Now that's what I call a great day out. A big thanks to Fred Breed for coming down to open the car park to allow us to have our cars locked in and safe. Forty Oddfellows and Friends went to Canterbury and then on to the Dog and Duck at Plucks Gutter. The only thing to spoil the day was the weather. Just before 11am, Bradley asked for a 2 minutes silence, at eleven the bus passengers went silent. The day started off fine but as we approached Canterbury it started to rain. We got a soaking walking from the coach park to the town but most of us found a Café for a late breakfast. The food was cheap but very good. By the time most of us had eaten the rain had stopped. We all then walked round the shops and the Cathedral meeting back at the coach at 14:45 by 15:00 we were on our way to the Dog and Duck.

As we arrived at the Dog and Duck the landlord and his wife greeted us. Our party had a large room to ourselves. On the stage Les Stankovich was ready to play guitar and sing. He started with songs of the fifties which suited everyone who at times sang along with him. One song he sang was originally by Billy Fury this caused Marjorie Tennick to admit she used to have a poster of him over her bed as she was growing up. Half way through the meal the Landlord came in to apologise for forgetting to setting out the Christmas Crackers, as he placed them on the table ladies on the next table to use sang a couple of lines of a Christmas song. Les hearing this played a Medley of Christmas Songs which we all sang along to. This was also the Sunday following Armistice Day so following the Christmas songs he moved on the Pack up your Troubles and other war songs. Len Stankovich played to his audience, if the audience had been younger I am confident he would have done 60's, 70's or 80's music instead.

There was a good choice of menu which had already chosen the Starter and Main Course. Starter was Home Made Soup, Prawn Cocktail or Pate. Main Course was Roast Turkey and the Trimmings, or Salmon, or a large slice of Steak and Ale Pie or Vegetation Lasagne. Pudding a choice of Christmas Pudding and Brandy Butter Custard, Black Forest Gateau served with Cream or Ice Cream or Cheese a biscuits. This was followed by Tea or Coffee.

Following the meal Les did party songs like the Hokey Cokey and the party got into the swing. He played a nice mix of tempos allowing us to dance in couples, then a bit of disco. He was really good, he played the audience well. There was a Birthday in the room so we all sang Happy Birthday to Len. As 18:30 arrive it was time for us to go. We all got our coats from the other room where they had the time to dry. Les Stankovich sang to the end. The Dog and Duck had given us a great time we felt very welcome, by now I think most of us had had a great time and we had forgotten the rain in Canterbury. The coach driver brought the coach to the roadside. Just before the coach moved the Landlord came out to the coach and wished us a safe journey and come back to see us again, this prompted a round of applause from all those seated. As the coach meandered through the countryside the singing continued. It took about 90 minutes to get back the the Flower of Kent Lodge where we could be reunited with our cars. Barbara and he friend was dropped of on the North Cray Road close to their home.

Details of Les Stankovich
Phone 01227 365 218
Mobile 07879 865 863
tapsel1@hotmail.co.uk