WHAT A PRIVILEGE

Further memories of West Coker from Derek Andrews

Life is full of surprises they say and this morning I had a very pleasant one.  It was to find a most pleasing photo, taken on a bright sunny day in June this year, of where I spent my childhood and teens, the good old Royal George.  The photo was part of an article, explaining how villagers themselves can influence design of any new developments that may affect  their village and has been promoted by the Countryside Commission to encourage local distinctiveness.  The article is displayed in the South Somerset District Council's magazine Review of 1999 - 2000 and came with the mail through the letterbox.
I fully endorse the villagers involvement in such matters.  As soon as I saw the photo of the old building I was on my way down memory lane again and with Christmas nearly upon us, it was vegetable marrows that came to mind would you believe?
There was always, around this time of the year, a not too serious rivalry among some of the regulars that used to frequent the bar of The George as to who could produce the largest and best

shaped marrow to be displayed behind the bar as the centre point for the Christmas Draw.  It did become a matter of real importance and prestige to a few gentlemen.  I hasten to advise, the marrow was not the prize for the draw, but would be on show for about the first three weeks of December and it was for customers to hazard a guess, for a few pence, as to how many seeds the marrow contained.  Their guess and name would be recorded and a seasonal hamper would be the first prize for the correct guess.
For me, in those far off days, it was always one of those nights that was a bit special when the count took place.  A couple of volunteers would take the marrow into the kitchen to cut it up and count the seeds.  You could almost hear a pin drop when father came into the bar to announce the total and the lucky winner.  The animated discussions that it created still lives with me - what a privilege to have been associated with so many splendid marrows!
  A Happy New Year to you all.

Deryck Andrews

Bryan Hall, the Hon Sec of the Yeovil Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute would like to thank Maureen and Ted of The Royal George for the very successful Charity Evening held on Sunday 26th November.  After a quiz which included a number of questions about the RNLI there was an auction of mystery parcels, a camera, various 'promises' including a basket of

ironing, clearance of gutters and downpipes, a quantity of beer, an afternoon's sailing, an area of turf, Tim for a day (!) and much more put under the hammer by Alun James.
The evening saw £721.42 pledged which could be a record for such an event but nothing could have been achieved without the wonderful generosity of villagers and 'regulars'.

Have you any news, views, comments for
The Ropewalker…
To 20, Manor Street or The Post Office by the 19th January please.