Sunday the 11th came and you could hear the sharpening of knives and straightening of forks as far away as Pilton as everyone got ready for the DO. You’re intrepid reporter donned his look of total idiot and joined the happy throng on the free meal roundabout. I took the total idiot guise a little too seriously as I had a steamed up lens for my first shot Of Sarah McAlister and Mary Rogers beavering away in the kitchen.

I was unaware that Mary had served time in the Navy. She obviously had judging by the language used to clear me out of the kitchen. Apparently I was getting under foot.

I decided at that point to keep a low profile and settled for “Greeting” people at the door and presenting them with “goody Bags” from the Birch Good Neighbour Scheme. The bags were made up by Sally Cox with help from Joanne Beaver. Then idea being to bring to the village’s attention our own Good neighbours Sceme.

The bags contained a Meissen China Mug with the scheme telephone number on it.

A torch. No batteries, to guard against corrosion.

A tear out note book.

A pen to write notes in the above book.

Oh, and a medicinal bottle of cough linctus for these cold evenings.

So. lets have a look at the hall before the crowds arrived.

All this done by volunteer helpers the day before. I was adrift so cannot put names up, but if someone tells me I will ensure a mention is made.

Following are shots taken during the luncheon.

Janet, Anne, Joanne and Jane discussing the menu.

Old hands and honoured guests, apparently happy enough. Tony did ask if we could do this every other Sunday as he was getting a little bored with Don Paddies.

Cynthia and Dorothy, our much loved senior villagers waiting for seconds.

Just watch Sparks. He had hired a new mask for the occasion, you will notice the same face in every photo.

As usual, if it’s free, Roger gets in the mood. Sylvia can’t control him now he’s had a glass of house red. Dennis has seen it all before of course. Chris and Mary busy discussing the fat-stock closing prices at Melton.

A side view of the mask. I am assured it has nothing to do with the Wine, the latex was just a bit tight on Sparks face.

The Brains Trust Corner. All the better types sat there, Andy taking a break from his labours (things people will do for a free meal) being looked after by Brenda And Sarah while Bryan keeps what can only be called a “Beady” eye on the camera.

Doreen apparently thought the white was not bad and wanted some plated for Monday.

Sarah, June and David enjoying watching the others.

Not quite senior but certainly heavyweights in the village pecking order

Bryan, Charles and Phillipa.

Sheila would insist on bringing her daughter Jacqui along although the organisers had suggested she have lemonade this year. “I’m not very well you know” John looks to be perfectly fit and enjoying himself in this shot. Shows how a camera can lie.

The suspicion is that Barbara is making a fool of herself judging by Vic’s and Trevor’s faces.

But seriously folks this is what an aged fisherman looks like. Not a mark on him and ready, like a coiled spring, to get fishing.

I tried to explain that the camera had a perfectly normal field of view but Gordon and Julia said they liked each other’s company and anyway it saved on fuel.

You can see the shocked expression on John’s face as Richard tells him the draw is fixed.

Maggie and Nick came to the lunch all the way from Norfolk but as you can see Maggie thought the wine was just a little too strong for daytime consumption.

(Note that mask again)

Adrian explaining the finer points of Flamenco dancing to Cynthia and Dorothy. They were disbelieving but Val is showing them the complimentary tram ticket presented to Adrian in Madrid where he was an instructor.

Down to the serious stuff. Anne organised the raffle which raised £150 towards the meal

and is preparing herself to give out the prizes.

The following shots can speak for themselves, These are the Raffle winners at the peak of their excitement. Trevor has just read what is in the box Charles has chosen.

I just want to know how Judith is going to explain away the smell of drink to Patrick.

Chris rounding off the shots of the raffle with her bagging the “Hidden Treasure”

If I can get any more shots I will get them up here for a record.

Bumbling around during and after the event I get the impression everyone enjoyed themselves and I did not hear one complaint, there may be some, Let us know so we can try not to repeat it next time.

Finances for the do are always a worry, fortunately as Treasurer (resign) of the hall, it is not my problem but Mary has yet to learn the finer points of balancing on a razor’s edge.

If you have any shots please let me have them so we can all see.

I have had a communication from the East Midlands Health authority asking that we demonstrate the perils of the Demon Drink. Being a responsibly run community web site I thought as a “for instance” I would include the following as a warning to those to whom temptation beckons.

And these are all respectable members of society!

BE WARNED