Our new venue is King and Queen, 1 Foley Street, W1W 6DL. We'll be in the upstairs room. People generally start arriving from 6pm onwards, tends to get rather busy from 7pm onwards.

Google map here!

The pub is less than a mile from Euston Station (the very nearest tubes - 3 minutes walk away - are Goodge Street on the Northern, Warren Street on the Northern and Victoria. Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street tubes are less than 10 minutes walk)

Should be plenty of on-road parking in the surrounding streets (you might have to pay for meter parking for a while, depending on what time you arrive, but Congestion Charging stops at 6pm.)

We have the upstairs room to ourselves, it's a nice space. There's real ale in the bar downstairs, staff seem nice and friendly, and they have a CD in the room with an ipod connection, so we can have a jolly big bun fight (erm, I mean we can take it in turns nicely) over who gets to DJ the room.

There's no room hire charge or minimum spend; all they ask is that we do a whip-round in support of Macmillan cancer support.

Cakes, pork pies, badges, CD giveaways, book swaps all happening as usual.

Here's my list of people that I believe are coming... hopefully you'll join us too.

Helena Handcart
itfc1959
Fortuneight
Paul Waring
Topjukes
DogFacedBoy
Gavin Adam
Ganglesprocket
Sid Williams
Leedsboy
Twangothan
Joe R
Retro Man
YTDS
Lunaman
VincePacket
Jimmyshoes01
man.of.soup
Richie B
Beezer
Adman
Rocker43
Vorgongod
Gordon Kerr
Mike H
Rosbif
Baskerville Old Face
Carl Parker (jetlag permitting)
Thomas the Rhymer
Phil Pirrip
Francis Barry-Walsh
Stick
Specs_Beard
Bob
and me.

...and you?

hope to see you there
Hannah xxx

PS in future I'm intending to move the mingles to the first friday of every other month (starting November). does that sound good to everyone??

PPS currently taking cake requests, speak now if there's something you particularly fancy.

I'll be away for this one, but if there's another one just around the corner then that's perfect.

seems like a fine idea, Hannah. Saves all the doodle calendar shenanigans and means I can stick the Mingle Fridays in the diary and arrange my jet-setting social life* (*hah!) around them.

Now, please, as I'm not able to make next week's one, I need your solemn promise you WILL NOT have too much fun without me.

We'll have no fun without you...

... to all the massive in the Nakhon Phanom province of Thailand and bordering provinces of Laos, get in touch for a Far East mingle! (Don't all rush at once, now ...)

Might well be able to make it now!

Have business meeting in afternoon so I'll be there, and thirsty!

Been a very long time since I been to that there Londinium Centrum. What's the tube from Liverpool Street?

Getting the train shortly before 4. Should be there about 18.30. I'll be bringing a DVD of Cocksucker Blues, if anyone is interested. Includes footage of Keef lobbing a TV set out of a hotel window AND the traditional Knobbing-Of-The-Groupies at the front of a private jet. And Bobby Keys nodding out.

Tell you what, hypothetically speaking, should anyone have a little silver disk containing the "Let it be" movie I would hypothetically love to borrow it....

signed up to Google Lattitude, we could set up a Clique Track for the evening on the web.

(I'm busy working on as many clique puns as I can figure out).

I am delighted to be this month's designated Northern Emissary, and am looking forward to meeting all of you in the, er, flesh. Especially as I am combining it with the Silver Seas concert the night before (which gives me plenty of shopping time on Friday as well).

But I need some advice. For reasons too boring to go into, I shall be driving down to That London rather than getting the train. I'm stopping in a hotel just by Regent's Park which - inevitably - is light on parking facility. So my question is - where do I park the bugger from Thursday lunchtime through to Saturday morning without a) having to take out a mortgage, b) worrying that it will still be there when I get back and c) having to cross the dreaded Congestion Charge line?

Any advice gratefully received...

A big one.

One that you have to carry into the room like the Star Destroyer passing overhead in the first scene of Star Wars.

Please.

