Little Egypt's 2006 Celebrations of Christmas,
as always, included a variety of light-hearted competitions, entertainments and initiation rituals
Every year, the Squire sponsors a competition for the best (Christmassy) decorated Morris hat present.
As always, the competition was fierce, and the judges, conscripted from the waiting staff, were hard put to choose between the entrants.
In the event, a brim-off (millinery equivalent of a photo-finish) was necessary, which resulted in a narrow and hotly-disputed
victory for our very own Alas-a-dair.
Mr Jukes was not best pleased, particularly as there were so many people to impress that evening.
And Sebastian was beside himself. Well, actually he was beside Mr Jukes, but at that time of the evening, he didn't notice.
But that was soon forgotten in the fun and frivolity that followed.
The paperazzi were out in force, looking for whatever smuggled verité they could find. Some of them even tried to disguise themselves in festive attire.
Next came the initiation ceremonies.
Perversely, Newman Mike was the only one fresh to such humiliation, but to make up the numbers, Pat the Patch and Alas-a-dair were added, because it was felt they'd probably got away lightly before.
Like all good troopers and Men of the Morris, the took it in their stride, even when requested to don a pair of the Squire's Y-fronts left in the laundry basket last week.
Such is the spirit of Little Egypt.
Needless to say, the assembled throng enjoyed it immensely too.
