Background


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FORUM – Background

The origins of the Forum were based on the previous association called FEIS.  This grouping was formed in the late 1970’s by Rod Baker and included Mike Gough, Geoff Werrett, Dick Davies, Stuart ?? and Jim O’Neill.  FEIS stood for Free Exchange of Information to Schedule, but a feis is also a Gaelic festival of dance and the arts – not really our intention, but we reasonably argued that no Gaelic festival would be without beer – so that was good enough for us.  The format was a rotating chairman responsibility for deciding a venue and agenda.  One memorable meeting was when Rod arranged the viewing of some early mucky videos in his employer’s offices in Knightsbridge.  During the show we were interrupted twice – one by the cleaners and once by the Police, who were investigating a nearby break in.

  So a similar format to the current Forum!

  In September 1995 Geoff Werrett and Rod Baker were both ‘between jobs’.  They thought it might be a good idea to get like minded friends and colleagues together in an informal network to see if there were any synergies or possible ‘job’ opportunities going.

  The original 1995 objectives were to:

  1. Meet and discuss what we were all doing (or not)
  2. Discuss areas of mutual interest – including current assignments
  3. Ascertain if there were any opportunities between members for work
  4. Keep the ‘self help’ movement going

The objectives since 2000 are:

  1. Have a full English breakfast
  2. Have several pints of London Pride
  3. Meet and discuss what we were all doing (or not)
  4. Discuss areas of mutual interest – including current assignments
  5. Ascertain if there were any opportunities between members for work
  6. Keep the ‘self help’ movement going

  Venues

The first meeting was held on Saturday 25th November 1995 at Guildford University – thanks to the fragrant and gorgeous Carol Werrett.  Carol also managed to arrange a supply of tea and coffee.  In total, some 11 souls attended – Rod Baker, Geoff Werrett, Mike Reeve, Martin Edser, Dick Davies, Bill Barham, Phil Sansom, John Storey, Matthew Boullin, Tom II…?  As ‘mature students’ (we never stop learning, do we?) we made use of the Students Bar – good prices, shame about the furniture!

The second meeting was also at Guildford University on Saturday 13th January 1996 – smaller numbers and no tea this time – Geoff had given Carol the day off.  We retired to a hostelry at Guildford Park, where the beer was pricier than before and the furniture was worse.

We then moved to the Concorde Cricket Club in Whiteley Village - famous for it’s fridge like qualities – even in high summer.  We stayed here for many years (until about 2000, when the club moved to Send) and as Mike Reeve was the Captain, Committee Member, Bar Steward and Cellarman, the habit of starting on the beer at 10am started.  Once or twice we even had some food – probably on the back of the cricket/football catering.

And then we settled on the infamous Pilgrim in Dorking, where we have been ever since. The Pilgrim - famous for its Landlord and quality of London Pride and the quality of its cooked breakfast.  But it wasn’t until recent times that Geoff joined in for breakfast – explaining that he ‘had it with Carol on Saturday mornings’. 

In deference to the far flung member (Mike Gough), we have held two meetings in Mike’s local – the Swan at Three Mile Cross.  No breakfast (too late) but a very interesting Landlady and great lunches.  

The passing of mine host at the Pilgrim, John Bateman in February 2014 and subsequent sale of the pub has left the Forum without a 'home' and have thus become a wandering society.

Members

Over the years, names were added – Martyn Champion, Mike Gough, Richard Marsden, Simon Bennett (200?), John Hughes (2007) 

Over the years, some names dropped out – let’s hope they are all happy without our company!

It is interesting to note that the founder members are still members and the hard core remain the same – Geoff, Rod, Bill, Mike R, Dick, Martyn, Mike G, Simon.  

In those early days – before email was as popular and widespread as it is now, all meetings were arranged by telephone or by post – how did we manage?

Chairman

The first Chairman was Geoff and he brought a structure to the proceedings, which meant that we were all supposed to keep each other up to date with our work situation and ambitions for the future.  Geoff also instituted the idea of ‘presentations’ on various subjects:

Bill on "what the hell handheld bar code readers were for"

Geoff on the minefield of pensions

Rod on risk management

?? more ??

?? did we then have a rotating chairmanship ??  

Then Rod took over the Chair and attempted to get through the ‘formal’ business by limiting each Member’s presentation to 10 minutes – fat chance!  But he did use his Chairman’s position to ensure that he always presented last 

Geoff was ‘elected’ Chairman again in 2005?

Mike agreed to a one year Chairmanship on July 2006

Forum Ladies Lunch

Instituted after some years, in order that Les Girls could find out what we didn’t talk about.

Venues

The memorable dim sum experience – where we didn’t know what we were eating and by the time the bill arrived we didn’t care.  We were all well ratted and the bill was only £8.50 a head.

The Red Lion, Betchworth
The place near Piccadilly
Tas Pide, Globe Walk,  London
Cork & Bottle, Leicester Square
5/12/04 – Biagio Ristorante Pizzeria – Rupert Street
Charlotte Street
Belgos, Covent Garden
La Poule au Pot
Olivettos,Guildford
Carlos, Newlands Corner
Red Bar, Dorking
March Hare, Guildford

Latterly our Welsh branch has hosted a 'Summer Thrash' at their estate in Lydney

Obituary

Sunday 9th February 2014,  our illustrious host, John Bateman passed away

Monday 20th October, 2014,  Simon Bennett passed away after having fought off cancer.