957. 15.01.98 LONDON SW1 - WESTMINSTER: Sec, GR, WPR. Members assembled for soup and apple crumble at the "Crypt Cafe", St. Martin in the Fields, before crossing to "WALKERS" off Whitehall, where Admans and Bombardier were sampled. A rowdy atmosphere therein, with a very drunk middle-aged woman falling down the stairs, and near-copulation being witnessed by the Sec in a quiet corner of the restaurant bar.

958. 14.02.98 SURREY - LEIGH: SOS & Val, SAR & N. The SOS bravely conducted the party outside London into the Countryside , to the "PLOUGH" in Leigh where a late afternoon stop for a small amount of drink was made. The SOS then made a valiant attempt to conduct the party along a muddy footpath deeper in to the Countryside as it was getting dark, however this strategy met with resistance elsewhere in the party and had to be curtailed. Without stopping at any Garden Centres, the party returned to Streatham for dinner at the "Raj Poot" which was not up to the usual standard as it was rather busy.

959. 17.02.98 LONDON W14 - OLYMPIA: COB, SAR. After having been entertained to Dinner at the COB residence, Members partook of refreshment at the "PICKLED NEWT" and the "CUMBERLAND ARMS".

960. 22.02.98 LONDON SE1 - ANTH�S BIRTHDAY: Anth & Dawn, COB, Sue & Ana�s, Sec, GR, BS & N, SAR & N with Franch acquainances. This party celebrated the memorable occasion of Anth�s 40th birthday in the "ANCHOR", Bankside.

961. 15.03.98 KENT - SELLING / EASTLING: GR, Sec. The GR collected the Sec. at home, and drove to inspect his boss�s new home at Southfleet, before proceeding to Sheldwich and thence Selling. An excellent Ploughman�s (3 cheeses) and Shepherd Neame Celebration Ale were had at the "WHITE LION", Selling. Members than continued via remote country lanes to Molash, where the GR inspected a house in which he had holidayed in his youth. The drive continued through Throwley, Stalisfield, Leaveland and Eastling, with a break at Eastling to inspect the largest yew trees in captivity outside the church and to sample some further Shepherd Neame at the "CARPENTERS ARMS". This proved to be a pub of character, with huge bottled candles on the tables, an actual hop plant growing across the ceiling, and an Anglo-Belgian restaurant at the back. Thence to Newnham, where the "George Inn" looked promising but was found to be closing up, and Lynsted, where members were bombarded with algae from the roof of a cottage by an aggressive magpie. Then by roundabout routes back to Gravesend for tea and cakes at the Sec�s residence.

962. 11.04.98 LONDON W1 - FITZROVIA: Sec, WPR, Rick. The Sec and WPR met at the "MARQUIS OF GRANBY" (the proposed venue, the "Wheaysheaf", being closed), and sampled some Fullers while awaiting Rick, who had been delayed searching Wandsworth High Street for an Easter joint of lamb. The meeting continued with impressive Indian food and Kingfisher lager at the "Palms of Goa" restaurant, Charlotte Street, and concluded with literary and artistic debate and Ayingerbrau Pils at the "FITZROY".

963. 03.05.98 LONDON E6 - EAST HAM: SOS, SAR. Between a healthy walk in Hainault Forest and eating at the SOS & Val�s residence, the SOS and SAR were able to hold a short Meeting at the "Indian Restaurant" while waiting for take-aways.

964. 04.05.98 KENT - ST. MARY�S PLATT / EAST PECKHAM: GR, Sec. The GR collected the Sec at home, and proceeded to the "BRICKLAYER�S ARMS", St. Mary�s Platt, where Shepherd Neame Master Brew and Celebration Ale were sampled. Very much a food-oriented hostelry, with extensive and unusual menu. One of the biggest meat pies ever seen was enjoyed by the GR. Members then drove to inspect Hadlow Folly, and then stopped for further Shepherd Neame at the "BUSH, BLACKBIRD & THRUSH", East Peckham; rather an unusual ambience here, reminiscent of a rather seedy country house hotel, with all beers served from barrels behind the bar, and seating comprising a ring of huge and luridly coloured leather armchairs in a circle in the centre of the bar. The meeting continued to Beltring, and a visit to the Whitbread Hop Farm, which was felt to have been spoiled by attempts to turn it in to a rural theme park. Inferior afternoon tea was had in the cafe there, before returning to Gravesend via Mereworth and the Medway Valley.

965. 04.05.98 ESSEX - MALDON: SOS & Val, SAR & N. The party departed from the SOS & Val�s residence into Essex, and proceeded to Maldon, which was crowded due to a Bank Holiday Fair. After a riverside walk, the party proceeded in to the town centre, and had an agreeable Lunch accompanied by Adman�s Ale at the "ROSE & CROWN". Following this members drove eastwards to inspect Bradwell on Sea Saxon Church, where the SOS took an interest in an adjacent community of self-sufficient Christians. On the way back the party made some Val was rather quiet because she had not been so any Garden Centres, however an impromptu stop in somebody�s front garden was made on the return journey to inspect bedding begonias.

