248. 16/03/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR. "THE MORPETH ARMS" Millbank. Youngs. Haunted pub with historical associations with the sending of convicts to the penal colonies. Ancient legal books beside and above the bar. "THE WHITE SWAN" Vauxhall Bridge Road. Free House. Spacious and relatively empty. Collection of matchboxes.

249. 21/03/87 LONDON W1 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Convened by the Society; present Chair & K, Sec, Rick, WPR, SAR & N, SOS, GR, Yurika (of Brazil), Pete & Jane, COB, IQ & Christine, Sean & spouse, Nick without Hat. "THE CAMBRIDGE" Goodge Street. A larger gathering than in recent years, with relaxed consumption predominantly of IPA/Bombardier Bitter. Convivial philosophical discussion of "career progress", property purchase, the virtues of Mahler, condom technology, whether the Society should change its name as most members now live north of the Thames etc., etc.. The SAR revealed a lapsed knowledge of London geography by arriving late after getting lost in the back streets of 'Fitzrovia', whilst the COB claimed the status of God (at least, a god) by virtue of living in Olympia. The good attendance and conviviality of the meeting was felt to be an incentive to resume more regular gatherings.

250. 23/03/87 LONDON SE5 - DENMARK HILL: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, COB, Hans (Netherlands), Maggie (West Germany), Chantal (Spain), Soazic (France). "PHOENIX AND FIRKIN" Bruce's Brewery. Converted railway station, with diverse memorabilia thereof. Highly recommended. Rail ale, Phoenix, not to mention Dogbolter. Members experienced transport problems re: arrival, most of them being unfamiliar with South London.

251. 24/03/87 LONDON W1 - RICK'S BIRTHDAY: Convened by Rick; present Judy, WPR, Aardvark-Bong & Jan, John, Pete M, Owen, Martin, Dirty Pete, COB, Anth, assorted PRS programmers. "THE CAMBRIDGE" Goodge Street. All got v. drunk and had pizza. Rick kept repeating the phrase "What a State to be In" while simultaneously falling asleep across tables.

252. 27/03/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SAR & N; present COB, Anth, Chantal, Simone (West Germany), Soazic. "MORPETH ARMS" Millbank, comments as for 16/03/87. "WHITE SWAN" Vauxhall Bridge Road. Live music of a '60s and '70s nature, impromptu stripping act (not by any member of the SLBS party).

253. 03/04/87 LONDON E13/WC2 - PLAISTOW/WESTMINSTER: Convened by COB; present WPR, Anth, SAR & N. "PHANTOM AND FIRKIN" Balaam Street. Bruce's Brewery - Phantom, Spook and Dogbolter. Rather ordinary compared with other Bruce's venues. Kevin and Anth continued the meeting informally at the "GRIFFIN", Embankment.

254. 06/04/87 LONDON SW1 - WESTMINSTER: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N. The WPR called the meeting because Ian had locked himself in his bedroom. "RED LION" Whitehall. Bass. The WPR conducted a reluctant party. The drinking was interrupted by the Division Bell. Michael Foot spotted by the WPR.

255. 14/04/87 LONDON N6 - HIGHGATE: Convened by the WPR: present Chair, SAR & N, Ian. Dinner presented by the WPR, followed by "THE WOODMAN" Archway Road, Combe's. Large losses sustained by all, especially the omnispending Chair, on the quiz machine.

256. 18/04/87 WEST SUSSEX - HORSHAM: Convened by COB; present WPR, SAR & N, Simon (of Dorking). The purpose of the meeting was to visit King and Barnes pubs for which the COB had obtained a passport two years earlier. The brewery was visited to obtain passports for the rest of the party, and a local map was obtained by the COB, who conducted the proceedings as follows; "GREEN DRAGON" Bishopric. House 650 years old, signs of eccentricity by owner, e.g. beer bottles stuck upside down on the ceiling and rather unusually labelled bottled beverages on the windowsill. "BEAR" Market Square. Crowded with weary Saturday morning shoppers. Small choral element rendering Latin chant. "QUEEN'S HEAD" Queen Street. Empty, large and impersonal though twee and plastic olde worlde Sussex atmosphere. Food was waitress service only but no waitress. "TANNER'S ARMS" Brighton Road. On edge of town, small rectilinear bar. Traditional English lunch, consisting of sausages, chips and beans, enjoyed by all.

