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Centre 17's (Scrumpies) Xmas Party 20018th December 2001(Report and Pictures By Nick Lappage)
It was when I was at Centre 15's Summer Party, in Bognor Regis this year, that a lovely young lady, Rachael Penny, asked if I wanted to go down to the Scrumpies Xmas Party, as it seemed that I was mad enough to cope with all that goes with C17 - that and the fact that we were all extremely drunk after 2 days excesses. I seem to remember lying on the steps of Jak's bar after closing time, looking at the night sky and wondering what to do next... but that's another story. So it came to pass that on December 8th I found myself driving down to the West Country in search of a town called Warminster, which harbours the likes of the aforementioned Ms. Penny and a great little place called the Hunters Moon.
On and upwards we went to the fireworks. This was a short display called a "Salute" and was performed by the Skyway Display Team. Wonderful it was, with lots of "Oohs" and "Aahs". Mind you it was bloomin' cold out there, so excuse me if the photos are a bit shaky. If you want to have a display for your party or event, contact Steve on 01992 571258 .
Back inside the pub and on to the disco. The guys had a great selection and not one Status Quo song as far as I recollect, but everything was starting to get a bit hazy from now on. I do seem to remember a lot of singing to the Monkees and a few others though...
All in all though it was a great party. It's always a shame when good things come to an end, and by 12.30, the music had finished and the bar was shut. Never mind there were still the chalets to get your head down and then look forward to a huge breakfast - yummy!! Basically it's like this - if you ever, ever get invited to one of the Scrumpies parties then go. You'll be guaranteed a huge amount of fun with a great warmth and hospitality - but don't go into the caravans 'cos they have earthquakes there and everything falls off the shelves into your cooker!!!
All these pictures are low resolution for faster download. If you want a high resolution copy then please e-mail me |
Christmas is one of those times of the year that normally makes us all want to get round a big roaring fire with all of our mates and reminisce about the good old times of the past year. You know the sort of thing - supping on a fine alcoholic beverage, eating yourself silly on turkey, beef or pork and getting thoroughly stuffed and bladdered. So be prepared for a festive story of merriment, mirth, mucking about and all round fun and frolics from the South West of our great land.
The Hunters Moon has been host to a couple of the Scrumpies Parties, being able to dispense great beer, excellent food and even provide sleeping accommodation in chalets around a small lake. When we arrived at about 4.00pm it seemed as though a mist was looking to just settle on the lake - would have made a great picture, but the bar was calling (when in Rome and all that). I was introduced to Tony, Tony and Tony - oh and Tony. Apparently the name Tony is still one of the rarest to be used in England, said a chap called Tony. Being called Tony in the South West must have something to do with the local ale (oops, cider) 'cos I can never remember people's names after a night on that stuff. It also must be the reason that loads of the members have nicknames. (You'll probably have heard of Vice, Magic (Tony - see?),
Postie,
Mutha...).
Anyway, by the time 6.00pm came, I realised that the beer was staring to have the desired effect because there were strange people coming through the door. I swore I saw a Klingon, Captain Kirk, Fairies, Can Can Girls, lots of Father Christmases and a Mrs. Christmas, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra and even a jester. I have got to say that these Fancy Dress costumes were absolutely fantastic, with an immense amount of work having gone into them. It was great fun watching someone trying to discover who was under the masks.
Soon it was time for dinner. What a surprise we had when we were all led in to the dining room by a fully fledged, honest to God, Scottish Piper (I think Rachael tried to get a picture of him from under his kilt). Eventually everyone found a seat and then had to remember what choice they'd ordered a few weeks before - thank goodness Tony Black, the Jester (and organiser) had made a note of who wanted what. There were presents on the table for everyone, thank you for the whiskey chocolate liqueurs, and the wrapping paper became missiles to throw at your neighbour's table, or even across the room. There were some top shots in that game - get them on the darts team! As for the meal, it was fabulous and I have to say, I've never seen so many brussell sprouts in one sitting!
More beer came and went and then it was time to call a toast, judge the Fancy Dress, call the raffle and cut the cakes. Sue (Mutha) had made these Christmas cakes herself and very fine they were too. I can just taste them now... wait a minute, didn't there used to be a band called this? It was Mutha and the Muffins wasn't it?
