General Chat

Thanks Girls, Excellent job. Now you are not allowed by law (mine) to change it b'cos IT'S IN MY DIARY Jim

Just found out the Hat Fair is FOUR days this year, 1st - 4th July - good idea to avoid that weekend. Maggie

Hi Wendy He asked that I'd get in touch a week or so before so that he could get 'staffed up' Love Norah

That sounds great Norah thanks for all your effort ,sorry you got the dirty job lol Margaret.

Thanks for doing that Norah. Sounds good to me. Jill

Sounds like you had some fun today Norah. Thanks for doing that it sounds really nice, just hope I can make it when it is decided on the date Nat

Thanks Norah, well done for 'suffering' so nobly for us. didn't you get to sample the wares too? Ann Glos

Nice pub, Norah. Gosh what you and Tom have gone through! Maggie

Hi everyone, I am back from Winchester - got lots of people staring thinking the Hat Fair had started early. lol. You know, not many people go around wearing a black balacalava, mini skirt etc. and carrying a big red balloon, and that was just Tom. Anway, I think I have found a good place, just a couple of minutes from the Chesil Stret car-park that Maggie has mentioned. They don't have a separate room, but what they have is large, plenty of seating, smoking throughout.disabled access with disabled toilet on the ground floor. Others are upstairs and all nice and clean. There is a heated terrace with plenty of seats outside and it's by the side of the river. Food is served all day, and Tom sampled some and gave it the thumbs up. If this one is decided on, then I have promised the manager that we will let him know the date, and if anyone wants something special, I'm just to let him know and he'll do his best to oblige. It doesn't have it's own car-park, but there are two car-parks within a couple of minutes walk. It's called The Bishop on the Bridge - it seemed nice and airy with high ceilings, and helpful bar staff. Oh the manager did say that he will get extra staff in for when we decend on them. And.............I have a copy of the menu if anyone should be interested, added to which he said they do sandwiches etc. and their pub specials, which vary from day to day I suppose. PS Tom said they sell Fuller's Beer. He had a Harvey's which he found very acceptable. Norah

Thanks maggie, i am surprised I haven't heard of it. daughter lives in Colden Common and we are there once a month at least. Down next weekend looking after the boys while daughter and husband are in the Lake District. ann Glos

Ann, The Hat Fair is 3 days of street entertainment, usually held on the first weekend in July. It's a re-kindling of a fair that was held in Winchester in Medieval times, but ended in the 19th century. It's been going for about 15 years now. There are jugglers, fire eaters, morris dancers, market stalls, people dressed as aliens, stange people doing strange and amusing things. Lots of drinking! Good fun but the place absolutely heaves! Maggie

Maggie When is Hat Fair weekend? And what is it? Ann Glos

Wendy, I haven't seen Norah yet, although a few police cars have been rushing down the road! Just an idea, but a fairly good meeting point may be Chesil street car park. Drivers can come off the motorway and head for the Park & Ride, but turn right into Chesil Street. People who catch a train can get the Park and Ride bus from the railway station to the car park. Those who catch a bus, it is out of the Bus station, turn left, past the statue, over the bridge, turn right and it's on the left. This is an old part of Winchester many people don't see, and there are a few pubs within 1/4 mile. Better make sure the gathering isn't on Hat Fair Weekend. Entertaining though this is, you can't move/park or get a seat in a pub, let alone a drink when it's on Maggie IN Winchester.

Oh Wendy Trust You - You forgot to mention the mini-skirt!!!!!!!! lol lol lol Norah xx

Have we decided on when and where we are having it? Nat

Nudge

Hi Jim, thank you very much . I look forward to meeting you . Regards Margaret.

Hi everyone I'll come, from a very happy Pompy fan. I live in Havant and will be happy to give anyone a lift from this area. Malcolm

Margaret, When you get off the Ferry at Pompey, if you get the Ferry to Gosport. (£1.50 return) I can collect you from there. Jim

Been off the boards for a little while, which is quite usual for me. Cracking idea, count me in. Badger Bill