WEC 2008

Hogsmill (Cops and Robbers)

Tyre interface

Muddy and solid

The Cops and Robbers theme turned out to have a constabulary bias as 5 cops (Earl Grey : Plain clothed detective?) out numbered a solitary robber. The cops took no time in arresting Alice Band (the said robber) as he was obviously guilty evidenced by his very suspicious robber like attire (probably too much evidence for most police officers).

Spinner was welcomed back after nursing injuries sustained on the Cotswold ride. The traditional plan to cross the Thames at Kingston (a bridge too far) and for the subsequent hack down the tow path to Hampton Court was reassessed due to threat of a down pour and a very late finish. A liaison was also planned at the curry house with a couple of WPvCs and it was thought the risk of arriving late for this momentous occasion was not worth taking particularly for the GM.

The ride was soon off from the Vic down towards Ewell. Spinner suffered the indignity of his truncheon slipping out! It proved so large and unwieldy that he had a struggle to keep it under control. It was suggested that it might be a good idea to do up his zip to help keep his weapon in position. The clearly did the trick in the nick of time as there was soon to be an encounter with the Epsom Allsorts in nonesuch park who threatened to take down our particulars. That would have been no time for truncheon slippage/exposure, the Allsorts can be a threatening bunch when they hang around parks in large groups.

After navigating the bridges and tunnels in Upper Mill Park the now unusual event of a group photo was indulged in. This was punctuated by Mr Munch recounting the story of him drilling holes in his helmet on the way home on the train, he then managed to empty the contents of his nose onto his boot (nice).

The Pork Pie stop was taken at Kingston on the banks of the Thames after some inspired navigation by Spinner. The trail home seemed to pass quickly and we were soon in Nonsuch Park again and then up towards Banstead via the golf course. Spinners chain decided to misbehave in on the golf course, but was soon reinstated and we arrived at the Woolpack at around 9:40. The extension of the ride back to Banstead meant that despite cutting parts of the ride at the Kingston end, we still clocked up 20 miles.

The curry house was booked for 10:15 planned for the meeting with the WPvCs. Even the promise of charming company could not entice Mr Munch and the Earl Grey to attend the curry house and they both reluctantly decided to call it a day. 4 grimesters attended to curry house in Banstead and waited eagerly for the WPvCs to arrive. After a commotion outside in Banstead High Street where the said WPvC uniforms were removed (in the street) because the guests were worried about entering the curry house with the uniform on (doesn’t make sense I know!) Liz and Sam made their appearance, without WPvC uniform. After much persuasion Liz agreed to put the WPvC dress back on. She proceeded to climb under the curry house table and use that, with the table cloth hiding her modesty, as a dressing room. This was the most imaginative use of a curry house table ever witnessed by the WEC, rivaling the time when Steve mislaid his gloves and the resulting table bashing tantrum simulated a small nuclear explosion with popadom fallout. After much rummaging under the table Liz appeared in full regalia and was soon handcuffed and arrested for impersonating a police officer. This didn’t last long as the dress proved too hot for her and was soon removed again.

The evening was brought to an end after a stimulating meal and much merriment.