ANNUAL FAMILY BARBECUE Crowle Village Hall
Hi…my name's Pete. One of my duties as a committee member is, apparently, to take my turn in
writing a report of a day's event. So….here it is.
Weather fine, outlook good to troubling.
This year's BBQ was held at Crowle Village Hall, an unexpected surprise. The hall was new and
built with £250,000 of lottery money and villagers' fund raising. Looking out onto open
countryside, with a spacious hall, large fitted kitchens, you couldn't ask for a better
venue.
With the help of a couple of the lads we raised the Bouncy Castle whilst wondering how long
it would remain bouncy with the hoards of children we had planned for. While the girls
prepared 1,000 baps and rolls for 40 people we welcomed several new parents and children.
We seem to see most of the kids from time to time, but annual events like the BBQ are when
everyone gets together. Children we may not have seen for 12 months re-appear, taller, and
wider, some sporting new moustaches and spots.
It's always a pleasure to see the younger children too. For some this may be their first
time where friendships will be made that will remain through to their teens and hopefully
longer.
Anyway, back to the BBQ. I brought my own, gas-fired gourmet Flambette imported from Canada (
by Makro). Phil bought his own secret weapon, manufactured in his garden shed and resembling
a giant wok on legs and wheels. The challenge was on, Whose would cook the chicken drumsticks
the best. I turned the knobs and pressed the red button. The piezzo ignition caused the
Flambette to burst into life. It all but took the drumsticks off the table to cook.
Phil's more traditional….thing, devoured a specially prepared bag of charcoal briquettes
which Phil ignited with his lighter, immediately disappearing in a cloud of black smoke.
While the BBQs heated up, the children advanced on and captured the Bouncy Castle. Having
broken through the outer defences, some children started a new game of Medieval Jousting in
the Castles Keep. Novel really, in the absence of lances they decided to use their heads
instead. 2 children retired from the event early, tearfully explaining to all that would
listen, that perhaps Horses and Lances would be safer.
Back at the BBQ, Phil was impressing all with his fearless management of what became know as S
tevenson's Wokit. I just couldn't compete. Despite the elegant lines of the flambette,
people were clamouring for Phi'ls burgers while the food piled up on mine resembling a huge
European sausage mountain.
Chris, 17, a tall lad for his age, joined some younger children in the hall to show them how
to play badminton. He retired from the game a few minutes later having beaten them 1000-nil.
Some children appeared quite traumatised by the event. Others were seen wondering back to the
Bouncy Castle to try their luck at Medieval Jousting again.
Back at the BBQ, Phil had overdone it a bit. The second bag of charcoal had been put into the
Wokit and things were now taking a worrying turn. The Wokit's lid was rattling menacingly and
snapping at the kids. Somewhat alarmed they now turned to the Flambette. The Flambette,
having cooked the food to perfection quickly emptied. Phil, conceding to its superior cooking
ability, appeared through the smoke with the last of his Chicken Drumsticks and ceremoniously
handed them over for the Flambette to finish them off.
Light showers sealed the end of the outdoors activities and everyone made for the hall to get
a Badminton racket before Chris got there.
Inside was an Aladdin's Cave of sweets, a contribution from each family. Puddings of every
description were laid out and being eaten at competition speed by the spots and moustaches.
We got there just in time. Whoever brought the Black Forrest Gateau - my sincere thanks.
Alexandra 9 thought that the best part of the day was finding two more snails for her
collection!
Catherine thought the best part was the funny man with the smoke and steam engine.
Neither was true of course, it had to be the Chicken Drumsticks (closely followed by the
Black Forrest Gateau…..
Keep visiting the Web site. It's constantly updated with events, speakers and social
evenings. If you think you might like to come along, just do it. You'll always be made very
welcome.
Cheers
Pete….
WASGAP COMMITTEE
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