Saturday 19 November brought the GIGC annual Formal Dinner Dance. One the shrinking number of occasions at which one can break out the black tie and drink too much in an orderly fashion.
As is usual the maximum number of participants had been reached within hours of the booking sheet going on the board. The reason is simple, guaranteed excellent food and Rosie Hunter providing the dance music.
We dully arrived at 7pm for the sherry reception and were fortunate to get a table in the corner before the bulk of the members arrived. There was a photographer from, I assume, the Carrickfergus Times to capture us for posterity, or something of that ilk.
We were called in to dinner at 7.30 and following a welcome from John Lecky, the Club Captain, Norman Walker said grace and dinner commenced.
As one would expect from David Alexander the meal was outstanding and finished with a selection of cheeses, of which to my mind the Stilton was away the best, and a glass of port. Memories of Sergeants Mess Dinners popped into my mind.
This left the Club Captain and Lady Captain, to take to the floor for the first dance. The great strength of Rosie Hunter is that she knows the music that will get the members on the floor, and keep them there. This is exactly what happened and the floor was fully occupied for the rest the night.
Due to licencing laws the bar closed at 1am and the company duly dispersed in various levels of euphoria. A great evening having been had by all.
Thanks to Margaret McKeen and Derek Cosby for the photographs