I'll be there. Not sure what time. I may also be dressed as a (not very) Civil Servant just out of a meeting about service levels.

For once I'll try and keep the 'Wahaaay!' noises and Jack Douglas impressions down.

I made some jam recently: damsons from our garden and blackberries from a local urban nature reserve. It's rather good, IISSM. If someone is willing to bring some scones or similar, I'll bring some jam. There isn't much left, hurry hurry, etc.

Hannah am running you off a copy of the TMBG gig at KOKO. Anyone else coming that wants one?

But at the moment, it looks like I can make it. Cake, scones, jam, beer? Sounds perfect. Fingers crossed for the 16th.

Not sure if I have time to make any scones.

@DogFacedBoy:-I'd dig a pygmy *winks*

But I can confirm that I will be attending.
Looking forward to it y'all.

Prior engagement on 16th.
This would've been my first London Mingle, having been to 3 Thames Valley versions.
The joy of a visit to the big city will have to be delayed (again)
Like the idea of a regular date - gives someone with my organisational capabilities a fighting chance of not being double-booked.

Enjoy, and hopefully see you at the next one

PS: 16 September 2011 is the 34th Anniversary of Marc Bolans fatal accident on Barnes Common (not a milestone anniversary, but I thought I'd mention it anyway)

Anyone fancy a pork pie?

but November is looking good!

I will produce a Carrot Clique for the group.

but will be late. Forgot that I had committed myself to helping with the Maggie's London night hike. I should be finished by around 9 though and hope to be with you by 10.

We are off on our hols the following day so common sense dictates I really shouldn't be there. On the flip side we are heading away mid-afternoon and the lure of jam, pie and cake could see me wangle an hour or so with you good folks.

It's Mrs Phil's birthday today so much depends on the success of this weekend.

Peace, Love and Understanding.

I have 'knocked out' some CDs for my first Mingle. A tiny bit of peace, a smidgen of understanding, and oh my goodness... feel the love. The packaging is a bit rudimentary, (moans about time pressure for a bit, you might want to ignore this bit). Hope some of the tracks will be of interest to some of you. I've managed to copy 16, and I've dug into the CD collection for some of my faves. If nothing else you will all be able to say "Yeah, Adam, I've got that one, and that one, and that one..." Jeez, I used to be so hip it hurt, and now... my hips just hurt.

Anyway... feeling excited about the meet - it will get me through the working week ahead.

....I cannot be in That London for this next one. The packed diary will not permit, amazingly. However Paul will fly the flag for The North and bear tidings. Enjoy !

so have "special stuff" for Hannah, Vorgongod, Beezer, Jimmyshoes, Mike H, Phil Phirrip (attendance permitting), Twangothan and Richie B.

I ask for nothing in return, (although if you're going to the bar - orange juice on the rocks please) is for you to kindly march up to me and demand your stuff as I'll totally forget about it otherwise.

See you all Friday

... so I'm heading off on Friday to savage the record stores of downtown Tokyo as some kind of compensation for missing this mingle.

I'll try harder for the next one!

Not going to be there sadly, but been thinking about my contribution to the democratic process.

Divide the period from say 6pm to 10.30pm (or whatever is the official chucking out time into 15 minute units and then draw lots as to who gets control of the system for each unit. They can play anything they like for those 15 mins before handing over to the next punter. Can be CD's from DFB's generous donations, an earlier sortie to Fopp or something from home - alternatively, a carefully selected playlist from an ipod (note: other mp3 players are available)

That way you get plenty of variety and plenty of lively discussion/debate/fights. It also means you don't get any ihogs forcing unspeakable prog on the massive all night.

Thank you. My invoice is in the post.

I'll be stuck on a plane, landing at Heathrow fairly late on. If I get a window seat I'll wave.

I have to be out of London on Friday now, because of work and that.

I won't be able to make it.

Huge disappointment from my end. Which Mrs Beezer is used to, naturally.

So, you'll have to make your own tiresome double entendres and crass raspberry noises without me to demonstrate I'm afraid.

Bugger and thrice Bugger with a garnish of Bollocks.

