Father of the House

The last post made reference to the 'Father of the House' so it's probably a good idea to get introductions out of the way early on. Dave is a retired telecommunications engineer with a lifetime of work and travel behind him. But for the Society he is a linchpin, a regular in our pub for over fifty years having lived all of his early life in close proximity and since moving a relatively small distance away has continued to be a regular attendee in the Vic. His importance is exemplified by his encyclopaedic knowledge of the people, the area and the relationships that exist around our local.

Future posts will feature Dave on a regular basis as his is a core contribution to proceedings.

Dave

It would be remiss to go any further without introducing Irene, Dave's wife. She had a mention in the last post in relation to her culinary exploits. Irene, as well as being a regular contributor, is renowned for her skills in the kitchen and it's not just the pasties that show it. 'Queen of the Lemon Drizzle' would be an appropriate soubriquet.

Now you have met the Armour family patriarch and matriarch you will meet them or their families on a fairly regular basis in this series.

Irene

This post will have to close now as the packing for the VGLPS tour need to commence.

Pasty Day

Today was declared Pasty Day at the Victoria Gardens Literary and Philosophical Society (VGLPS).

Over a long period there have been wonderful gifts brought to the table. Amongst the best of these are the various food parcels from a couple of our members. The most exalted of these is Irene, wife of the Father of the House, ( more about him in another post). Irene has a number of specialities, much loved by all, but there is always a frisson of excitement when the word gets out that there are pasties on the way. Feverish phone calls over the last couple of days established that today was going to see a delivery of the prized pasties. One of our team was so excited that he turned up with a celebratory badge.

Bill's Badge

This is probably the time to introduce Bill. Bill is a local legend. The former Mississippi Dreamboat bass player and pharmacist is a stalwart of the Society. His dry wit is a mainstay of proceedings and his diet is oft discussed particularly when his main food source, his partner, is not around.

Relating the morning's cooking process the Father of the House was able to tell us that he had to oversee the final stages of the cooking as Irene had to go to the dentists for a scale and polish. Quick as a flash, Bill interjects and asks if the cleaning was for the purpose of preparing the teeth for crimping the pastry around the edge of the pasties. Another day at the Vic.

Bill - Pasty Lover

Look out for news of the upcoming Society Tour to the wine regions of France and Spain and the progress of dowel delivery to Murcia.