London Group organises regular social events.
London Group organises regular social events.
AGM and dinner Tuesday 28th February 2012
Christmas Dinner Thursday 26th January2012
On Sunday afternoon nine people from the London & Surrey groups joined Gordon at the Vortex jazz club in Dalston, N16 for 2 hours of joyous, searing music inspired by South African township jazz as it was played in the '50s & '60s, in particular by the great Dudu Pukwana a towering figure in township jazz and the European free scene. The Township Comets is a sextet fronted by trumpet, alto sax and trombone, with a wonderful singer: Pinise Saul (vocals), Chris Batchelor (trumpet), Jason Yarde (alto sax), Harry Brown (trombone), Adam Glasser (piano), Dudley Phillips (bass) and Frank Tontoh (drums).
Everyone enjoyed themselves and left with their ears ringing and their feet tapping. Gordon is a volunteer at the Vortex, a not-for-profit company, and was in charge of the gig, collecting money on the door, introducing the band and occasionally serving drinks. He would be glad to welcome people to the club, so just contact him to find out what is coming up or look at the programme.
Houses of Parliament Tour - Friday December 9th
Approximately a year after our first tour Douglas arranged for another eighteen of us to go on a guided tour around the Houses of Parliament. The guide was helpful and informative with many little anecdotes about some of the famous politicians who have been there. For example, we were shown the marks on the table in the House of Lords caused by Winston Churchill's rings when he used to thump the table. This happened during the war when the House of Commons had been bombed and they had to use the Lords instead. We were also reminded that when the French President was invited to address Parliament it was in a room between murals of Trafalgar and Waterloo. Apparently, he took it in good humour. All in all very enjoyable. The only minor complaint was being rushed at the end so we had very little time in the House of Commons to hear about it and ask questions about the way it works. Douglas.
After the tour seven of us went in search of a pub that wasn't completely packed. Nigel suggested going along Horseferry Road but it wasn't until we spotted the Royal Oak down Regency Street that we found anywhere we could get in. A group were just leaving so we gratefully accepted their seats and enjoyed a drink. A couple of people also ordered food, which was rather good and we were very surprised when the chef came out to seek our opinion and inform us of the freshness of the ingredients. Andy.
A pre-festive get together on Tuesday 29th November
at Porters English Restaurant, Covent Garden. A merry bunch gathered at 'The Maple Leaf' for pre-meal drinks and at 7.30 prompt it was on to Porters where we were joined by some latecomers to make up a party of 16. We had an excellent menu to choose from - all that is except the vegetarians among us where the choice was much more restricted, fisherman's pie or - fisherman's pie! For those that still had room there was a delicious array of desserts to choose from and we all left some couple of hours later, fully sated. A couple of saddos (who shall remain nameless) adjourned for a post-meal drink. All in all it had been a very enjoyable evening and we eagerly look forward to our next one, early in the New Year. Many thanks to Sue for all her hard work in organising the evening. Dave.
Fit and Proper People, Soho Theatre, Wednesday 12th October 2011
Six of us met for drinks and saw Fit and Proper People. It was a memorable performance in many ways... a joint RSC production with an experienced cast for £10 (Dave saved £2 by going to the "terraces"); a vivid exploration of foreign tax dodging football club owners, bent football managers and "exploited" third world players; the stage became a football pitch, the audience sat in "stands on both sides; free pies at "half time", a free raffle won by Landy; a strutting naked wag (unless football boots count) carrying a regulation size football for modesty (to gasps from Denise) .... it was, a memorable performance, in many ways. Alan Matthew
Thurs 16th June - Canary Wharf Closed Circuit Cycle Racing
An unusual event organised by Godfrey O'Callaghan.
The Lemon Tree , Covent Garden.