Particular apologies to Dog Face who already gone to the trouble of making a cd for me of Neil Innes.

And to Bob, I shall send those Hamish and Dougals by royal mail now.

*shakes fist at email containing work appointment*

Beezer if you want a mini Maidenhead mingle some night soon then we can swap Cd over a swift pint. Oh and lmk if you want copies off my Bonzos 2 DVD boot and both series of Rutland Weekend TV on DVD

My *thing* that was stopping me attending is now on Thursday PM so can make this!

Will be a little later than usual. Hurray, etc.

As I only have tonight free, must do the CD tonight (we are still doing this aren't we?)

*goes off to find some peace and love*

*all snigger behind sleeves (aside, not really)*

Yeah I'm burning 30 copies of mine so there will be plenty left over

And it will be great to see you, me old pal, me old beauty

In addition to the jam it looks like I will finally be bringing some CDs, having discovered that Mrs Rosbif's ancient [about 5 years old] and seldom used Mac can burn CDs, unlike our ropy laptop. So, if anyone wants a compilation of wan no-hopers who have never troubled the radio, let alone the charts, step right up.

will be spent compiling CDs and having a t shirt crisis.

I'm trying to remember which shirts I've already worn to mingles. Don't want to repeat myself.

Had forgotten all about doing a CD. Bugger, will not have time now.

Could always bring about 20 blank ones, I suppose; may go down much better than the one I did last time... ;-)

Listened to it in the car this morning. Lots of love, a smattering of peace and a dash of understanding.

Now for the the t-shirt and the leather trousers

...making fucking massive sausage rolls, which will be sliced and brought along with the rillettes. Basically, it's a pork festival.

Oh, and I've a handful of "Pop" CDs left over which I hadn't brought last time. One has Joe's name on it, but there are about 4 more. Grab if you fancy.

Though some of them only work on some machine and iTunes won't let me makeote than seven. I warm on advance that I'll be greedily snatching as many of you guys' CDs as I cam lay my grubby paws on, cos the trove from last time has givene more happiness than a trolley dash through Fopp.

I'm afraid I won't manage it tomorrow due to my life currently being a frenzy of baby poo and not sleeping when I really should be sleeping. I'm gutted I won't make it to see all you lovely people, particularly now I realise it was a 'bring some pork' event. On the plus side, I won't have to defend my dubious music tastes or buy the pints I owe people (though I shall endeavour to do both at the next meet-up instead).

Have fun all.

It has been jellied and unsheathed and is now maturing gently in the fridge. I'm now going to go upstairs to struggle with iTunes as I try to make a couple of CDs.

Been struck down with a nasty bout of what appears to be food poisoning the last couple of days, so, although I'm feeling better this evening, don't think I should risk it tomorrow night.

Mind you, think the mention of rillettes, sausage rolls and pies above is bringing back my appetite...

Have a good one!

I ate all the jam.

Well not quite, but work has taken over this week and it'd be too much of a rush.

Have fun, all!

Ive got a ready made burned CD of AC/DC favourite tracks, mainly Bon Scott era and one or two off Back in Black. Is that acceptable?

... bearing mostly funk and disco. Let arse shaking commence (I hope...)

Mind you, I always do have where mingles are concerned.

have been replaced by Bad Manners.

I must be away by 8pm if Peace, Love and Understanding are to be maintained at home.

A CD has been compiled although quantities and the artwork quality will depend on how busy work gets today.

Hope to see you later.

have a top night, send tweets and some of us hope to join you down there some mingle soon

Confined to bed with a rotten cold and despite my protestations to the contrary, I have been told that I will NOT be travelling to join you tonight. FPOs, what do they know? Until November!

the DVD burner in the iMac has packed up so no dodgy Stones films or bongo material for Hannah. I shall be bringing myself therefore, and verbal orders for later mailings will be gratefully received and duly despatched.

The devil's food cake has been made.
The oatmeal, raisin and almond cookies are ready.

