Organiser, Ken Batstone, who we all thank for his considerable
efforts, reports…
On Wednesday, June 14th, the Association's annual barbecue was held, as usual, in the YMCA Hawker Centre. Unusually, the weather this year was very sunny and hot, with temperatures up to 29 deg C (the hottest since records began, as they say). The whole afternoon was spent outside on the patio, mostly in the shade of the large trees that grow along the banks of the Thames in this area.
There were 27 Members and guests in attendance; virtually the same as last year. We assembled at about 12.30 for drinks and chat before the food was ready at 1.15. As usual, the traditional barbecue food was of high quality and served in large portions so few diners returned for second helpings. It was noted that significantly less beer and wine was consumed this year, but this was not due to the abstemiousness of old Hawkerites, but rather to the high cost of alcohol nowadays.
The dessert this year was not the usual gateaux but
a very large home-made banoffee pie which proved to be very enjoyable
and very filling. In fact, nobody went home that afternoon saying they
still felt a bit peckish!
The afternoon concluded with the raffle which had
some excellent prizes (according to the organiser!) ranging from a
disposable barbecue to a box of chocolates, with the mandatory
alcoholic beverages in between.
Thanks to the YMCA providing excellent food and the
superb weather, a very enjoyable afternoon was had by all, and for once
nobody remarked that " Oohh, it's not long to the Christmas Lunch now".
(It is in fact just six months! Oh dear.)