2004
We started at the panto and Kev and Sue won the raffle (or was it the booby prize?); two free tickets to the Players summer performance. However, the FridayNighters stick together through thick and thin. There was no way the Sewells would be left to suffer alone. Everyone agreed to go with them. So in May, we set off for the theatre. To make an evening of it, and to get us in the right mood, we had a meal and a few (!) bottles of wine at Pierre Victoire’s. Though a bit rushed, the meal was excellent and it was proved, as there was not one complaint from Dave Marvill. We then walked to the Playhouse Studio (though not all of us went to the right theatre at first) and once we arrived, they could commence the show. As it turned out, it was excellent. We all really enjoyed it and were laughing out loud throughout. After being apprehensive, we were full of praise for the Players.

Before this show, in April, we went to see Saturday Night Fever in Birmingham. That was also very good. In July we went to the classical concert at Kedleston and, for the first time, we were disappointed. The tickets were expensive, it was wet, fuss with the bouncers and a lack of atmosphere (due to low attendance). We’ll think hard about going again. The Cartwrights held their annual barbecue but this year there was a theme; a Caribbean evening. There were some very imaginative outfits, especially the blokes’ shirts.

If Kedleston was disappointing, the third event in July certainly wasn’t. Our social secretary (John), organised a weekend in Alderwasley. The six couples, made their way to The Bear on Saturday lunchtime. We all checked-in, had a drink and prepared for a walk. It looked a fairly simple walk on the map but it turned out to be more exhausting than expected. The conclusion was that John hadn’t realised that maps were two-dimensional and that hills, or was it mountains, can exist in reality even if the map indicated a flat green surface. Kev, who chickened out because of his knackered knees, had arranged a meeting point with John and had brought snacks, wine and beer. However, he was incapable of reading a map for even 200m and was not at the agreed point. Once we all eventually met up and enjoyed the welcome refreshments, it was decided that rather than finish the full walk, a straight line back to the hotel was the best tactic. We rested then went to the pub’s restaurant. The food and beer were superb. We retired to our bedrooms, each being individually furnished and unlike any rooms any of us had ever experienced before. The next morning had another walk with a pub half way round. We finished at Whatstandwell then returned to Derby late afternoon. An excellent weekend (thanks John).

This summer also saw the second couple retiring, this time Dave and Pauline Cartwright. They no longer have to have their holidays interrupted or delayed by the inconvenience of having to go to work. In August, we all went to an open-air concert at Calke Abbey. A wet day was followed by a warm, dry evening. The two main acts were Hot Chocolate (without Errol Brown) and Bjorn Again (an Australian Abba tribute band), who got the whole audience dancing. In November, we all went to see Voulez-Vous, another Abba tribute band, at the Assembly Rooms. This was preceded by a meal at Pierre Victoire’s.

December saw the introduction of the trial FridayNighters website, the usual Christmas Eve get-together at the Lawns and then New Year’s Eve at the Sewells.

2003
This year had a bit of everything. It started with an improved panto and, as predicted, most of the FridayNighters returned. The main wimp was Dave Marvill but it was his loss; honest. In March we had our second Murder Mystery at Kelvin and Doreen’s. Most of us read the instructions and got the right era but some, are you paying attention Pauline, didn’t bother. However, the costumes were excellent. We were all lovies of one description or another. Ged was dressed as Mafia man (though was he in fancy dress or his normal gear?), Dave M was a superb Arab and there was also a cowboy, Robin Hood and pirate.

The worst part of the year was Kath’s serious illness. After a very difficult time, she recovered and is now back in the swing of things. This year also saw another indication of old age; John and Lynne Mooney both retired. John was promptly voted into the role of Social Secretary. April saw Ben Roberts’ wedding to Sarah. The Roberts invited us all down to Bristol for the weekend and what a brilliant weekend it was. Superb ceremony (especially the guard of honour, which was appreciated by all the middle-aged female guests), reception, evening do and hotel. The photos confirmed how much we all enjoyed it, as many of us can’t remember what happened later on. Evidently one of the FridayNighters resorted to taking photographs of the gents toilet. Why did you do that, Ged?

Another brilliant outdoor classical concert at Kedleston. This year we were joined by Chris and Judy, the Roberts’ new in-laws. This was also the first time that we’d taken a gazebo. We had learnt our lesson from two years ago and we didn’t want Lynne to get wet. The saddest event was the death, in October, of Liz Barker, one of the original FridayNighters. She’d had cancer for some time but it was still a shock. All the original FridayNighters went to her funeral.

