This year, we though that, as there were some members who had a foot in each camp, so to speak,  it would be more sociable to dispense with the barricades and to join up into one big party with the Wayfarers. The Wayfarers had their AGM first and then gradually percolated through to the main Bar where everybody handed over their little (and not so little) presents for the sack. Nick eventually managed to herd us all into the Dining Room whereupon Father Christmas shortly arrived to hand out the presents. Ted, being the ideal subject as not needing the usual additional appendages, had kindly taken on this arduous task, wearing the suit warmed by Frank during the children’s party in the afternoon

Party poppers, crackers and whizzy balloons provided the usual sport during the excellent Christmas Dinner and then Pete and Franc did their Mafia Speed raffle while coffee was served. There were 4 prizes of large tins of choccies and biscuits and a Yard of Jaffa cakes which went to the first 4 tickets drawn.

Further tickets holders were then allowed to redeem the prizes from whoever had just won them. Meanwhile, the tins were opened and, in fact, by the end, the final winners did not actually have very much to take home.  Quite hilarious and certainly got people on the move.

A short respite and it was time for  five teams to play the games!

Pete and France had devised two quizzes, one of ‘Guess the Carols ‘and the other-  ‘Parts of the body’! Jane had thought up three slightly more active games designed for ages of 3 years upwards - build a tower with Wedgits, score with a fuzzy balls dart board and blow up a balloon animal. The overall winners were Team Fifi, with two Fionas, and Trevor and Ruth - as usual. Whether the latter are exceptionally clever at everything or just very good at cheating, we are  not quite sure.

Thanks to everyone who came and helped to make the evening a success, and to the chefs and all the staff who were very patient and long suffering.

Valerie sold off the animal balloons at the Christmas Fair the following day - all in a good cause!