257. 01/05/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SAR & N; present SOS. Valuable new research was conducted. "THE BARLEY MOW" Horseferry Road. Ruddles and Combe's. Large, with live music performed by a motley trio with tremulous vocals. Blackboard outside with message "Exit" on Entry had on Exit "Treacle Pudding Downstairs Thank You". "ROYAL OAK" Combe's; small corner pub near Regency Street. "THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL" other side of Vauxhall Bridge Road, modern, younger and more yuppie atmosphere than on the other side.

258. 03/05/87 LONDON N6 - HIGHGATE: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N. "THE WOODMAN" again, meeting convened to witness Brazilian music "all along Archway Road" which actually turned out to be a heterogeneous group banging a range of metallic objects in a distinct location.

259. 04/05/87 WEST SUSSEX - HORSHAM: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N, COB, Anth. "KING'S ARMS" Bishopric 'adjacent to brewery' . Plan of the battlefield of Waterloo and distorted map of U.K. in the 16th century. "THE ANCHOR"; small thin high street pub with bar backing on the garages. Possible ex Service gentleman with dog commented on possible real estate value of property. "STOUT HOUSE"; reduced size popular central destination characterised by a largely standing party. Friendly though crowded. "DOG AND BACON"; lunch was partaken of by way of Macaroni Cheese, Cottage Pie and Ploughman's Lunch, followed by sandwiches by the hungrier souls. Photocall. "THE NELSON"; visited by virtue of wrong date having been put on first entry, and having been bypassed between the last two. Inaudible jukebox played David Bowie and U2 requests. Suburban character.

260. 09/05/87 LONDON WC2 - THE CHAIR'S STAG PARTY: Convened by Pete; present Chair, WPR, SAR, SOS, Nick without Hat, COB, Ralph, Aardvark-Bong. "THE PRINCESS LOUISE" Holborn. The following constitutional and membership amendments were passed: 1. The COB was elevated to Committee Status with the title of Commander of the Bar. 2. The SAR may deputise for the Secretary in his absence. 3. The wedding of the Chair to be noted (and approved) by the Society and the future Mrs. Pinfold inaugurated officially as First Lady. There followed some inconclusive and unenthusiastic argument about how membership may be granted and how amendments should be passed, during which Ralph claimed the status as WPR, but was recognised in this context as an Impostor. The meeting continued in a less formal manner and the Chair got (deservedly) slightly merry in the closing half hour, and was looked after by Ralph.

261. 13/05/87 LONDON N6 - HIGHGATE: Convened by the WPR; present COB. "THE WOODMAN" Chef & Brewer. Refer to earlier minutes. This meeting was convened by the WPR in recognition of the following events - The WPR's removal from Golders Green and new residence in Highgate; the COB's elevation to committee membership; the COB's new job in Finchley. 2 pints Combe's. "THE BLACK ROSE" Free House. 2 pints Stonehenge. Pub almost deserted, which makes a change. Resolution not to go to Finchley. Two young women flexing arm muscles but no violence was threatened. Beer v. sweet - probably strong but not appropriate for 7.20 p.m. (or a.m.). "THE FLASK" Ind Coope. 1 pt. Taylor Walker & 1 pt. Tetleys. Loud raucous laughter from the table round the corner. Nicholson's London Pub Guide made much of famous connections (Turpin, Hogarth) but not reflected in the customers tonight. Excess untouched g&ts removed from table, but otherwise far from Yuppie. Now for some research: "THE DUKE'S HEAD" Charrington. 1.5 pints IPA. Smell of cough mixture pervades bog. Not a "Superleague" pub and hence more down to earth and quieter than the previous venue - better. Speculation en route re why everywhere so quiet: COB - must be EastEnders, WPR - probably Richard Briers. But TV in pub gave answer as "Dallas". On consultation of N's LPG this is claimed to be a 16th century Inn. Not evident. Review of employment prospects leading to the conclusion that jobs are all the same, and Xzv=mdv;/t. No jukebox. WPR attempted to lead party out through a cupboard. "ROSE & CROWN" Whitbread. 2 pints Wethereds. Irish barman in full flow telling never-ending account of his last taxi ride. Whole pub (4 people) agog. Historical conundrum posed by LPG: "200 year-old pub reputed to have been used by Charles 1". Compact, dark urinal with no predominant odour. London bus routes reviewed with nostalgia.

