Club Events
Whether it’s a dining in or ball, a notable speaker or garden party, there’s a whole host of events organised by, and for, Strangers’ Club members – all being a great excuse for members to enjoy themselves with likeminded people.
The Societies and Groups at the Strangers’ Club organise a range of events, including external speakers, competitions and a variety of visits.
Strangers’ Club events provide an excellent way of making the most of membership. Enjoy time with other members, often with their partners. Come to the Summer Dinner Parties and Barbeques, Formal Dining-In and lunches such as the Beaujolais lunch.
Beefsteak & Burgundy Lunch
Following the success of the original Beefsteak and Burgundy lunch earlier this year, the second lunch in the series will again feature something a little different. The main course will be fish! Of course, it will be served with a white Burgundy to keep the event broadly in line with its title and aims.
The starter will be a beef carpaccio as we don’t want the carnivores among us feeling short changed.
The format of the lunch will include three short, hopefully amusing tales from members - one will wax lyrical about the red wine accompanying the beef starter, one on the white wine with the fish main course and the final one on the food.
It is a very relaxed way to spend a few hours in great company with fine food and sparkling repartee. If you have not yet been to this type of lunch then you are in for a real treat.
Your ticket includes two glasses of wine, one red and one white. Of course, you are more than welcome to orderfurther wines from the Club’s new Wine List.
A great lunch to invite guests and prospective members to.
Nurse Edith Cavell - Speaker meeting
A chance to hear Edith Cavell’s story, along with those of some of the people who worked with her in German-occupied Belgium. All of them put their lives on the line for Allied soldiers, including men from Norfolk.
The talk will be followed by a two course supper and coffee. Ticket price £30
Sun Dodger - Speaker Lunch
So what is a Sun Dodger? This is a name for a submariner. What is life like below the waves for up to 60 days at a time in cramped conditions? The answers to these and other questions will be uncovered when we welcome David Hill to address us at a Club lunch.
David is a former Royal Navy submariner, who served during the Cold War, being submerged as a “sun-dodger” for as long as 60 days at a time. This is your opportunity to ask all those questions you never thought you would have the opportunity to do so.
Since returning to Civi Street, David now runs his own consultancy business, specialising in PR and property here in Norwich.
To book in, please register on the Club website or ask Club Steward to reserve your places. An excellent event to bring friends and guests to.
Speaker Lunch - Fly me!
Get ready to get up, up and away with a special speaker lunch. This month we are delighted to welcome Richard Pace, Managing Director of Norwich International Airport. Richard will update us with the progress that the airport has made with the introduction of Ryanair flights to several holiday destinations. Will there be more routes added soon? Has the exercise been a success for the Operator as well as the Airport?
The lunch is open to Members, partners and guests. Join us for what promised to be an interesting and informative lunch time talk.
No need to worry as the in-talk catering will be of a high standard courtesy of Chef Nicki’s delicious menu.
No need to remove belts, jewellry or laptops - just bring yourselves, friends and guests.
Online reservations via the Club website or check in with Club Steward Abbi.
You will all be very welcome.
Partner's Lunch
Remember, remember the 5th November - yes, it is Guy Fawkes night. We are not promising fireworks or indeed a gunpowder plot but you can expect a delicious two course lunch and coffee. Bring your friends and enjoy good food and company in the President's Room.
Latin American Wine Tasting Dinner
The next Wine Matching Dinner will feature food and wine from Latin America. The format of the evening is part educational, but mostly it is about sharing delicious food and wine in great company.
The dinner will be held in the Augustine Hall and will feature food and wines from all over Latin America. The menu is being fine tuned by Chef Nicki and further information on what it will contain in due course. Dessert is rumoured to be churros with chocolate sauce so the chocoholics among you will not be disappointed.
You will be welcomed with a glass of fizz in the bar before moving upstairs for dinner.
The event will be led by VP Phil Gibb, who will provide the background to each of the wines we will be sampling with each course. There will be a white with the starter - most likely a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, a red with the main course and no surprise it will be an Argentinian Malbec and there will be a delicious dessert wine to go with the churros.
Please book early to secure your places.
Norwich's Rock n' Roll Tour Guide - Speaker Lunch
Originally from the North East, Paul Dickson, moved to Norfolk in 1988 to work for the National Trust following a stint in the Royal Navy.
In 1999, Paul went freelance offering his PR skills and writing experience to tourism businesses in and around Norwich. He set up his own publishing business, has written books and for the last twenty five years he has sung in a local band called “The O’Fenders”. His business card calls himself a “Rock n’ Roll Singer”.
He is also a member of the UEA’s Community Choir and also sings in the choir at Strumpshaw Church.
Several years ago he trained to become a Norwich & Norfolk tour guide. He now offers a range of walking tours in and around the County. Paul recently started bringing some of his City walking tour groups into the Club to share the history of the Strangers Club in Elm Hill and as a handy tea stop enroute.