Just a little reminder - room hire tonight is free, but the pub do ask for a donation to Macmillan Nurses. Which is a lovely thing to do. So if you could stick any loose change in the jar that I've been told will be on the bar, that would be thoroughly splendid.

See you later...
Hannah xxx

The jet lag has done for me, and I fear a train ride and beer will be several steps too far. So I won't be there tonight but I'm already looking forward to the next one.

At some point in the evening come and tap me on the shoulder. My one man mission to spread the Hold Steady word will continue with that disc I promised (see threads passim).

Just pulling out of Stratford. I don't recognize a thing and I didn't recognize anything looking out of the window at Chelmsford either. I actually feel nervous about negotiating the tube and have realized that I really have turned into a bumpkin. Oh, well.

On a lighter note and owing to the equipment failure in South Norfolk (see above) I have brought with me a prized anniversary edition of The Exorcist. You see? No expense spared.

And we're just arriving at Liverpool Street. Ulp. Good luck, me,

Just pulling out of Stratford. I don't recognize a thing and I didn't recognize anything looking out of the window at Chelmsford either. I actually feel nervous about negotiating the tube and have realized that I really have turned into a bumpkin. Oh, well.

On a lighter note and owing to the equipment failure in South Norfolk (see above) I have brought with me a prized anniversary edition of The Exorcist. You see? No expense spared.

And we're just arriving at Liverpool Street. Ulp. Good luck, me,

I cried off early as I have a 7.00am flight to Glasgow. On the train home I went through my bag and discovered an indecently enormous piratical haul of CDs. I feel I may have taken more than my share, like I ate all the pies or something. Actually come to think of it I did that too.

As always at these things there is never enough time but it was great to meet some new faces - adman, bigbicture, rocker, itfc - and wave vaguely at some others like Stick and Baskerville. I didn't get a chance to chat to plucky Word representatives Harrison and Lewry either. Always a pleasure to see The Massive en masse though. Hey ho, let's do it again soon.

For making me feel welcome and ensuring I was introduced. Great to meet you all and apologies to those I didn't talk to. I'm looking forward to listening to the CDs on the journey home tomorrow. See you all at the next one.

Well, I had an utterly splendid time last night and I hope you did too.

It was particularly great to meet itfc1959, adman and davebigpicture for the first time. And a big hurrah to the lovely Paul Waring for making the long journey down from Birkenhead. Really hope to see you all again at another mingle.

I took a few photos:

The assorted minglers:

Real Word Birds were a bit thin on the ground (it was just JoLean and me). However, thrillingly, we have two new honourary Word Birds! Hooray for YTDS and Stick, wearing their "Word Bird" badges with pride.

and Drakeygirl was there in spirit:

Lenny made a stormer of a pie:

(the top says "Hannah hasn't seen Bongo", a pastry clarification for a scurrilous remark Mr Law made about me in this thread)

Oscar speech time:

Cheers to everyone who bought CDs and books - looking forward to checking out the goodies I snaffled. Particular thanks to DogFacedBoy, Bob, Specs_Beard, Stick and Mike_H for taking the time & trouble to make / give me special things they knew I'd like. Very sweet of you and much appreciated.

YTDS - you are a star for dropping me home, thank you so much!

A big thank you from Colin the landlord for your generosity in the collection: we raised £67 for Macmillan Nurses. Splendid!

Hope you all liked the new venue and are happy to make it our new home. Management are going to confirm what our regular night will be from November onwards (it's either the first or second Friday of every other month, they're not sure).

And finally... I took home a chopping board and a plate that didn't belong to the pub. Suspect they belong to Mr Law and Mr Faced-Boy respectively? Let me know! Will keep them safe for you.

See you sometime in November. Thanks again!
Hannah xxx

I missed Lenny's pie, but loved Bob's rillettes and Hannah's quadruple layer chocolate sponge. Then there was this beauty.

And I took away CDs from Adman, Rosbif, Paul Waring, JoLean and one whose author is unidentified. They'll be played in the office next week.

Cried bitter tears at missing it*

See you all in November

*Not really. I'm a grown man. But I had so much wanted to come and play.