262. 16/05/87 KENT - ROCHESTER: Convened by Sec; present SAR & N, GR (not Pickwicks). Party assembled at differing points along railway line, except the GR who had been misdirected at Waterloo (East) and arrived on the next train. "PICKWICKS" near Railway Station, Yorkshire Bitter. Visited in order to wait for the GR. Empty or almost so. Obvious Dickensian associations. "QUEEN VICTORIA AND BULL HOTEL" Fremlins. Lunch (Ploughman's Lunch with Cheddar, One Pound, also with Stilton) partaken of. Long search procedure thereafter eventually located bog in Portakabin behind car park. The party then continued with cultural pursuits, including the castle, cathedral, Guildhall Museum and the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, which involved considerable walking.

263. 17/05/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR. The WPR was called to this meeting at very short notice and realised that by so doing he would contribute to the preservation of the Timelessness and Integrity of the Society, in that this meeting could be seen as a Victoria Meeting, this in the context that Johnny Logan (ref. previous Victoria meetings) had just won the Eurovision Song Contest again. "THE ORANGE BREWERY" Pimlico Road. 1 pt SW2 by SAR, 1.5+2 pts SW1 by SAR & WPR, Wine by N. SAR & N arrived first followed by WPR. Tapes of music of 5 years ago. Meeting became constitutional when WPR entered after being enticed by SAR & N to try to enter through the wall. Tape loop of Buggles, Olivers Army provoked grumbles and deja vu from the SAR. "THE EBURY ARMS"; spacious relatively empty environment; further nostalgic emissions musically. Selections from the Jukebox: "Wasteland" by the Mission, "Walk like an Egyptian" by the Bangles, "Castles in the Air" by Don Maclean. "Baker Street" not chosen. Stuffed birds noted in both venues. I am ... I said ().

264. 25/05/87 OXFORDSHIRE - OXFORD: Convened by Sec; present SAR & N, WPR, COB. "CHEQUERS INN" High Street. Halls Harvest Bitter, Burton Ale. Quiet start in Tudor courtyard pub. "KING'S ARMS" Broad Street. Hook Norton & food (hot curry & altercation with typically surly bar staff about type of pie available for consumption of Sec.; "You can't have just any pie!") Also typical Saturday bustle + pretentious student conversation. "TURF TAVERN" Bath Place. Hostelry of character in courtyard in shadow of New College Walls. Brakspears. The COB's perception of Oxford student types "registering 8 on the Richter scale", and philosophical discussion of whether the geographical contours of an area can affect the local accent. "PLASTERER'S ARMS" Marston Road. Morrells. Allegedly "slowest half pint in the history of the society" consumed in Irish trappings-filled corner bar. Followed by leisurely stroll around Cherwell meadows, nostalgic visitation to Keble College for COB, thence back through city centre for a rest river traffic-watching from Christ Church Meadow, before return of non-residents to London by coach.

265. 28/05/87 LONDON N1 - ISLINGTON: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, COB. "THE WATERSIDE INN" Off York Way by the canal. 3 rounds Hoskins. Meeting convened due to SAR meeting Aunt and Uncle at King's Cross and transferring them to the Underground. Began on terrace overlooking canal basin but moved inside as night fell. New pseudo-old atmosphere, some loud-voiced patrons probably of the Islington yuppie variety.

266. 02/06/87 LONDON WC2 - COVENT GARDEN: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N, David & Diane (of San Francisco). The meeting was convened to welcome the most westerly guests to date to frequent the Society, who were eventually located by their cousin/cousin-in-law the WPR after several circuits of Trafalgar Square in the rain. "PUNCH AND JUDY" Crowded and smoky as usual, N sat on barrel while a rapid drink was had. "THE CHANDOS" Less busy and more relaxed drinking in a front enclave by a fruit machine. The party then retired to a Chinese restaurant in Gerrard Street for Dinner.

267. 08/06/87 LONDON WC2 - COVENT GARDEN: Convened by SOS; present SAR & N, Ana and Dalva (of Brazil). "THE GLOBE" behind the Marquis of Anglesey which was too busy for seating to be achieved. Boddingtons and Adnams. 18th century Map of South America noted on the wall, along with diverse antique objects adorning the walls and ceiling.

268. 10/06/87 LONDON E1 - CITY/WAPPING: Convened by SAR & N; present SOS, Ana and Dalva. "THE DICKENS INN" St. Katherine's Dock. The plastic tweeness of the location was chosen for historical/geographical reasons. Dickens own brew from across the river was had, and then the need for truer research prevailed and the party was led to Wapping in the usual rain, to the "TOWN OF RAMSGATE" where Bass/IPA were had and the river view noted.

