The fortieth anniversary extravaganza of the Otterburn Society was held in the medieval citadel of Carcassonne in the heart of the Languedoc region of Southern France.
An excellent range of activities and indulgences had been arranged for members travelling through France during the week preceding the Otterburn XL conference.
No visit to France would be complete without a short stay in Paris to revisit the various arrondissements previously enjoyed by members.
Members were kindly accommodated at the Treasurer’s Paris apartment on the Tuesday evening of the Otterburn week.
On the following day members took the opportunity to take the preferred route south passing through Le Mans and along the D338 that includes the famous Mulsane Straight.
Many members have enjoyed participating in at least one form of motor sport over the years and many have enjoyed track racing.
Porsche has had some success at Les Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans meetings since 1923 and the Otterburn Society were well represented over those years. We are very pleased to be able to confirm here that the fastest speed recorded along the Mulsane Straight on that Wednesday of Otterburn was achieved in a Porsche, driven by the Chairman of the Otterburn Society.
On the Thursday evening the executive committee including the Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Music met for aperitifs and a most enjoyable traditional bowl of Cassoulet at a small bistro in the heart of Carcassonne.
On the Friday of Otterburn, focus quickly turned to the search for a suitable site where the standard of the Otterburn Society could be raised.
The executive committee proceeded up into the mountains surrounding Carcassonne and soon arrived at le village de Rennes-le-Château to the south of Carcassonne about half way between Limoux and Quillan. Rennes-le-Château is famous for La Tour Magdala constructed by a pastor Bérenger Saunière (1852–1917).
La Tour Magdala was originally used by Saunière as a library. The steel door of the tower can only be locked on the inside, presumably so that he could enjoy his brandy, cigars and other indulgencies without being disturbed!
The executive committee soon agreed that this was an appropriate location to hoist the Standard of the Otterburn Society, and set about deciding how this challenging task might be achieved.
The Director of Music, together with the Heraldic Officer, have been at the forefront of the sometimes treacherous task of hoisting the Standard at Otterburns, particularly in the snow. The Director of Music kindly agreed to oversee operations for these operations from the safety of the ground.
The Standard of the Otterburn Society was triumphantly raised at La Tour Magdala on the Friday of Otterburn to formally signify the safe arrival of the Chairman and members of the Otterburn Society for their fortieth annual conference in Carcassonne.
The committee then withdrew from the ramparts to admire the results of their efforts and the magnificent views across the mountains.
Members then returned to the town to prepare for the Otterburn Conference.
Chairman of the Otterburn Society, Randall Flack formally brought the annual conference to order at midday on 27 November 2021.
Members that had been unable to travel to Carcassonne were able to join the conference remotely by Zoom.
As is customary, a remote conference participation pack was distributed to those members who were unable to travel to France.
The presentations were nothing less than excellent. Subject matter ranged from a detailed review of the crypto market and the opportunities that are still to be found, the use of databases to optimise commercial processes, Milk Quotas and an account of the greatest attempted fraud in the history of the world, that took place in the town of Hexham, Northumberland.
A splendid dinner was served, the classically styled red suites being particularly admired by other guests at the suitably sophisticated venue.
After much persuasion the Director of Music provided a few bars at a keyboard.
Champagne was then served and Chairman Flack brought the Annual general meeting to order.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were accepted.
The accounts and the Treasurer’s report were presented. Treasurer Sparkes reported a modest increase in net current assets. The accounts were accepted.
Secretary Featherstone had no excuses.
The following officers were elected to serve for one year:
- Chairman of the Otterburn Society Colin Sparkes
- Treasurers of the Otterburn Society Alan Moore & Sammy Watson
- Secretary of the Otterburn Society Jeremy Featherstone
Members greatly look forward to enjoying Otterburn XLI in the Emerald Isle.
The Wolfgang award was awarded to the DCPA for his contribution to the Journal of the Otterburn Society, “The impact of Covid‐19 on society , a treatise that identifies the life changes that have been necessary to restrict the spread of Covid‐19 and how these are changing communities in the United Kingdom. A vision of the future is described where these changes will provide many with a more fulfilled and rewarding existence. “
Mr Firth was also awarded the Otterburn Challenge Cup, a trophy that he was particularly pleased to receive.
It is customary that the retiring Chairman presents a memento of the conference to each member, a small keepsake that a member is able to enjoy and reflect on the particular pleasures enjoyed at that particular Otterburn.
This year was no exception and the Chairman Flack presented each member that had participated, both in France and remotely, with a beautifully crafted smoking pipe and elaborately decorated accouterments box.
In his paper – The Results and Merits of Tobacco, 1844, Doctor Barnstein very appropriately for the Otterburn Society stated “Nowhere in the world will such a brotherly feeling of confidence be experienced as amongst those who sit together smoking their pipes.” This is particularly true for members of the Otterburn Society.
There being no further business, the firework display was ignited.
