Bournemouth Sands – 12th March 2011
Henry Godber who has been a Walk Leader for the Isle of Wight Ramblers took 43 of his rambling friends to the Bournemouth Sands Hotel to help him celebrate his 90th birthday. Henry received many cards and kisses at breakfast time and gathered all his “chicks” together on stage to pose for a birthday photo wearing his birthday cake hat and rosette. A coach trip to Salisbury had been arranged so he could meet up with some of his friends for a surprise celebration lunch. The rest of the group had a walk up to the Old Sarum and back via the pretty hamlet of Stratford-sub-Castle where the 13th century Church of St Lawrence with its one handed clock provided a perfect setting for our picnic lunch.
Back at the Hotel, the restaurant was decorated with Henry’s many cards and balloons, his wife Ruth had placed a yellow rose at each table setting. A separate table was needed for his birthday cake and a set piece containing 90 candles which were lit and blown out by Henry in seconds before the cake was cut. We toasted Henry’s good health with his own parsnip and rice wine which he had made in 1976! A party evening of fun and dancing followed.
The next morning Henry was up and ready to walk the Chines with us. We all had a wonderful time and excellent weather but a huge thankyou goes to the staff for making it so and especially Sylvia and her restaurant staff who helped light the candles and stayed late to clear away after the celebrations.
“Your wholehearted comradeship gives me inner contentment. EUPHORIC TIME. Thank you all” Quote from Henry in Ramblers Newsletter
