It is with great sadness that I report the recent passing of Roger Nickes. Roger was a regular at the Frog and Wicket noggin venue where we would often share rugby football stories. Many members of recent hugely successful England rugby teams lived nearby and were known to Roger. The noggins were always more joyous when Roger and his wife Kathrine were around; for much of the year they lived in Spain. Roger will be missed. On behalf of the Centre, I would like to send our sincere condolences – to live to in the hearts of those we leave

I hope with all this wet weather that you have all managed to keep you hoods above water. My thoughts are with anyone that has suffered from any flooding during this appalling weather. Therefore, I have decided to turn this month’s report over to good news only, to hopefully cheer us all up a little. The first bit of good news is that I can confirm that our AGM will be held at the Bird In Hand on Thursday 17th April, arriving from 19:30 for a 20:00 start. Please let Mike Aldrich (This email address is being protected from spambots.

I think this could be a long battle. Over the Christmas period I was saddened to hear that a group of climate scientists were stuck in the sea ice down there in Antarctica. They still insist that the ice is receding, however, they were down there in summer and the sea ice has been growing for years. There are always two sides to an argument. I am indebted to Andrew Neil for this observation. A balance clearly should be struck in these matters. On a happier note, to help us look forward to the spring, we have a walk

I am pleased to be able to announce and welcome one of our newest members, one who possesses beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices. I speak of course about my new dog Susie, a border collie with a sense for adventure. I am indebted to Lord Byron for some of the words in my introduction. Hopefully, on New Year’s Day you will be able to meet her on the way up the Long Man of Wilmington. If you plan to join us on this walk please let me

Before I wrote this month’s Centre report, I had just returned from Sexmogland and a visit to the beautiful old world charms of Lewis, where I had the pleasure of witnessing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Harvey’s brewery accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. A nice pint of fresh Harvey’s best bitter goes down very nicely. The rain held off thankfully for what turned to be a very happy occasion: a pleasing coincidence for my shopping trip. Incidentally, on the subject of rain, while returning from the last NCM for the MSCC, in atrocious conditions, I left the M40

Some of you may have noticed a trend in our culture, a move away from a traditional night at one’s local for a pint to perhaps a cafe or even more restaurant oriented night out. Are more people eating out rather than cooking at home? I don’t know the answer to this question but we have noticed a trend. I have seen it said that twenty-five pubs close a week and I guess to reverse this trend pubs are changing. At the most recent noggin at the Chequers we met the new landlady. The pub is now very much a