The inaugural Essex Business Forum summer garden party/ barbeque at Aidan Squires home was really well attended on Sunday 4th August with around 35 people attending made up of 19 members and their partners.
The dress was casual and Stuart Roberts gave new meaning to the term by wearing a very smart suit! Some of the ladies also made a special effort in dressing up for the occasion.
Due to Aidan and Sues superb organisation the event went off without a hitch and they were splendid hosts. The food was great and plentiful as were the beverages both alcoholic and non!
We were all able to enjoy each others company in much less formal surroundings than usual and this in turn gave us all a chance to get to know each other better.
Many thanks obviously to Aidan and Sue but also to Scott Griffiths who brought along a giant gazebo to keep the very welcome sun off of our heads and allow us to gather in shade.
The event was so successful that people are asking if we are going to do it again and the answer is a definite yes.
Thank you to all who attended to make this a successful event and to those that were unable to attend make sure you book it in your diary for next year.
What a great event really terrific to see so many members supporting it and well done sue and Aidan!!
It all began with “the map.” The map that Kim was complimentary about.
Using all my computer skills I printed a copy. I turned it one way and then the other. I turned it upside down. Clearly the cartographer assumed a degree of intelligence by the user. I decided to use the satnav as back up. I telephoned my granddaughter to get instructions on how to set it up .
All set now. “You look at the map and I’ll follow the satnav” I said to my other half, ” then we can’t get lost.”
Doing well, on the A12, junction 17, third exit, saw the sign for Howe Green purposely put there for the party goers. “Almost there” I said with a certain smugness……………..
“Turn around when possible” said the satnav lady. What? how could I have gone wrong? and as I slowed I noticed a car up my exhaust pipe. (I discovered it was in fact the boy Rogers who recognised me but made no attempt to signal to put me on the right track.) I turned in someone’s drive much to their annoyance.
“There’s the United Reform Church,” said my other half, “how could you miss it?” I’m Church of England” I said, “I didn’t recognise it.”
Cautiously I entered the Bridleway. I saw cars side by side as if ready to start the 24 hour Le Mans race. I counted the houses, 1..2..3..4..5, this is it according to “the map.”
“Stay here “I ordered, I’ll investigate. I came face to face with a man who I didn’t recognise, he’s probably staff, I thought. “I say, my man, is this the right place for the EBF garden party?” He eyed me very suspiciously. “Are you a pikey?” he said, be off with you or I’ll set the wife on you. I beat a hasty retreat for two reasons. 1. My pseudo designer shorts have never been so insulted. 2) Some wives can become quite unpredictable if they sense a smell of blood.
I parked and consulted the map. “It’s the end house next to a side road according to the map,” I said. “Why do you take everything so literally,” the other half demanded, “it’s just a guide you have to use common sense.” I was passed arguing and just muttered to myself
As we peered at the house names our host and hostess appeared and Loretta disappeared in a welcoming hug from our host that a Russian grizzly would have been proud of. I received a less restricting but equal welcoming reception and within a minute our hostess handed a glass of wine to me, that’s hostessing of the highest order!
The party was in full swing and it was clear that some of the legs had not seen sunlight for many a long day and the mens’ legs were even worse!
The first two visitors I saw were David and Paul. David’s legs looked as if they had just been dipped in lard and Paul’s looked like they could do with a brisk rub down with the “Sporting Times.” Despite the fact that Paul had returned from holiday the previous Sunday he still hadn’t had time to unpack his razor. David’s shorts had so many pockets that they would have sent a pickpocket into throes of orgasmic ecstasy!
Having been there all of 5 minutes and on my third glass of wine I wandered down to the pond, there I met Utility John and his wife, Christine. We watched the pond skippers. “Do you know,” I said, pulling myself up to my full height and hitching up my babe magnet shorts “their legs never break the surface of the water if they did they would drown.”
Was that admiration in Christine’s eyes or boredom? I looked for others to share this pearl of wisdom with. “Do you know………………………”
Further exploration revealed a secret garden with two hammocks, a couple of secret swingers live here I thought.
As I glanced around it was clear that everyone was having was splendid time. The tables were groaning under the weight of the food, the white wine was in what looked like a bed bottle, if it was one I’m sure it had been rinsed.
I did have one regret, I was hoping to get a glimpse of Fantastic Coach’s chubby knees but he was wearing a suit which one day could come back in fashion. I was introduced to his wife, “Julia,” he said. “Julia Roberts” he said with a grin, “she needs a bit of touching up before she goes on the film set!” No, no ,no, I refuse to be drawn, I’m making no comment, make your own up.
The only couple to arrive after us was “Away Day Dick” (thanks ,Aidan, for the moniker!) and his wife Terri. If there was ever a reason for men over a certain age to be banned from wearing shorts in public it was before our very eyes. The legs on those shorts were so wide that they would have looked big on “Same Day Every Day” even before the diet. I thought that if the wind gets under those shorts he’ll become airborne.
It was a wonderful garden party, no one who hasn’t prepared a gathering of this size can appreciate the enormous amount of work involved to get everything in place.
As someone has already said it was the best EBF function to date. Wonderful hosts, great food and drink, fabulous weather and good company, what more could one ask?
A thousand thanks to Sue and Aidan, top hosts.
Two very descriptive summaries of what was a really enjoyable event and a big thank you to Susan and Aidan for all your hard work and also to Terry and Katherine who spent a good deal of the day assisting our hosts.
I thought the chicken legs were a little under cooked but then realised they were sticking out of Richards shorts.
It was really great to see everyone in an even less formal manner. Also, great to meet the partners behind the wonderful EBF members. Zoe and I had a great time.
Thanks Aiden and Terry.
J.
Ps finding the location was easy for me. Ha ha.