you still live in Staines Bob! (I used to play football on The Lammas, drink in The Bells and work in Halfords before the High Street was pedestrian by the way!) Great to hear about your day Bob, good luck with the job and the music the track you posted was great! I will make a mingle one day, one day........

Nice one Bob - no-one deserves it more.

See you soon fella - gentle shoulder charge and all that.

Yes tip top night and glad you've had such a good one!

Meant to tweet, well done on the new job, nice when you know somethings in the pipeline.

One day I'll make it to a mingle to say hello to you lot. Today was not ever a possibility though. Brassic is not the word after Crimbo.

there were times when I didn'r think I'd make it in tonight. Am so glad I did

Thanks to my Massive pals for caring about my silly old self and tonight was a blast. Hope to see you all again soon.

And if you took any of the gear I dumped then it was my pleasure, hope you enjoy.

Thanks as ever to Hannah for organising and being the spark that lit the Mingle flames across the world. And for the cake!!!!!!! And my Pet Shop Boys book.

Tedward might get a mention on the podcast and I nearly left him behind he was having so much fun. Big thumbs up to the Word staff for making it a different Mingle but with the same level of wittering and ribald humour.

I had a great time. I needed it! Was feeling incredibly wobbly yesterday with the stress of moving house... but the mingle cheered me right up. it was so lovely to see you all, the podcast was a hoot, and I adored the singalong later (regular feature of mingles from now on?)

lovely to meet new faces (must single out Colin H, you are the most enthusiastic person I have ever met. It was a complete pleasure). And special thanks to ytds for being sweet enough to drop me home. Much appreciated x

The singalong was great fun, the bring-and-fill-your-boots tables were crammed with amazing stuff (I'll be talking like a hipster soon so watch out) and the podcast recording was hugely entertaining. Thank you all.
And I'm glad you had a good day Bob, that's fab news about your job. Oh...yeah....and that music thing too :)

It was one of those occasions where everyone seemed in a particularly good mood and it really came across in the spirit of the evening.

As always, loads of people I didn't get a chance to speak to. It's really good to still see new faces after the number of these things Hannah has so kindly organised.

I'm looking forward to - and also kind of dreading - listening to that podcast. I don't know whether to be ashamed to not that my only ever contribution to a Word podcast (unless Fraser cuts it, which is more than likely) involves me shouting very loudly about Ke$ha

Sorry I couldn't be there - this job doesn't offer the same level of Bilko travel arrangements that the previous one did.

All best wishes to you all!

Congratulations Bob on all that great news.

All thoroughly deserved.

I'm looking forward to the Podcast with bated breath. Or halitosis.

Sorry to have missed all of you but will be there at the next one.

would keep me from mingling but last night I met up with my best friend from school that I hadn't seen for over eighteen years and we clicked straight away and chatted the whole night. She was responsible for me getting into the Pixies and loads of other music and we both came away from the meet up with massive beaming smiles.
I won't schedule our next meet up on the 27th January because I am definitely going to the Liverpool mingle so I hope it's as great as last night. Glad you all had fun.

I think I spent the whole evening talking about Vince Packet in the third person. This alter ego is really taking over my social life.

I had a hoot last night, and, as always, it was enormous fun catching up with you all.

It was fun to see the podcast getting filmed thanks to all at the Word for sharing that with us.

A special apology to Carol and Sheryl from Luton who I monopolised for a while mid-evening. I finally figured out I was boring them when I noticed they were clutching their coats and looking furtively at the door. Luckily, I moved on and saw them looking much more relaxed across the room later.

Lovely evening, thanks all.

Thanks to everyone for a great evening. It had the lot, including a live special 200th podcast (trade secret alert: they use Guinness, microphones, obscure Japanese musical instruments, and a hint of a script to achieve that all-over professional finish. And they normally do it all in a cupboard). That young guitarist was a bit nervous at the start but he got there in the end before he had to scoot off for another gig somewhere across London. I hope he doesn't give up his day job. Mr Hepworth kept the proceedings running along smoothly, ably assisted by a galaxy of personalities from the world of music and entertainment. We had cellists too. And a tambourine.

An enthusiastic Massive (what a great turn-out!) kept the podcast panel on their toes - the finished product should be good. Later in the evening, there was an outburst of musical talent over by the cake table with impromptu renderings by Massive members (or should I say members of the Massive?) of songs by Crowded House, The Clash, The Smiths, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, REM etc.). We all joined in.

