These boots are made for walking……and lunching with friends!
New Year Lunch – Aggie’s Hall – Sunday 19 January 2020
It just gets better and better! Our annual New Year Lunch was again held in Aggie’s Hall, Hurst Green, which had been decorated with multi-coloured bunting, hanging decorations and sparkly tables by Christine and her team – all creating a wonderful backdrop for our sell-out event, the first of the year!
Eager to greet old friends and new, the 80 happy guests mingled with a glass of mulled wine before sitting down to enjoy a traditional turkey lunch followed by home-made Christmas pudding and coffee. A ‘Dingbat’ quiz on the table created a focus for those lateral thinkers amongst us with many a cheer for the correct answers!
Judy, our Chair, stood up to make her usual speech, and give the customary awards to deserving members but she had a surprise for us – these were no ordinary awards, these were Silly Awards!!: Leader who has gone to the most pubs – Mike Holman; Walker with the cleanest boots – Steve Hanks; Best dressed walker – Kate Roffey; Best incident on holiday – Helen Ellson; Best leader battling the elements – Arthur Darby; Best excuse for (almost) chickening out of a walk – Nigel Poulter; Most memorable boot experience – Pauline Guy; Hardiest member of ESW – Jennie Ephgrave; Most amusing incident on holiday – Anne Jagelman; Best back marker – Len Neal. For more information on why these awards were given – chat to the recipients on your next walk together!! Should make for an interesting conversation….
The usual random-selection leader’s award was won by Brian Smith and he was presented with the customary bottle of wine.
Thanks were given to everyone involved in organising this very popular event: to Lindsey and her team for producing a delicious turkey meal for 80 from a minute kitchen and to Christine and her helpers for all the organisation involved and the decorating of the hall.
Great atmosphere, lots of good conversation and laughter amongst friends – a brilliant event!
Pamela Cunniffe Publicity Officer