Around 70 Guests (an appropriate number indeed!) wined and dined in Hudson's Bar in a most convivial atmosphere. The evening brought back memories of how things used to be with an abundance of Dinner Jackets and Glamorous Gowns - anybody would have thought we were on a cruise ship.
Following a fabulous meal, there were the expected speeches and presentations.
Les Pearce, Chairman of the FBAS, was first up welcoming all guests to the Anniversary Dinner.
His speech set the tone for those who followed (you could see many hurriedly amending their notes as Les mentioned things they were going to say!), and included many tributes to those who first established, and then those who sustained, the Federation's position in the hobby.
Rather than read out a list of names (whom many present may not have known), President Joe Nethersell hit on a great idea of having a brief 'Moment of Remembrance' during which all those absent friends could be recalled to mind, along with their many achievements on behalf of the Federation. Joe also paid tribute to the support provided over the many years by the Aquatic Trade and to hobbyists throughout the UK who had also supported the Federation's many events.
It fell to three 'Giants of the Trade' to reply - Neville Carrington of Interpet, Andrew Bartyla of Rolf C Hagen and David Pool of Tetra - whose Companies' sponsorships had been the mainstay to the FBAS. All agreed that the positive bond that the Federation provides between 'supplier' and 'user' is something that must be sustained during the coming years as our 'practical hobby' competes against more 'virtual hobbies' now much in evidence.
Presentations were made not only to those Companies (past and present) to acknowledge their support but also to individuals both in the aquatic Trade and the Societies for their contributions over the years.
A special vote of thanks went to the Staff who served the evening meal so impeccably and there was a special award to Lorna Howlitt, Operations Manager of Mill Rythe Holiday Village to acknowledge the support offered over the past three years in staging the annual Festival of Fishkeeping event.
It was the small things that made the evening so special - a gift for each lady and a complimentary photograph of each guest or group as they were introduced to the President and Chairman.
Of course, the success was nothing more than we have come to expect over the years, given that the organisation team was Joe and Grace Nethersell - apparently they've already started planning the Federation's 75th!
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Last updated November, 2008