MelaNoMore Christmas Party – 14th December 2022

Christmas Party at The Hog's Back Hotel

The inaugural MelaNoMore Christmas Party took place at the Hog’s Back Hotel in their beautifully decorated Ballroom. Around 60 people attended and despite freezing weather every one arrived and got home safely.
We were treated to good food, a wonderful talk by the Fountain Centre, a sprinkling of jokes and live music from Acoustic Wood (aka Doug & Dave). A good time was had by all.
Our thanks go to our main organisers: Pam, Sarah and Gina supported by the rest of the Committee.

MelaNoMore Summer BBQ – Wednesday 10th August 2022

Summer BBQ - at the Guildford Masonic Centre

It was a glorious evening, in a fantastic setting, with good food, music and drink. Over 70 of us congregated at the Guildford Masonic Centre and dined on the outside terrace overlooking the river Wey
We tucked into barbequed chicken, tasty sausages and burgers, complete with sweetcorn, salads and accompaniments. The selection of desserts were exquisite and fruit sticks with coffee polished off the culinary feast.
Members and clinicians happily conversed with one another, welcoming each other as old friends and generally re-acquainting themselves.

MelaNoMore Celebration Event – 27th April 2022

Lisa Roberts

Lisa Roberts was the Chairman of the initial project team which resulted in the formation of MelaNoMore and we are dedicating our first event since lockdown – a real Celebration Event – to her memory.

MelaNoMore Celebration Event

This special event was held in the beautiful Tythe Barn at Loseley Park in Compton, near Guildford. Loseley’s grounds were available exclusively for our guests to wander around and admire the spring flowers from 4pm. The event at the barn began with a drinks reception at 6pm, followed by a buffet served at tables from 7pm.

During the evening, there were two talks, as well as a raffle with some amazing prizes kindly donated by local businesses. The evening closed around 9.30pm, following the raffle draw.

Reception in Full Swing

Buffet in Tythe Barn

This was our first group face to face gathering since the onset of covid-19. We were delighted to have the family of Lisa Roberts join us; Lisa was a founder member of MelaNoMore back in 2018, sadly melanoma took her from us far too early. The family have remained fantastic supporters of MelaNoMore and have provided much needed funds to allow MelaNoMore to flourish. In fact Simon Bailey (Lisa’s father) gave us a further donation, raised through his golf club, during the evening. Our eternal thanks go to Lisa’s family — she would be proud of you all.

George McGavin agreed to compère the evening and did a splendid job introducing the event and our speakers, ensuring the evening ran smoothly and to time. George is many things; entomologist, author, academic, television presenter and explorer.

He’s even been a guest on Desert Island Discs; but he is the first to admit that if his melanoma had occurred 4-5 years earlier he would not be standing talking to us tonight. It was only when he was diagnosed in 2018 that treatments had become available and he was living proof that the drugs work.

George is famous for many things but his documentary for BBC4 entitled “A Year to Save my Life: George McGavin and Melanoma” helped many by giving them hope that treatments were available and worked. It is currently available on iPlayer BBC4.