The Young Farmers had scrubbed the shed to within an inch of its life. It gleamed. Only the residual pong of its previous inhabitants lingered to remind the guests at Huw's 'Do' that this was the beef cattle's winter quarters. A well stocked bar, seemingly constructed of old pallets and black plastic silage wrap, awaited the thirsty. The caterers were primed and ready to stuff beef into baps. The guests; young and old, grannies and grandads, babes in arms, friends, neighbours, most of Shropshire YFC and a couple of opportunistic dogs assembled to celebrate Huw's 21st birthday.
But what's this in the corner? And why are those leggy girls wearing ersatz lederhosen and Bavarian titfers?
'This in the corner' turned out to be a Bavarian style oompah band. This was Bier Keller night - and probably the most fun you can have in a cow shed with 200 other people. There was swinging and swaying, drinking and dancing on the tables, all to the most curious medley of songs accompanied by piano accordion, drum kit and euphonium. The three members of the band were dressed appropriately, displaying very hairy legs between their very short hosen and knee length socken. A strange costume.... The girls were all Young Farmers making good use of costumes made for an event at the West Mid Show last year. I'm very impressed that someone went to the trouble of appliqueing 'Huw's Do' on their seat - complete with correct apostrophe too. The old farmer next to me studied her behind for a long time - but on reflection I don't think grammar was on his mind.
We clapped and stamped, linked arms, sang and slurped noisily into the night, leaving shortly before midnight with oompahs ringing in our ears. What a good party that was.
All was very quiet and still back at Lower House. Very quiet.
11 comments:
How's your head? ;)
Wow! Sounds wild!
You get out there and enjoy it all... before you get to them railings in that red hat ....
I've been doing a catch up and have seen your pictures lovely gardens but the house intrigues me ....clank clank... brain in gear...memory section opening ....monks? monastrey? Am I right?
M&M - Heads fine. Now.
SM it was a bit wild - there's plenty of time to be sedate in the future.
SBS - have another shuffle around in the memory section. Unfortunately we've no monastic connection (least I don't think we have). When Lower House Farm was sold about 9 years ago now we bought the barn, converted it and moved in 2 years ago. Trelystan Church stands all alone in a field less than 1/2 a mile away and I've often wondered if there was a link between here and there. The tower at the back - which holds our stairs - was inspired by the grain silo which stood there when the barn was a working granary. Historians will never work that one out!
I loved my young farmer days - was very active there!!!!!!
You can see pictures on my blogs of the farm - its a small farm in Suffolk with a nice garden which I am rather obsessed with - particularly the lawns.
Thanks for commenting
Hmm. Mountainer I think I must be missing something. (It's my age I guess) but who is Huw?
Nothing to do with your age Lizzie - more a case of me lacking something in the storytelling......
He's the youngest son of a local farming family. (Too young for me and thee, more's the pity!) It was his 21st.
That party sounds like a lot of fun!!! There's something about oompah music and lots of space for dancing - it makes us all more energetic, but not more graceful!
I've just checked out your second last posting as well - what a beautiful garden! I love the bit against the wall. Thanks for the tour!
Hi..Its me again from across the valley..('scuse us everyone ..its a bit of local history)...Somewhere over there is a farm or house with 'monk' in the title.. It was a monastrey for travelling orders going from East to West.. there is another in Hope Valley.. Hogstow Hall. My dad, bless him, was local history mad and The Long Mountain was his speciality. He delivered animal feed up there from Westbury station just after the war and knew every house and farm up there and all the tales... needless to say they were never written down...grrrrr. We came back from Welshpool over the top the other week to look at home from up there..the bluebells and flowers were amazing along the top. Came down into Vennington ...there used to be a pub there...Seven Stars? The landlady had a beard and served beer out of a jug!....I think... I've got a headache from the brain clanking....
Sorry folks - still more local history...
Are you thinking of Monksfield - a farm overlooking the Rea Valley and just before you drop down into Blackmore? There's also a field called Monksfield up near us somewhere. Seven Stars, now being converted to two bijou dwellings, was in Vron Gate - Ethel was the landlady (now in residential care).
Oh my that sounds a lovely and lively gathering. I love the gentleman studying the "grammar".
Nice blog.
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