THE BMLS – AGM & GTG - 50th ANNIVERSARY

Stratford Upon Avon

7/8/9 OCTOBER 2011

A milestone in the history of the Society. The official programme began on the Friday evening meeting up with old friends for pre-dinner drinks and welcoming our guests of honour Ellisa and Bobby. Approximately 70 members sat down to dinner and it was great to welcome dear friends from Belgium and Germany once again.

Following the meal, Ellisa and Bobby went round every single table to chat with all the members, naturally they loved being able to be so close to the lovely daughter of Mario, and they took her to their hearts.

Following the showing of "The American Caruso" at 10.30 pm, we said our goodnights to Ellisa and Bobby and retired to renew our strength ready for the busy day to come.

On Saturday morning, following hearty breakfasts, all stalls were laid out with their various wares. Society merchandise, the raffle, Barbara Farnsworth and John Fisher with their wonderful portraits of Mario for the Auction and Raffle.

The AGM of the Educational Foundation then followed at 10.30, followed at 11.00 by the AGM of the Society. Following lunch at 1.30there followed a very successful Auction with members bidding against each other with lots of hilarity!

After welcoming Bobby and Ellisa, they were invited to cut the first slice of a beautiful 50th anniversary cake made by member Marjorie Evans and her daughter, Elaine. Two of our longserving members, Barbara Knight and Maurice Green gave members an account of their memories of people and events over the past years and Maurice read out a lovely poem he had written of how he felt about Mario. Joan Beynon, another longserving member brought along her albums of photographs to show of past GTG's and other meetings.

Following the cake, "The Great Caruso" was shown, this being the 60th year of the film's release. This was the recently remastered version and all agreed the quality was definitely superior to what we have had in the past. Following the film at 5.30 pm, members retired to their rooms to wash and brush up for the evenings banquet. The tables were adorned with flowers and place names set out for approximately 90 members and friends. Ellisa and Bobby were presented with a small token of the Society's appreciation for all their years of dedication to the BMLS, they travel to be with us whenever they can, and we appreciate it so much. Ellisa was presented with a Swarovski crystal pendant of intertwined circles signifying eternity and Bobby received a set of Swarovski black crystal cuff links, presented with the same feeling and meaning as Ellisa's gift.

The first raffle to be drawn was Barbara's painting which raised £98 for the Foundation and won by Maurice Green. The next raffle was for the small terracotta bust won by Annaleise Kleibrink from Germany, who also won one of the pictures. This was followed by the tombola which raised £162, for which the Society is extremely grateful.

This was followed by the showing of a short biography of Caruso, a 45 minute documentary. The evening came to a close at 11.30 pm, when we reluctantly had to say our goodbyes to Ellisa and Bobby, as they had to catch an early flight back to Chicago for a business meeting on Monday. After many hugs and kisses all round they managed to depart.

Sunday morning began with the now regular playing of one lucky member's choice of Mario recordings on their own personal CD recorded by George Thomson. There then followed the draw for next year's lucky recipient, who this year is Trevor Denman. We then watched the remastered version of "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" and a shortened version of interviews about Mario in "And God Created Tenors". Finally, the DVD of the 50th anniversary concert at the Birmingham Conservatoire. At about midday, members began to depart and return home following a very busy, happy and memorable weekend.

Members had travelled from across the country, Belgium and Germany to join with us in 50 years celebration of the BMLS. Ellisa and Bobby made the whole weekend so special and we thank them so much for their wonderful company, we had such fun!

Ellisa

Ellisa and Bobby cutting the cake

Bobby, Ellisa and Wendy Stilwell

One happy member! David Williams

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