It’s late July which can only mean it is the annual OVFM Summer Social garden party!

As with last year, this year’s event is once again hosted by Kemsing Mafia members James and Fran Morton-Robertson which means a trip to Sevenoaks for those attending.

You can find Jim’s address in the MEMBERS’ DETAILS listings of the Members Only section of this site (so be sure you are logged in to see it). Carpooling is advised as parking is limited.

Please note that the event will begin at 5.30pm so ensure you arrive for around 5:15 pm. Hopefully you have all lodged your food requirements with Annabelle Lancaster, if not you’re going to starve. Cutlery will be provided by Jim but you are liberty to bring your own, as well as your own choice of beverage if you wish to have something stronger than tea, coffee and soft drinks. If you wish to bring your own chair do make sure it is not a low slung design like a deck chair as Jim’s tables are reportedly high.

I have not been advised as to whether there will be any entertainment provided, though after last year’s debacle with the car key party game where everyone ended up picking their own car this might be a good thing.

So, bring your wellies, raincoats and umbrellas (and perhaps pack sunglasses and sun-cream as a precaution, just in case the sun decides to come out and ruin everything) and enjoy the evening with your friends at OVFM at Chez Morten-Robertson for the Summer Social!

Sun Shines on Summer Social

WORDS: Hugh Darrington

PICTURES: Hugh Darrington and Jane Oliver (click to enlarge)

CAPTIONS: Lee Relph

“Just keeping telling yourself, there’s no place like home!”

Well, the OVFM summer social (formerly our barbecue evening), held in Jim Morton-Robertson’s lovely garden on July 24, certainly ticked all the right boxes.

“And this is where our noisy neighbour with the drum kit ended up!”

Nineteen of us, including wives and partners, got together in a comfortable shaded patio area to eat fish and chips, delicious desserts and ice cream. The desserts, mouth-watering trifles, strawberry pavlova, apple tart and ice creams were provided by Fran Morton-Robertson, Corrie Jones, Barbara Darby, Brenda Wheatley and Peter Mitchell. And as evening drew in we didn’t get a bit chilly. Marvellous.

“I don’t know what you’re on about – I can’t taste the anthrax!”

Reg Lancaster’s team won the ‘ who is it’ picture quiz, and Colin Jones’ team (including me ahem) won the general knowledge quiz after a nail-biting tie breaker. Actually we were the only team which knew which animal’s wee is so thick it is like treacle, and its pats so dry they are used for fuel. Answers on a postcard please. Quizzes were put together by our leader Jane Oliver and presented by our now resident actor Chris Towers.

“I wish I brought my glasses, so I could read the small print in this contract!”

The parking was coordinated by Jim who squeezed nine or ten cars in his drive although some drivers had their reversing skills put to the test when the time came to leave.