I found little problem fighting off jet-lag until around 10:30. I had a very fine time and for the first time got a taste of Lenny's Pork PIe.

I grabbed a few cds, but didn't have time / organisational ability to burn the cd I had prepared before I went on holiday. So thanks to those whose discs I grabbed and to the person who gave me the Marina Hyde book which I greedily grabbed as soon as it came in. I can't remember who brought it though. Thanks anyway.

I'll burn my disc in good time for the next one.

I'm knackered now. I went home went to bed woke up around 3 and have been awake ever since. I feel tired, but can't sleep.

Thanks everyone. It was really enjoyable. I didn't get around to a slice of the clique cake though. Am I now a one-man clique?

...as always. Came back with a stack of CDs & lovely to meet some new faces and catch up with some familiar ones.

Apols for not being able to do a cover for my CD, no time, so if you picked it up sans tracklisting, let me know. Thank you for the comments on my CD from last mingle, but I suspect this one is slightly less interesting. Hope some enjoy it anyway & thanks for the goodies I picked up. Will look forward to listening.

Thanks to Hannah for the organising as ever, as well as our now-regular 'uke singalong'.

Coo, those people from the t'internet are nice, aren't they?

Another splendid evening in my book - and may I say I really like the new venue. I really enjoyed meeting familiar faces, as well as new ones like Francis B-W, Stick, Adman, itfc and others. I grabbed a load of swag, including The Exorcist (which is clearly a classic I ought to see) and Pitch Black (because, um, nobody else wanted it and it's got Radha Mitchell in it, who's really cute), and loads of lovingly curated CDs - although I'd somehow missed the memo about the Peace Love & Understanding theme.

There were no fights over the music playing on the PA, which was nice.

BTW, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a "sleeve notes" thread, where people can bung some info about the songs they put on their compilations, or ask questions about those they've picked up. I might start that anyway.

Roll on the next one...

I had a top night mingling.
Thanks everyone.

I had a top night mingling.
Thanks everyone.

See? So great I said it twice.

And met some lovely people. You were all as lovely as I thought you'd be, and made me feel like one of the gang from the get-go. I think I got to speak to most of you - those I missed...you don't know how lucky you were.

Big thanks to ganglesprocket for the parking space, to Hannah for organising the night, to DogFacedBoy for swag above and beyond the call of duty, to Bob and Lenny for pork-based products...

...and to the rest of you for your anecdotes, banter and general niceness.

I shall return.

Nice to see everyone again after missing the last few. Superb grub and I got some great swag. Thanks Rosbif for the lovely comp and Dog Faced Boy for Let it be. The other CDs I haven't identified who made them but ta anyway. And I'm 50 pages into the Nick Kent book already!

Shout out to Vorgon, Hannah, Twangothan, Lenny, YTDS, Richie B, Rosbif, Adman, Leedsboy, Captain Underpants, JoLean, Bob, Specs_Beard, Fraser L, Ndroid, Mike H, Ganglesprocket, Baskerville, Retroman, and anybody else I clattered into, whose names I've left floating at the bottom of a barrel of cider. Lovely to meet you all, see you at the next one.

just as things were getting going but needs must.

Many thanks to everyone who brought the goodies, I seemed to stagger out with a yet further defined stoop. Special thanks to DogFacedBoy for the Floyd and Hannah as always for organising (sorry I didn't get to say farewell).

The venue was fine and I'm looking forward to the next.

Au revoir for now

A great time. A nice space.Grrrrreat nosh. All you brilliant people..it was just so great to flit around, enjoying every single conversation I got involved in. The aladin's cave of music,vids and books will keep me busy and intrigued for some time to come...Until the next time, I'd imagine.
Big love to all of you and of course a special shout for Hannah, whose stewarding and pastoral care of first-timers typified the spirit of these things.
And though I'm grateful to everyone for all the swag, a special mention for Dog Faced Boy, who went to such tremendous lengths to bring treats for so many.