For our first social event since January, twelve of us congregated at 'The Lemon Tree' a pub/Thai restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden, which was recommended by Megan before her return home to Australia late last year. It proved to be a very convivial evening. After a couple of drinks we adjourned upstairs to the rather informal setting to sample the many sumptuous dishes on offer all at very reasonable prices. Having sated our appetites a few of us made our merry way to a local hostelry for a night-cap to round off a very enjoyable evening. A very big thank you to Sue Cannell for doing the recce and arranging the booking.
London Group AGM and dinner The AGM was held in the first floor room at The Old Coffee House, 49 Beak Street, London, W1F 9SB. The meeting was followed by dinner at Masala Zone, 9 Marshall Street.
Christmas dinner in January
15 people met at the Fat Cat in Bow for a Ladies Night meal that was excellent value, especially as it included a cocktail to start with: long island ice teas, bloody marys & something warm & dark lubricated the throng. The live singer (a surprisingly slight woman with a guitar) was miked up rather loud but conversation flowed well. Suzanne took the opportunity to recruit for the 100 check point (any more offers of help?) The special deal was for 2 courses but several had a third before we went our separate ways, ready for the year ahead.
Red Riding Hood at Theatre Royal Stratford
Meeting up in the crowded bar, a dozen of us quickly got into the spirit of the evening. The red plush 19th century music hall is a fine venue and the show was marvellous: colourful, loud - plenty of opportunities to shout at & with the punky Three Little Pigs - musical. It was a contemporary take on the genre but still had a busty dame (who some thought was a woman…). Set in woods through which a strapping young man - who was happier wielding his little axe than a really big one (!) - had built a new road to frighten the wild life. A giant wolf was a real coup de theatre. For afters we patronised the local Wetherspoons.
Douglas's Tour of the Houses of Parliament
A brilliant late Friday afternoon guided tour of the Houses of Parliament was made possible and organised by Douglas Robinson. Sixteen members spent two hours being expertly educated (with many history questions thrown at us), and delightfully guided through the many corridors and magnificent rooms including the Houses of Lords and Commons. Our charming guide was used to showing school-children around and expertly prevented any misbehaviour by wandering individuals! Afterwards the evening continued at the Civil Service Sports Club with a very satisfying meal alongside the lively club bar. A unanimous vote of confidence to Douglas.
Peter's Pub Night is a Hit
The sweeping view across the Thames towards St Pauls from our long table at the spacious Founders was spectacular on a starry night and everyone, 14, was happy to buy their own food, from bangers and mash to curry, at the efficient bar and so it was a very easy meal for me to run. The crowded pre-meal drink by the Golden Hind coincided with city types drinking large rounds but gave us a chance to pore over the menu and cast list. I had too much Young's and dozed off until the end of the tube, Mill Hill East instead of Highgate, (which is a first). Peter Russell
Dave's Develish Curry lives up to it's name!
Here's what Dave has to say........
I had the honour of arranging my 1st social evening- a curry in Brick Lane. With the vast choice available on Brick Lane, how could I fail ? After much deliberation, I plumped for The Masala, espeially after they had enticed me with the offer of 2 free rounds of drinks, a 25% discount, World peace & England to win the next 2 World Cups! With some superb marketing from Paula (who thought up the develish title) the replies poured in (well about a dozen anyway) & I was somewhat surprised that 15 actually turned up on the evening with the majority congregating in the 'Shooting Star for pre-dinner drinks. It turned out to be an enjoyable evening & the resturant was as good as their word on at least 2 of their promises. As the excitement took it's toll, numbers diminished and the hardy few made it to The Gun for a post-meal drink to round off a thoroughly develish evening!
Kathy's Lebanese Evening
8 members enjoyed Kathy's well organised Lebanese meal in High St Ken. Many thanks to Kathy for organising this, her second social event this year.
'Up for the Cup'
Kathy Larasso organised a fabulous walk followed by a social evening at Smollensky's in the strand, based around the England v USA game. It was well attended and very much enjoyed and a success all round - even if the football is long forgotten! Many thanks to Kathy for planning and organising a novel event.
