Once again the Provincial Weekend was held at the Durrant House Hotel in Bideford between 3rd and 5th February 2017. The weekend was a great success much due to the sterling efforts of E Comp Keith Fisher and his wife Margaret. The companions and wives/partners and guests mainly arrived on Friday and got themselves settled in before the evening hot or cold buffet and entertainment. Next morning after a hearty breakfast many headed off to discover the delights of Bideford, Barnstaple and the surrounding Devon countryside before returning to get changed for the main event of Dinner followed by Dancing.
Before the dinner at 6.30pm, The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent hosted a Reception in the Sir Richard Bar for all Guests attending the Dinner. The ladies were resplendent in their beautiful ensembles as they were escorted into the reception where they were greeted by MEGS and Jenny as well as the Principals of the Province along with their wives and partners. A good delegation from Dorset were conspicuous in their chains of office accompanied by their other halves and other guests.
After the reception all adjourned to the dining room to receive the Principals and their partners thence to enjoy the meal and make new acquaintances before the Loyal Toast was given. E Comp Maldwyn Davies then proposed the Toast to the Ladies with his usual good humour and stories. Mrs Gail Glazier, wife of the MEGS of Dorset, then responded on behalf of the Ladies, giving equal good humour where she then asked the ladies to rise and toasted the gents!
E Comp Bob Moore, you just cannot keep him down, rose and presented the MEGS and Jenny with a basket of Fruit and a bottle of wine on behalf of all present. MEGS then rose to express thanks to E Comp Keith and Margaret Fisher, for all the hard work they had done, the hotel and also everyone for coming.
There followed dancing and more chatting to complete a wonderful dinner. After breakfast the next morning most people then packed their bags and bid farewell, looking forward to the next Bideford Weekend on 2nd to 5th February 2018.