269. 12/06/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SOS; present SAR & N, Sec, Ana and Dalva. "THE WHITE SWAN" as previously mentioned, was visited again on order to give the visitors an impression of a pub with Live Music, which on this occasion was rather mediocre. Party proceeded to do new research in the "QUEEN OF DENMARK", by the tube station; a more typical pub complete with patrons with dogs. Discussion of previous day's election results took place between Sec and the SOS.

270. 13/06/87 LONDON SE1 - SOUTHWARK: Convened by SAR & N; present SOS, WPR, Yurika, Soazic, Ana and Dalva. "THE FOUNDERS ARMS" A quantity of Youngs Ordinary was had, though unfortunately continuing bad weather did not permit outside convening. The party were seated at a table by the side of the Restaurant, which annoyed the SOS. A section of the party mislocated itself at Waterloo but was rerouted successfully by the WPR.

271. 15/06/87 LONDON N1 - ISLINGTON: Convened by WPR; present COB. "WATERSIDE INN" Convened by WPR to bemoan the election result (before 11th). Weather intemperate so meeting was conducted in the rather darkened interior. Hoskins was consumed and atmosphere was as noted in earlier meeting. A 2p coin was projected in the direction of the meeting. Solid nourishment was had in a burger bar close to King's Cross station.

272. 16/06/87 LONDON NW5 - KENTISH TOWN: Convened by COB; present WPR and an assortment of COB's bosses present and previous. "FUZZOCK AND FIRKIN" First day of opening. Fuzzock Ale was consumed in the garden area. Main pub was packed as predicted by COB. Meeting came to an end as downpour demonstrated the ineffectiveness of table-mounted parasols.

273. 19/06/87 LONDON WC2 - WPR'S BIRTHDAY: Convened by WPR; present Chair, SAR & N, Rick & Judy, Aardvark-Bong & Jan, SOS, COB, Lois (of Canada). "IMPERIAL" near Leicester Square; consumption largely of Greene King IPA. The meeting began with a disorientated SAR & N locating a determinedly striding WPR in Leicester Square and thereby being conducted to the pub where Aardvark-Bong and the COB were already installed. The rest of the party appeared in stages, and Mexican Tortilla Chips were had. A fairly squashed seating location was used for the meeting, near the door. Ancient books and other items on high shelves round the edge; Edwardian decor. After the meeting, key elements of the party retired to the Singapore Mandarin restaurant for Dinner, and then scurried for the last tubes.

274. 27/06/87 LONDON W1 - BLOOMSBURY: Convened by COB; present SAR & N, WPR, Norman (SAR's cousin in law). The meeting began at around 8.30 when a disgruntled COB was located pacing up and down the pavement like a caged polar bear. The venue was a traditional one, the "NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS", Goodge St., where the COB could revel in personal recognition by the bar staff and by some of the clientele. The meeting started off in a low key manner as this was but the third event noting his previous birthday in as many days. Taylor Walker was had by way of Bitter. The WPR appeared late, having criss-crossed London with a faulty video which he had gone out of his way to purchase in Victoria. The party soon moved on to the "BRICKLAYERS ARMS" which was similarly empty, though livened up towards the end by a Manchester singing contingent. Discussion ranged over songs with numbers in the title to Norman's ambitious project to simulate the Mongol Invasions on a Personal Computer. To this end, he had undertaken some previous research in the British Museum, and to note this, Museum Ale was consumed, as well as Samuel Smiths Old Brewery Bitter and Glenfiddich.

275. 03/07/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SOS; present SAR & N, Ana. This meeting was convened in order for the SOS to take leave of Ana, which he did. Firstly, the "SPREAD EAGLE", (Chef & Brewer), Grosvenor Road, was visited. Potentially a riverside pub though the view was totally obscured. The party sat outside by a busy road, and the SOS gave Ana a guided pictorial tour of England based on a book he had bought for her. The party then moved fractionally away from the river to the "DOLPHIN", which was fairly empty, and the juke box was appreciated; selections by U2, the Monkees and Bruce Willis being requested. The SAR made another dismal failure on the quiz machine despite local experts shouting the answers over his shoulder. 2 - 3 pints Yorkshire Bitter and some wine were had.