And Lenny, Jesus Lenny, that sauce is divine.

thanks to Retro for the last copy. I'm now a few tracks into the one with peas and sliced bread on the cover which is really good so far. Who compiled that one? I have to say, after what seems like years of buying new CDs and being disappointed I'm really quite excited by the thought of all this new (to me) music. JoLean, could you please post your track listing? Thanks again to everyone who took the trouble to compile discs.

"Peas, Loaf and Understanding" is mine

Was great to meet faces familiar and new. I hope that Adman will make it a regular trip down from the sticks and if he ever wants to do a gig or two in Oxford then maybe we can meet up

Thanks to everyone for all the food and yes Hannah, the plate was mine, I remembered it as I hit the A40. Bring it along next mingle and I'll have some more sweet treats to put on it

BIG BIG BIG congrats to Hannah for finding the perfect (and most perfectly historic) Mingle venue. Hope we can make it our regular haunt.

Mrs ganglesprocket very much would like to know your pie recipe!

I had a lovely splendid evening. Many thanks to all and sundry for pie, sausage rolls, cds and splendid company. Special shout out to Dog Faced Boy for a collection of stuff offered above and beyond the call of duty. I took the Monty Python DVDs and will happily pass them on at a future mingle once they've been watched as they really are too great and numerous to be hoarded by me.

Always a pleasure and joy to mingle with the massive. As ever special thanks to Hannah for organizing this stuff.

Last night it quickly became apparent the work which you put into these get-togethers. Thanks to all the cooks who provided beautifully. Will investigate my CD pile later, but DFB is a star for providing Let it be ...

If anyone has picked up a white cd with a basic printed off list of alt.country it's the U***t CD from their Sept 98 issue "Sounds of the New West." I was going to surreptitiously scan & print the cover at work. But the office manager always seemed to be near the printer...

Good to meet/catch up with other members of the Wordiverse.Long may you run. See you in November.

Great to meet a few more bloggers, Captain Underpants, Rosbif, Adman etc. And the chap who told me he'd only recently got into The Who Live at Leeds (cant remember your name buddy). Oh, and the lad whose name also escapes me and who will be at the Opeth gig in Brixton in November. Good to meet the one and only Andrew Harrison too, who shared some excellent insights on Ian McDonald, the Beatles and "Revolution in the Head".

I was particularly taken with Dogfacedboy's ACDC High Voltage shirt. If I ever take up pub darts, I'm definitely getting one of those.

The pub was a great choice too Hannah.

I left a burned AC/DC favourites CD somewhere. Whoever has it please enjoy and turn it right up. cos "Its a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll"!

Nice to meet Paul at long last. It was worth him making the journey down, if only for letting us see the Dukla Prague kit. I spent all night meaning to say Hello to Andrew Harrison. And kept forgetting because there was always someone else to talk to.

And I had a thick head this morning. Can't have been the sherry.

for making last night a marvellous evening. It was a rush for me to get there but immediately I was made welcome (although Lenny's pie and Bob's scratchings had disappeared).

It was great to meet Paul, Mr BigPicture, Adman, itfc1959, Stick and the others who all added up to a splendid evening. I was jealous of the Fino sherry quaffing - I'm not driving next time so I can join in. The evening ended particularly well as the small group of Red Guitars fans took control of the stereo for a blast of Good Technology.

Big round of applause for Hannah - not only does she organise these things but she also soundtracks the (assisted by Vorgongods dulcet tones).

And to Dogfacedboy for the very generous dvd donations - I left looking like a winner of Supermarket Sweep.

And Bob - your rillettes were the best a man could get.

See you all at the next one.

sends his apologies for not attending but he's got one of his heads deep enjoying one of the books that someone kindly donated

so I'll thank you on his behalf

And I'd like to thank everyone for their PL&U Cds and Mike_H for the Ivor Cutler, TMBG and Neil Innes "special stuff" and Vorgongod for the book.

