Thursday 18th June 2009, venue the London Rowing Club in Putney, occasion, the debut performance of the Hogarth Hogs (maybe their first and their last!).
The Hogarth chapter of BNI (Chiswick) was the first chapter in England to take on six new members in the recent Power Team drive. To date they have taken on over ten new members as a result of their efforts and to celebrate they decided to use some of their prize money to have a party as a reward for all of their hard work and also to welcome the new members into the chapter.
On arrival members were greeted with a glass of Champagne on the balcony of the club overlooking the Thames and rowers below. Then it was down to a little work!
Speed One2Ones. New members being paired with the more long term members, each pairing being given three minutes to discover things about each other, until everyone had had a chance to introduce themselves to everyone else. Well, that was the plan - I think it got a little lost somewhere!
One thing that I discovered was that Yvonne Arzt, the chapter’s Membership Co-ordinator and Interior Designer, had worked in Israel on a large project.We then sat down to an excellent three course dinner and I was lucky enough to sit with Alex Hutchings (Plumbing & Heating), as during the meal we discovered that not only did we have a part of the country in common, but that we both have a passion for cooking and, what’s more, similar dishes.
Then, just before the sweet was served, we were given a taster of what was to come: Norwegian Wood, a duet by Yvonne Arzt and Etienne Baird, accompanied by Will Cheng on guitar.
So, after coffee we were given our instructions to come close to the stage, standing only, after all ‘this is a rock concert!’
The Hogarth Hogs opened with ‘I saw Her Standing There’ (Beatles), included a rousing rendition of Johnny Be Goode, with some very passionate vocals by Jonathon Hughes (Secretary/Treasurer), and ended with ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ (Oasis). In between were some superb guitar solos by Will Cheng and AIan Macdonald (Chapter Director), very tidy drumming from Colin Woodley, all backed up by Roger Severn on bass.
Sadly, there was to be no encore as the band had only learnt just enough songs for their performance during their two rehearsals.
As we once again stood on the balcony, this time watching the tide rise, the talk was all about when the Hogarth Hogs might play again and if Ashley Winston (Car Finder) would have to move his Rolls Royce before the tyres got wet!
A great evening and one that I was very happy to have been invited to. What’s more, I can see the headlines now – Hogs Rock!
As we once again stood on the balcony, this time watching the tide rise, the talk was all about when the Hogarth Hogs might play again and if Ashley Winston (Car Finder) would have to move his Rolls Royce before the tyres got wet!
A great evening and one that I was very happy to have been invited to. What’s more, I can see the headlines now – Hogs Rock!
Hogarth Hogs are: Alan Macdonald (guitar), Will Cheng (guitar), Roger Severn (bass), Colin Woodley (drums), Jonathan Hughes (vocals), Etienne Baird (vocals) and Yvonne Arzt (vocals).Photography: Philip Coulson
No comments:
Post a Comment