Dear Members,

Our Virtual Zoom “Not the Annual Dinner – The Louche Lockdown Libation” on Saturday evening was one of the most exhilarating events our Society has organised. Over 240 members attended and helped create a very special atmosphere for this eagerly awaited event and I am so pleased that we were able to “see” such a large gathering.

Our Guest Speaker, Mr Leslie S Klinger, spoke with great clarity about our chosen Sherlock Holmes story, “The Blue Carbuncle” and, after we toasted The Immortal Memory, Mr Peter Horrocks gave an unforgettable speech in toasting Dr. Watson.

Members paid tribute to our late Founding member, President and Honorary Member, Mrs Freda Howlett. Freda will be sorely missed.

The announcement that Mrs Elaine McCafferty was the recipient of the Tony Howlett Award for 2020 was greeted with great applause. Elaine, a former Treasurer and Chairman, has served the Society with distinction for many years and is hugely respected by all.

For the second half of the evening we all sat back and watched the most enjoyable presentation of an adaptation of “The Blue Carbuncle.” Bonnie MacBird had organised a group of accomplished American actors who gave a terrific “virtual” performance greeted, at its conclusion, with sustained applause.

The evening was perfectly judged to raise spirits in these trying times and was superbly organised by Catherine Cooke, Jane Arnold-Foster, Bonnie MacBird and Jonny Hough. This quartet spent many hours organising the details of the event and ensured that we enjoyed a remarkable evening. We are so grateful to them for their work.

Our Spring Meeting is to be held on Thursday March 18th 2021 and will, inevitably, be a “Virtual” event. Details will be published in the coming weeks and we hope very much to “see” as many members as possible for this event.

David Jones Chairman SHSL