Meg James’ Treasure Hunt

Mark Dowdney Reports

What do you do when you lose your treasure? Well, why not send her on a treasure hunt? That’s what we did when our treasure – Meg James, the much-loved secretary of Elmbridge u3a – said she was stepping down.

For the past decade, Meg has volunteered to help out over and above her secretarial duties no matter what the event. She has also generously offered her home for our regular committee meetings

So how to mark her departure had us scratching our heads, until Affiliations Secretary Nikki Lindsey suggested taking her on a secret treasure hunt.

On the appointed day the first of five, clues arrived, written in poem form by Nikki, which Meg had to solve before she could move on.

“Place the crown of safety on your head. You’ll need a guide on the road you’ll tread.”

Meg realised she had to head to nearby Hampton Court Palace when her guide, Mark Dowdney, turned up on his scooter to lend Meg a crash helmet and give her a lift.

At the gate she was handed Clue No2 which directed her inside the palace and into the Tudor Kitchens. There Palace Host Errol Clayton, handed over Clue Number 3.

“Leave courts of kings where shadows play and hurry on without delay. A Thames tradition waits your claim, but time and tide won’t do the same.”

She soon worked out that this meant a boat ride on the Thames which took her on a return trip to nearby Kingston. Another clue led her to a bottle of champagne which she happily shared with committee members as we cruised the river.

Finally Clue No 5 directed Meg to the Mitre Hotel, beside Hampton Court bridge, where she was able to relax and enjoy her final treasure – an amazing luxury cream tea.

Then Nikki explained the reason for the treasure hunt.

“Those of us who know Meg have come to trust her good judgement, sense of humour and kindness. Trust and shared experiences are so important in our lives, creating memories that we can treasure. Treasure can refer to material things but also to people that have great worth who we value. This is why we treasure Meg who exemplifies all of this and more.”

In a message thanking us, Meg wrote: ”What an amazing day. It means so much to me to have such lovely, thoughtful friends. I will treasure the memories always, especially the stories told at tea!”

Mark Dowdney