The 2008 TASC Dinner/Dance took place at
the Ponsmere Hotel, Perranporth, on 9th February, with everyone present
enjoying themselves enormously.
Following an excellent 4-course meal,
Dave Saunby, forever honoured as the person who came up with the idea of the
"Army" but who is probably best known as the original bass drummer with the
Falmouth Marine Band, told some hilarious anecdotes about the Band's trips to
Cornwall matches. Did you know, for instance, that the Band were allowed to
march along the touchline at the 1989 Twickenham final only after Bill Bishop
had requested permission from the organizing committee, saying that the
Cornwall supporters had a "marine band"? Dave thinks that the organizers
expected a squad of immaculately-drilled, musically-perfect sailors in pith
helmets!
Apart from Dave, there were five other
founder-members of the Army present: Carol Mann, Tom Prout, John Rowe, Marjorie
Rowe, and Carol Seymour.
We were then treated to a mini-concert by
local choir, the Perraners, who sang a selection of folk tunes, sea
shanties, modern Cornish songs and traditional Cornish favourites, including
Cornish Lads, Lamorna, Camborne Hill, and, of course,
Trelawny. This proved very popular, with the audience joining in
enthusiastically.
Unfortunately, this is the last year that
the TASC Dinner/Dance will be held at the Ponsmere, because the hotel is
to be demolished to make way for a new apartment complex. In appreciation of
the excellent service that the hotel has provided the Army over the years, TASC
made a presentation to the proprietor, who is retiring.
The evening ended with a disco. (Among
many others, founder member Tom Prout and partner Linda were observed bopping
away enthusiastically.)
Thanks must go to Carol Seymour, who
organized the event, which everyone agreed had been a great success.
Thanks also to David Broadhurst, who took
the pictures.
