AGM Weekend 28th February/1st March 2009

Within 1 hour of Cristi leaving (the last of the visitors to Chez Cropper over the weekend), you would not know anyone had been here other than the fact that the house was very tidy... and that, in itself (for anyone who has been here at other times) was very, very creepy.

We don't usually do 'tidy'!!

The turn out was actually quite impressive given the time of year, the fact that some people had an event weekend and the physical distance from some members. If everyone had brought their kit we had enough Hoplites and Scyths to put on a pretty decent arena display.

Ash formed the advance party, arriving on Friday to make sure he got the best bed, but as Saturday morning unfolded there was a steady stream of vehicles arriving and manoeuvring into position. Everyone got parked and after a good old chinwag, lots of tea and coffee and a lunch of leek and potato soup and rolls, Ash, Steve, Hywel and Wulf took themselves off to 'build a wagon' (which ended up as a 'bit' of a square wheel with a promise that it would grow to a full sized wagon by the time the season begins). It kept them amused anyway.

The rest of us congregated in the conservatory and put the world to rights.

Lots of time was spent reading books, planning tents and discussing what was and what was not 'authentic'.

By early evening we gathered for the AGM (about 2 hours?) and the minutes for these were taken by Sev, and will be posted once they are typed up. By the way, Wulf and Sev have officially re-joined now and I will circulate their email address as soon as they confirm which one they are using!!

For Wulf, perhaps the highlight, was meeting up with Paul again. Both where with us in our very first outing back in 2002.

We then broke for 'dinner' and Elaine did everyone proud with a pasta bake, hot boston beans, mushroom pasta and a range of bits and pieces, and we had more alcohol than anyone could drink... and no-one drunk that much either... more talking and chatting again... then it was time to settle for the evening entertainment....

Now, over the course of the day, Mike had explained the values of the Spartans (I think you had to be there) and all his predictions came true... we watched 'Meet the Spartans'!!! Steve now has some excellent ideas for marching but got his revenge as we had a tasting, courtesy of Steve, of the new Walkers crisps flavours. An evil game. Essentially, for those who have not tried them, which is the least disgusting????

The night passed without event and a lazy breakfast (highlighted by Stuart and his 'handy' pack of bacon... funny what people find in their pockets..) and slowly, as the day progressed, everyone slowly drifted away.

All in all, a very pleasant and productive weekend.