1023. 07.02.01 LONDON EC3: EAR & Anna, SAR, WPR, Gary Wootton, Phil Chadwick, Steve Blagden, Marcel Schippers (of Amsterdam), Chris Gane, S. Yokouchi (of Tokyo), Chris Colley, Ian Horspool, Juliana Falcon (of Brazil), Bill Arnold, Mark Macnaughtan, Gary Littledyke, Rick Gwadera. This meeting was primarily convened by the EAR in order to unite officers of the Amsterdam, Brussels, Dubai and Tokyo branches of the Lloyds TSB Bank with their systems providers and IT auditors. The presence of the WPR rendered this a constitutional SLBS meeting, and the WPR renewed his acquaintance with Bill Arnold, with whom he had worked at Logica in the 1980s. The meeting took place in the "WINE LODGE" Fenchurch Street.

1024. 10.02.01 SURREY - BLACKBROOK / BEARE GREEN / WALLISWOOD: GR, Sec. The Sec. was collected by the GR at Surbiton, and proceeded to Headley, where the "Cock" was inspected at 11.30, but not felt to be worth waiting for until opening time, so the meeting opened at the "PLOUGH", Blackbrook - spartan, but agreeable pub in rustic location south of Dorking - Kang and Barnes / Tanglefoot and excellent food sampled. The "DUKE'S HEAD" was then visited for Fullers. Not quite so pleasant pub on the main road, but Fullers sampled in cosy side bar, with collection of ornamental pistols, etc.. The Secretary's alcoholic researches were concluded at the "SCARLETT ARMS", Walliswood, a very secluded country pub, with more Tanglefoot, an impressive "inglenook" fireplace, and a huge Great Dane asleep in front of the bar, which had to be circumnavigated to get out. The meeting continued with topographical inspection of the villages of Rudgewick, Rusper and Warnham, and after some time spent attempting to find the way out of Rusper on obscure country lanes, the party retired to suburbia for coffee at the GR's residence.

20/02/01 "NOT THE ROYAL OAK" Despite the valiant attempts of the Secretary to organise a meeting at the "Royal Oak" in Nebraska Street, near Borough High Street, it never became constitutional. The WPR arrived at the venue at 18.00, and, finding the pub not to his taste, and no Members present, telephoned the Sec. and went home. The Sec. however proceeded to the venue, had numerous drinks and eventually went home at 20.45. Shortly afterwards the SAR passed by but finding no Members present, went home. Considerable debate ensued by e-mail about whether the WPR had acted improperly, however when it was established that the Convener had in fact been in the venue, a constitutional crisis was narrowly averted.

1025. 16.03.01 LONDON W1: WPR, Rick, Nadir. Whereas Rick & the WPR having each visited the "NEWMAN ARMS", Newman Passage, for beer on occasions, both had noticed a sign advertising their "Famous Pies", served upstairs, and resolved to sample some. An earlier attempt, undertaken in 2000, having failed due to insufficient administrative preparation, the ground was more firmly laid this time, allowing Rick, the WPR and Nadir to investigate this pie outlet. Excellent and filling pies had by each followed by similarly filling steamed puddings, the gentlemen drinking Fullers London Pride and Carling. Nadir successfully ordered a shandy from a non-English speaking waitress. All resolved to revisit the establishment, whereupon Rick turned back to work, and Nadir and the WPR set out on an afternoon's shopping.

1026. 11.04.01 LONDON NW 6: WPR, SOS. Rendezvous at Baker Street followed by visit to remainder bookshop: WPR's 2nd bookshop of the day and the SOS's 4th. Walk past several Sherlock Holmes related establishments up to St. John's Wood whence tube to West Hampstead and the evening's destination the "CZECH & SLOVAK HOUSE", 74 West End Lane. Bar unable to serve halves hence pints had of draught Czech beer. Confusion re where to announce the party's arrival as everyone else just arrived and went in to the rooms out of habit. Meal at 8 consisting of excellent meat sausages, meat pate, meat and potatoes, meat and dumplings, sweet dumplings and more beer. D�cor: enormous portrait of Churchill and large one of Havel, no Slovak representative recognised. Brown swirly carpet disparaged by Time Out guide duly noted.

