Well some did, others well let’s say they served up something.

On a Windy Night in North west Leicestershire, the team from Ashby 507 Round Table were testing their culinary skills with the return of the Ready Steady Cook Challenge hosted by Mr & Mrs Chairman.

Once teams were chosen the teams had 45 minutes to both prepare and serve up a treat to our guest expert Judith Clark, armed with a simple camping stove on a windy evening, they were tasked to come up with a meal fit for a Queen, the result, well Judith is still alive and not been ill which is a good start and every meal was better than previous attempts.(Well most were)

As well as a portion of pork, mixed vegetables, the would be Jamie Oliver’s had access to a number of great ingredients and less than great ingredients including Anchovies!!!

In the midst of the activity (except IPC Adam Dean who according to a team member did nothing except erect a make shift wind shield) the team also had a nominated member perform their artistic skills on cake decorating.

At the final whistle the team were judged on presentation, ingenuity of using certain ingredients and the all important taste factor, Judith using kind words to describe some dishes complemented the teams for their efforts, but of course there had to a winner.

Team Dumolo – Paul Dumolo, Kirk Leverett (MR CLUMSY) and Andy Johnson (best estate agent in Ashby or so he claims) were clear winners.

Team Hall – Andy Hall, Tom Bill and Greg (best sticking to the Teeth pulling) Clark were sadly the losers.

The night was finished off by a fantastic curry provided by Mrs Chairman and a delicious pudding as well, and the cost for the night just £12.50 per head!!!

A great Table night served with up with great banter, food, obviously drinks, and I would to say a big thanks to everyone who attended and to Judith Clark and Kirsty (Mrs Chairman) who without their help it would not have been possible.

Thank you

Richard Harland

Ashby 507 Chairman

Being led the way by our very own Lance Armstrong (Greg Clarke) and Mr Map Perfection (David Gross) 100 + miles were covered, not to mention a large qty of cooked breakfasts, cream teas, pints and steaks.

Along the way we were kindly hosted by Okehampton Round Table who turned out to meet us and hopefully will be guests at our next charter (pretty certain they will as our SWAG instincts went into overdrive taking the Chairman and Presidents boards-  see picture) who I have to say have probably the best table meeting room you could want, even the CCTV (which we didn’t know at

first) caught us in the act, but not only did they not stop us, but were laughing at our attempts to remove the SWAG off the wall!!!

The Weekend was only Blighted by one fall – Mark Whetton was also amazingly the only person to suffer a puncture as well.

Your Chairman would like to say a big thank you to everyone for making it a great weekend, the Support Team and Paul Dumalo Landscapes for use of their van for transporting the bikes.

Whose idea was it to undertake a physical activity, requiring a lot of skill, and a lot of hand/eye co ordination?

I’m sure Paul Dumolo and I were not the only ones thinking this, as we started the evening trying ( and failing ) to hit a ball with a wooden stick.

With good Coaching the group quickly progressed from hitting the ball, to passing the ball, even into dribbling with the ball. Now the confidence was flowing in all of us.  So much so that teams were picked and it was Bibs v Shirts for a 5 aside game ( actually it was 6 v 5, but I don’t think the Shirt team noticed!)

Bibs were soon 2-0 down despite some goal saving tackles from Richard

(Chopper) Harland in defence. Who wasn’t leaving his goal area at any price.

A fight back made it 3-2 to the bibs at half time. The Bibs had been spurred on by Simon in midfield, and more tackles by “Chopper” (Still not straying far from goal.)

Half time brought a much needed water break, and Chopper Harland got a verbal warning from the Referee for excessive use of the hockey stick.

The second half progressed to a 4-4 score line with Paul Dumolo, defying the physical presence of Chopper Harland, and scoring 2 Goals for the Shirt Team. It was now next goal wins.

Bibs were coming under increased pressure to the point where Kirk (a guest for the evening) managed a miracle goal line save. All this and Kirk was on the phone selling his Television!

Now picture that slow motion movie scene if you can……..

Simon Addison has the ball in midfield for the Bibs. He’s under pressure from the opposition. Chopper Harland who has not strayed from his goal all night spots a space, he runs up to the opposition goal area, receives the ball from an inch accurate pass from Simon, and he drills his shot into the goal.

5-4 and the Bibs are the winners.

Despite of his goal winning, last gasp defending performance, Richard “Chopper” Harland did not get the Man of the Match award.

This award goes to Paul Dumolo, for his brace of goals. In is “post match interview” he admitted to nearly not turning up, but thankfully he did, and he ended up having a really good time.

…..and having a good time is what its all about, (despite of us all waking up in the morning with aches and pains).

The evening started with a video, introducing us to the science of “Fly’s”

and “Nymph’s” and the different types of Fly Fishing available. I have never seen so much excitement when the members of the fishing club served coffee…………but the lack of biscuits was a bit disappointing.

As the video finished (and Patrick’s attention was revived) it was out to the lake, and time for us to get some Nymph’s on the end of our Rods. (calm down Twiggy, I know what your thinking!)

Having split into 3 groups, a quick brief was handed out by each fishing member, and then it was over to us to master the fine art of casting. I failed this, having been told I had too much wrist action…………………no comments please.

Patrick look relaxed, Kevin looked comfortable, Woody looked at ease.

Adam panicked as his fly caught on weed in the water and his rod tensed.

Laughter came from us all at the bank, but wait a minute, Is that?, Oh yes.

Adam had actually caught a fish, and within a couple of minutes of his first attempt. Well done Mr Chairman.

The night continued on with Mark, causing the other groups to take cover as his fly’s whizzed by overhead, and I was continually untangling the line.

