Bramcote Wine Circle (Pt.1)

[albert smith 803]

Sorry about the errors last night, 2 shots of 'chivas regal' didn't help! any way here's pt.3 & the sad bit

Social contacts weren’t confined to the monthly meetings as we were soon invited to BBQs & suppers where 10-12 depending on the lounge size & chairs available would meet up then send out for an Indian, Chinese, Pizzas or even ‘’fishnchips’ and, of course, wine talk  & a glass or 2. A social life so crowded sometimes, our children would phone for an appointment to come and visit!                                            These memories are, of course, spread over the past 20 or so years and with no younger people joining the hobby, age has taken its toll with first one circle and then another cancelling the annual festival and ceasing to function. Even the ‘Biggie’, the W & W has had to move to a hotel leisure complex with restrictions on where & when you can enjoy your own wine so that’s Xed off as well. Last June after the presentation of the trophies at the Bramcote Festival the winners were told they need not return them as it was the final Bramcote  Festival . The cries of “NO,Nooo” at this announcement could be taken as a compliment to what has always been one of the best events in the social calendar but a few weeks ago Bramcote Wine Circle held its last monthly meeting 9 months short of its 50^th. anniversary. Not a total shut down on all these friendships as we intend supporting the last surviving wine circle festival in May at Eastwood & also the 4 Bramcote Saturday night dances, Valentine, Festival (but NO comp.), Halloween & the very popular Christmas Dance                                                   I sincerely hope that the friendly contacts we’ve made in the past will be continued at these dances but if not, well, we have a box full of photos to remind us. So it’s a BIG Thank You to Audrey Raven & Jack Elliot , the couple behind us at that sequence dance all those years ago and Thanks for the memories to all those ‘fellow wino’s’ who’ve made our retirement so enjoyable.

                             

 Here's Barbara & myself enjoying a quiet moment with our friends, Jack & Audrey. Long may Friendships continue!

PS  The "Valentine Dance" was a reasonable success with over 50 friends braving a very cold, damp Saturday evening to come-shake hands-hugs & share dancing to "CJ Sound", Colin & Joy who've played the music so many time for us they are friends too! 

[nonnaB 4,897]

Albert, if you're interseted in wine tours, consider organing one for our wine festival at thebeginning of may.  Local wine is Barbera and the festival lasts 3 days. There are 23 courtyards all serving local speciality foods and a wine and a wine producer serving various wines.

There are a lot of English come over for it.

[LizzieM 9,514]

# 27.     And the locals are very friendly too, went there to meet Nonna and her lovely family a year ago, smashing folk  and lovely area.

[albert smith 803]

Thanks nonnaB it would be a great trip 'if only', unfortunately our passports expired years ago and the cost for travel insurance at our age would probably exceed the travel & hotel costs! We'll have to look out for a Barbera wine and think of what we've missed. To any other 'NEW Seniors reading this topic take note of that word  'missed'  don't wait, DO IT. 

[plantfit 7,625]

Great outlook Albert,I liked the words you used to finish your last post

 

Rog

[nonnaB 4,897]

Thanks for the promotion Lizzie 

Never mind Albert just look for Barbera that comes from our region. Other regions may produce it but its not the genuine wine. Sure you will enjoy it.

[albert smith 803]

The wine circle may have finished but 15 of us have just had a nice social evening at the 'Magpie', Stapleford 'playing' long alley skittles (more like king size marbles!) followed by an excellent meal off the '2 for a tenner' menu. Long may friendships continue!

[LizzieM 9,514]

Good for you Albert, keep getting out and socialising, better than sitting watching the trash on the telly. 

[albert smith 803]

As promised 9 ex -BWC members attended the Eastwood Wine Circle festival on Saturday evening & a good trip it turned out, 5 Firsts & 6 placings between us and, as expected, a very good social 'meet up'! Thanks Eastwood, here's to the next time. Cheers!