In London, the tidying up and furore over stewarding the Jubilee celebrations will probably go on for days. Meanwhile, out in the sticks, we were invited to a far more low-key event to mark 60(ish) years of the queen being the queen. A few people down the road from my parents decided that a street party would be a great way to bring neighbours together.
I have to admit that I was a bit dubious about the whole thing, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The theme needed no thinking about, but all of the rest had been carefully planned, right down to the cups and plates.
Some had really gone to town with their baking.
In addition to all of the food (as ever, bring as much as you can eat meant that everyone brought far too much), there were games and entertainments. Egg and spoon races, quizzes and others paled into insignificance once the main event, the Knobbly Knee Contest, took place. For those of you who have never encountered one, the Knobbly Knee Contest is best described as the male equivalent of the swimsuit round at the Miss World pageant. There were literally half a dozen women overexcitedly filming, or taking photos of men's bony knees. This was the Clan A-C team entry.
After much deliberating, the panel of judges (yes, there were three of them) announced their shortlist, with two of us making it to the last four competitors. Despite our valiant efforts though, the prize went to Graham from number 30.
In all, it was a geat way to spend a Bank Holiday afternoon. The communal eating has made me look forward to the World Food Feast at the Frome Festival next month more than ever.
Jim
