put things together.

Bongie, we SHALL carry on.

Bill Phillips.