Forthcoming Events

Forthcoming Events:
The next membership meeting will be on Friday, 17th October, 2008 at 8.00 pm, at Baskerville. The quiz for the evening will be on the case of The Final Problem.

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Mrs. Hudson's Annual Dinner Party at The Oak in Guilsfield ( near Welshpool) 7.00 pm for 730 pm, Saturday 27th September, 2008.
Please dress in period costume if convenient - if inconvenient, come as you are.

The evening will end with a sing-a-long Victorian Music Hall Song selection, with our very own Mrs. Hudson ( Joan Upton-Holder) at the piano.

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The Great Hiatus ( our annual summer outing )
has been arranged for Friday 25th July when we will have a tour of The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. The tour will begin at 2.00 pm and John ( Stoker), who has made all the arrangements, suggests that we meet in the car park at 12.30 and have lunch first. We will be able to see a few of their Sherlock Holmes books - they have copies of all books that are published!

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The Game's Afoot! - on Saturday evening 16th February 2008 was very successful. The highlights were :- Beryl Jacques gave a practical demonstration of Victorian cooking which the audience were able to sample during the interval. Richard Newcombe gave an illustrated ( PowerPoint projection) on Victorian Railways and John Stoker gave an enthralling account of Peter Cushing's life

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Past Events

Mrs. Hudson's Dinner Party on Saturday 2nd October 2004

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Deerstalkers day trip to London, Friday 22nd July 2005

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Sherlock Holmes' 152nd birthday party -

Friday 6th January 2006 at Baskerville

THE DEERSTALKERS OF WELSHPOOL CELEBRATE THE GREAT DETECTIVE'S 152ND BIRTHDAY

REPORTER - Deerstalker Dennis J. Duggan

Friday January 6th 2006 marked the 152nd birthday of Sherlock Holmes. Clearly the Deerstalkers Of Welshpool could not let this auspicious occasion pass unmarked, especially as the January meeting had coincidentally been earmarked for that very date.
At the November meeting Jane said we should celebrate the occasion in some way, and Mrs. Hudson suggested a party would certainly be in order. A discussion ensued, and a finger buffet seemed the best option; this would (of course) feature a special birthday cake.

Invitations were sent out in good time, and before we knew it the day was upon us. Deerstalkers made their way to Baskerville in ones and twos, all looking forward to an evening of good food and convivial conversation.

Roy and Joan's doorbell worked overtime as the group assembled. The tone was set by a banner over the front door, both inside and out. How pleasant it was to step over the threshold and leave the cold dark night behind in favour of the warm, brightly lit interior of Baskerville. From that moment 2006 was left behind as we immersed ourselves in matters Holmesian.

Each guest was handed a sheet of paper, and Roy explained its purpose. Holmes and Watson items had been scattered throughout parts of the house, and the task was to count them all and arrive at the correct total. Deerstalkers roamed the lounge, kitchen, stairs and conservatory, each clutching paper and pencil.

The idea was to prove one of Holmes' theories - we see but we do not observe. Some were obvious, others less so - for example the walking sticks by the front door. Roy told us that nothing was hidden, it was merely a case of using our powers of observation.

Meanwhile a temporary bar had been erected in the kitchen, and we all had free access to a range of drinks both alcoholic and otherwise. The punch seemed particularly popular, though I have to confess I made good use of the Glen Moray malt!

Some Deerstalkers took the game very seriously, others less so, but if nothing else it acquainted us with Baskerville's collection of Sherlock Holmes artifacts.

The mouth-watering buffet began to tempt some members, and what an excellent spread it was. There was a huge variety of savoury items and salads on the table, and dishes of nibbles were dotted round the house. Indeed we were spoiled for choice, and everyone seemed to be holding a plate piled with goodies.

Little groups formed, dissolved and reformed as people circulated, though eventually most of us found a seat and chatted happily to our companions. I found myself in the conservatory with Carrie and Jane.

The puddings were superb. We had two trifles (one alcoholic, one not) lemon tart and chocolate truffles. There was a large jug of cream to accompany them. Once more plates were piled high, with many Deerstalkers apparently having some of everything.

Highlight of the evening was cutting the cake. Well actually it was two cakes, made by Joan Stopp. One was a fruit cake in the shape of an 'S' and the other was a Madeira sandwich in the shape of an 'H'. The special tins, along with the baseboard, had been made and designed by Peter Stopp.

Joan lit the candles, and we drank a toast to The Great Detective before Enfys Knowles cut the cake and handed the pieces round.

Sherlock was in evidence for the first part of the evening, sitting happily on a chair, though in true cat fashion he eventually vanished. Presumably he wanted some peace and quiet! Unless of course he was sitting with you.

Meanwhile Roy was marking the papers, though Colin confessed he had not completed his. Roy urged him to have a guess, and his figure was 85. Colin was a little embarrassed to find that was spot-on, and urged Roy to award first prize to the next-nearest entry. Eventually Colin reluctantly accepted the prize, which was a book.

I took quite a few photographs during the evening, and these have been put onto a CD and given to Roy. I will be happy to do the same for any Deerstalker who would like a copy.

One or two people began to drift away around 10pm, many carrying bags of food from the buffet. Joan worked tirelessly to persuade people to eat more, but such was the quantity available she had little success.

All agreed it had been an excellent evening. Not only was the catering excellent, it was a good opportunity to become more acquainted with our fellow Deerstalkers along with their family and friends.

On behalf of everyone I would like to thank Roy and Joan for taking the time and trouble to arrange the food and the competition, and for their generosity in opening their home to us.

In alphabetical order those present were: Duggan, Dennis & Stephanie; Eaton, Maurice; Griffiths, Maude; Guttridge, Jane; Harratt, Rev Philip; Higson, Alex & Carrie; Jones, Emma; Kahn, Jonathan; Knowles, Enfys; Moore, David; Nevill, Stuart; Perkins, John; Stoker, John; Stopp, Joan & Peter; Stratford, Colin; Upton-Holder, Roy & Joan.

Apologies were received from Phil & Heidi Addicott.

Photographs by Deerstalker Dennis J. Duggan
A report, by Dennis, on this event will appear in issue 30 of The Baker Street Bugle which is due to be available on 1st March 2006.