966 09.05.98 LONDON SE1 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Chair, SAR & N, WPR, SOS, Sec, GR, BS & E,N&C, Richard III, Marcia & Lily. The meeting took place in the "ANCHOR". The weather being sunny, the meeting took place outside. Richard III was inaugurated as a new member, buying the customary round, and uttering the immortal phrase "A Horse, A Horse, my kingdom for a Horse". Three amdendments were passed to the constitution; that Meetings must comprise two or more committee members, proposed WPR (to correct an inconsistency in the Constitution), that the AGM must not clash with the Chair�s father-in-law�s War Veterans Dinner, proposed Chair; and that Regional and Associate Member categories be abolished, with those in them becoming either Committee, Ordinary or Lapsed Members as appropriate, proposed SAR. All Motions were passed unanimously.

967 19.06.98 LONDON EC3 - WPR�S BIRTHDAY: WPR, Sec, COB, numerous Barings colleagues. Upstairs at "DIRTY DICKS", Bishopsgate. Surprisingly spacious and civilised for Friday evening in the City. Young�s and "White Gold" (Young�s summer special). The COB and Sec departed mid-evening, after which the gathering reputedly continued in to an all-nighter at various establishments in the West End.

968 29.07.98 LONDON EC1 - CLERKENWELL: Sec, WPR, GR. "OLD MITRE", Hatton Garden. Lager / Friary Meux. "JERUSALEM TAVERN", St. Peter�s Ale. Very busy ans smoky, with some traditional SLBS ruthlessness needed to get a seat. The GR was hopeful of some more "free" food following his previous visit, but it was found no longer to be served after 3.30 p.m., so the party was obloged to move to the "SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE", Farringdon Road, where the GR had a large Wetherspoon�s pie and was joined in a pint of Cotleigh (from Wivelscombe, Somerset) by the others.

969 11.08.98 LONDON SW16 - STREATHAM: SAR & N, Sec, Jeremy, Martin, Robert (all of Emsworth Court), Alexandre (of Araraquara, Brazil), Lia and Paola (of Nova Igua�u, Brazil). After the Sec had treated the SAR and Alexandre to a sampling of Kentisk bottled beers, the meeting proper took place in the "HOGSHEAD" Streatham High Road, being the first Meeting in this venue. It was pleasantly empty and reasonably quiet. Bateman�s and Swale Brewery, Sittingbourne, products were sampled by way of refreshment.

970. 15.08.98 KENT - FAVERSHAM: Sec, SAR & N. Members met outside Faversham station 45 minutes before the appointed time of 1 o�clock, and proceeded to the "SUN INN" where Shepherd Neame 1698 ale was had together with Cottage Pie. A half of Shepherd Neame and coffee by N. was then had in the "BEAR" which was full of interesting nautical memorabilia and s sign proclaiming "Unaccompanied Children will be Sold as Slaves". Following a walk to Faversham Creek, a half of Adnams was had in the "SWAN AND HARLEQUIN", where an enquiry about overnight accommodation was made but not followed up. A walk followed to the Maison Dieu, Ospringe, and the Faversham Stone Chapel, a ruin in the middle of a field, where Members recuperated, then went home.

971. 20.08.98 LONDON WC2 � COVENT GARDEN: Anth & Dawn, SAR & N. Members met outside Covent Garden Station wherefrom Anth & Dawn conducted them to the "Caf� Pacifico" where Mexican food was had, accompanied by Dos Equis and Corona Beer, and Argentinian Wine. The meeting then continued in the "LAMB AND FLAG" where traditional standing up 17^th century pub atmosphere was noted; Pedigree and Courage Best were had.

972. 24.08.98 LONDON SW11 � BATTERSEA: COB, Sue, Ana�s & Rupert, SAR & N. This meeting in fact began in "Deals" in Chelsea Harbour, where leisurely Lunch consisting of Vegetarian Burgers was had, accompanied by Red Wine and bottled London Pride. Ana�s had her face painted with a flowery motif. Members were then ferried in the COB�s car, as it was raining, south of the river to the "DUKE OF CUMBERLAND" in Battersea, which had been reformed since the last SLBS visit and had gained an Evening Standard Pub of the Year award. The atmosphere did not appeal to Members, who have a more traditional view than the Evening Standard about what a pub should look like.

973. 16.12.98 LONDON SW1: Chair, SAR & N, WPR, Rick, Sec, SOS, COB, BS, Dalva. Traditional Christmas get-together in "OLD SHADES".