October 2025
Author: Pheasant Tommy
October ended up being a strange month for the fact that no walk took place. This was due to Mario inspired shenanigans which resulted in the month’s walk being moved, an additional hole in Rachel Reeves’ budget and stubborn resistance in the inflation rate for the UK. Arguably not all were Mario’s fault.
In a strange quirk of fate, the walk, now slated for November, is proving to be quite popular and likely to be one of the best attended in 2025, justifying Mario’s sage rescheduling. Regular readers will be shocked to discover that Mario has been asked to attend a Pheasant hearing on the matter, though his heroic demeanour and understated good looks are bound to see him fend off any frivolous charges. However, one must never underestimate Pheasant chicanery and the episode may well affect his chances in the 2025 awards.
Despite no walk, the Pheasants flocked together for Olly Smith’s wine tasting evening at St Mary’s church. The event was advertised as showcasing eight wines, but shockingly there were only three to sample on the night and no breadsticks. Olly put on a good show and the Pheasants were crafty enough to leave the venue with the remains of a bottle of Taylor’s late vintage port for research purposes.
The added gaps in the late October window allowed a few Pheasants to try the Octoberfest at the Drayman’s Arms where society business was discussed over cheese platters and a few 0.5% beers from the sensible Mario. Creeky eventually joined once several taxis had tried and failed to reach him, and the trio became four as Bellars turned up for last rites in the Albert.
October ended with a lot of planning discussions for the festive calendar and a date for the Christmas award event was agreed upon. In true Pheasant tradition, with the date fixed, the pluckers have actually yet to book a location for this annual cultural highlight. The species can never be accused of being hasty.
With the remaining walking calendar for 2025 in disarray, Tommy did at least do a recce for the October-in-November walk.