MYSTERY NIGHT Dec 2nd 2011

    

33 were up for it:

Yupmeister, Mid Week Tone, Pedro, Richee-Lionel, Granpop Bill, Helen (replacing Keithee's up for it), Stubbee, JayCee, Stew Art, Dasher, Malc Jay, Craigee 50/50, Spikelett, Mr Tahoohigh, Bolt from the blue (Downsize Dave?), Double D (Dave Dixon), Ali Gee, R G Bargee, Jacko, Rob Sparklette, Matt Silver Bear, Huge, Tim Mothy, Brian Edwards B.Ed, Zolette, Ian Seaweed, Brockee, Phil Haywood Fagin, Marky, Lancelot, Amy, Amy's Mike, and Moonbeam.
 

A fresh start with a new driver, Russell, herein after called Ronnie, began the pick ups at The Westbury Tavern, heralding the unfolding of this year's magic mystery night.  Was that a kiss from his old friend Spike?

 

 

The next pick up was at The Glebe in Stoke, before orbiting Stoke and returning to the railway station.  Would we be travelling by train again or not?  No we were just picking Zolette up who'd just arrived from London.

 

    

The first stop this year was planned for 5.30pm so Ronnie weaved his way around Stoke, Etruria and Newcastle to ensure we didn't arrive too early.

Clues for the first stop included

  • Albert knew this lady very well

  • A reference to the peppercorn rent - can be seen on a plaque at the entrance

  • The venue has 3 for 2 offers available

  • A photo of a settee.

  • Photo of Casino with play now noted

  • Getting a Round to it.

  • Close up photo of Peter Cheeseman former director on the wall next to the bar.

  • And there were 3 Alan Ayckbourne plays mentioned in one email:

    The bus is full with standing room only left.

    It's the final countdown.

    I'm sure you'll make yourself at home here.

Now you can't say you didn't have enough clues for the New Victoria at Basford.

 

The first drink was included at our first stop but sadly the Black Sheep bitter was off and had to be quickly replaced with a new barrel.  A short back stage tour had been planned but sadly as it was so close to Christmas they had to cancel.

The 3 squarrettes joining us tonight were Helen, Zolette and Amy, making her first time appearance on the stage along with her other half Mike.

     

Our second stop was the Royal Oak at Eccleshall, situated in the main street.  Savouries were kindly provided by the landlord as we supped the Joules ale.

 

 

 

 

 

The clues were pointed out which included the inscribed 'Seek and ye shall find' on the rear of one of the ceiling beams; much to the delight of a couple of ladies who were seated directly under the beam, but much to the annoyance of a nearby elderly couple who became disgruntled and moved on.  There's always someone.  Around the corner in the passageway was a small door with the no 17 fixed above it.

 
     

 

A jug and a chip.
Boar

Boars

Boared yet??

A jug and a Lance

Departure time

 

 

 

Our third stop was the Anchor Inn at Offley, where the clues included 'there was only one savoury here'.  referring of course to 'Olive' the landlady and owner, who had been there pretty much all of her life.

 

There were also a couple of further clues but these had been taken down to allow the home made Christmas decorations to be put up.

 

(A monkey anchored into position on the clock, and 'hickory dickory DOCK' - maybe a bit obscure, but then so is the pub.)

 

Another free' drink was included.

 
     

     

Tim chatted to Olive whilst Craigee and Bolt ignored Santa.

 

 

 

    

Brockie fashioned some new head gear. 

 

 

 

Who was that guy who kept popping up with a jug in his hand?

Back on board the bus and with full use of a microphone, Yuppy announced the winners and losers of this years 'guess the destination' competition.

The Runner up prize with a guess of Stone went to Jacko, beating Jaycee by just a mile.

 

The Red Herring prize also went to Jacko, guessing the Congress in Longton, from the clue - 'Different nations, maybe representatives from America, have probably held formal meetings at this local inn some time ago, with good people and great beer. A pub of the year maybe .......... '.

 

 

The winner, and not only with just the area but the actual name of the restaurant, was Phil Haywood picking up the prize of £20.  The Vernon Yonge Arms Indian restaurant at Croxton was to be our final destination.

 

The clues provided were photos of a ceiling beam and of course the inevitable urinals; (why they were hung upside down, I;ll never know) and a 'family crest with two horns' which was indeed the family crest of the Yonge family (an antelope).
 

 

  

 

 

Ronnie struggled to manoeuvre the bus out of the drive so we headed off left and turned around in a farmyard entrance, listening to Charlie Higgins and other old favourites !!

     

We were ushered into the bar at the restaurant whilst the waiters rearranged the tables and waited for a few diners to finish. We'd then got the room to ourselves.

Starters were served and it was time for Yup's speech and the awards to be made to the squarrites who'd made contributions to this year's calendar.

 

The star attraction, Elvis (alias Richee), was introduced by Yuppy, to the sounds of 'you ain't nothing but a hound dog', and a tremendous reception.

 

Elvis would be assisting and handing out the awards, emulating the King's moves throughout.  He was definitely not dead tonight.

     

 

The fun began with the ‘Last to pay’ award which was given to a shocked Brockie amidst humiliating jeers and boos;
     

 followed by the Sqwalk awards:

 

The 'Largest crater on a sqwalk' award - A cheese 'g'rater to Mid Week Tone
   

The 'Summer Seaside Sqwalk without a brewery' award - A kiss me quick hat to Dasher
     

and,

 

The 'Most stiles and mice on a sqwalk' award - a pet mouse to Malc Jay
 

 

 

then the Squarry doo awards:

  • The '50/50 Days out at the races' award went to Craigee for arranging racing events - a euromillions ticket

  • A 'Biggles flies to Spain' award went to Von Dasher for arranging a gliding event - a Biggles Book and sangria

  • The award for interactivity went to Mid Week Tone for the Sheffield trip  - Kelham Island ale

  • The Alternative Squarry award went to Matt and Deano, who arranged a visits to the Boar Inn at Modershall, and a mexican night in Stone  -  Mexican Coronas.

and the awards for sorting out the hotel on the 'Annual trip abroad' and keeping note of our actions went to Stubby and Jacko respectively.
   

       

   
   
       

   
       
   
     

Glasses were then raised to Triglett who couldn't be with us tonight, following his recent long stint in hospital, wishing him best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Finally, it was time for the inaugural and prestigious sqwoscar award. This award was awarded to the squarrite (or squarrette) who had received the most nominations for their contributions to the club over the past year.   The 4 nominees were (drum roll):

  • Midweek Tone for supporting Yuppy with his behind the scenes work, not least the footy, and of course for the successful interactive Sheffield Trip and the Crater sqwalk.

  • Dasher for planning the summer outing to Llandudno, and the gliding experience.

  • Silver Bear and Deano, for organising this year’s 'Alternative' Squarry Do'.

  • and Sid who nominated himself.

 

 

 

 

 

  

'And the winner was' ................. Dasher .......

 
     

Thanks were then given to Mid week Tone for his assistance throughout the year, Keithee for his treasured assistance, Elvis, Ronnie, and the staff at the Vernon Yonge.

 

    

FINALLY we raised our glasses to The Squarry Club and a final award to Yuppy was presented by Mid Week Tone for his continuous efforts throughout the year.  Many thanks to everyone.

 

Arguably one of the best mystery nights to date.

 

Yuppers

(enjoy yer mysteries)