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Sep. 8th, 2006 11:25 pmHavant Civic Day. This was the best one yet. We were treated to Richard himself driving the bus (though only for the first few minutes!) Jim and Maria sat apart. "Have you two had a row?" I asked. Jim said they don't have rows, he just gives Maria a good listening-to... First port of call was the Staunton country park in Leigh Park, where among other delights we saw several pigs of various breeds. The ranger who showed us round told us that while the boar was used to bring the sows into season, he didn't get to impregnate them - they're all artificially inseminated. Cue 'awww's of sympathy for the boar from several of the ladies. My mother asked me to take a pic of her with the llama, then we all went upstairs for tea/coffee and biscuits.
John from Rushmoor, Maria and my mother were talking about the tradition that each year's 'chain gang' stays in touch and holds annual reunions; they asked whether I'd be secretary, keeping records of everyone's addresses and phone numbers, and I agreed, then Maria said "Now we just need someone to organise the reunions." John replied "I think that'll be someone called Maria!" Maria wasn't so sure...
In the gift shop, alongside lots of home-made jams, marmalade and relishes, were 'Donkey Droppings' (chocolate-coated cranberry sweets) and 'Sheep Dropping Mints'.
From there, it was on to a posh hotel in Emsworth for lunch. We were sat on top table, where we met the two visiting dignitaries from St Aubin, Emsworth's twin town in France. Because we were running a bit late, we were served coffee and chocolate mints at the same time as the dessert, then it was out onto the lawn to see Richard and the French people sign the twinning charter (they've been twinned twenty years but have never had a formal charter till now).
Back on the bus to go to Emsworth Quay to see a playlet put on by local schoolkids, about the food poisoning outbreak that destroyed the Emsworth oyster industry in 1902. The performance was interspersed with sea shanties sung by a crowd of kids. Towards the end Pat, the Vice-Chairman of the County Council, turned to me and said "It's a bit long and drawn-out, isn't it?" It was, but she didn't have to say so while sitting a couple of feet away from the kids. The performance ended with "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?" then we were free to roam around Emsworth Food Festival for an hour and a half.
All the local food produce on the stalls was wonderful to look at. It was just a shame I didn't have the dosh to buy anything (especially all the seductive-looking real ale on offer), though my mother did agree to buy in some lovely cheese. We finished up with tea/coffee and cakes at a church parish hall, then were back on the bus to be picked up at their Civic Offices.
On the drive home I said it had been the best Civic Day yet this year. "What about ours?" demanded John...
John from Rushmoor, Maria and my mother were talking about the tradition that each year's 'chain gang' stays in touch and holds annual reunions; they asked whether I'd be secretary, keeping records of everyone's addresses and phone numbers, and I agreed, then Maria said "Now we just need someone to organise the reunions." John replied "I think that'll be someone called Maria!" Maria wasn't so sure...
In the gift shop, alongside lots of home-made jams, marmalade and relishes, were 'Donkey Droppings' (chocolate-coated cranberry sweets) and 'Sheep Dropping Mints'.
From there, it was on to a posh hotel in Emsworth for lunch. We were sat on top table, where we met the two visiting dignitaries from St Aubin, Emsworth's twin town in France. Because we were running a bit late, we were served coffee and chocolate mints at the same time as the dessert, then it was out onto the lawn to see Richard and the French people sign the twinning charter (they've been twinned twenty years but have never had a formal charter till now).
Back on the bus to go to Emsworth Quay to see a playlet put on by local schoolkids, about the food poisoning outbreak that destroyed the Emsworth oyster industry in 1902. The performance was interspersed with sea shanties sung by a crowd of kids. Towards the end Pat, the Vice-Chairman of the County Council, turned to me and said "It's a bit long and drawn-out, isn't it?" It was, but she didn't have to say so while sitting a couple of feet away from the kids. The performance ended with "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?" then we were free to roam around Emsworth Food Festival for an hour and a half.
All the local food produce on the stalls was wonderful to look at. It was just a shame I didn't have the dosh to buy anything (especially all the seductive-looking real ale on offer), though my mother did agree to buy in some lovely cheese. We finished up with tea/coffee and cakes at a church parish hall, then were back on the bus to be picked up at their Civic Offices.
On the drive home I said it had been the best Civic Day yet this year. "What about ours?" demanded John...