1027. 16.04.01 BEDFORDSHIRE - SLIP END: WPR, SAR & N. The SAR & N came to Highgate and after coffee at Ta'xbiex, the WPR conducted the party by motor vehicle to Shaw's Corner, Ayot St. Lawrence, over a devious route avoiding the closed A1(M). After that the WPR drove the party west, rejecting a pub at Peter's Green where the party was told that it had just stopped serving food the moment it walked in. However a more friendly atmosphere was detected at the "FROG & RHUBARB" at Slip End, near Luton, where Fish and Chips were had, accompanied by Beer from Masham by the SAR. The WPR drove the party through Ashridge Estate where descent from car was prohibited due to Foot and Mouth disease, stopping thereafter at Berkhamsted Castle, the middle of which was inaccessible without paddling due to the moat having filled up.

1028. 16.04.01 LONDON N6 - HIGHGATE: WPR, SAR & N. After tea at Ta'xbiex and a walk in Highgate Woods, the party rejected an O'Neill's pub in Muswell Hill because it was too noisy and full of young people, despite the interesting ex-ecclesiastical architecture. Pints of Mauldon's Black Adder and Pedigree, and Apple Juice were had in "ROSE'S ALE HOUSE" formerly the Black Rose, in Archway Road. The end of a Liverpool - Everton match was seen.

03.05.01 LONDON EC3: SAR, EAR, Gary, Jim, Paul, Linda (all of LTSB). The EAR made a post-retirement appearance at the "CROSSE KEYS"

1029. 05.05.01 LONDON SE1 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Chair, SAR & N, WPR, Rick, Sec, SOS & Val, BS, Richard III, COB (early), Anth, EAR & Anna, Eduardo Gonzalez (of Colombia), Rubiela (of Colombia). Apologies were received from the GR. Thanks to Enilda for babysitting. A large turnout occupied most of one of the upstairs bars in the "ANCHOR" where the sofa had now become unacceptably threadbare. The Chairman opened the meeting and bought the entire company drinks in the traditional manner. The Oracle, Phil, Tim and Paul were all deemed to have become Lapsed Members due to not having appeared at a Meeting for more than one year. The Chairman bestowed Honorary Membership upon both of the Colombian visitors.

1030. 18.06.01 LONDON W1 - MARYLEBONE: GR, Sec, SAR & N, Alan (of LTSB). Members assembled at the GR's office, and proceeded north-westwards for some speculative Bacchanalian investigations. "ANGEL IN THE FIELDS", Marylebone Lane. Lager/Sam Smiths. Traditional timber-lined bar, with striking stained-glass windows, giving rather an ecclesiastical feel. "TUDOR ROSE", Blandford Street. Lager/Directors. Another spartan traditional 'local', though also sporting stained glass windows. The GR encountered his Managing Director as a fellow customer. "THE LARRIK" (as in 'larrikin'), Crawford Street. Pub conversion with unobtrusive Australian theme (cacti on tables, etc). Spacious bar with good view along the street (no stained glass). Lager, 6X, IPA, and respectable food. Alan then left the Meeting which ended in "THE WINDSOR CASTLE", Harcourt Street, Bass. Pub of character in back street off Marylebone Road, densely packed with theatrical and sporting memorabilia, and large number of 'reserved' seats and sections of the bar (whole pub a 'stammtisch'?) Monthly meeting place of the Handlebar Club. Felt to be worth a revisit for the Thai food.

28.06.01 LONDON EC3: SAR, EAR, Alan, Gary (of LTSB). Another post-retirement apparition of the EAR at the "CROSSE KEYS". Cheriton Pots Ale and Exe Valley Dobs Best were had, except by Gary whose diet required Wine.

1031. 01.07.01 KENT - NEW ROMNEY: GR, Sec, SAR & N, Cleuza and Duncan. The party were conducted by the GR to Cleuza and Duncan's residence, where Members were entertained to drinks and Lunch. Following a walking tour of the town, Members retired to the "SHIP INN" for a drink.

1032. 07.07.01 LONDON W1 - FITZROY FESTIVAL: Rick (performing) & Judy, WPR, Tim (Lapsed Member). Now legendary annual event starring Rick & Phil. This year competed with Henman semi-final, but nevertheless achieved Rick's largest London audience to date. Late start due to rain but large happy crowd and very warm outdoors drinking. Refer to Rick for playlist.