276. 14/07/87 LONDON SW1 - PIMLICO: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, COB, Yurika, Chair (not at Devonshire Arms or Dolphin). The meeting was convened to note the departure of the SAR & N from Pimlico and to officially research a number of pubs which had been informally visited previously. It began at 19.30 in the "QUEEN OF DENMARK", chosen due to proximity to Pimlico Underground Station. The SAR & N located the COB brooding over half a pint of Guinness and calculating the amount that he could drink per week given an array of parameters such as his age and his present condition. It was felt that his conclusions were unnecessarily rigorous and would mean only partial participation in SLBS activities. The WPR arrived slightly late, had a quick one, and members headed eastwards down Lupus Street to the "DEVONSHIRE ARMS," noted for an exterior regaled with potted geraniums and other species and an airy, light interior with some old maps and prints. A short walk took the party to the "DOLPHIN" whose interior was felt to be architecturally inverse, as the front looked as though it should be the back. Other than this, however there were no remarkable aspects of these pubs, nor their beers, which caused initial complaints among members, until the COB remembered his earlier calculations about drinking and the WPR recalled that the timelessness and integrity of the Society was upheld by this, because the Epsom meeting also took place on 14th July, and was the Society's first major flop. It was decided that this would be made an annual event. At this point members returned to the Queen of Denmark to liaise with the Chair who was quietly enjoying a pint on the bench outside. He was made to divide this among the party rapidly so that it could proceed to the "SPREAD EAGLE" in Grosvenor Street, by the river but without riverside views. The venue was pronounced an improvement though the beer maintained a Watneys link which pervaded all the pubs. Members then walked westwards along Grosvenor Road to the "KING WILLIAM IV", by the 24 bus terminus and affording views across the river to Battersea Power Station. Further unenthusiastic consumption of Yorkshire Bitter/Lager/Guinness while Yurika made a protracted phone call to find employment. Finally the "BALMORAL CASTLE", just behind the King William IV, was visited. The COB made an atypically hesitant departure on the 24 Bus.

277. 16/07/87 LONDON W1 - BLOOMSBURY: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N, Chair & K, Rick, Pierre and Claude (of Paris), Dave and Pete (of PRS). The meeting began as two separate convocations in the "CAMBRIDGE", Goodge Street; one being of a French-speaking nature and one of a Performing Rights nature. Once the French guests had departed, the meeting became unified and after a number of rounds, consisting largely of Bombardier Bitter, the PRS contingent moved on to another pub with Rick, and the meeting retired to the Little Akropolis Greek restaurant for delicacies from that country together with Cypriot White Wine.

278. 26/08/87 LONDON WC2 - SOHO: Convened by Chair; present WPR, Kath. "IMPERIAL".

279. 02/09/87 LONDON SW16 - STREATHAM: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR. The WPR was summoned to South London to inaugurate research in the SAR & N's new residential district. Before being regaled with dinner at their residence, the WPR and SAR sampled TUSKER Kenyan beer and ZYWIEC Polish beer. This was followed by a visit to the "GREYHOUND" Greyhound Lane where the locally brewed Streatham Strong and Special were sampled. The party were able to sit outside in the garden.

280. 14/09/87 LONDON NW8 - ST. JOHN'S WOOD: Convened by WPR: present Chair & Kath. "CROCKERS".

281. 24/10/87 LONDON EC3/E14 - CITY / ISLE OF DOGS: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N. What was aimed to be a large get together of members turned out to be a specialised investigation by a minimal meeting. The meeting point was determined as the "TIGER TAVERN" Tower Hill, which was found with great difficulty by members, due to a misconceptualisation of its precise location relative to the tube station. Furthermore, the extensive vertical spread of this establishment caused the WPR to arrive two floors below the SAR & N. On eventually meeting up, the WPR divided his pint with the SAR and a swift getaway was made, but not after having inspected the remains of a cat and a rat which were supposed to have been associated with Queen Elizabeth I. The party then rode on the Docklands Light Railway, which the WPR compared to Disneyland, to its terminus at Island Gardens, and found the "FERRY INN" nearby. A pint of Courage Best was had by the WPR and SAR, and wine by N. The SAR was quizzed about the top 10 LPs of the last 20 years. Members then walked through Cubitt Town, stopping unwisely at the "PIER TAVERN" where halves of Weatherheedstunt were undrunk, due to their being undrinkable. Though the management denied the latter, money was refunded to the Society, and this was presumed to be a policy to discourage outsiders. A glass of orange juice was forced on N, under the principle that any person entering the pub MUST drink something. It was discussed whether this principle should be added to the Constitution, but as it was summarily broken at the next venue, this amendment was dropped. However the Pier Tavern was unanimously voted the worst pub visited by the Society to date. Then a short walk northwards took members to the "GUN" Coldharbour, a long-standing goal of the Society. It was already 1420 hrs. and as the pub was about to close, a pint of Taylor Walker was rapidly had on the terrace overlooking the Docklands expanses. There were only three other customers noted. After that, members took the Docklands Light Railway to Stratford, where food was had in the Golden Egg. This was compared by the WPR to an earlier, similarly uninteresting, visit to Broad Street.

