Rhyl Folk Club

Here’s a little presentation of the night. Additional music is from Ivan Drever and Struan Eaglesham, Altan, and Duncan Chisholm.

The met office had smiled on us yet again as we met in a car park in the arse end of Rhyl for this year’s answer to the thinking man’s Le Mans. The clues were compiled this year by last year’s winners (still being contested in the courts) Andrew and Ruth.

Having been given the paperwork, Los Alfrescos were quickest out of the blocks, with the crazy Antipodean at the wheel. Their haste would cost them dear. Val had refused to travel with her brother and Wendy after last year’s in-car violence and opted for the relative tranquillity of Ann and Frank, so Lesley and myself were given the task of keeping the peace in team VW. The blue UN. helmets were a bit hot. We travelled through the back streets of Rhyl and on to Prestatyn. Glenys had an obvious advantage  as the clues here were all within 50 yards of her workplace and the Alfrescos forged further ahead. Keeping to the speed limits we picked up further points (or some of us did) in Meliden, although nobody could find the blue plaque on the house where Blythin grew up. Possibly because he has never grown up.

Team Durno had turned up in a 4×4 with the yoof contingent, but the extra traction and more active brain cells couldn’t swing it in their favour. A walk down Rhuddlan High Street did not trouble any of our teams as all the clues here were found by everyone.

Leaving Rhuddlan for Gwaenysgor, I was more comfortable on the twisty country lanes and the tailpipe of the Skoda was soon in sight. Team VW soon then hovered up the remaining clues in the village and we sauntered into the car park of our final destination, the Eagle and Child.

Despite the lighter weight of their vehicles, the teams of 2 obviously suffered from a lack of extra cerebral input, as was evident when the scores were totted up.

The Eagle and Child brought out a buffet for us (bang on time, unlike last year at Llanfair TH). Bri and Adie picked up the “consolation” prize (beer), but the bottle of wine frankly was only ever going to one team who would have picked up a perfect score had it not been for the “Falls” question being very badly phrased. The winners were of course very gracious and modestly accepted their prize and medals.

Another fun night for which we must thank Andrew and Ruth, not forgetting the Eagle and Child for their hospitality.

“Dangerous” Derek Brockway had arranged a lovely evening for the first Club Treasure Hunt, as two dozen eager participants waited expectantly for their sheets of clues at Clwyd Retail Park.

The first task was to solve a few anagrams. Mixed success, with only 2 getting the salt and grit bin. This had the effect of staggering the departures of the teams, rather than a Le Mans type start.

The teams went off and past the hospital to the Marble Church, except Frank, aka the Stig, who deviated from the instructions but was gently corrected in soothing tones by his wife.

After exhuming a body each from the churchyard, they then proceeded via the Business Park past the new Crem. More death than an Adrian West song.Team Hawkins had made a wise tyre choice and soon made up lost ground.

Down the B5381 they all went at speed, past what appeared to be Brian’s abode. Many were too fast to spot the Bass sign in the trees.

The Ant Hill Mob (Stu, Edna, Margaret and Jeff)  were slightly ahead as they reached the A548, but Mike’s Astra surged ahead to be first over the bridge at Llanfair Talhaiairn. I’d stressed it wasn’t a bloody race!

There were more clues to be found in the village, many missing the Blackbird Chicks (I saw Alun looking in some petunias outside the pub).

Eventually we all rolled into the Black Lion for something to eat (and the odd pint – nice choice of ales).

I’d expected the winners to be one of the cars with four bodies on board (not including the decaying remains from the graveyard), but when the marks were totted up, the winner was the last car back, with Mr. and Mrs. EmCee who were presented with their laurel wreaths and solid gold medals.

The winner of the coveted wooden spoon won’t be named, but you may spot them in a photo.

There was plenty of time for a few beers and a chat and a grand time was had by all, before returning the corpses to the graveyard on the way home.

Result! I had the shortest journey home for once.