I didn't have time to do a tracklist for my PL&U CD. Here it is:

Do You Love Me - Contours
Never Understand - Jesus And Mary Chain
Terrible Love (Alternate Version) - The National
Peace In The Valley - Dawes
I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
Atoms for Peace - Thom Yorke
Let Love Speak Up Itself (Jacqui Abbott vocal) - The Beautiful South
Dead in Love - Desert Sessions
Baby I Love You So Dub - King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
Straight A's In Love - Johnny Cash
State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam
La La Love You - Pixies
Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong - Radiohead
Understand My Heart - Steve Mason
Let's Fall Back In Love - Slow Club

Lovely to see everyone, as always.

Thanks to all for the food, wit, music, sparkling conversation and for Andrew Harrison's brave but misguided attempts to convert this confirmed prog rocker towards the benefits of disco. I seem to recall that, by the 3rd pint, I did have nice things to say about Donna Summer and Boney M, but it all remains hazy and conveniently deniable.

Thanks to the brilliant Hannah for another fun evening. Looking forward to the next one. I liked the venue too.

Although time does pass very quickly...there were still people I didn't have chance to chat to (including shamefully I missed the chance to talk to Andrew Harrison and Fraser) and all of a sudden, it's kicking out time!

What can I remember...? Well, great to meet Paul, Big Picture, ITFC and of course Adman (finally) amongst others for the first time!

Me and YTDS could witter away about extremely un-Word-friendly acts like March Violets, Gary Numan's Hairpiece and Adam Ant - and try to out do each other in our fumbling fan-boy meetings and near misses with Nina Persson, Claire Grogan and Toyah!

I'm pleased that my recommendation of the seafood pasta at Sjöbaren in Gothenburg went down so well with Richie, even if the nightclub afterwards wasn't as full of Agnetha from Abba lookalikes as he might have liked!

Great stash from Dave Dog Faced Boy again, I'm guessing yours was the TOTP Punk Rock special DVD, if so many thanks indeed!
Power Pop recommendations from Lenny as always and good to catch up with some of my Thames Valley Massive buddies MikeH, Vince and the lovely Leedsboy. Specs Beard and man of soup, good to talk more...and of course Hannah for arranging another great night - really liked the venue - tons of real ale and the room was the perfect size.

But also a very big thanks to everyone that offered kind words of support and enthusiasm for my first gig promotion errr...October 14th Half Moon Putney The Len Price 3 - the best live band around at the moment etc etc! Very much appreciate the support, so if anyone wants to get all negative about this Blog, the "Clique" or whatever it is, you can just fuck off 'cos you'll be hard pushed to find a more decent bunch of internet music nerds anywhere...!!

A bit blurred - Crapberry camera!

Ehhhhhh drum machine la

Nice smile Lee

Handsome boys. can't remember some names (glows with embarassment)

Gangle, Rosbif, Hannah, The Cap'n, with Fraser and Bob back left and Carl, pensive, right

Sinister look from Lenny. Joe's fixed smile as he prays I shut up about Little Feat

DFB and Jolene (cloth ears not in evidence)

The superbly names man.of.soup, Fraser, Adman, Bob

Damn, forgot to discuss "A Passion Play" with Baskerville Old Face (centre)

Ahhhh. Drakeygirl

I was actually thinking of posting an enormous list of Thanks in a separate thread, but what the heck, it can be bolted clumsily onto the end of this behemoth...

First and foremost, a great big pink-iced cake-shaped THANK YOU to the almost indecently wonderful Hannah. Not just for the obvious things like the work and commitment she's put into these affairs, nor just for her fantastic cakes. Personal thanks are also due for taking the time and trouble to put a neurotic middle-aged Indian bloke at ease, knowing he was nervous as hell (even though it was his second visit). Hannah, you are a princess amongst women. *plants kiss on Hannah's perfectly-formed cheek (left upper)*

Thanks also to (deep breath - oh, and no disrespect intended to anyone I've missed out):

- Vorgongod for recognising the nervous me outside the pub and waving greetings. Little gestures mean a lot to your average social coward...
- Bob for the Pop CD and the staggeringly great pork rilletes
- VincePacket (nice to meet you for the first time) for the pint
- Paul Waring (nice to.. etc.) for the Dukla Prague Away Kit
- Lenny for the dry sherry
- Ozmium for the drink and for being gloriously caddish
- everyone whose CDs I grabbed with sweaty hands
- anyone else I've forgotten in a haze of dry sherry and nerves
- actually, thanks to everyone. You were all marvellous. Yes, even YOU

Nice to meet yous are due to: itfc, Adman, Baskerville Old Face, and everyone else I've forgotten in a haze of... etc.

