As everyone well knows, these pages are an unofficial record of the goings on at |
5 July 2002
Welcome, Newcomer
5 July saw the first child to be born to a resident of the Angel for as long as most can remember.
Paula and Kevin were grateful for the safe delivery of a daughter, Darcy Louise, at about 10.15 in the evening, just as most of us were settling in for a few well-earned end-of-week pints.
Although the final delivery had to be by Caesarean section, both mother and daughter have made excellent progress and were quickly reintroduced to the welcoming walls of The Angel.
Kevin reports that he felt completely exhausted by the process; Paula has not been consulted in this regard.
Kevin also reports that he has slept extremely well since his new daughter arrived. Paula has not been available for comment.
Needless to say, the whole pub has been excited and delighted by the new arrival: our congratulations to all concerned.
One sidelight of the whole affair was the re-appearance of a certain P. Thorogood behind the bar, to cover for his absent employee. He reported that a life of retirement was suiting him and Mel down to the ground. His only regret was a lack of edible lotuses in Stanningfield.
22 July
Extraordinary News
I completely forgot to mention, in my last update of news from this most hallowed of watering holes, the quite extraordinary event of The (Nearly) Banning of Tony Ward.
Not from The Angel, you understand, but from Another Hostelry in the village, where said citizen was in the middle of one of his long stories.
Tone's stories are not for the faint-hearted, nor for those of temperate language sensitivity, and we can only surmise that the Landlord of Another Hostelry had decided that Tone's use of certain expletives had reached a hitherto unknown limit when he (the Landlord) asked him (Tone) to leave.
Needless to say, Wardy was quoted as saying that he "didn't give a f***".
Needless to say, the rest of us, and his sons in particular, have thoroughly enjoyed spreading the tale.
Retro-mania
Although the events described here happened beyond the boundaries of not only The Angel, but of Glemsford itself, I feel justified in including them because they involved several regulars and they produced several nice photos.
The event was a recreation of a wartime dance in a left-behind mess building at an old USAAF base over by Ashen a few weeks ago. The evening involved the wearing of costume of the period, so much time and effort was put in by, among others, Robert Sippett (Hee Haw Hee Haw, of the French Foreign Legion), Kevin Starrie and Robert Plumb (Spivs), and Jonathan Farrance and TA as members of the US Armed Forces.
The photos reveal just what a good time was had by all.
 The group assembled in the Angel before departure. Several people asked Jonathan if he'd finished his deliveries. TA, making her first appearance on this site, smiled wryly. |  Robert adopted a pose of certain authority. Who would dare mess with his kepi? |
 Robert and Kevin went as spivs. Would you argue? |  The wartime spirit of international comradeship prevailed. |
 TA certainly seemed to enjoy herself |  So did Jonathan |
 Sippo had his moments, too |
 Part of the event was the overflight by one of the last Flying Fortresses in operation. It was a great moment. |
22 July
More news of wanderings far from The Angel The Flower Fairy
Summer is certainly the time of wanderings. As reported in the last edition of these pages, Hannah has been exploring the exotica of Bali.
The good news is that, at last, a letter has been received. As a description of the native culture and heritage it leaves a lot to be desired, but it reveals a "good time" being had, alcohol being consumed, food being eaten, friendships being made and renewed, money being spent and chilling being outed.
No postcards received.
Meanwhile, Jonathan and TA tried to con us into thinking they'd headed off for the Bahamas, but we knew all along they were going to Greece.
No postcards received.
News reaches us that a certain Mr Robert Chilwell is intending to become a tax exile by removing to somewhere in Euroland. The fact that he has already bought a van with a Belgian numberplate is believed to be a smokescreen to cover his eventual destination.
Other examples of exotica
It's not that Robert Sippett doesn't like going on holiday, he just prefers bringing his holidays into the pub with him.
So mention Hawaii to him, and he'll whip up an amazing array of snazzy shirts. Say "Hot" to him, and he'll have his shorts on quicker than a slap of sunscreen.
Shorts are not my favoured form of attire, let it be said. There are two or three "characters" who have adopted them as regular summer wear, even when it's blowing a gale and the temperature is around March level.
Each to their own I suppose. Live and Let Live.
Why?
Further News of the Independent Glemsford Lifeboat Service
Plans are afoot for the preparation and launch of the (still unnamed) vessel in time for the annual Sudbury/Stour Raft Race next month. Sponsors and fundraisers are required, as well as crew and the ever-elusive Glemsford Maiden.
Watch this space.
Good News ... Or just news?
It's always a good news day when a pub re-opens. So let's hear it for The George in Cavendish, which has been closed for a couple of years but re-opened last week.
And the rest...?
We-e-e-e-ll ...
Let's put it like this: it's been bought by someone whose name I'm supposed to know because he's a famous chef who gets mentioned in The Times and the Telegraph and The Independent and such like.
It's painted in that new variation of washed out yellow that you might find on refurbished pine cladding in Clapham.
It was praised for the quality of its food in The Independent two weeks before it opened.
So we can guess which way that one's going, can't we?
Pub?
Reopens?
Ho hum.
But good luck, any way.
I've decided to keep each addition to these pages separate, rather than simply add length. I hope regular readers will not get too confused.
To see earlier editions, follow thses links: