ARS walk and dinner

A packed Lord Combermere saw forty five members of ARS, the Audlem Ramblers Society, enjoying their annual Christmas bash last night.

As always, it followed the December ARS walk earlier in the day which this year was an enjoyable, albeit muddy, 8-mile circuit out of Norbury Junction.

A highlight of the walk was a section through boggy land at Gnossal village. Indeed following the recent wet weather, the bog had become a substantial lake. Fortunately, a permanent boardwalk, stretching a good 300m, had been built across this section although even parts of this splendid structure were threatened by the floodwaters.

Our top photo shows the party on the boardwalk enjoying a well-earned break as the waters swirled around.

Speech!

As always, a highlight of the evening's entertainment was the secretary's annual speech when Andy Davidson somehow finds the precise word to express his feelings about the forthcoming seasonal festivities.

All on yesterday's walk suspected he would be particularly inspired this year by the Dogs Bollocks ale enjoyed by many earlier at lunchtime at the Junction pub at Norbury Junction. Curiously, however, the Dogs didn't get a mention!

Chair of ARS, Christine Johnson, who had produced the splendid place cards admired by all, kept the assembly in good order. She also announced that John Cooke had now completed the 135-mile long Owen Glendower walk through central Wales raising money for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice.

Few, if any, that had signed sponsorship forms in advance of the walk even thought of escaping from the pub without paying up after what was a great achievement by John.

Extra walk

An additional walk for this year was announced by the Short-ARS team. On Saturday 29th December, a special walk out of the village – hip flasks encouraged – will test walkers with cryptic quiz questions, poetical navigation hints and observational tests that will guide walkers on the 4-mile circular route and provide several hours of so-called festive fun.

Back at the Lord C, where a warming glass of mulled wine will await participants, the quiz scores will be marked and the winners presented with the Golden Boot or possibly Booties award – if the Short-ARS organisers have the time or inclination to create the trophy in the next couple of weeks.

Almost inevitably the Quiz, a new addition to the ARS suite of expeditions and activities, has been dubbed Smart-ARS.

All agreed last night that the Lord Combermere and their fabulous staff, front of house and in the kitchen, had done the party proud and a splendid dinner was enjoyed by all. A welcome visit during the evening by Santa and his helpers on the Round Table sleigh also added to the festive atmosphere.

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