As Mr Chairman called an end to the night, 2 people were still busy casting, looking to better that catch by Adam earlier in the evening. Yes, you’ve guessed it, Paul and Simon, had yet again revived the Addison family challenge, and neither were going to give up first, knowing that the other still had a chance of a catch. I know it does not exist in the Addison family , but I think we’ll call this one a draw.

One Roundtable member who was noticeable by his absence was Ian Bryan. Was he keeping away after causing £80.00 of damage to the kit at last years Pole Fishing event?, and will the two guest’s be back, or have we scarred them away for good?

Finally the Biggest Catch of the Night Award goes to……….surprisingly not Adam, but…………Simon Addison.

His judgement and skill was outstanding when he hooked his 12st catch.

(It’s a shame it was his tutor, who was standing on dry land.) Thankfully there were no injuries as a result.

…and another good night was had by all.

Again an Ashby 507 Evening turned out to be an “Addison Father & Son Challenge”.

Team line ups were as follows

RED Boat :

Simon – Capt

Paul D

Pete

Andy J

Andy W

Blue Boat:

Paul A-  Capt

Adam

Dave

Mark

Nick

The evening started with a nice relaxing paddle along the canal, passing Moira Furnace, and taking in the surrounding views.

Captain Paul instructed his team to let the Red boat go in front in order to have the advantage at the start of the race when the boats turn around.

Captain Simon full of suspicion spent most of the time looking behind instead of taking up his captaincy role.

Mike called both boats to the start line, and there was the Blue boats opportunity for a jump start……………….everyone paddling except for Adam who wanted a fair start. (not in the spirt of Roundtable).

Upon the restart the Red boat steamed off into a lead. Half way into the race, the Blue boat caught up with the Red boat. An “accidental” collision (instructed by Capt Paul) caused the Red boat to be “T-Boned” which started the mayhem to begin. An exchange of splashing water between the two boats put off the Blue boat, and Capt Simon seized the opportunity to call for some effort from his team mates The Red boat steamed off to victory passing the finishing line in 10min 4sec.

One – Nil to the Red Team.

Then the carnage began, water was splashed between the two boats There was no escaping the soaking.

The visitors to the Furnace turned their attention and cameras onto the eruption in the water.

Everyone in both boats were saturated.

Then, Twiggy found a chink in the Blue boats armour, jumped ship, and proceeded to throw Adam into the Canal.

Two – Nil to the Red Team.

All this and it was only 7.30pm. One thing for it……………………….a change of clothing, and off to the pub.

The most sensible person on the night award goes to….

Patrick…… For missing the night and concentrating on his exam. We all hope it well for you Patrick.

So its 2-0 to Simon in the 507 Addison Father and Son Challenge, but for how long for?

I am sure that, like me, everyone had a really enjoyable night last night.

Our thanks go out to Andy Woodhouse, Mark Whetton, and Paul Dumolo for their hard work in organising the event.

So where do I begin to summarise?

Well, Andy Johnson was up to his usual tricks. Firstly by throwing Simon Addison’s Tag Card into the water hazard, and then attempting (but not succeeding) in pinching the keys from the Team NLH vehicle.

How did Chris Berry manage to pop up everywhere with the video camera? and why could we not manage to run him over when he was trying to film that action shot?

The manoeuvre of the evening goes to Kevin McHugh for beating Dave Southward in a drag race. Not impressed, Well, Kevin was in reverse!

The biggest panic of the evening must go to Mark Parnham when the Discovery started given off knocking noises. The biggest sigh of relief must also go to Mark when he realised that the knocking was only that the towing cap had come loose. Phew.

 It must not be forgotten that the evening was a timed event ( Oh there’s the man with the camera again!) and the order that the teams finished in are as follows:

 1st…….Team Parnham    1hr 05m 20sec

2nd…..Team Dumolo       1hr 12m 42sec

3rd……Team 41                  1hr 20m 20sec

4th…….Swad 1                    1hr 22m 28sec

5th……..Posh Team          1hr 24m 23sec

6th……..Swad 2                    1hr 38m 23sec

7th…….Pistoff Team           1hr 38m 35sec

8th…….Team NLH              1hr 50m 00sec

9th…….Man with big Camera…DNF

So Congratulation go to the winning team, who are Team NLH.

(as this was the team with the Chairman in it…………..and the Vice Chair…………………Oh, and me, the Programmes Officer).

Finally, all of the guy’s who bought your own vehicles, and trusted the novices to drive also get a big Thank You. We hope all vehicles have made it back in one piece ready for next time.

Who would have though that we could have had so much fun for £4.50 each?

Thanks again to everyone who organised, retrieved, and most importantly of all…….. participated.

And for Those who didn’t make it – Videos Below

David Crawford

The Idea was simple paint the IPC (Immediate Past Chairman), what could be simpler than that, well having him there on time would help, hence why one of our members just painted the chair he was supposed to be on.

Having blessed us with his presence the class proceeded in attempting to do our best in painting the IPC (who at this point and donned a pink scarf and hat and looked very camp)on a plate which would then be glazed to bring it out in its full glory

I have to say a couple of members did rather well, most of us pretty lame including the current Chairmans odd effort, a spider man alternative, a Robin hood lookalike, the Scarecrw from the Wizard of Oz and a throw back from a Spaghetti Western!!!

Anyway thanks to Joanne at Hartrups for putting up with us again and being kind with the comments of our achievements and the night was rounded off with a meal at the Tap House.

Thank to Dave and the Chairman for organising a good night and a good start to the year.

The objective was to make the best Wall Tiler – a big thank you to Jo and the team at Hartrups