Yorkshire puddin'
Ferg goes and has a glass of beer!
It came to pass that the women of Yorkshire held their fourth pudding rally with their men in tow and doing as they were told. The good folk of that fine county packed up their clogs and their kettles and came from far and wide. I arrived Friday afternoon to the sound of at least a hundred kettles whistling and the telltale snap of Tupperware boxes being opened. I had two cups of tea and at least four cakes before I even attempted to put the tent up, which incidentally fought me every inch of the way.
This onerous task completed, we even managed to inflate the airbed. A simple undertaking you might think but one that has confounded me on numerous occasions in the past.
Taking a turn around the site before partaking of a libation I fought off further offers of tea and cakes. There was a fine variety of traders, one even selling teapots, spare whistles for kettles, mugs, spoons and cake stands. The marquee/bar had also been increased in size. Obviously the biggest stall was the W.I. cake stand, they were doing a roaring trade.
Pete Walker (Farmyard Supremo) appeared looking resplendent in a velvet toreador's suite with his hi viz vest over the top. I am afraid his mental aberration continues, though he no longer uses the flood as an excuse. However he has now foresworn the services of his local fancy dress shop and is running up his own outfits. What a splendid though somewhat eccentric chap he is.
This was MAG's 4th Yorkshire Pudding, but as they say in northern climes 'there's nowt that hasn't been done before lad'. I met a chap wearing a rally badge from 1968 bearing the legend, 'Yorkshire Pudding Rally.' He had attended it as a small boy but could not remember what the club that ran it was called.
The popularity of this rally continues, though due to the size of the site, numbers are limited, as a result the rally sold out very early. This led to some 1500 folk being unable to secure tickets. There were none to be had on the gate and no exceptions. I dare say there will have to be some decisions made for next year as to whether to move to a new site to accommodate or stay put and keep things the way they are. I think it has to stay, even if it makes it a selective rally.
It really is a great site, which must add to the relaxed air of the place. Yorkshire MAG seems to possess some sort of magic dust they sprinkle about to ensure tranquillity wherever they decide to hold a rally. The weather had taken a decided turn for the better, the sun shone and conditions could be described as just about perfect. Hot enough to maintain thirst but a cooling breeze meant it could be slaked without breaking into a sweat. The area must have been badly hit in the rains, though as despite being on a hill the ground was still very soft underfoot.
Arriving back to where we had camped under the trees I was to discover that some lunatic had brought a quantity of home made wine with him, whether it was this or the sheer excitement of the occasion I know not, but my mate Dave was asleep before eight o'clock. Thus he inherited the title of 'shandypants' from Julian, who won it at the Into the Valley for a mammoth two hour drinking session that saw him asleep before seven.
I sort of heard one of the bands on the Friday, though due to my deafness and fatigue I could not make out what they were playing. They were described to me the next day as though the singer was one song ahead of the rest of the band.
Saturday morn did not so much arrive as bounce off Friday night. A swift route march through the fields took us to the local and a few pints before heading back for the bike show. On the way back one of the lads was attacked by a llama (I kid you not), it was in the field with t'sheep. I understand there was a ride out that took in twelve of the finest cake shops in South Yorkshire.
The bike show trophies were presented by the local Mayor who had a sit on a few of the bikes and then stopped for a couple of pints. MAG's cause may not have been helped when some wag told her that Jane Chisholm (MAG Chair) had just come out of prison. The standard of bikes in the show was very high. Johnsons of Leeds (great supporters of MAG as ever) donated £50 to their choice of best in show. Which I understand the winner promptly donated to MAG, well done that man.
The eve saw more bands which I also only heard from the MAG stand. I don't know who opened but they played a great mix of blues and folk that got the Yorkshire crowd setting aside their tea and leaving cake untouched.
Heading to the fire later on I managed to become airborne, performing a double tsukahara with half twist and landing face down, I still managed not to spill a drop. Why people deem it necessary to put all the ropes out on their tents when the weather is fine is beyond me. A superb rally, I am only sorry you were not there, but very pleased that I was.
Goodnight
Fergus
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