282. 24/10/87 LONDON SW16 - STREATHAM: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR. After the above lunch time event, the WPR was again summoned to South London for more extensive research. After inspecting the SAR's new audio-visual utilities, the WPR was conducted to the "PIED BULL" Streatham High Road, (Youngs), where a lack of seating and a smoky atmosphere made members uncomfortable. 1 pint Youngs Ordinary. Clientele generally old. Then the party headed north to the "HORSE AND GROOM" Streatham High Road, (Courage), where a noisy and very full bar was rejected in favour of a quieter and emptier bar where the end of a boxing match was observed, while drinking 1 pint Best. Finally the "GENEVIEVE" was visited; also full, but with an interesting olde worlde atmosphere and a liberal array of historical objects and books scattered around the ceiling and walls. The verdict of everyone was favourable regarding the latter two venues.

283. 28/10/87 LONDON SW16 - STREATHAM: Convened by SAR & N; present COB. The COB was in turn summoned to South London, having been unable to make the previous meeting. After an inordinate time on a 49 bus, he was not disposed to widespread research, however the party met in the "GREYHOUND" and sampled Streatham Strong and Special. The pub was festooned with ghoulish paraphernalia connected with Halloween. The COB revealed that his latest pastime consisted of noting the garage crew numbers on the side of buses and distinguishing mathematical progressions therein. With this in mind, he stopped to inspect the SAR & N's residence and then headed off for another 49 bus ride home.

284. 31/10/87 WEST SUSSEX - IFIELD: Convened by SAR (absent); present COB, WPR. The COB and the WPR met at Victoria Station only to find its computer down and most of the platforms boarded off. However they managed, with great difficulty, to get a train to East Croydon where they did not rendezvous with the SAR as he was not there. They continued on the train to Ifield, but as the train was considerably longer than the station there, they were unable to get off and had to continue to Horsham and return. They therefore arrived at their destination, the "PLOUGH", at about one o'clock, and scored one more hard-earned point on the King and Barnes Ale Trail. The SAR was censured for convening a meeting two counties away and then not turning up.

285. 07/11/87 LONDON (presumably): Convened by COB; present WPR. "HARCOURT ARMS", "BEEHIVE", "DUKE OF YORK", WORCESTER ARMS". The WPR writes: "Maybe the COB can remember this one - I can't".

286. 10/11/87 LONDON W2 - MARYLEBONE: Convened by WPR; present Chair & K, Rick, COB, Anth, Aardvark-Bong, John. The party met in the "BAKER AND OVEN" to meet the Chair & K on one of their increasingly rare appearances at the Society. A rare appearance by John who afterwards led members at an astonishing pace to a restaurant he knew.

287. 18/11/87 LONDON WC2 - COVENT GARDEN: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, Rick, COB. The meeting took place in a timeless and integral (but now unfavoured) location - the "MARQUIS OF ANGLESEY", where the WPR arrived simultaneously with the SAR & N, and soon afterwards the COB arrived, and, after giving a very superficial coup d'oeil inside, did not find the meeting and decided to stand outside, from whence he was eventually brought inside by the WPR. The purpose of the meeting was to formally initiate a tour by the Society of all the Youngs pubs to gain membership of the 135 Club, as described in a recent communication from the Brewery. The necessary documents were signed by members of the bar staff, and then the COB proceeded to outline a methodology for this, using a combination of Boolean arguments and upside-down Ancient Greek letters. Then Rick rolled in, and partook of the third round of Youngs Ordinary; at this point the meeting was closed.