Don's Mediteranean Specialities
Another great turn out! 17 members got together to enjoy a drink at the famous Coal Hole pub followed by great value eats at BISTRO 1 near Covent Garden where Rob celebrated a BIG birthday and got away with a cheap night out. Another great evening Don.
Don's Curry Night Success
19 members met in March at the very busy Hamilton Hall pub at Liverpool St, where lip reading and sheltering from beer and umbrellas raining from the balcony were the name of the game. Having lost and found a few on the way, and dodged the restaurant touts, we arrived at Don's favourite, the Shampan curry house on Brick lane, who did us proud just like the old days. At the last moment we were pleased to welcome Ralph (Don's son and original scout for this excellent restaurant) who disappeared just as quickly for a beer with his Dad. Thanks to Don for organising this one and to all who made it fun.
After February's lively AGM in the Rose and Crown near Waterloo, 20 members adjourned to Tas, a nearby Turkish restaurant to enjoy a mezze feast starter, really tasty Turkish mains and, of course plenty of wine and water.......
In line with recent tradition, London Group Christmas meal was held in January at Little Bay Restaurant in Farringdon www.littlebay.co.uk Over 20 booked for the event although a few were thwarted by the snow and ice.... In spite of everything, 16 members (including Rob who gets the prize for making the most effort) made it for a fabulously good value 3 course meal for just over £10. Dave recommended the pre dinner pub, which luckily turned out to be OK (he hadn't been there for 30yrs!) and Paul led his first walk (yeh right!) through the ice to his local after the meal, where the festivities continued. A great evening all round.
2009
The Panto party report......
After slaking our thirst in the Marie Lloyd bar (which had been partly taken over by a jumble sale) 12 of us climbed to our precipitous seat in the Upper Circle of the Hackney Empire, a beautifully restored - all red & gold - former music hall. With a great view of the orchestra pit & the stage we were soon being serenaded by a singing camel (oh yes! We were!), gazing in wonder at the fabulous thighs of the principal boy (which she slapped regularly), booing the evil Abanazer & cheering Widow Twankey (look behind you!). Clive Rowe is in his 8th year as the Empire's pantomime dame & he carries it off extremely well, clad in voluminous, inventive (a washing line on his head? In a Chinese vase?!!) & colourful frocks. As ever, the old jokes were the best ones & there was lots of clever stagecraft including a pink Morris Minor & a flying dragon. Finally everyone lived happily ever after & we repaired to a local Turkish restaurant for a feast. Perhaps the one disappointment was that the LDWA was not name-checked along with the 8 & 82 year-olds' birthdays or the proposal of marriage to a woman just along from us who appeared to accept with appropriate shyness to the cheers of the audience! It was a fine evening of traditional panto spiced with 21st century local colour.
In October we went to Vapiano on Gt Portland St. Don't know why I hadn't thought of this before.... a German concept serving pizza, pasta, salads all freshly prepared to order where everyone has their own credit card to pay at the end. After meeting in a very busy pub we arrived to find a very busy restaurant (I suppose it was shopping night on Oxford St so not surprising!) but managed to settle ourselves eventually at a comfy long table. The food was excellent and extremely good value and the system worked well. Although there were a few who couldn't make it at the last moment, one member who never did find us and another who popped in unexpectedly, it was a very plesent evening all round.
In July we visited Tibits vege restaurant (recommended by Kathy) just off Regent St - in a lovely cul-de-sac with different restaurants and tables outside. Starting upstairs in the bar, we discovered the organic beer, which made up for the lack of meat........and then took up residence downstairs where we made endless trips to the 'food boat' and still more to the bar. Really good value food you pay for by weight - if anyone fancies it we would recommend it - have a look on www.tibits.co.uk. Susanne started the dancing not long after that - she even had the chefs on the floor (the dance floor of course!) We had the basement to ourselves (no idea why!) and a great evening was had by all.... especially Susanne..... and Corrine.....and Paul.....and Dave .......and ...well everyone! (The evidence is on my phone if anyone wishes to cross my palm!)