I had lots of chats with lots of lovely people. There was even a two-headed teddy bear (I didn't drink much, honest) and loads of swag to be had. I bagged the Eagle Annual (No 3 from 1953) so many thanks to whoever brought that. So, a memorable evening and probably the best Mingle to date. No headache this morning - the birds are singing and the sky is...grey. All seems right with the world.

...and really good to see everyone, it felt like it had been a while.

Congrats too to Stick on the new job and Joe R for getting his article published. A really upbeat evening.

And surely Hannah's lemon drizzle cake is the most fun you can fit on a standard-sized napkin?

and thoroughly enjoyed the novel experience of attending a mingle and staying off the sauce. *makes Chubby Checker smug face*

The podcast recording was a giggle. I get the feeling my risible performance in the band Spelling Bee competition up against the mighty Colin H may not make the final cut.

The singalongs were fun - who knew the force of nature that is Vorgongod was such an impressive fiddler? I thought that was only a vicious rumour.

And what about man.of.soup.'s rather lovely performance of Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay? Ruined only by my atrociously unsubtle, wolf-whistled approximation of the melody line at the end.

Golden Boy Bob - you had a truly tremendous day and your happiness was radiating out of you.

Thanks for all the marvellous booty (particularly from the ever-generous DogFacedBoy) - I hoovered up a carrier bag full of books and CDs.

After all that excitement, and despite being at the train station in plenty of time, I somehow managed to miss my train (which I've never done after any of the other meet-ups). Obviously my homing beacon is only activated when my alcohol levels are topped up. But I caught the later train, and arrived home in the early hours, sleepy but happy.

Thank you, Massive. Can't wait for the next one.

This morning is one such time. so nice to see everyone - and as my only regret is not talking to more people...
Thanks to all-and congrats on everything Bob!

(Off now to listen to musical swag from evening.)

Great news abounded. People who were once facing a hard time suddenly had good news to share. Hair was ruffled. Beer and sherry (thanks to Lenny) was drunk. Hannah's cake was, as ever, devoured. Several instruments were played, including a very cheeky number by Twangothan. I enjoyed watching the podcast take shape, and it reminded me that I need to work out how Juice works so I can actually hear them sometime. Perhaps this will not be the last "live" podcast. I sincerely hope not.

Next time, given the amount of talented cellists and violinists there I expect an ELO hour.*

Now, has anyone seen the Liver Salts?

*God, I hope not.

We raised £104.84 for Macmillan nurses. Brilliant! Best we've done yet. Thank you for your generosity xxx

Sounds like it was a wonderful evening, look forward to hearing the podcast when it's out, one day I may make a mingle.

Congrats on the job and cello brilliance (and the record deal).

Sounds like I missed a stormer. Will await the podcast with bated breath and will definitely be at the next one.

it was a lot of fun. As ever I never got round to speaking to more a fraction of the people there. Saw some new faces that I got introduced to. Saw some new faces I didn't get introduced to, so come back next time and we'll talk.

I had to leave early as I was feeling dead on my feet - due to an urban fox waking me up in the early hours and then not getting back to sleep.

The podcast recordings flew by. The outtakes of Mark Ellen's intro will no doubt become as legendary as the Bob Dylan Live Aid rehearsal.

I'll do another cheesecake for the next one and bring paper plates and plastic cutlery.

That was a fantastic way to go out with a bang before the diet starts on Monday. That's a very odd picture of me above looking for inspiration from the heavens! Thanks to Hannah and the Word crew for setting up such a great experience.

Have to take my hat off to the ladies from Luton who stuck steadfastly to their belief that there was no mandolin in Steve Harley's "Come up and see me". I checked the recording at around 2AM and wouldn't you know it, some bugger had edited the mandolin out!

On another note of coincidence, when I arrived home there was a compilation of 1970's Old Grey Whistle Test on BCC4. Podcast favourite "Cher" was there with her husband Greg Allman. What are the chances of that happening?

PS. Drakeygirl was trying to convince me on twitter last night that I had sung a Rolf Harris song in the sacred temple of Dylan. The very thought! What's that girl on?

Thanks to Hannah for organising, good luck with the move next week. I drove back this morning listening to the excellent Lennys Power Pop CD, none of which I was familiar with. Glad to put a few more faces to names, see you in March, work permitting. Must revise some popular song lyrics before then.
PS. My daughter was interested to see the pictures as she finds everyone's blog names amusing but she was dissapointed that Dog Faced Boy wasn't pictured as that is her favourite blog name. Can anyone make an eight year old happy and point me to a picture of Mr Boy for her viewing pleasure?

