The meeting on April 7 was opened at 10am at the Parkhill Hotel by the chairman, Harry Hill, who welcomed the 44 members present, there were no visitors and six apologies for absence.

The meeting on April 7 was opened at 10am at the Parkhill Hotel by the chairman, Harry Hill, who welcomed the 44 members present, there were no visitors and six apologies for absence. The chairman welcomed member Richard Hill who had recently returned from holiday and said that the whole club was looking forward to his talk. Among the sick and absent members it was revealed that Water Gill was at present in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and would appreciate visitors; Honorary member Malcolm Battrick was at present undergoing hospital tests and the whole club hoped that these would be satisfactory and that he would soon be returned to good health. Doug Ewells reported news of the rare black squirrel seen recently seen by a member, this was a member of the squirrel family, albeit a more aggressive form of the 'Grey Family' and John Burt reported that he had seen a first swallow in his garden. The current birthdays of Anthony Taunton, John Dunster and David Osborn were celebrated. Ken Renshaw the minutes' secretary read the minutes of the last meeting on March 17 which were agreed and signed by the chairman with no matters arising. Secretary Wally Parnell announced that he had received an invitation for as many of the members as possible to join them at their forthcoming lunch at the Beaconsfield Club on May 20, cost �15.50, names to the secretary asap. In his role of club magazine editor, he reported that he hoped to have the next edition available at the next meeting. He then mentioned his experiences in negotiating a modest fare by rail to London by booking in advance. Alan Monro, the assistant secretary announced the final preparations for the Chairman's Lunch on April 15 and said that this was the very last day to take orders. The treasurer Tim Macer, at first admitted that he had picked up the wrong papers which turned out to be current Job Opportunities and in the current financial climate gave an amusing outlook on them. Returning to sanity, he presented the club's current financial report (which turned out to be more satisfactory than the country's) and reminded members that current subscriptions were now due. The bowls report was given by John Shoebridge who, now that the first signs of spring were here, hoped that we would find an increase in players. In 'any other business' Terry Kelly invited members to visit the St Benedict's Church Hall on the evening of April 31 for a quiz night and fish and chip supper, cost �10 per head. Following the refreshment break and raffle, member Richard Mann presented his talk outlining in detail the unsolved murders committed in 1888 by Jack the Ripper. Frightening though this may be, his presentation and commitment to the facts of the case were amazing and warmly received by the members. A well earned vote of thanks was given by past chairman Frank Devereux and warmly applauded by the members. In closing the meeting, the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and announced that the next club meeting would be on April 21 when Mr Peter Parker would give a talk on the work (and expansion) of the Lowestoft Maritime Society and Museum.