Scrumpy Party at Court Farm

1^st to 3^rd August 2014

It started for me on the Thursday, getting on site about 11.00, only to discover that many had already arrived and the marquees and dome were already set up.

The Yorkies had already arrived ready to party in the traditional way we do at Banwell!

The catering was provided by The Crazy Cooks who really do look after us with new items on the menu. Next job was to mark out the roadway, parking area and set up the fire buckets. Marie came past me whilst I was holding two buckets full of water and splashed me to cool me down. Later I saw both Maries returning with buckets and promptly though they were going to drown me. Couldn’t resist it so took a bucket from one Marie and had a standoff with the other Marie. I really thought I was in for a soaking as it was now two against one but when they threw their contents at me at almost the same time I did they only just got me. However poor Marie got the full contents of my bucket! She took it all in good faith and could have entered a wet tee shirt competition and won! We all had a good laugh and a great way to cool down on such a nice day. That evening Twiglet came over to meet the gang. Once set up, my bed at home called, being more comfortable than the tent!

The following day started mid morning as duty roster had me down for reception duty at 12 to 4, the time I like best as people start coming on site having travelled from all over the country including our Scottish friend Frank Kikke. The site gradually filled and we got ready for the traditional Friday night disco. What a fabulous night with music to best suit us as we danced late in to the night. I was in my element as I had someone to dance with all night long at last! There were lots of happy faces around.

Despite a few thick heads on Saturday morning many attended our Memorial gathering near the lake when we remembered our fallen comrades.

However the Yorkies went down to the beach in the morning and claimed a win as they had built their traditional sand castle with no opposition from us! Duty called between 12 and 4 again. The weather was our usual Scrumpy downpour for Saturday afternoon

and we made the decision to cancel the rideout and have fun and frolics in the barn instead. Thunder and lightning did not stop the fun in the afternoon under the cover of the barn.

The evening approached with a break in the weather, thank goodness. Back in the barn the DJ and band called “4rockssake” were brilliant under the disco lights. We danced the night away again to live music and I got a little merry thanks to Andy and Kaz. A stagger back to the tent and sleep overcame me despite heavy rain during the night.

Sunday dawned to brilliant sunshine so we could pack up everything dry for a change. We worked hard and were mostly packed up by midday with yet another very successful Scrumpy Party behind us.

Surely we gave many people their own personal memories of the weekend yet again? How about a few quick words?

Thank you to all who helped and did a stint of work as many hands make light work of it.

Magic