September 2026
Author: Pheasant Tommy
September proved busy for the Pheasants with several events taking place throughout the month. We had the Prince Albert Beer Festival, Long Melford Away Weekend, a Pheasant Birthday, and the usual walk all to fit within 30 days.
The beer festival started the month, with it being possibly the last at the Albert as the landlord is moving on. It was a chance for the group to drum up new members but seemed to backfire as one Pheasant ending up joining CAMRA, falling for their dark arts of persuasion. As the old saying goes, one Pheasant’s membership is considered a membership all can use, so happy days all-round. The festival provided some controversy as the Pheasants picked up on the fact that a festival pizza vs. normal Friday Pizza Deal and Beer combo was nip and tuck in terms of the best deal overall. Pheasant Creek was the festival pizza trialist, before the remaining shrewd flockers all piled into the normal Friday Pizza Deal & Beer combo.
Later in the month four Pheasants spent a pleasant weekend away in Long Melford with the main goal of celebrating Creeky’s birthday. This did involve a picturesque if long walk from Long Melford to Lavenham and back, and throughout he could be heard being grateful at being afforded the opportunity to view Lavenham church from every conceivable angle.
Along the way Pheasant Bellars managed to anger a winged denizen of jungle-like undergrowth and was rewarded with a stung ear that could be seen from space. Fortunately the Pheasant first aid kit was on hand to slap on some dubious ointment on it. A cream tea later in Lavenham also helped to soften the hurt.
Concerns on the mental wellbeing of Creeky and Bellars surfaced later in the walk, when both realised they had left items back at the cream tea location which required a return visit on the Sunday to collect. The long weekend finished with trips to the Nethergate Brewery and a celebratory curry for the birthday boy.
That left just the Pingo Trail walk to see out the month which saw excellent attendance on the day, although the linear nature of the walk and indistinguishable pingos left several of the Pheasants underwhelmed. With two walks remaining for 2026 and the usual Christmas AGM, meal, and awards night to be planned there is still a lot to do before seeing out the year.