So there we all were at Picklescott Village Hall, on a day out for Balfours' finest, as organised by Richard JP and Richard B.  And then Jonathan jumped into his car and headed off with Jane and Rory G.  I thought they were doing a bunk but apparently no mobile phone signal was being received at Picklescott and they were going off to find one.  I say ‘apparently' as there is a very good pub in Picklescott and I was even more suspicious when we all heard Jonathan's mobile phone ring later in the morning!

Balfours at Play

Not actually being a member of Balfours staff, I was put in charge of the three legged blind mans buff obstacle race over a 20 metre course but guarded by a forest (that's the forestry bit) of bamboo canes attracting a five second penalty if bumped into.  Tim M decided that he and his partner would crash down the course in as fast a time as possible and take the penalties.  It took 10 seconds from end to end and only one cane touched, a total of 15 seconds against the average run of about one minute!  You can see why Tim is in house sales! 

The frisbee contest was fun and keenly fought.  Trevor was there, as usual with his entourage of beauties.  Richard B was in charge of the ‘getting bricks from one side to the other using beech logs and planks contest.  William CC (see photo) tried to hide behind his plank but was spotted by the cameraman!  The girls (see photo) were practising for when the building trade picks up again and they can go moonlighting!

Denzil was stationed inside the Village Hall, pretending to be on the lunar surface, with a list of items that had to be put in order of importance and Roger P was supervising the paper tower building.  Most appropriate really as I understand that he spends a fair bit of his time reading them!  I gather that Andrew D's team made the tallest tower - well it helps when you are 10' 8" tall!  Speaking of Andrew, his team won the quiz.  They managed to get all the answers right because, apparently, Andrew is a bit of an anorak when it comes to obscure information.  But, unfortunately, there were accusations of cheating because they did so well!

I can reveal that Tim M was, for a very brief moment, thinking of taking up bowls.  This came about during a conversation with Sarah, while having a smoke break outside with Paul H and Andy, (Tim had come outside for some fresh air - ha, ha, cough, cough).  Sarah, who is a bit of a bowler in her spare time, announced that at Bishops Castle Bowling Club they have the biggest hump in the County.   I could see Tim starting to go weak at the knees at the thought, but it turned out that the hump referred to is the rise in ground that alters the course of the bowl, not at all what Tim was thinking and he has now decided against joining.

Unfortunately I had to leave the proceedings after a very good curry lunch and was therefore not able to attend the afternoon session.  I gather that all went well, especially when the limericks were read out.  I cannot say more as I understand that most of them were unprintable! 

Stephen Habershon is Forestry Consultant to Balfours and can be contacted through Balfours' Offices in Craven Arms on 01588 673314.