288. 25/11/87 LONDON W8/W14 - KENSINGTON: Convened by COB; present SAR & N, WPR, GR. An advance party consisting of the SAR & N, WPR and GR met at Pall Mall and waited a considerable time in Regent Street for a No. 9 Bus. However they arrived at the "BRITANNIA" at the appointed time, and duly met the COB, who arrived showing the effects of a piggy-back accident involving carrying somebody twice his size. Youngs Ordinary was had by way of Beer and the second Youngs pub signed off. The pub was comfortable, not too crowded and very tastefully decorated. The party were then conducted westwards on a bus by the COB, to the "BRITANNIA TAP", a small, but friendly Youngs pub near Olympia. At this point the SAR & N and the GR left, the SAR & N to face an epic 49 bus journey. The WPR and COB continued the meeting with food and drink in the "WARWICK ARMS" (Fullers).

289. 28/11/87 LONDON SW16 - STREATHAM: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, Sec, COB & Iona, GR. The party assembled at the SAR & N's residence. The original aim of the meeting was to go further afield, but as the COB had to use the 49 bus to arrive, a full quorum only occurred at around 12.15 p.m., when coffee was served. Then members proceeded by Bus to the "PIED BULL", which was considerably more pleasant than it was on the preliminary investigation, there being adequate seating (albeit in a long line) and little smoke. 2 1/2 pints Ordinary were had by Members, and then the COB & Iona left, while the rest of the party were entertained to Lunch at the SAR & N's residence.

290. 28/11/87 SURREY - THORNTON HEATH: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, Sec, GR, SOS. The SOS turned up at the SAR & N's residence and partook of tea. Later the party ventured southwards on a 159 bus to Thornton Heath, where they descended near the "FOUNTAIN HEAD" Parchmore Road. There was a large bare expanse in front of the pub, which reminded the SOS of pubs in the Peak District. Inside the pub was comfortable and sparsely populated. The party then moved a short distance to the "LORD NAPIER" Beulah Road, where there was a large, empty room beside the bar, and the meeting sat down. This room quickly filled, and at 9 p.m. the Society was entertained to Jazz. However the meeting's schedule prevented the appreciation of this for more than 15 minutes, and members moved on to the "RAILWAY TELEGRAPH" in Thornton Heath High Street, where a further round of Young's Ordinary was had. A darts game was frequently disrupted by member's visits to the conveniences.

291. 02/12/87 LONDON SW8 - LAMBETH: Convened by WPR; present SAR & N, GR. The party met in Pall Mall and proceeded in tedious stages over a short distance in two 77 buses which stopped after covering only very short sections of the route. However the second stopped within walking distance of the "SURPRISE", which was located by the SAR, given that the WPR, in his zeal for convening the meeting, had turned up with photocopies of the wrong part of London, due to a misunderstanding about what constituted Lambeth (the SLBS definition being adopted from the Young's list, which may in itself be geographically inaccurate). However, the research area in question was rather an amorphous one, spread as it was along the bleak expanses of Wandsworth Road. The Surprise was a small, friendly establishment with a beer garden on an area of reclaimed derelict land known as Larkhall Park. A model of the Youngs coach and horses was noted, and members reminisced that they had seen these operating in the past. The WPR rudely bequeathed his useless photocopies to the pub, and the meeting continued to the "PRINCE OF WALES" Union Road, which was situated in the middle of a large council estate. Then a fair walk along Wandsworth Road ensued, to the "PLOUGH" where the clientele consisted largely of an all-female darts group. The GR then declared himself in Christmas Recess, and paced off to Clapham Junction. The others headed towards Clapham Common, where the SAR & N, anticipating the arrival of a 118 bus, thwarted the WPR's attempts to prolong the meeting, so that this latter member stomped off in a huff.

292. 05/12/87 LONDON SW10 - BALHAM: Convened by COB; present SAR & N, WPR, Anth. The SAR & N and the WPR arrived simultaneously at the "DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE" at the pre-determined hour of 8 p.m. This was a large pub, noted for the fine filigree of the glasswork around the walls. An Irish patron was loudly (and incoherently) ordering a drink, and was escorted into the entrance hall by the barman, and persuaded instead to buy some off sales and then go elsewhere, which he did. The COB rolled in an hour late, again due to the by now notorious 49 bus. He was instructed to have a quick half, so that the meeting could continue to the "GROVE" Oldridge Road, another palatial establishment, which was quite empty. Anth appeared at this point, having gone to Tooting by mistake, having a pint in the Castle, and then another one in the Duke of Devonshire. He was then asked to consume another one rapidly, which caused him to have sphincter problems on the way to the "NIGHTINGALE" Nightingale Lane. This was a smaller and much more crowded pub than the other two. The COB then returned by the 49 bus and the others returned via Clapham South, the SAR & N luckily catching the last 118 bus after being at the wrong stop.

