Mystery Christmas Squarree 9th December 2005
(Jaipur Indian Restaurant at Market Drayton)
Up for it were: Yup, Pedro, Stubbee, Bolt from the blue, Keithee's on, Craigee's 50/50, Malc Jay, Beardee, Scottee, Richee, Ali Gee, Argee Bargee, Joseph Tahoohigh, Brockee, Mid Week Tone, Granpop Billee, Spikee, Triglett, Jaycee, Robbee the Sparky, D Ceen his wallet, Mc Ceen his grant, Ian 'The Terrier' Lowe, Squire Col of Stockton Brook, Phil 'WoknWoll', Matt The Silver Bear, Moon Beam, Andy meander, Matt Nice-one, Heavy Steve Machine, Ian Seeweed, Mo who, Nige Noel and Shandy Boy Stevee M
The clues given out for this year’s squarree were so easy it’s amazing no-one got it spot on !!?:
The old tiled floor, and the narrow door at the Wheatsheaf, Onneley, the cartoon characters, the fish behind the bar, and the ‘Joules’ engraved in the glass window of the door at the Hinds Head at Norton-in-Hales. The elephants and the fresco at the Indian, on which the name and location of the Indian were superimposed were a dead give away. Only one squarrite eventually spotted the detail; young Sherlock Gee, but too late to amend his submitted guess. (The large white elephant was this year’s red herring of course).
33½ squeezed onto a 33 seater coach, with young Nige (no-el) hidden in the aisle. The Wheatsheaf staff were very accommodating with an army of young gals at the ready to tank us up with Black Sheep, Theakstones bitter and other mamby-pamby drinks. An hour later and we were entering the Hinds Head at Norton in Hales where an even greater selection of ales was available. Last calls were made in front of the cartoon festooned walls before jumping on the bus for the awards. An LTP award (in the form of a money box) was given to Mr Tahoohigh for being the ‘last to pay’ up for this year’s jaunt. It’s surprising he’s never received this one before?? Chukkee was given a bag of Nobby's Nuts as there were no planters around this year! A urinal bottle was passed to Craigee, much to his relief, because the Yupmeister never takes the urine; and a magnifying glass was awarded to Ali Gee for his lengthy efforts in checking out the finer details in the clues.
Finally we came to the results of the mystery guesses and the mystery prize-giving:
In third place was Silver Bear with Pizza Hut in Longton. I do worry about this young squarrite! In second place was Beardee with ‘A passage to India’ in Crewe. Lucky he didn’t meet us there as intended, but an excellent attempt anyway, linking the Indian connection with the Crewe railway station and the name of an Indian in Crewe.
A tie for first place resulted in a draw having to be made between Sparky and Malc who had both opted for Nantwich. Red and green chillies were drawn from a balti dish at the front of the bus by Ronnie the driver. By default, Sparky was allocated the red chillies as he is a bit of a live wire. A green chillie was drawn and Malc Jay took the ‘No-Bell’ prize of £15.
We arrived at the Jaipur in Market Drayton around 10 minutes early, just enough time for a quickie in the pub opposite. The ‘Indian connection’ clue was obviously Market Drayton’s famous son, Clive of India. An email was sent out with a ginger coloured background on one occasion as a clue to the gingerbread men the town is also famous for. Obvious aint it?. On return, we were directed upstairs and served up with the traditional pappodoms whilst drinks and food orders were taken. During the wait, a run down of this year’s trips was given by Yup and the Squarrite profiles were passed around. Glasses were raised and a toast was made to the Squarry club. Unfortunately, and as is occasionally the case with groups of this size, one or two had to wait longer than most and sadly a war of words broke out in some quarters. On the whole, the meal was excellent and great value for money at around £15 each, and the Indian would welcome most of us back. There was just time for a nightcap in the pub opposite and an opportunity for Phil (Fagin) Wok’n’Wol to unashamedly expose an item of glassware he had just nicked.
Col broke out the ukulele on the return journey (Click here for a rendition of 'She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes') and Beardee stirred up the troops with a silver spoon before pulling himself into an upright position and presenting Yup with several bottles of Australian Merlot for his contributions throughout the year. Many thanks chaps.
Here’s hoping next year’s mystery night goes as splendiferous as this years, and without mishap.
Yupmeister Click here for a rendition of Fenton, Longton, Stoke...........