TOP CLASS VENUE

Castleford's second meeting at their new venue was a sparkling affair from start to finish. Top-class players, a great lighting system, the sound was good and a good crowd enjoyed the whole evening. This venue is surely as good as anything that the GFS can boast throughout its eleven branches.

A COLD, DARK NIGHT

On a dark, cold, wet night, the George V club was warm and welcoming with nice, friendly staff behind the bar and a good choice of drinks on offer to make the evening go with a swing. Branch leader Andy Poppleton was his usual humorous, good- natured self as he introduced all the players to the stage and was always entertaining. Brilliant left-hander Peter Nixon had travelled from Chesterfield and Tim and Jeanette Austin had travelled from Nottingham for their monthly dose of George Formby, Castleford style.

WELCOME BACK

One young man who was warmly welcomed was none other than Mark Walsh who I haven't seen for about fifteen years! Mark for all that time has been on the professional entertainment circuit but has recently retired and moved to the Lincolnshire area from his home town of London. Mark is taking life a bit easier now although his travel schedule will still be busy as he intends to visit other branches of the GFS and of course the Blackpool national meetings. Mark performed twice this evening and made a brilliant contribution to the evening's proceedings. I would think that most of the GFS audience would probably not have known Mark at the start of the evening but by the end of it, he was known to all. Castleford GFS is free to all but there is a raffle to help support the branch and excellent food is also available for a modest price. A thoroughly enjoyable evening in the best of a company with some great entertainment throughout the night.