The 2024 Ten

A shrink to five pubs for this year's edition. 14 of us out.

There always seems to be a party in the Goldfinger.

The beer was a bit better in the Highworth.

In the Rosie we discovered that IMDB members have a funny idea of the best films at times.

Ben won the darts in the Saracens.

The King and Queen seemed quiet this year.

Decent curry I thought.

After some travel confusion a small party went back to the K&Q for another small top-up. A 'burly drunken bearded chap' stole Stu's hat. I can't comment on the burliness beardedness or even chapness of the person in question but they would have had to have been drunk to have wanted the hat.

The 2023 Ten

A great turn out and a fantastic evening with the new route.

The Goldfinger was hosting a another party (a 70th birthday this time) is there always a party at the Goldie.

The Plough was busy so no chance for Kevin to defend his darts title.

A wedding reception in The Highworth squeezed the gathering further. (Note to self - the beer here is awful.)

It was quiz time in the Saracens. Which 26 grounds has Stu played on and 80-cap England stars.

More chat in the King and Queen and then a table in the Rose and Crown. 

A very civilised night topped off with a curry.

Big thanks to the drivers and the people who journeyed from afar.

I'll give the final word to 'caps lock man'...

OH WHAT A NIGHT, Early January 2023!!

The 2022 Ten

Sorry I'm late on this - I was waiting for a report by Sue Gray.

The 2022 ten was in its usual slot but had a few Covid-related absences. There was a new starting point in the Goldfinger and the return of Rafu's to finish.

Kevin won the darts (with a bull and 25), Ian took kitty duties.

Stu's review mentions many beautiful ladies and something about a snake.

The (delayed) 2021 Ten

The Ten. In September. With my reputation.

Pushed back because of covid, lockdowns and finding a date it was a warm weather Ten. We didn't even need a jacket, so why did Peej wear a jacket?*

The reviews are starting to come in....

Caps Lock Man called it: "GREAT", Scott called it "Great" and Ian went for 'Fantastic".

Here's how it played out - 

The Rose and Crown - Greeting and gathering of the first ten to arrive on the Ten.

The Highworth - Part one of the unfinished Ben-related quiz and an orange gin that may or may not have been orange for Mr Orange.

The Goldfinger - The end of Liverpool not beating Brentford on TV and sitting in the pub garden (in the garden, on the Ten!) with a wedding reception in the background. 

The Plough - Coxy smashing us at darts. Barely missed a target, could have thrown his last three out of the window and still won.

The Globe - shut - gone for good?

The Spice Kitchen - first time eating here and good reviews. Scott's England kit game went to Team Kylie (or was it Team Minogue?) by 6-5. From Ian - "I would just like to point out that Scott's curry house England kit game has now been assessed by VAR (Very Aggrieved Rainbow) and been declared a draw, if not a moral victory for my team.

Also a shout out to the anonymous chap who issued the politest telling off for being noisy it's ever been my honour to witness. I think he was referring to the decibel level of conversation as opposed to Stuart's noisy outfit."

The Saracen's Head - shut - at 10:15!

The King and Queen - watching Anthony Joshua lose the boxing and Europe lose the golf while the karaoke blared out.

See you next time - 8 January 2022.

* He likes pockets.

The 2020 Ten

The 2020 Ten was another winner.

Seven pubs, plenty of people, good times. A return after 15 years or more for Gary too

Carpo forgot his quiz but won the darts.

Stu made up his music quiz as he went along (and did he get the wrong answer for one?)

The curry was a bit early.

Killer pool drifted to a pointless draw.

Er, I'll add anything else if I remember it!

The 2019 Ten

Another top night with an excellent gathering for the 2019 Ten.

MVP was probably Coxy who brought a quiz and then won the darts and killer pool.

Also kudos to Carpo and Stu for their photos and questions plus Matthew for Guess the Lyric.

OK, having a curry and then going back out for a pint was a bit odd but I think we made this work.

The 2018 Ten

A sizeable gathering, good fun and much knowledge being imparted from Carpo's quizzes.

The lack of curry left a sour taste and cut the company short sadly but we'll be back next year.

Here's Stuart's review...

Can I thank you all for a marvellously entertaining evening xxx

Sad end, always look forward to a curry, splintered the group a little prematurely!

I didn’t manage to relay my picture round story, ‘the night of the long knives’, maybe next time!!!

TO ALL WHO ATTENDED;

Scott Carpenter, above and beyond, brilliant quiz execution!! The bar is set very high!!

Peej, excellent contributions and some progress on being a ‘lefty’!

Ben, ‘WHAT’S THE POINT’!

Kev, ‘par’ ‘WHAT’S THE POINT’!

Gav, sorry for making you walk around Highworth for cash!!

Dean, an excellent house guest x DARTS CHAMPION!!!!

James, MILK TRAY!

Ian, 4 cars, 1 bike and 2 houses, really???

Chris, DEPENDABLE!

Michael (Simon) Cox, nice Brazilian x

Mark, thank you kindly for lifts home x

Paul, safely attended, no injury scares!

--

And here's Ben's quiz answers (I won't advertise the bookmaker though).

Three amigos character names and actors

Lucky day, Steve Martin

Ned nederlander, Martin short

Dusty bottoms, Chevy chase

Premier league grounds, TV gantry same side as subs bench or opposite?

Man City – same

Man Utd – same

Chelsea – same

Liverpool – same

Tottenham – opposite (Wembley)

Arsenal – same

Burnley – oh I cant be bothered

Leicester

Everton

Watford

Huddersfield

Brighton

Newcastle

Crystal Palace

West Ham

Bournemouth

Southampton

Stoke

West Brom

Swansea