HYM 2019 – Malta Report Back

Half Yearly Meeting 2019 – Malta

The 41 International & Tangent Club International HYM was held in Malta this year from 31^st of October to the 3^rd of November 2019. 

We were welcomed by Alex Abela and John Messina and their team at the conference hotel, db San Antonio Hotel & Spa in Saint Paul’s Bay. The Thursday night’s Welcome Party was at Café’ Del Mar, Qawra overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. With good food and great music and an awesome view, everybody partied late into the night. Various tours around the island was arranged for guests and delegates the Friday morning; including a visit to Valetta and Medina.The 41 Club Delegates Forum started in the afternoon and topics of discussion included France, the 41 Education program, 41’ers App and growing Round Table under our President Luc’s motto; “Let’s make Tabler’s & Circler’s”. The evening was spent at the Chateau Buskett, Siggiewi with a traditional Maltese Dinner and folk dancing.

The Saturday morning the Half Yearly Meeting was held at the Conference Hotel with 26 countries being represented. A new voting app was implemented for future voting. As the Rugby World Club was on at the same time, myself and our Vice President, Nico McNamara, asked to excuse ourselves for the second half. What a privilege to walk back into to the meeting as World Champions.With the bragging rights on our side we enjoyed rubbing it in with the British contingent.

It was my privilege to be invited and inducted to the Golden Stomach’s as International Relationship Officer of Southern Africa and being no.134 of this elite club.

The evening Gala Dinner was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valetta, the capital of Malta. The building was built as a hospital in the 16^th century by the Order of St. John, and it was known as the Sacra Infermeria or the Holy Infirmary. It was known as the Grand Hospital during the French occupation of Malta and during the British period was named as the Station Hospital. It was one of the leading hospitals in Europe until the 18^th century, and it remained in use until 1920.

With so much history around, the Gala Dinner was a grand affair. The next day a brunch was held at the conference hotel and goodbye’s were said to old and new friends.

We thank 41 Club Malta for hosting a fabulous HYM 2019 and wish them all the best for the future.

Yours in 41 Club,

Peter Harding

International Relationship Officer