Apologies:
- Carl Parker for failing to recognise him from January. Carl, for some bizarre reason known only to psychology, I'd confused you and Rocker43 in my mind. Vast apologies to both
- Leedsboy and Rosbif for failing to have a long and worryingly obsessive conversation about 80s pop again. We need to rectify this. No, really - why are you running away...?
- Andrew Harrison, for ranting drunkenly about "Revolution In The Head". I seem to recall interrupting you a lot. Drink and nerves are to blame.
- Joe R for inspiring a look of terror on his face that I'm sure had a good cause somewhere

Any Other Business:
- a special vote of thanks to my younger, cleverer and funnier friend Juliet, who occasionally posts here as "indiejules84". She came to my rescue when I missed the last train and panicked like a teenager, and found me a later one on an alternative route that I'd failed to consider. On the minus side, I'm mortified. On the plus side, I can leave a bit later next time.

Thanks again to everyone for a great evening. I went on to have a very drunken weekend, that ended with me in a friend's kitchen at 2am this morning, dancing to 80s pop music with a gorgeous girl 20 years my junior. Today's been a bit of a blur.

You've all done a grand job. Give yourselves a round of applause.

join thread just when it's winding down, however echo all of the above; a fine venue and good company. I'll try and make the next one in time in time to taste the pie and stuff, but Rosbif's jam is bloody marvellous.

It looks like a mighty fine time was had by all.

Oh to live in the south again.

:-(

You lot make me sick.

I didn't go and I could have done. I woke up feeling rough as a badger's arse on Friday morning but needless to say by the time of the actual Mingle I was feeling OK. I wimped out.

So when's the next one? When?

...next mingle will be Friday 4th November (hopefully with special guest Mr Bisto), and then the first Friday of every other month (i.e. the mingle after will be January 6th... unless you think that's too soon after Christmas and we should skip to Feb? thoughts please...)

Hxxx

January will be fine. Can be an alt NYE party for those of us who hate the night itself

...probably OK for me, but is once every eight weeks a bit too often especially for those outside of the smoke? Would once every three months be better?

although it is recommended

as on the 11th I've got a date with the Ukrainians*

*not all of 'em just the band.

I'm in.

Until it all goes tits north

Might manage November, Mrs L's work shifts permitting.

GO, GO, GO!
Bi-monthly might be a bit hard on the old cashflow. But I'll just have to let my children go without something - like shoes - because dammit, the mingles are so much FUN.

and make it the first Friday every two and a half months. That'll make 5 a year, except every 5th year. Everyone happy with that?

(for the record, every 2 months makes sense to me; having missed the last one I feel I'll be the new boy once again at the next mingle, 6 months after my first)

and her cake is law. If people can do every 2 months then thats cool, we won't hoel it against them. Its just a bit of fun and a night out

SPLITTERS!!!!!

Apologies for semi hi-jacking this thread to relay a drinking message to DogFace, Retro and VincePacket but, just when I need to do something useful, Twitter twats about and won't let me send.

Yes, chaps, I am up for a minimingle in Holyport tomorrow. I'll be there.

Will try and respond to tweets later when Twitter gets its finger out it's arse.

Harrumph.

Ok I suggest The George on Holyport Green. As seen in a rare Monty Python special sketch for a pan Europe TV celebration, fact fans!

Is 7.30 too early \ late \ whatever?

Oh and if you want any bootleg stuff just ask for whatever and I'll knock it up tomorrow. Beezer - Mike_H gave me a recording of Innes from Half Moon Putney if you want that. And some Ivor Cutler Peel sessions