Problem with pop up menus; only use menus in this column

The Annual Hog Roast held on Saturday 19 July was amazing. Some One Hundred and Eight people came along and that makes it the largest social event ever held at AQSC. This included a large contingent from Mid Thames Motor Yacht Club who came down in their cruisers. The old club was bursting at the seams.

Because of the likelihood of storms and rain the largest marquee we have covered the quarterdeck and the waterfront. Most people opted to sit out, some even down on the upper slipway.

Prior to this event our original supplier announced that they had stopped supplying hog's but Nigel did an excellent job (a) to find an alternative source, (b) prep it (that was a game) and, (c) cook it; it takes hours! Also they couldn’t supply a larger hog so Nigel found a supplier for a couple of extra shoulders which Diana Carpenter did a super job cooking; the best crackling I have had.

Diana and the girls produced an amazing array of salads and desserts and Pete and his team worked tirelessly in the bar to meet demand, including Joan Walkden who dispensed the Pimms. Many thanks to them and the team who worked both on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to erect the marquee over the quarter-deck and a hundred and one other prep jobs that had to be done ahead of the night.

Trudi Hilton had offered to supply the live musical entertainment. This was care of The Middlesex Yeomanry Military Clarinet Quartet, made up of Martyn Thomas, Judy Morrison, Debbie King, and Natalie Rukut. They played a wide variety of music almost continually from 7:30pm onwards, a great evening's entertainment.

Many thanks to MTMYC for the loan of chairs and to Stuart Schafer who ferried them down on his cruiser. Finally thanks to all the team who helped clear up on Sunday morning, no small job. Just about every glass, plate and cutlery that the club possesses got used. Without all this the evening would have been a mere shadow of what it turned out to be; and finally thanks to all the folks who helped take down the marquee on Sunday afternoon in the blazing sun. Well done everyone, I just hope everybody who came appreciated your efforts.

Mike Baker

Hog Roast 2014