925. 01.01.97 LONDON SW16 - STREATHAM: SAR & N, SOS & Val. The year got off to a very cold start with a walk on Streatham Common and a quick drink in the "GREYHOUND".

926. 29.01.97 LONDON SW1 - WESTMINSTER: Sec, GR, Cleuza. "CRYPT CAFE", St. Martins in the Fields. Food, wine, Scottish bottled wheat beer (brand not recorded).

927. 04.02.97 LONDON EC1 - CLERKENWELL: Sec, BS, Oracle. "SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE", Farringdon Road. Spacious new Wetherspoons establishment in former Mexican restaurant. Theakston�s, Corton & food. Following the belated arrival of the Oracle, who had got lost, the party proceeded through the back streets of Clerkenwell to the "JERUSALEM TAVERN" (Est. 1720), a pub of character noted by the Sec. earlier; coal fire, Dutch tiles, original 18th century panelling, variety of Wheat Beers and Fruit Beers, and St. Peter Ale.

928. 08.02.97 BERKSHIRE / BUCKINGHAMSHIRE - REMENHAM / MARLOW: Sec, SAR & N, Cleuza, Lia. After coffee at Paddington, the party proceeded to Henley via Twyford. Lunch and (inevitable) Brakspears were taken in the gracious surroundings of the "ANGEL" in Remenham, followed by a walk along the river bank. The female members were extracted from a charity shop with seconds to spare to catch the bus to Marlow, where the Thames was inspected from the bridge before coffee and further Brakspears were sampled at the "CHEQUERS". The party attracted some hostility from the locals by blocking the pavement during photograph-taking, and thence returned by train to Maidenhead and London.

929. 22.02.97 LONDON SE1 - SOUTHWARK: SAR & N, COB, Sue & Ana�s, Anth & Dawn, GR, Cleuza, Sec, BS & E & N, Lizzie. Greenalls, Cains, Flowers, "Cheshire Cat" & food.

930. 12.03.97 LONDON W1 - BLUE POSTS QUIZ: (former Rose & Crown). BS, Sec, David (Metapraxis), Paul, Phil. Winners. Not improved by removal of all the more comfortable seating during renovation.

931. 09.04.97 LONDON W1 - BLUE POSTS QUIZ: Late start due to football on new giant TV, and relatively easy quiz. BS, Phil, Sec, Paul & Fiona1, Simon.

932. 19.04.97 SURREY - MICKLEHAM / EAST MOLESEY: GR, Sec, Cleuza. The Sec. and Cleuza were collected at Kingston station by the GR, and returned to his residence for coffee and inspection of holiday photos from Guyana. The party then drove to Mickleham for lunch, wine & Adnams at the "KING WILLIAM IV", a tiny but cheerful pub up a chalky downland track overlooking the Mole Valley. Leith Hill was then visited for a bracing walk through the woods and climb up Leith Hill Tower, followed by driving to Compton for tea and cakes at the Watts Gallery tea room, and inspection of the Watts Memorial Chapel. A return was then made to the GR�s "local", "THE BELL", East Molesey, a spacious and extremely lopsided timber-framed inn claiming to date from 1640 (Bombardier).

933. 05.05.97 KENT - BEXLEY / OTFORD: Sec, BS & E & N. The Sec met the BS & family at Bexley station and proceeded to Hall Place, where the house and gardens were inspected, with leisurely lunch break. Pedigree and Boddingtons at the "JACOBEAN BARN" next to the mansion. The afternoon continued with car tour of villages in the Darenth Valley, including stops at Farningham and Otford. "THE BELL" at Otford was visited, for Courage Best and exercise of N. in the garden; a spacious, if rather spartan, village pub, with a hint of potential uncouthness noted in the bar sign that "Any customers found breaking the furniture will be expelled along with others in their company"... The party then drove back over the North Downs to Gravesend, where afternoon tea was taken in the Sec�s garden.

934. 07.05.97 LONDON W1 - BLUE POSTS QUIZ: BS, Phil, Sec. No prizes this week, due to predominance of sport & natural history questions, and absence of members with expertise in these areas. Reintroduction of more comfortable stools noted as an improvement.

935. 09.05.97 LONDON SW1 - WESTMINSTER: SAR & N, Sec, Cleuza. A low-key and somewhat genteel celebration of the Sec�s 40th Birthday in the "CRYPT CAFE", St. Martins in the Fields. Holsten Pils and Sam Smiths Lager were had by way of refreshment.

