The Maldon U3A July BBQ is now an Annual Event in July.
Weather is the main worry of any organiser of an outdoor event & this year it gave Dorothy Denmark, the Social Organiser, a nightmare. Earlier in the day Heybridge Basin had a 1/2 hour down pour - Colchester was "washed out" according to BBC Essex Radio with roads flooded.
The forecast was rain between 7 and 9 pm so everyone came prepared for a downpour but in the event the weather was quite kind. A few spots fell during the start which stopped for serving the Main Course and the unbrellas were put away but at 7.30pm it steadily rained during the time the wonderful puddings were being served.
It cleared it for 8.45pm when it was time to go. Driving away though quite deep puddles indicated the amount of rain which had fallen but there were dry roads by the time we got to the top of Danbury Hill!.
The food was excellent with chops, sausages & Beef Burgers with Salmon as the vegy option.
Sweets were just OTT with Simvastatin working overtime to combat the Cholesterol!
The Trifle & the Fresh Fruit Salad was a big success as were the Apple Crumbles.
The sea of cars which turned up for the 2008 BBQ.
Photo by John Bowen
Putting up the Gazebo - easy?
This and the next 6 photos by Mary Burd
Dorothy Denmark toasting the evening
Good Health to you, too
All on their own!
Well, it was like this....
Salad area - waiting for the rush
Gas BBQs in action
Photos by John Bowen
Bread Roll area awaitng the rush as well - the Salmon can be seen in the Alunimium foil cooking (left).
Paul Costa looking very happy!
Close-up of the chops cooking
The Onion Man - they were delicious!
Waiting to be invited to start eating
Photo by Mary Burd
Well, it was like this....
And who is hiding behind the brolly?
Why, its Janet!
Bill looking very happy!
And to his left
The finishing touches - very nearly the last - where is the Fire Man?
Salad close-up
Food being served by Dorothy Denmark.
Cooking flat out
The rain stopped as the Main Course was being served.
However the rain clouds appeared at 7.30pm & it started to rain heavily.
The photograph looks like a Monet Painting - what do you think?
Paul Costa enjoying a sit down - but in the rain
Photo by Mary Burd
The Sweet Ladies have been busy
The Sweet Ladies trying to work out if there is anyone else to supply.
The Chairman enjoying his sweet watched by two modern children.
Thank you Dorothy Denmark and the Social Committee for providing another enjoyable evening.
Click here to go back to the TOP of this page.
To go back to the U3A Past Events Page, click below.
(c) Maldon U3A 2008
Last revised: 18th July 2009 Corrected Dorothy Denmark's nam. 9th August, added photos by Mary Burd. 1st August 2008 to created this page.