Next Belloc event - Amberley in Sussex...

Amberley Castle

This is an advance notice of a talk on Saturday the 23rd of February at the lovely George and Dragon pub near picturesque Amberley. Chris Hare will be giving a presentation on 'Belloc and Sussex', which promises to be an engaging affair. The talk will begin at 1.30 PM. Some people will be arriving earlier for lunch. The George and Dragon is a splendid old pub which dates back to the Middle Ages. We will have exclusive use of the function room.The nearest station is Amberley and although one could walk (ten minutes) the road is busy and so a taxi would be preferable (over the bridge in the opposite direction to the village). 

For those Bellocians who prefer more 'action' we will be walking/driving into Amberley after the talk. Amberley is an historical Sussex village which boasts many fine buildings and a splendid castle. Chris has kindly offered to give us a walking tour starting at the Castle. 

After 'tea' at The Sports Man in Rackham (which has the finest 'pub view' in Sussex) the plan is to descend on the The Bridge next to Amberley, at around 7.00 PM, for some folk music. The Bridge serves good food. Belloc refers to this pub in the West Sussex Drinking Song:

They sell good Beer at Haslemere 

And under Guildford Hill. 

At Little Cowfold, as I've been told, 

A beggar may drink his fill: 

There is a good brew in Amberley too, 

And by the bridge also; 

But the swipes they take in at Washington Inn 

Is the very best Beer I know, the very best Beer I know.

 

 With my here it goes, there it goes, 

All the fun's before us; 

The tipple's aboard and the night is young, 

The door's ajar and the Barrel is sprung, 

I am singing the best song ever was sung And it has a rousing chorus.

 If I were what I never could be, 

The master or the squire:

 If you gave me the hundred from here to the sea, 

Which is more than I desire:

 Then all my crops should be barley and hops, 

And should my harvest fail I'd sell every rood of mine acres, I would,

 For a bellyful of good Ale, a bellyful of good Ale. 

 With my here etc.

But please note that for catering purposes we need to know exactly who is coming.So if you intend to come please send a message to this blog.

The George and Dragon