'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen' - and Ladies - was the first carol sung at the finale of the Manorbier and District Gardening Club Christmas dinner on Wednesday, December 12. It was a very appropriate choice as a very merry evening was being had by all.
Forty or so of the membership had enjoyed a superb dinner at the Castlemead Hotel (presently closed to the public for refurbishment) planned and prepared by Lorna and Geoff Greasley and their terrific team.
The after dinner speaker this year was the renowned storyteller and Tenby guide Marion Davies. Marion had selected some intriguing and ghostly stories from her collection of the historical, social and supernatural. The beautiful log fire, dying down as the evening progressed, along with the candlelit tables, provided the perfect setting for Marion's creepy and weird tales of the completely unexpected.
After enthusiastic and appreciative applause, Marion was warmly thanked by the vice-chairman, Bruce Price, on behalf of the enraptured listeners. He also paid tribute to all fine work undertaken by Pearl McCabe in organising the dinner.
Pearl (who was standing in for Andrew McCabe) then rounded off the evening by introducing Paul Eades who accompanied the singing of carols with his guitar. Pat Price organised and led the singing and the event finished with the rendition of the Manorbier Song, which has now become something of a tradition at such occasions.
Members enjoyed their meal even more knowing that, prior to the event, the club had made a donation to the fund supporting the Manorbier senior citizens' Christmas dinner arranged by the local branch of the WI.
The next meeting of the club will be the annual meeting on Wednesday, January 9, in Manorbier Village Hall, at the earlier time of 7 pm. It is essential that all current members attend the meeting which will be followed by a feature on 'Hardy Geraniums' by the distinguished Richard Caine.
New members will also be made welcome that night and at a varied and entertaining programme of speakers, events and visits which has been arranged for next year. The club normally meets in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month.