There were two big parties this year, the first being Kev and Sue’s 30th wedding anniversary. The theme of the party was the 1970s. The Sewell’s had raided their attic and found lots of old mementoes to decorate the house; photographs, 45s, LPs, crash helmets, football programmes etc etc. Everyone went to the effort of dressing as they would have in the 70s (though Kev’s clothes came straight from his wardrobe; “well they’re fairly new”). It was a real sight. The second party, in November, was Ged’s 60th birthday. Another good attendance with lots of drinking, eating, chatting, dancing and reminiscing.

As usual, Christmas started at the Lawns on Christmas Eve and the year finished with a marvellous New Year’s Eve party at Kelvins and Doreen’s.

2002
This was the year of walking. The year started with a very poor Chellaston pantomime and everyone said that they wouldn’t go again. As we’re all gluttons for punishment, I’m sure most of us will be back; well, maybe not Dave Marvill. It is now Sue Sewell’s turn to be 50 and her party was at the start of February. Wanting a different theme, she decided to make it a kid’s party, after all, most of the FridayNighters behave like kids at parties. There were balloons and childish games; jelly and cake; and everyone took home a goody bag. An excellent party made all the better because of the excellent camaraderie.

In April, we went on a walk that started and finished at the John Thompson; in May the walk started and finished at the Royal Oak and in June, the walk started in Chellaston and finished at the Crewe and Harpur. Can you spot the connection, other than walking? June started with the Cartwright’s barbecue but finished on a very sad note. On the 29th, Cyril, our honorary president, died. It was not a shock as we knew he was ill but it was a great loss. Fridays will never be quite the same. We all attended his funeral on 5th July.

In August, Amy Sewell was 21. Amy is the youngest child of all the FridayNighters (unless someone has a secret) so that now officially makes us all old. Also in August, we went to the classical concert, this time at Calke Abbey. A very good show. We also went on a walk at Osmaston finishing in a pub, which sold excellent beer and good food. As it was a particularly hot day, it was well received.

In September, Sue H, the youngest FridayNighter was 50 and that reinforced the fact that we were all old. We enjoyed Christmas Eve at the Lawns and New Year’s Eve at the Cartwrights.

2001
Recent years have included a visit to the pantomime, performed by the Chellaston Players. The standard varies from very good to embarrassing but it is always worth a night out, inevitably followed by a couple of pints in the Lawns. This year’s panto was in January and there was a good FridayNighters turnout. The first party was in March; Kev’s 50th. Because of building works at Kev and Sue’s house, the Cartwrights very kindly offered to host the party and they did Kev proud. It was excellent.

In May, Kelvin and Doreen hosted a Murder Mystery night. We all dressed up for the part and great fun it was. John was a police inspector with Sue as his assistant, though Jean insisted she looked more like a tart and spent the whole evening calling her a tart. Kev was a dubious Chinaman and Dave M a very believable, if lazy, waiter. Lynne was the murderer (and rather too convincing for my liking).

At the start of July, the Cartwrights, Marvills, Roberts and Sewells braved some of the heaviest rain ever to hit Derby and went to the Kedleston concert. Lynne Mooney, to her shame, wimped out. However, just as the concert started, the rain stopped and a good night was had by all. In August, most of us went to the evening do of Nicola Mooney’s wedding. John and Lynne made very proud parents. This was followed in September, by Jessica Harrison’s 21st, which some of us went to.

In December, the Cartwrights had a party to celebrate the opening of their new conservatory; only Dave and Pauline could use this as an excuse for a party. We all went back the next lunchtime to finish off the food (Kev and Sue remember it well and are very, very grateful). The usual Christmas Eve celebration at the Lawns was followed by the Cartwright’s third party of the year on New Year’s Eve.

2000
For about 14 years, Kev has not drunk alcohol in January. He says a bit of abstinence (alcohol, that is) is good for the body. The rest of us have laughed at him for years but now there is a bit of a change. Over-indulgence at Christmas has encouraged John and Dave C to join him. This trend may catch on. We went to the panto in January and to a party at the Archers in February. The Sewells had a family disaster in May when Amy broke her neck leaving her paralysed. This hit the FridayNighters very hard and we had a quiet prayer on the Friday evening when we heard the news.

In June, the Cartwright’s elder son Steven got married. Many of the FridayNighters trooped down to Romsay and enjoyed a smashing day, the highlight being Pauline’s hat. In July, wet weather meant we didn’t go to the Kedleston concert. Instead we went into town. A rather noisy Italian meal at Antibo’s was followed by a few drinks at the Bless. The taxis arrived at 12:00 and a very tired bunch were ferried back to Chello. The usual Christmas Eve at the Lawns was followed by New Year’s Eve party, in the snow, at the Mooneys.