The annual Autumn Event, this year a get-together, took place on Saturday 18th September from 7 pm for 7:30 pm at Upper Doddenhill Farm, near Newnham Bridge, hosted by President Pat Yarnold.
The setting for the evening brought to mind the memorable words of A E Housman:
'Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun
Are the quietest places under the sun
In valleys of springs of rivers
By Ony, and Teme and Clun
The country for easy livers
The quietest under the sun.'
Pat's home, on top of the ridge, has a most beautiful outlook in all directions. To the North, you see the rocky slopes of Titterstone, the shoulders of Brown Clee and Cleobury Mortimer, while, to the South, there are the wooded Abberley Hills, Great Witley and Stockton on Teme. In between, on both sides, are the rich green pastures, recently harvested, and the orchards and hop fields. It is perhaps not surprising that Pat, an accomplished artist, is able to draw inspiration for his work from this panorama. He was born in this lovely farmhouse and we can imagine him waiting on the country road for the Tenbury bus to take him to King Charles Grammar School in the 1960s. Indeed, in the 1950s and 60s, there were many pupils who took the same journey each day to the school from the tiny villages and hamlets scattered around this corner of Worcestershire. Many stayed in lodgings in Kidderminster during the week and helped to forge the great social milieux, which was a distinctive characteristic of King Charles in those days.
Although we were not blessed with a balmy evening, as we had been at the Summer Barbecue in June, Pat's guests were able to enjoy the evening seated at tables spread around the attractive gardens. Sadly, there was no glorious sunset to enjoy, but the stables containing several award winning Welsh ponies, were more than a consolation.
The food, prepared and cooked by Pat's sister and others in the family, consisted of huge slices of ham and turkey with all the trimmings, accompanied by bread, pickles and coleslaw. With homemade sherry trifle and apple pie to follow, it was a feast fit for a king and hugely enjoyed by all. Liquid refreshment was once more in the capable hands of Ken and Pat Garbett, the highlight being a cask of the very best Hobson's ale from the Cleobury Mortimer brewery. Nectar of the gods! There were several comments along the lines of 'You should create a restaurant here – it would be immensely successful with the talents we have seen tonight'. With the sad closure of The Talbot down the road at Newnham Bridge, perhaps this idea is not as far fetched as you might think.
At the end of the evening, with the darkness and the worst of the elements closing in, the raffle raised a creditable sum of a little over £80 and guests headed home, with great memories of wonderful food, a glorious setting and Pat's superb organisation.
'Captain' Peter Vaughan, Entertainment Correspondent