936. 10.05.97 LONDON SE1 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Chair, SAR & N, BS, COB & Sue & Ana�s, GR, Sec, SOS & Val. The meeting took place at the "ANCHOR", indoors as weather conditions not clement. The SAR & N missed the start time of 15.00 by an hour, being upbraided by the Chair who promptly left to cook dinner for his in-laws without passing any motions. The SOS and Val arrived even later, however one piece of business was transacted, being that Patrick and Ryan, having not appeared at a meeting for well over a year, were downgraded in to the "Lapsed" category.

937. 22.05.97 LONDON W1: BS, Sec, COB & Sue. The party attended a recording of the News Quiz at the BBC, and then visited the crowded "GEORGE", Great Portland Street, for Abbott and Wine.

938. 28.06.97 LONDON SW2 - STREATHAM HILL: BS, SAR & N. An interim meeting was called for at the "CROWN & SCEPTRE" where Bombardier, Exmoor Gold and Water were had by way of refreshment. The BS presented a detailed disquisition concerning the refund policies of Tesco following errors in the recording of special discounts at cash tills, based on extensive research during his recent holiday in East Kent.

939. 29.06.97 LONDON W14 - WEST KENSINGTON: COB, Sue and Ana�s, SAR & N. The SAR & N were entertained to Tiramis� flavoured coffee and unusual home-made pizzas by the COB & Sue, following which the party walked through Brook Green to the "OLD PARRS HEAD" where Bain�s and a Czech Lager and Pineapple Juice were had by way of refreshment. Patriotic fervour was aroused in the locals by a victory at Wimbledon by Tim Henman, during which Ana�s performed a detailed inspection of the floor.

940. 03.07.97 LONDON EC1/SW1 - CLERKENWELL/WESTMINSTER: Sec, SAR, Roberto (of Uruguay). In order to introduce the Uruguayan visitor to British Pubs, the party mat at Chancery Lane station and proceeded to the "MITRE", then continued north to the "JERUSALEM TAVERN" where Fruit Beer was had, and then to the "CLOCK HOUSE" which was empty as usual. The Uruguayan Visitor then returned to the hotel, and the Sec and the SAR walked back to Trafalgar Square where, as the Sec had just missed a train, the meeting was extended in the labyrinthine basements of "WALKERS", a new establishment somewhere behind Old Shades, where Admans was had.

941. 06.07.97 KENT - HOO ST.MARY / EAST FARLEIGH: GR, Sec, SAR & N. The GR collected the SAR & N at Purley, where they arrived late due to the vagaries of Sunday timetabling. However time was made up for on the M25 and the Sec duly collected from his residence at 11.30. The party headed east to the "FENN BELL INN" at Hoo St. Mary where a traditional Sunday lunch was had, accompanied by Shepherd Neame beers. The excursion then continued to the bleak industrial wasteland at Grain. before moving south to inspect the prehistoric remains known as "Kit�s Coty House" and "Little Kits Coty House", and then partaking of further refreshment at the "OLD BULL" in East Farleigh. Members sat outside and examined the adjacent menagerie, including a Vietnamese Pig. The medieval St. Leonard�s Tower at West Malling was then inspected. followed by tea at the Baldwin Residence.

942. 10.07.97 LONDON W1: Sec, BS and various Metapraxis colleagues. The party attended a recording of "Mike & Sue" at the BBC, followed by Sam Smiths and discussion of TV game show possibilities at the "YORKSHIRE GREY".

943. 13.07.97 LONDON SW2 - STREATHAM HILL: BS & E & N, SAR & N. A further interim meeting was called for at the "CROWN & SCEPTRE". Unfortunately it was discovered that the offer of two meals for �5 did not apply on Sundays, but the party ate anyway. Bateman�s strong beer was had by way of refreshment. The BS gave further examples of the discounts available to frequent visitors to Tesco.

944. 18.07.97 LONDON W1: BS, Sec, SAR. The party attended a radio recording session at the BBC, and retired thereafter to the nearby "YORKSHIRE GREY" for liquid refreshment, along with some of the radio actors and the producer.

945. 26.07.97 LONDON SW2: BS & E & N, SAR & N, Sec, Suely & Paula, Richard & Lily, Tony, Christine & Camille. Members and their Friends braved a heavy downpour to celebrate the BS�s birthday at the "HOP POLES". Early the following morning, a son (and possible heir to the SLBS), was born to the BS and E.