Thanks to everybody, Hannah and the Word editorial in particular, for throwing what must shurely be the best London Mingle ever so far.

Thanks to Hannah for the lemons, Vorgon for the fine fiddling, YTDS for the lift, and DFB et al for the booty. I'm also betting the person who left a copy of 'Eat, Pray, Love' (a sequel to 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves?') also tried to palm off 'Healing Crystals' on us. I shall shortly be conducting a New-Age hunt among the Massive, armed with an aromatherapy candle and a copy of The Alchemist.

Last night also confirms a pet theory of mine, which is: moreoften than not, the happier time you've had, the gentler one's hangover.

with both the podcast and the tunes adding to the usual fare of cake, chatter and indeed, chattels. It was good to catch up with old and new faces and howl discordantly without shame. What's more, all my bacon and olive puff pastry bites went so they couldn't have been too bad.

Many thanks to Hannah for the organisation as always - good luck with your house move.

See you at the next one.

had a great time. All being well and fingers crossed I'll be there for the next but one mingle. March is out unfortunately. In the meantime I look forward to hearing more stories and seeing more pics from last night.

Congratulations to Bob, especially the job news. Music contracts are all well and good, but not generally as effective at paying the mortgage.

Also, good luck to Hannah for the house move. I'm sure it will all be fine.

Having put my Taurean head down and charged through my usual attack of pre-match nerves, I had a fantastic evening. Many thanks to all concerned - you know who you are. What a fine bunch of people.

Thanks to the Word staff for the excellent podcast shenanigans, too. My respect for Greg Allman and Cher has risen sevenfold after last night.

Special thanks to Carol from Luton (who I must confess I've known for some time, as we were psych-obsessed M*j* penpals in a former life), also to Carol's mate Sheryl. Both lovely, despite looking slightly unnerved by the whole business (or was that just while I was talking to them?).

Also great to meet the mighty Colin H - apologies not to speak to you more, and for not really "getting" the Mahavishnu Orchestra. To paraphrase the German musicologist confronted with the early Pink Floyd on live TV in 1967: "maybe it's my fault that I don't appreciate them"...

Bob - many congratulations on your good news(es). I look forward to you and KatyG checking into the Priory with "exhaustion" sometime in the New Year.

Note to JoeR: not only does my mate Juliet actually exist, we even managed to bump into each other on the last train home from Charing Cross. Bizarre...

Apologies for not boring the pants off even more of you last night, but sadly there wasn't time. But I'll be back... *cackles evilly*

Mine are:

The news that I was in the room where Bob Dylan once stood in the early 60s.

Meeting Colin who studied history at Queen's Univ, Belfast roughly the same time as me. It really is a small world sometimes.

Colin and Drakeygirl's performances on the spelling test.

The impromptu rendition of Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees" by the lads in the corner on fiddle and guitar. My eyes filled up at once stage (that might have been the beer of course)

That performance of the Rolf Harris number. Words fail me. Does Martin paint things in 5 mins too?

The improvisation of the middle section of The Beatles "A Day in the Life". As Rosanna Arquette said in Pulp Fiction when they revived Uma Thurman "that was f**kin trippy man!"

Talking to a nice blonde lady who was part of Mike 70s Johnson's party. And chatting to the delightful Kate Mossman albeit all too briefly.

And I picked up a Mark Kermode book about movies. One for the bus.

Kind regards all and see you next time.

The singalong section was really something.

The podcast is up now - thanks to everyone who took part, and to everyone else for being such a good audience. I've done a wee bit of tidying up, but for the most part I've left things as they were.

that it's best for moments like these to exist simply in the collective memory, so the warm glow of the shared experience can grow and mature whenever two or three are gathered in fond reminiscence... but I say, nah.

If you weren't there: Martin Simmonds on ukelele; Bob, guitar; Twangothan on harp; Lenny on mandolin, Vorgongod on half a violin. Richie B does DITL and that's man.of.soup getting dog-bothering 'help' from Drakeygirl. Stirling tambourine work by Stick, off screen.

rock music fan bloggers get drunk in West End pubs and generally rip this place up. it surely beats the X Factor.

just to prove I was there when history was made

the last line is a request by Sinead O'Connor

BTW did anyone pick up the Gillian Welch DVDs I made for last night? I'm not sure if I took them with me or they got lost en route.

was thinking they might have been a figment of my fevered imagination.
Enjoy

You look like you're having the best time anyone's ever had in a pub. Ever. And you're all the faces to familiar & friendly names.

