Bystanders post Christmas Lunch

The second Sunday of January was the Bystanders post Christmas Lunch that had been organised by King Canape. But disaster struck on the day – Charles was too unwell to attend and had to be rushed to Accident and Emergency. The Pie Master had to take on the role of Master of Ceremonies in his absence. Thankfully things had been organised well and it all ran like clockwork! Costessey Park Golf Club did an exceptional job of catering for over 70 of us. Following the meal various entertainment was provided by some of the theatrical Bystanders attending the Meal. Charles was kept in hospital and fitted with a pacemaker, being discharged on Thursday the 13^th. His ordeal was made worse by Kilverstone ward having the norovirus bug, so he could not have visitors. I am pleased to report that Charles is recovering well and has now paid for our meal!

All photographs from Jilly Hudson

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Sunday 3^rd, January was the Bystanders Late Christmas Lunch and 50th Anniversary Celebration – the Society was created in February 1959. January 2010 is the last Month of its Half Century Celebrations... The meal was held at the Costessey Park Golf Club where 73 people attended. After a very enjoyable meal – the Pie Master sampling the very tasty Pheasant and Venison Game Pie, the history of the club was celebrated with a shortened Mahmoud service. A campaign to save the Green Mahmoud, a cast iron gentlemen’s pissoir erected in the 1860’s, near to Market Avenue, was one of the Bystanders first campaigns. Unfortunately unsuccessful, the loss of the Mahmoud cast by Walter MacFarlane & Co., Glasgow is mourned on the anniversary of its destruction. After the service and distribution of “the water”, a film recording the day of shame was then shown. The Bystanders 1963 classic film “West Of The Wensum” then followed.

Christmas Pies

What do pie munchers do at Christmas? Munch pies of course! Josie had provided festive pies from the pie emporium at Bakers & Larners. Just as on other weeks of the year, we could not sample the pies until we had gone for our stroll around the countryside. Starting from the Victorian St. Peter's church at Haveringland, with it's round Norman tower, we headed westwards across the old wartime, Swannington aerodrome to St. Nicholas church at Brandiston. On past Guton Hall and Little Witchingham Hall to Ketts Lane – Robert Kett was captured in Swannington after the rebellion. We passed the lumpy bumpy yew hedging of the 1675 Swannington Manor as we approached our lunch stop, the church porch of St.Magaret. After recoding the church's fine scratch dial and eating our sandwiches we headed east, past Swannington Hall (scene of many Bystander parties, hosted by Bob Wyles, in the 60's). We continued passing fields of pie filling, before returning to the cars. No pub on the route this week, but our Walk Master soon got us into the festive spirit, producing a “bar in a car”,

to provide a tipple to go with mushroom quiches. Two types of “novelty” pork pies this week: Pork pies with Leeks and Stilton and Pork Pies with Smoked Lancashire cheese and piccalilli both from Lune Valley Real Foods – Yummy! No scores as these were just festive foray into non-mainstream porkie delights. Shortcakes completed proceedings.

Pork pies with Leeks and Stilton and Pies with Smoked Lanc. cheese & piccalilli

Bystanders Christmas meal

Sunday 7th was the Bystanders Christmas meal at the Marlingford Bell, so no Pork Pie tasting this week. The Walk Master provided some of the entertainment... staring as "the hole in the Elephant's bottom"!

Bystanders Christmas meal

Sunday 16th was the Bystanders Christmas meal at the Barford Cock, so again no Pork Pie tasting again this week.

Bystanders Christmas meal

Sunday 10th was the Bystanders Christmas meal at the Barford Cock, so no Pork Pie tasting again this week.