946. 29.07.97 LONDON W14: COB, SAR & N, Sec, COB�s brother-in-law. The meeting assembled at the "RADNOR ARMS" where Everards Tiger was had by way of refreshment, followed by Dinner, which in the COB�s case was restricted to a plate of Chips. Some songs were listened to on the Juke Box, then members moved on to the "ALBION" where they met the COB�s brother in law, who regaled the Society with typical examples of the unusual questions he gets asked by guests in the exclusive hotel he works in.

947. 02.08.97 CAMBRIDGESHIRE - BARRINGTON: SOS & Val, SAR & N. The party assembled in East Ham for coffee, and then were taken by the SOS in his car to Barrington, where drinks and ample, if expensive, Lunches were had outside at the "ROYAL OAK". The village is noted for its huge green such that little else is visible. The party continued to Wimpole Hall and Farm and returned to East Ham via Freezywater for Dinner.

948. 23.08.97 LONDON SW2: BS & E & N, SAR & N. Members once again met at the "CROWN & SCEPTRE" where Harviestoun�s Schiehallion (of Dollar) was had, plus dinner, except for N, who was gippy. The BS explained subtle differences in the usage of the Tesco Club Card as against the new Tesco Debit Card.

949. 30.08.97 LONDON SW1: ANTH�S STAG PARTY: Anth, COB, SAR, Tony (of Polygram), Barry (of Polygram). This was a low-key occasion in "OLD SHADES" which had recently been renovated. Members discussed domestic subjects, including compost making and curtains.

950. 06.09.97 LONDON SE23 - ANTH�S WEDDING: Anth, Dawn, COB, Sue & Ana�s, SAR, N. Anth and Dawn tied the knot in St. Bartholomew�s Church, Sydenham, followed by reception in the "QUEEN�S HOTEL" in Crystal Palace. The COB in his role as Best Man made an eloquent speech.

951. 16.09.97 LONDON EC1 - CLERKENWELL: Sec, WPR. Members proceeded from Chancery Lane to the "JERUSALEM TAVERN", where St. Peter�s Ale was sampled, and a spectacular sausage & mash with quadruple giant sausages was eaten with gusto by the WPR. The meeting concluded by transferring to the more conventional and spacious "SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE", where Cotleigh and other west country products were sampled in moderation.

952. 19.09.97 LONDON W1: BS, SAR & N, Sec. The party met in the queue of the BBC Radio Recording Studio where they were entertained to stand-up comedy in which an adjacent member of the audience was lampooned for wearing a hat. Members then moved to the "YORKSHIRE GREY" where they sat upstairs amongst some rather rowdy office-party types.

953. 01.10.97 LONDON EC1: Sec, GR, Cleuza. Proceeding once again began at the "JERUSALEM TAVERN", with consumption of St. Peter�s Ale, wheat beer and copious cheese sandwiches. The "SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE" was moved to for Theakstons Best and wine, after which members returned by tube to Charing Cross, at which point it was realised that no-one had paid for the sandwiches at the "Jerusalem".

954. 02.12.97 LONDON SW1: SAR & N, Sec, Cleuza, Duncan. The purpose of the meeting was to send Cleuza off to Brazil. The meeting took place in "LORD MOON OF THE MALL" which was unusually empty perhaps due to the rain outside. Thwaites, London Price, Dick Turpin and Guinness were sampled and the meeting wound up relatively early.

955. 06.12.97 LONDON SW1: Chair & K, SAR & N, Rick & Judy, COB, BS, Sec, SOS, GR, Fiona2, Anth & Dawn. A traditional Christmas meeting in the best traditions of the Society in "OLD SHADES". The Chairman opened the meeting and delivered his Christmas message by means of the purchase of a round of Drinks (mostly London Pride, but also Bass) for those Members who were already present. The COB arrived last and immediately invoked the ECM in an intra-pub basis by taking over the corner with the comfortable sofas. No Motions were passed, except by the GR who had recently returned from a holiday in India.

956. 28.12.97 LONDON SW19 - WIMBLEDON: Sec, WPR, Rick. Members assembled at lunchtime at the "HAND IN HAND" for several hours� leisurely consumption of Ordinary, Special and Winter Warmer, catching up on recent world travels, professional developments and musical trends. Rick returned by bus to Wandsworth to attempt the "Guardian" crossword, whilst the Sec and WPR sampled a cappuccino and commendable sandwiches at "the Coffee Pot" before returning by train to Waterloo and WP.