2007 BBQ

01 July 2007

2007 Summer Barbeque hosted by President Keith Bowkett

Some 78 members and guests met at the Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Club, Kidderminster, on a wet and windy evening on 30th June 2007.

We hope they enjoyed the occasion, although it has to be said that, mainly because of the inclement weather, it didn't go as smoothly as the organisers would have hoped. In the morning a working party consisting of Peter Picken, David Slater, Peter Vaughan and the Association President, Keith Bowkett, got soaked putting up a tent to at least keep the chefs dry, and assembled the Association's charcoal-fired BBQ ready for the evening's work. No attempt was made to set up the customary tables and chairs outside, as even at that time it was fairly obvious that no-one would be sitting outside that evening!

At the same time, Martin Humphries spent his morning in firstly collecting the 80 portions of chicken breasts, pork chops, tomato sausages, pork and leek sausages and beefburgers from a local butcher, and then, at least in the warmth and dry of his own kitchen, slaving over a hot oven pre-cooking the chicken breasts in order to save a bit of time on the night.

Guests started arriving in the evening from 7 o'clock onwards to repair to the Rugby Club's bar while the chefs, Peter Picken and Heather and Martin Humphries, battled against the elements to get the barbecue to light. Whilst the wind kept blowing the firelighters out at the beginning of the evening, it conspired further against us later on causing the initial load of charcoal to burn too quickly. As a result of this, the preparation and serving of the food was nothing like as slick as guests had come to expect in previous years. In the end however, everyone was fed, and spent an enjoyable evening socialising with other members and friends.

Here are some of those present ...

John Booth