As our Caldicot show is fast approaching it was decided to choose one charity from a number of charity's suggested by club members. All suggestions were equally important but so as to donate a reasonable sum, the chosen charity suggested by Angela, the Motor Neurone Disease (MND), the local office being the S.E. Branch, Monmouth, was pulled out of the hat by Katy. Tony and Angela have been in touch with the MND office and will publish further details when available.

What is MND?

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing. Further information can be found at www.mndassociation.org

With the season quiet, Brian, Sylvia, Darren & Steven decided to support fellow club member, Karen in her first “Tough Guy” Challenge on Jan 31st in Wolverhampton. The ground was solid with frost, the lakes and trenches, which the Tough Guy’s would later run through, were thick with ice. As the competitors readied themselves for the run and obstacle course they saw frogmen in the lakes breaking up the ice in preparation. The course itself was by no means for the feint hearted; entrants had to be both physically and mentally fit with great stamina. Stephen, Karen’s brother, who has completed Tough Guy in previous years, came in, a little over two hours, whilst Karen, noticeably cold and exhausted, and her friend, Robert both completed the course a short while later. A tremendous achievement for all who entered.

Our February Club Night so a change with the room newly decked out and the introduction of a “Quiz Night” hosted by your one and only, fledgling Chairman, needing no introduction, cider guzzling, chain smoking, Phil. My hat goes off to you sir, that must have been a tough half hour for you. Unfortunately there were no Einstein’s amongst us, with our “team” reaching 5 out of 20, Darren & Katy getting 6, well done Katy, Darren couldn’t have done it without you, and the winners getting 10 right and winning the no expense spared of a bottle of wine pinched from the raffle table was the C.A.R.L team. Well done lads, you must have watched the same T.V. programmes as Phil. Club night went well with Phil and Wayne covering for our new, illustrious, dedicated Secretary, Lorraine, who decided to abandon us for a cruise with hubby Richard.