Jamie Sutherland: Comedian

Photograph © Jamie Sutherland

Although it seemed a little premature, we held our Christmas Lunch on 28^th November. There were many compliments about the festive air as we walked into the dining room: the tables were laid out with a red and green theme with crackers and an evergreen table decoration in the centre, which had been made by Committee members. The candles were lit, crackers were pulled and the party began...

Our honoured guests included the Mayoress and the Deputy Mayor plus some men who enjoyed the once a year privilege of joining their partners for lunch. Simon Bott, proprietor of Linden House, provided some musical entertainment by playing the piano whilst we enjoyed a delicious and traditional Christmas lunch.

Following the meal, we were entertained by Jamie Sutherland, a rising young comedian from Liverpool. He opened by saying how amazed and delighted he was to perform in front of an audience where there was not a single mobile phone, camera or other electronic device in sight! He had noted that his audience had been talking to each other whilst eating, rather than silently glued to some machine.

He quickly had our full attention with amusing jokes and stories with some audience participation. Looking around, he summarised our average age by referring to SAGA which he translated as Some Awake – Some Asleep! He mentioned his working background which has included being a cruise ship entertainer which he really enjoyed. In an endearing way, he joked about his own family and friends, particularly his son who seems to be taking after him. He provided much amusement, leaving his audience clutching their sides from the continuous laughter. It was an excellent way to bring our lunches for 2018 to a happy conclusion at the end of another successful year.

Dr Michael Leach: Animals Behaving Badly

Photograph © Michael Leach

As Dr. Leach has spoken on several occasions at our meetings, we were all looking forward to this month's entertainment. He is a renowned zoologist, BBC wildlife photographer who has travelled widely and has written many books describing his journeys and experiences.

He began by telling us that he had spent a summer in the Amazon rainforest with a tribe of people who live in abject poverty but are very resourceful, making the most of what few possessions they have. 

He then showed pictures of many animals and birds from around the world. We were amused to see how an orangutan used his intelligence to steal some bananas that were in a boat, which had been tied up to a wooden jetty but was floating freely at the end of the rope. Firstly, he eyed the bananas greedily and then had a tantrum when he realised they were just out of his reach. He then had to plan how he could reach them and pulled out some of the planks of wood from the jetty which he placed so as to bridge the gap between jetty and boat. He was then able to use his bridge to board the boat grab hold of the bananas and return to the jetty; he had achieved his mission and stomped off almost with a smile on his face.

Next, we were shown lemurs in Madagascar waking up and warming themselves in the first rays of the morning sun. They like to eat whole flowers and can become affected by the narcotics in the flower centres, producing odd behaviour. He had also observed velvet monkeys in the Caribbean who normally prefer to eat one variety of banana but on this occasion had found the remains from a village party. They were shown drinking the dregs of alcohol from bottles left lying on a table. The influence of the alcohol made us laugh as they staggered off chasing goats.

Michael finished his talk by telling us that new behaviour in animals was being recorded all the time. In particular it shows how humans living in close proximity with them, can alter their historic ways of life.