293. 19/12/87 LONDON W1 - BLOOMSBURY: Convened by WPR; present Chair & K, SAR & N, Rick, Aardvark-Bong, COB, Anth, SOS, Simon. The meeting was convened to note the Official 10th Anniversary of the Society, and was held in that traditional of venues, the "CAMBRIDGE", in the area to the left of the entrance. The WPR convened the meeting half an hour before the pub opened, enabling he and the SOS to have an introductory meeting in the "ROSE AND CROWN" nearby. Members then gradually assembled in the main venue, which was rather quiet until the SAR discovered that the juke box was free, thus causing a rush of Members thereto.

294. 23/12/87 LONDON SW1 - WESTMINSTER: Convened by Anth; present SAR, COB, Simon (another one). The SAR was waiting in his usual bus queue and spotted Anth in "OLD SHADES" so went in and made the meeting constitutional. The COB and Simon turned up later.

295. 24/12/87 LONDON SW19 - WIMBLEDON: Convened by WPR; present Rick, Aardvark-Bong. The fourth Christmas Eve meeting was held as usual in Wimbledon, and became constitutional when Rick and Aardvark-Bong entered the "ALEXANDRA" to find the WPR on his second pint, and therefore about six behind Rick. Difficulties were encountered with a grumpy old man behind the bar, viz-a-viz obtaining signatures for the 135 Club. Eventually the lists were grudgingly signed, but not before pointedly dropping them on the floor. A pincer movement was observed by Rick, whereby this barperson, and another younger but equally nasty colleague surrounded Aardvark-Bong, and barged him out of the way, saying "I need this space - I'm going to operate". Aardvark-Bong's medical backchat not surprisingly being found unwelcome, the party moved to the other end of the bar, and then quickly up the hill to the "ROSE & CROWN", after a brief stop at the Dog & Fox, which was too crowded. A comfortable standing area at the back was found, and a number of drinks consumed until about 10.30, when Rick became determined to find Owen Jones (ex-KCS and Rick's house but lately in Germany), who was probably in a pub somewhere in Wimbledon. The remainder of the party left at around 11.30 to Earlsfield and Worcester Park, being surprised how short the queue for taxis was, as previous meetings had tended to end with a one hour wait outside the station.

296. 29/12/87 LONDON SW19 - WIMBLEDON: Convened by COB; present WPR. Both being in need of a drink, the WPR and COB had a traditional Wimbledon meeting, a tradition which was lamentably not followed by other members. A repeat of the previous meeting's pubs was made ("ALEXANDRA", "DOG & FOX", "ROSE & CROWN"), this time getting signatures and finding everywhere fairly quiet. The WPR suggested taking a bus up the hill but the COB was less keen, in an unusual reversal of attitudes re transportation. Extremely friendly bar staff in the Alexandra, and no sign of the grumpy old man, who had presumably had one grump too many and got the sack. The WPR was mach cheered by the return of a pleasant atmosphere in a pub well visited by the Society and where he personally did much of his formative drinking (if that's what it's called).

297. 30/12/87 LONDON SW11 - CLAPHAM/BATTERSEA: Convened by SAR & N; present WPR, COB, Sec, Yurika. The party assembled in the "PLOUGH" St. John's Hill, where Ordinary was had, and Nadir sampled White Wine with Soda, based on a tradition for female drinking set up previously by Kath. The COB quizzed the computer-literate members of the Society about the hypothetical structure of a database to work out optimal bus transport between any two points, but a fundamental doubt remained re whether it should be a nodal or linear analysis. This matter was then laid to rest, and some nostalgia was entered into. The pub was small, modern, and the landlord friendly. The party then moved off through increasingly barren scenery to the "CASTLE" Battersea High Street, where the COB noted and analysed a chess problem on the wall. The pub was almost empty, and a large array of mugs was noted on the ceiling. Finally, members moved a short distance to the "DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE" Battersea Bridge Road, which was fuller and festooned with Christmas decorations. Members returned on the 49 bus in both directions, and on British Rail in both directions.