Join us for lunch and to hear more about this multi faceted man and his repertoire of walking tours.
Two course lunch and coffee £28
Ladies Speaker Lunch - Lorna Vyse
Lorna is a Childhood Bereavement Specialist & Author. She has had a long association with childhood bereavement, particularly in Norfolk, through Victim Support, Nelson’s Journey and Scotties Little Soldiers. She continues to act as a Childhood Bereavement Specialist and writes children’s books intended to help children with bereavement issues.
“Grief is a natural response to a death. We can’t take away the pain of a loss, but we can help children and young people understand what they are feeling and provide ideas for coping strategies for when life is tough. Each bereavement journey is very individual, and it can affect us at the most unexpected moments.
We know that a significant loss can impact on us for the rest of our lives. That’s why I am passionate about ensuring that children and young people receive the help and support they need.
I have spent much of my working life supporting young people to achieve their full potential. For many years I have worked specifically with bereaved children and young people, listening to many stories about significant people in their lives who have died. It was during those years that I identified my desire to write a collection of children’s bereavement support books, aimed at different ages, that would help normalise feelings of grief, reduce a child’s sense of isolation and importantly act as a resource for support."
Christmas Dining In (1)
This year, the Club is holding two Dining Ins to celebrate Christmas. Wednesday 4th December and Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Chef Nicki is busy working hard on two festive menus to tempt our taste buds. You will be glad to know that neither will feature turkey as we are sure you will have plenty of opportunities to sample the festive bird on other occasions during December.
You will be welcomed to the evening with a glass of fizz before moving to the Augustine Hall for a sumptuous dinner.
So, get out your glad rags, bring on your festive bonhomie and join your fellow members for an excellent evening of fine food and great company at the Strangers Club.
These dinners are very popular, so don’t delay in reserving your places to avoid missing out.
Please book online or via the Club Steward.
Christmas Dining In (2)
This year, the Club is holding two Dining Ins to celebrate Christmas. Wednesday 4th December and Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Chef Nicki is busy working hard on two festive menus to tempt our taste buds. You will be glad to know that neither will feature turkey as we are sure you will have plenty of opportunities to sample the festive bird on other occasions during December.
You will be welcomed to the evening with a glass of fizz before moving to the Augustine Hall for a sumptuous dinner.
So, get out your glad rags, bring on your festive bonhomie and join your fellow members for an excellent evening of fine food and great company at the Strangers Club.
These dinners are very popular, so don’t delay in reserving your places to avoid missing out.
Please book online or via the Club Steward.
Christmas Jumper Lunch
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of fun on the last Friday before the big day.
Enjoy a complimentary glass of mulled wine and nibbles when you arrive. You will also have a choice of a glass of red or white wine with your meal.
Yes, it’s time to dig out your most festive Christmas jumper and strut your stuff in the splendours of the Strangers Club. There will be a prize for the best, or should that be, the worst Christmas get up!
After lunch, the annual Christmas Draw will be drawn - you could even use your prize as a last minute Christmas gift - what more could you want from an afternoon of merriment, great food and amazing, friendly company in the Club.
This is a great event to invite male guests to and to get thoroughly into the Christmas spirit.
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Speaker Event
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf train clever dogs to help deaf people. Training dogs to alert deaf people is important as they would otherwise miss things – such as a smoke alarm, alarm clock and even a baby's cry. Being aware of these – thanks to a hearing dog – makes a real difference to deaf people’s lives, and can even save them.
The clever canines do so much more than alert their partner to sounds. Deafness can be a very isolating disability. A hearing dog provides lots of love, companionship and emotional support. This is really important as many of the deaf people who come to us for help have felt very lonely and isolated. Our amazing dogs help deaf children and adults to leave this loneliness behind and reconnect with life.
Veronica Colley and her dog, Logan will join us to illustrate the work of the Charity and give us all an insight into their work and real life experiences.
Please don’t delay in reserving your places using the Club online system to avoid missing out on what promises to be a most enjoyable and informative talk.
The talk will be followed by a two course supper and coffee. Tickets £30.
Speaker Meeting - Claire Cullins MBE - Norfolk Community Foundation
The Norfolk Community Foundation has unrivalled knowledge of community issues, experience of working with philanthropists from all walks of life and a track record of effective and efficient governance, finance and management.
Anyone involved in voluntary charitable work knows that it can be difficult to raise money. It is a skill to apply it well. The Norfolk Community Foundation has achieved a significant milestone in raising £40 million worth of giving, and becoming the well informed and creative hub which helps others to enrich our community.
Come and join us to hear all about the work of this important Community organisation, its origins and its successes in delivering for the Norfolk community.
Tickets are £28 and include a two course lunch and coffee.