I so wish I'd been there.

Thanks for the brilliant photos, comments & video.

I have read the comments .

Viewed the photos .

Watched the video .

and listened to the music .

And all I can say" you lot appear to be a bunch of retrobates and scoundrels " aka my kinda people !

...and what a splendid time I had: really terrific to meet several 'new' people and see again the couple of Wordies I'd met before - the indefatigable Twang, the cheeky chubbster Drakey... I'm only sorry that I didn't have time to speak, or to speak at more length, with more people - brief chats with Hannah, Phil, Soupy, Katy, Rocker43 et al are simply not enough! I'm particularly sorry I never got to properly finish EVEN an exchange of pleasantries with Stick (interrupted by a podcast starting, I think, and then distracted - albeit very pleasantly - later on by long chats with others). Sorry Stick!

As Rocker43 says, it does indeed seem our paths intertwined in the 80s at university. But I was more in awe of the fact that, as a man from Ballymena (the 'Newcastle On Tyne of Ulster'), his diction was uncharacteristically exemplary! Undoubtedly, all that classic literature consumption has paid off! :-D

And Bob... who would have thought the Bobster, the Word blog's ruthless scourge of mediocrity, would be so jolly! A revelation! (And hearty congrats on the job front, Bob)

Hannah - I cannot possibly be the most enthusiastic fellow you've met, but your lemon drizzle cake is unquestionably the best I've met. Carol From Luton was horrified to have somehow missed out on a piece!

Incidentally... as she can't speak for herself (being determined to keep her user name secret for some reason), Carol wanted to say how terrific it was to chat with the Soupmeister (of course!), Martin Simmonds and Vince Packet - and how Vince Packet was IN NO WAY boring! And also to say how blown away she is by Five-Centres' compilation CD - we were playing it in her car today and I can promise you I've never seen her SO excited (ditto Sheryl, though Quiet Little Sheryl being excited is hard for the casual observer to be sure of!) - discovering so much music of her fave era that she'd never heard (of) before. This is all so mmuch better considering that Carol still hasn't quite got over being compared to "waiting for a bus on a wet Wednesday in 1973" by Five-Centres several months ago! [One of THE great blog moments, in my view!]...

I had a very nice time talking to Mr & Mrs Seventies Johnson and Kate M towards the end of the evening, and ta muchly for the beer, Fraser.

Truly, the Word is 'the Fairport Convention of music magazines - an institution that will be sustained in perpetuity by its fans'. It may try to split-up due to publishing differences, David Hepworth solo projects or Seventies Mike leaving to join Jethro Tull, but the fervour of the Massive has, I think, taken on a life of its own: there will be reunion podcasts, revival-issues of Word and live tours (joined occasionally for guest spots by original members like Jude Rogers and Andrew Collins) for at least the nest 30 years I suspect... in which space of time Mark Ellen WILL master that fingerstyle intro!

Anyway, hats off to Hannah for putting all the effort in!

you can wear a U2 T shirt to a mingle without being booted from the premises. Although it was such an avant garde design that probably no none notice Bono's cheeky grin.

would love to have been there.
Many congratulations to Bob (and Katy) and I'm looking forward to the podcast
So how many MO CDs did you manage to shift Colin?

I am still in Germany having perfected my *nod, smile politely, agree* expression on many in laws which I have never met before, and feeling deep pangs of jealousy at you all...

Looks like I missed a cracker. Oh well...

Congrats - good news. Still in education I take it (hope)?

...I'd failed an exam for a new job: 99% in one part, 29% in another. If I'd scored around 40% in both I'd have been laughing. Story of my life, really!

but it was through your good self that I was introduced to the MO, the jury is still out on John Mc & his mates but I haven`t given up on them.

I hope things get better on the job front, I`ve been there myself.

And to all you reprobates who attended the mingle sounds like a good time was had by all, maybe one day I`ll make the trip down to the 1st city but I look forward to meeting some of you in the `Pool end of Jan.

A visit from Bob the Terrifying has become my threat of choice when trying to get the Aged P settled for the night..."Go to sleep! Or Bob the Terrifying will get pedantic on yo boney ass"
Glad you all rocked da joint. I'm going to have to start a Get the Squeezers to that London saving fund.

is quite obviously guaranteed for all at these mingle thingies. Sounds like you had a blast. Great stuff Bob! Too bad Colin! Nice instrument Vorgon! Best of luck Hannah!

Meet some of you sometime.