The Swedish Club likes to consider itself a forward-thinking marine insurance company — that is, until it comes to its annual general meeting (AGM).
At the Gothenburg gathering, the balance sheet figures and executive board might change but, rest assured, the menu at the gala dinner will remain the same as it has through the club’s history.
For decades, the 147-year-old club has served up a salmon starter followed by a beef and white asparagus main course. And that is exactly how the members, some of whom have attended more than 50 times, like it. “They once moved the AGM to Stockholm and changed the menu and there was nearly a riot,” recalls one broker and veteran of the event.
As for the entertainment, a local tribute band is guaranteed to get the members up on their feet for the evening’s finale. And of course proceedings would not be complete without a serving of greatest hits from everyone’s second-favourite Swedish pop group, Abba.
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If you thought it was madness in Gothenburg, it really was Madness on the way to the Isle of Wight music festival. Red Funnel Ferries’ Captain Alice Duncan was serenaded by 1980s ska band Madness as she carried them to the event off southern England.
Suggs and the rest of the nutty boys appeared on the bridge to sing Happy (28th) Birthday to Duncan as they sailed across the Solent.
Duncan, who has worked for Red Funnel for almost seven years, described it as “an amazing moment” and added: “My dad and I are huge fans of Madness.” TradeWinds readers will need no reminding that her dad is International Chamber of Shipping secretary general Guy Platten.