1033. 20.07.01 LONDON SW15 - PUTNEY:, 20 July 2001. SLBS members: David & Nadir, Tony 'Capitano' Kirke, Richard III; others [in descending order of age]: Vicky Cruz, Bete & Jean, Robin Cruz, Lisa & Andy, Jessica Barber Cruz, Joshua Barber Cruz and Lily de la Cruz. venue: 'La Mancha' tapas bar, Putney High Street. A good birthday occasion and send off [birthday boy and daughter fly to Malaga next week] was celebrated in true Andalucian style at this authentic venue - paella [rice with shell fish & other seafood] and various tapas were consumed and washed down with Spanish beers [or were they Portuguese] and Sangria to the tunes of the in-house guitarist. Highlights of the evening included birthday boy's garlic chorizo [spanish sausage] falling onto his parma ham and nearly into his lap; the attentive waiter was quick to rectify his clumsiness despite faint appeals by David and Tony to leave it where it was and get a free replacement. I could learn a thing or two from these hardened, hungry South American travellers! Joshua Barber-Cruz [6] [nephew] dressed in bull running rigout complete with authentic red neck-tie as proof of the Gaucin [Andalucia] annual bull run caused interest among the waiters. Robin Cruz, celebrity photographer of the evening, recorded the night for posterity, we await the results with avid interest... special thanks to Tony and his calculator wrist watch.

1034. 21.07.01 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE - VERNEY JUNCTION: WPR, SAR & N. The party met at the WPR's residence and proceeded North-Westwards with the WPR at the wheel, to the "COUNTRY BISTRO" in Verney Junction, which was a busy railway junction 100 years ago, but is now the middle of nowhere. The village pub, as the name suggests, had recently been updated into something else, but nevertheless had a friendly atmosphere. 2 x BLTs, 1 Celery Soup, 1 Orange Juice and 1/2 IPA were had, rendering this only just Bacchanalian in nature. Members sat at Table no. 5. After photos, the party continued to Claydon House and Stowe Landscape Garden (both National Trust).

1035. 21.07.01 LONDON N6 - HIGHGATE: WPR, SAR & N. The WPR made up for his abstention earlier in the day by conducting Members first to Muswell Hill, where a Wetherspoons in a former church was judged to be too noisy and young people based for the Society, so Members moved to the familiar "ROSE & CROWN" in Highgate Village, where Boddingtons and Flowers were had, and Pictionary was played. Then the meeting moved to the "GATEHOUSE" where Oakhill Mendip Gold and Ryburn Old Stone Troff were had.

1036. 26.07.01 LONDON SE1 / EC3: BS'S BIRTHDAY: BS, WPR, Sec, Phil (Lapsed Member), Paul (Lapsed Member). The occasion was celebrated in the "FOUNDERS ARMS" followed by a meal in a Chinese Restaurant behind the Oxo Tower. Finally, the party moved to the "BLACK FRIAR".

1037. 24.08.01 LONDON SW16: SAR & N, WPR, Jeremy. The WPR came south for the weekend, and after Dinner, a Meeting was held in the "HOGSHEAD" in Streatham High Road.

1038. 18.10.01 LONDON WC1 - BLOOMSBURY: Sec, GR, WPR. Members assembled at the "SWAN", Cosmo Place (the SAR & N having performed the "Royal Oak Retreat" minutes earlier), where Theakstons Best was sampled outside. The meeting then moved 10 yards to the "QUEEN'S LARDER" for Pedigree, a pie for the GR, and very peppery soup for the Sec. and WPR. The former "Sun", now the "Perseverance", was inspected, but found (ironically for a pioneering Real Ale pub) to be no longer serving beer, so the meeting was concluded in the traditional Youngs ambience of the nearby "LAMB".

1039. 05.12.01 LONDON W1: Rick & Judy, BS, WPR etc. Rick and Phil's tribute to the late George Harrison in the "DUKE OF YORK".

1040. 10.12.01 LONDON SW1: Sec, WPR, SAR & N, Rick & Judy, GR, COB, Anth, EAR, SOS & Val, BS, Phil. Apologies were received from the Chair and therefore the Secretary was in the Chair. A convivial and eminently traditional Christmas meeting in "OLD SHADES". Despite the relative emptiness of the Pub, Members managed to congregate in standing positions in a central area around the bar, thus hindering ingress and egress of any other patrons from the back area of the pub. Rick, who had recently suffered an unfortunate headlong impact with the threshold of his house, insisted, for aesthetic reasons, on only appearing in profile throughout the evening. Phil, despite his presence on the list of Lapsed Members, declined to return to full membership in the constitutional manner by buying a round, arguing that he had no recollection of ever having been a member in the first place. No constitutional precedent could be established to deal with this situation and therefore, in the absence of the Chair, no action was taken with regard to said lapsed member. A Photographic Record was made of the Meeting by the WPR.

1041. 29.12.01 LONDON SW19 - WIMBLEDON: Sec, WPR, Rick, BS, TBA. In the traditional manner, an end of year meeting was held in the "ALEXANDRA". Noisy adjacent televised football. The party managed to stay together, unlike the previous year's schism.