EACC WINTER PUB NIGHT 2024

Saturday 2nd March

 

Jo Edye resurrects his typewriter to present:

 

 

THE FALGATE INN AND THE STRANGE CASE OF THE SOMBREROS

 

 

  EXTERIOR, NIGHT. THE NORFOLK BROADS

 If it weren’t raining one would see a waning gibbous moon disappearing behind the river Thurne a mile or so further down the road. In the foreground a traditional British pub, its front door giving directly onto the pavement of the busy Ludham Road, from whence, a year or more ago, the invading hordes of Ludham King’s Arms came, paint rollers, wallpaper and plasterboard in hand and thoughts of violent refurbishment in their magnolia raddled minds.

 

 And so, 10 years since EACC last visited Potter for the fatal 2014 pub night at what was then the Broadshaven Tavern, Potter Heigham, finally forgiven, was once again at our mercy.

 

 INTERIOR, A FEW MINUTES LATER – A BUSY BRITISH PUB, MANY UNEXPLAINED SOMBREROS ARE BEING SPORTED BY THE LOCALS.

 The refurbishment at the Falgate has worked well, with the main entrance now at the side by the car park, and on arrival we were greeted by a busy pub with four serving staff: Jo, the landlady, and three younger ladies all geared up and ready to feed and water the eighteen of us. Our tables had been set out on a long curve in what was a new area linking the bar at the entrance to the old front bar. Beer choice was adequate, the pub was warm and welcoming and the gathering were soon settled at the bar catching up on winter stories and moaning about whatever irritation had niggled them in the last few days, high water and rain being high on the list for most. Amongst the politerati there was a bit of chat about the recent by-election and when Jimmy Wells walked in sporting a black Stetson there was some amusement - he really was the spitting image of the recently elected member for Rochdale.

 As the serving girls asked us to take our seats, the dulcet tones of Nigel & Marty, (not OUR Marty I hasten to add) a guitar and keyboard duet, started playing in the side bar by the entrance. The large TV screen, normally the home of sport, now became Nigel and Marty’s backdrop: playing a recording of what looked like the Eagles in Mexico. At least that explained the Sombreros.

 Now, there’s obviously nothing wrong with a pub having a band on a Saturday night, but the Skipper had been specifically informed the previous week that no band was playing on that Saturday night. We shut the door that led to the bar but although it tempered it did not quench, and while those of us further down the table were unaffected those nearer the sound did find it somewhat intrusive. Couple this with one member getting a particularly poor veggie burger and at least two of our members left the venue somewhat dissatisfied. A shame, as all in all, and certainly compared to some other Broads hostelries, the Falgate seems to be a pretty good pub. For me, as it was the first EACC social for some time where I wasn’t driving, the night was very enjoyable; I can only apologise to Jimmy W. for my vicious and uncalled for defamation of his good looks, character and slim build.

 

  EXTERIOR, NIGHT, A FLOODED LANE IN THE VICINITY OF WROXHAM, THIRTY MINUTES LATER.

 Wearing wellies, a couple with hand torches walk away from a mini-bus taxi. As they walk the taxi, undertaking a three point turn in the narrow lane, backs into an overhanging tree and its rear window implodes with a loud bang.

 

 FIN

 

 Jo Edye, Sun Glory II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos by Jo Edye