THE 161st meeting club was held at the Swan Hotel, Alcester, on November 22.

There was one visitor, Mr J Lees, who asked to join us.

From the records, it was noted Pat Bicham, Bert Copsey and Reg Jones had celebrated birthdays since the last meeting.

There were two new members at the meeting,Garrick Williams and Michael Johnson.

The president presented them with their badges, name bars, ties and rule book.

After the meal, the president introduced the speaker, Graham Toone.

Mr Toone explained the company now called Guide Friday was started 40 years ago by Roger Thompson and was based at Stratford to provide open-top buses and guides to take the tourists to see places of interest.

It now operates in Edinburgh, Bath, Oxford, as well as a joint venture in Paris. It is also planning other operations overseas.

The firm has more than 200 buses, mostly old, used vehicles that have been converted to open top.

Mr Toone concluded with some humorous and strange comments that have been given to their guides over the years.

The next meeting will be with the ladies on December 19 at The Greig Hall when the speaker will be John Bladen on the subject of music.