Jamie Sutherland: Comedian

Photograph © Jamie Sutherland

Although it seemed a little premature, we held our Christmas Lunch on 28^th November. There were many compliments about the festive air as we walked into the dining room: the tables were laid out with a red and green theme with crackers and an evergreen table decoration in the centre, which had been made by Committee members. The candles were lit, crackers were pulled and the party began...

Our honoured guests included the Mayoress and the Deputy Mayor plus some men who enjoyed the once a year privilege of joining their partners for lunch. Simon Bott, proprietor of Linden House, provided some musical entertainment by playing the piano whilst we enjoyed a delicious and traditional Christmas lunch.

Following the meal, we were entertained by Jamie Sutherland, a rising young comedian from Liverpool. He opened by saying how amazed and delighted he was to perform in front of an audience where there was not a single mobile phone, camera or other electronic device in sight! He had noted that his audience had been talking to each other whilst eating, rather than silently glued to some machine.

He quickly had our full attention with amusing jokes and stories with some audience participation. Looking around, he summarised our average age by referring to SAGA which he translated as Some Awake – Some Asleep! He mentioned his working background which has included being a cruise ship entertainer which he really enjoyed. In an endearing way, he joked about his own family and friends, particularly his son who seems to be taking after him. He provided much amusement, leaving his audience clutching their sides from the continuous laughter. It was an excellent way to bring our lunches for 2018 to a happy conclusion at the end of another successful year.

Keith Holmes: A Taste of Cornwall

Photograph © Keith Holmes 2016

At this month's meeting, 87 of us sat down to lunch at Linden House. We were entertained with an illustrated talk about Cornwall by Keith Holmes. From the towering cliffs and surf of the north coast to the pretty coves and harbours in the south, this talk was an epicurean journey through England's most westerly county.

Keith told us all about his experience wine tasting at the award winning vineyard in the Camel Valley; we also learnt that Tregothan is the only place in England to grow tea commercially. We took delight in the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan where productive  gardens are still worked in a time honoured way. Later on, he showed us how Cornish pasties are still being made by hand (in their hundreds during the summer season). The scenic trip ended at a fishing village Portloe with a traditional cream tea..

By the time  he had finished his  talk, we all had a longing to be there to see life in Cornwall as it is today and sample some of the local delicacies.