RTBI Area54 - The Big One

Area54.org Seeks new Owner

Are there any budding webmeisters out there who would like to take on the management of the Area 54 website? I am leaving RTBI and would like to hand this over to someone else. I'm more than happy to keep it going until the domain is up for renewal but if a new owner isn't forthcoming by then it will cease to exist. The cost of hosting the site is paid for out of area funds but someone does need to "own" it.

For those familiar with PHP-Nuke the site is built on that platform with a few patches and mods to provide the additional functionality such as the calendar application and the photo gallery. Aside from keeping the patches up to date and ejecting the occasional bogus user the site essentially runs itself - which was the original intention...

So, if you are up for the challenge please drop me a note.

NSW - Not Impressed

Well, much as we'd like to tell you how well Area 54 had performed at NSW Edinburgh the final scores were just one more entry in the catalogue of cock-ups in what has been probably the most disappointing NSW for a long time. Several of our hard-earned points were not counted at all (the same was noted for several Areas), meaning that the final results were not worth the paper they were printed on. Whilst there was no dispute as to the overall winner, the rest of the placings are anyone's guess. Confidence started to waver when the wrong team was announced as the winner of one of the events!! A dispute was raised by Area 54 over the errors but unfortunately it seems unlikely that we'll ever see the true results.

Couple the scoring with the fact that several events started over an hour late due to organisers simply failing to turn up, the lack of a single dart-board for the darts match, equipment not being delivered and a breakdown in communications for off-site event arrangements and you can begin to get a picture of the "fun" and games. The university bars closing at 6pm on Saturday night didn't endear many to the cause either and the gala dinnner is the first time I've ever seen an act unanimously booed off stage by 600+ tablers!!

As far as our actual sporting performance was concerned, well we actually covered every single event except the football this year which was a great achievement with the numbers we had. We came third in the volleyball competition (shame they forgot to give us any points though) and placed well in several of the other events and generally everyone enjoyed the sports when they finally got to play.

So, overall not the event we'd hoped it to be which is disappointing but hopefully it hasn't put anyone off NSW 2008!!

YiT

Area 54 Celebrating 5 Years - 11 Jan 2008

Area 54 will be holding a Charter evening celebrating 5 years of the newest area in RTBI on Friday the 11th of January 2008. This will be held at the Met Police Sports Club, Aldenham Road in Bushey, a popular venue with most of you. We all struggle to fill the table programme in early Jan so here's your chance to save yourself the bother of organising something yourself :)

Cost and content is to be confirmed over the next few weeks but please put the date in your diary for the new year!!

We will update you via the website and email as we know more details.
YiT

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Area Snooker

On the 21st May, we held our Area Snooker tournament at The St Albans' snooker centre. The home baize was certainly an advantage, as the final was contested by two St Alban's teams, with St Albans A beating B in a close fought frame, which went down to the black ball with the scores level at 55 each, but Jon Sutcliffe successfully sunk the black to win outright with his partner Ant Pace. Afterwards, we adjorned to the curry house to finish off the first event in the area 54 calendar. 'I was happy to get the first event completed in the year, and I hope that we can build on our national success at snooker with another event next year. Also, overjoyed that my home table won the event.' said Stuart Stafford, Area 54 Chairman and St Albans RT Chairman.

New Chairman Stuart Starts the Year.

The Area 54 AGM was held on the 25th of April at the Met Police Sports Club in Bushey. Attended by the National President we had a great turnout on the night to say farewell to Jeff Carter, the outgoing Area 54 Chairman and to welcome Stu Stafford (left) and Stephen Sprod (right) into the Chair and Vice Chair.

Stu outlined his plan for the Year as being one of small steps with the aim to get tables meeting with each other again on a regular basis and to grow this back up into well-attended full Area meetings. Most of the Exec posts were filled on the night but if you are interested in becoming the new CSLO or Media & PR officer please get in touch with Stu at chairman@area54.org.uk

More...

Beware of Bogus Clothing Collectors!!

I'm probably preaching to the converted on this but just in case you, like me, are often in receipt of leaflets offering clothing collection for the Third World PLEASE read the small print. If it does not have a registered charity number on there just throw the leaflet away! There are several commercial companies being run by East European gangs collecting clothing for commercial profit and unfortunately they exist in a grey area as far as the law is concerned.

Once such company is LAIRATEX Ltd - this is a totally bogus outfit and has nothing to do with charity collection. Avoid them like the plague and tell your neighbours to do the same. These companies are damaging the reputation of legitimate collectors and need to be stopped, the only way to do this is to cut of their supply by spreading the word.

YiT

Harpenden Know how to Throw a Party!

I would like to extend my thanks to Graham Dicks, Harpenden 455 for inviting my Wife and I to their Ladies night on St Patricks day. This was a superb event and hugely enjoyed by all who attended. One of the highlights of the evening was the 'Riverdance' competition awarding prizes to the best Irish dancing in the categories of style, grace and 'Micheal Flatley-ness'.

Well done to Harpenden RT and LC for such an entertaining evening and also to their achievements in fundraising this year.

YiT Jeff Carter Area 54 Chairman

Area 54 Burns Night - 25th Jan ... BOOK NOW!!!!!!!

PLEASE NOTE THIS ARTICLE HAS CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL POST - DETAILS AMENDED

The Next Area 54 Gathering will be in 2 weeks time and is a Burns Night kindly hosted by Royston & District Round Table who invite you and your fellow Tablers to join us for a Haggis Dinner and Scotch Whiskey tasting

Thursday January 25th (7:30pm)

At the Jester Hotel
116 Station Rd, Odsey,
Baldock,
Hertfordshire SG7 5RS (right by Ashwell & Morden station)

Cost will be £25 per head

Dress Code : Black Tie
Formal address to the haggis
“Blind” single malt whiskey tasting included in the price, guess your way from Islay to the highlands and back south to the lowlands.
A superb evening to remember

Please contact Mike Seymore to book tickets as soon as possible

Eve : 01763 221398
Day : 07801 236606

michael@theseymours.org.uk

Christmas tree festival

Harpenden 455 have sponsored a tree to join the 100 inside St Nicholas Church, the festival runs from Thrs 14th to Tues 19th see www.christmasfestival.co.uk for details or our ouw site to view our tree www.harpendenroundtable.org
A great way to be part of the community and a lot of fun for the children.
Merry Christmas to you all