Events - December 2009
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Events - December 2009 |
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Cissbury Players Christmas Meal, The Silk Road, Littlehampton, 12th December 2009
On the social side of things, like so many organisations, whatever else we do there is always a Christmas get-together. Over the years, we've been to a lot of different places, with varying results: this year, the chosen venue was the Silk Road Restaurant in Littlehampton, which offers Turkish cuisine and entertainment. Not, admittedly, to everyone's taste but the menu is broad enough to be able to find something for almost everyone. No special Christmas menu or traditional turkey offering, though, which may be off-putting for anyone considering it specifically as a seasonal outing.
Clare-Louise organised things and, on the night, there were nearly 30 takers. It was almost less than that, as LA's one-way system proved a little too confusing for comfort: having shot past the correct turning in the first place, getting back to it proved a bit tricky. No names mentioned, of course, but I'm looking a touch sheepish at this moment...
It's an unusual place, like a very large version of someone's dining room, filled with odd furniture and eclectic decorations all broadly themed around the famous caravan routes to the Far East. The overall effect is both colourful and homely and the staff are welcoming and pleasant.
Sadly for the smokers amongst us - and, as adults choosing to pursue a still legal activity, the gratuitous use of legislation as a tool for persecution still rankles - it was a cold night and the pavements of Littlehampton are not the most delightful in the world. Hard to believe that sort of thing doesn't affect the trade of pubs, clubs and restaurants adversely. Anyway, political rant over...
Starters are a serve-yourself buffet, with a variety of different dishes on display. No limit on return visits, either: a privilege that was exercised by several folks, some of whom possibly weren't aware that it had been noticed. Still, the guilty parties evidently still had space available for their main courses, which were brought to table and served in the usual way. At the end of which, there wasn't much in the way of leftovers: always a good sign in the cookery department. Sweets were also delivered to table but, unless I was outside smoking at the time, I missed any formal offer of coffee. Luckily, that was available at the bar.
Sometime during proceedings, the entertainment began with a belly-dancer strutting her funky stuff to various Arabian-sounding (probably Turkish, at a wild guess...) tunes. Crowd participation was encouraged, peer pressure brought to bear and most people (both boys and girls) were persuaded to take a quick turn around the floor. Those of us who dance in much the same way a deck-chair unfolds strove to keep it as brief and anonymous as possible; clearly, though we are a mixed bunch and some folk have enough rhythm not to feel embarrassed in public places. Some apparently didn't really care about the dancing, but were quite impressed by the lady's costume...
Later, after a traditional Turkish conga-type-thing and some waving of hankies (antisocial, non-party-spirited people were excused these activities), a normal disco took over and played on until the small hours. There seemed to be no urgency as far as ushering us out of the door was concerned, so we didn't leave until late. It probably could have been later still, but fair's fair - even restaurateurs have to sleep sometime.
All in all, a very pleasant evening out, with a slightly different dining experience thrown in at a quite reasonable price. Certainly worth a visit.
Clare-L adds: "Thanks must go to the groups
treasurer for the awful job of sorting out the bill and to the venue for having
us well into the early hours of the morning. All the members and the two
attending patrons had a marvellous time."
The Cast
As Clare B had her camera along, it seems only reasonable to publish a sample of the results...
 The "well-behaved" table. Mostly, that is |
 Dave. Dancing, not staring. Honest |
 The "not-so-well-behaved" table |
 Stuart, in the groove |
 Clare-L, about to take a spin on the floor |
 Some sort of female ritual thing. No idea what it means |
 Lyndsey and Pam, possibly preparing to strut their stuff |
 Lyndsey and Pam, definitely preparing to strut their stuff |
 Clare, with loaned not-air guitar |
 Gareth. Dancing, not staring either. Honest |
 Sam takes her turn. May even be about to "shake her booty" |
 And finally... |
 ...some people sitting around... |
 ...not doing very much. Well, it was a meal. It can't all be Hollywood blockbuster action... |
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