Aunt Sally at the Fox and Hounds

Aunt Sally at the Fox and Hounds

As summer gets closer the weekly Aunt Sally tournaments have been reinstated at the Fox and Hounds.

Come along every Thursday evening (weather permitting) to the beer garden at the Fox and Hounds for a few rounds of stick throwing and a few rounds of beers!

Read more about the Fox and Hounds

A few photos of previous Aunt Sally events

Aunt Sally at The Fox & Hounds – photos

Aunt Sally at The Fox & Hounds - photos

The weather didn’t deter us hardy villagers from turning out to join in the fun of playing the now traditional August Bank Holiday Monday game of Aunt Sally at The Fox & Hounds. Contestants came in all ages (2 and upwards) and nationalities (Slovakian, Folksworthian to name just a couple) and the new pitch layout proved a great success as there were several ‘oooohhhhs’ and ‘aaaahhhhs’ as dolly legitimately hit the dust (soggy grass). A hushed whisper went round the crowd when Michael produced his own set of ‘sticks’ from a shopping bag… but we soon realised they weren’t magic ones after all.

Yummy feast

The mid-game break was a yummy feast as several people had been very busy making a variety of pies and sandwiches. Lesley Alexander’s ‘Breakfast Pie’ with quails eggs and Julie Trolove’s Fidget pie were delicious – as I’m sure were all the other goodies on offer.

And this year’s winner…

So, onto the final scores and I’m especially delighted to announce the winner of this year’s trophy is… da dah… Paul Crank! Paul also received the bottle of bubbly stuff and, as is customary, a kiss from the bubbly stuff sponsor’s wife.

Thank you very much to Michael, The Fox & Hounds and all of the contributors to a great afternoon.

Aunt Sally and Pork Pies

Aunt Sally and  Pork Pies

August 25th 2pm Gidding Time @ the pub

The Annual August Bank Holiday Aunt Sally Tournament

Its back, the tournament you can’t say no to. Monday August 25th sees the annual Aunt Sally Tournament starting at 2pm Great Gidding time. This is in addition to the regular Thursday evening game which has been extended from its original 8 week run to the end of August. Three things of note, that  the weather has been quite summery, we now have some regular players and the skill level is still woeful. There are occasional glimmers of fine play but these are usually short lived.

My thanks to Ian Alexander for taking on the game for the rest of the summer and our hosts at the Fox & Hounds for allowing such a silly game to be played.

If anyone would like to sponsor this event, I’m sure we can find a suitable category to place your donation.

This year the food theme is Pork Pies. Currently patrons of the Fox & Hounds are researching quality Pork Pies and the Aunt Sally Tournament is an ideal event to expand the research so if you have a favourite Pork Pie either bought or home made then bring it along for a taste test,  actually any pie will be warmly  welcome  Game, Vegetarian or  Sausage.

 

Previously……….

Time-lapse video of Aunt Sally at the Fox and Hounds

Time-lapse video of Aunt Sally at the Fox and Hounds

Some of you may have noticed grown men (and women) disappearing out of the back of the Fox and Hounds on a Thursday night. Well here’s what’s been going on…

Quite disappointing really!

Thanks to Michael for organising and for the time-lapse footage and to the Fox and Hounds for hosting.

PS. The Giddings now has a YouTube channel. If anyone has Giddings related video and want to share it then email Paul and he’ll give you login details (and instructions if needed).

Great Gidding Aunt Sally Tournament 2013 – photos

Great Gidding Aunt Sally Tournament 2013 – photos

The 2013 Great Gidding Aunt Sally Tournament on August Bank Holiday was blessed with fine weather and a good crowd. Michael organised a well run event with six throws per person per round and six rounds in all. A good turnout meant there was plenty of time between throws for a chat and catching up with village gossip. And Chris at the Fox and Hounds ensured we were topped up with drinks and a selection of sandwiches. There was a real competitive spirit throughout the afternoon as most people didn’t want to take the ‘Marmite Challenge’ – an extra element added by Michael at several points during the tournament for the worst throw/silliest moment/hopeless cause!

…We’d all like to say a BIG thank you to Michael for organising such a fun afternoon.

A message from the organiser…

Thank you everyone for your support. A worthy winner and runner up, Mathew and Adam. Thank you Calum and Patrick for keeping the scoreboard updated, Paul and Krystyna for the sponsorship fizz and Chris at the Fox and Hounds for some excellent sandwiches and finally thanks for the Met Office for a correct weather forecast.

Regards Michael.

Gidding win prestigious trophy

Gidding win prestigious trophy

The Olympic feel good factor rumbles on

Team Gidding competed in a three team, three “sports” challenge at the recent Winwick Garden Fete.  A competition based on Aunt Sally, Northamptonshire Table Skittles and 9 pin Outdoor Bowling on tricky terrain. The rules were sort of agreed and each team, Winwick, Hamerton and Great Gidding commenced battle. At the the final count Gidding had more points mostly by being able to hit the doll in Aunt Sally although the smugness was nearly wiped off when  a later arrival (who will be known as Mrs S) for the Hamerton team hit the doll on the first three throws having never seen or played the game.

We have named the trophy Call me “Dave” in solidarity with all the Dave’s and David’s that live in Winwick. We hope you had a good fete and there will be an opportunity to win back “Dave” in the near future.

 

Team L to R Michael Trolove, Brian Ramsden, Louis from Belgian and Sue Shepherd

Team L to R Michael Trolove, Brian Ramsden, Louis from Belgium and Sue Shepherd

Aunt Sally Tournament

Aunt Sally Tournament

Back by popular demand

August Bank Holiday sees the return of the popular Aunt Sally Tournament which will be held at the Fox & Hounds, Great Gidding.

The projected start time will be 2pm and the format and rules will be similar to the 2011 event. Last year we didn’t bother because of the relentless wet and then the highly successful Olympic games got in the way.

Further updates will follow and we will have a practice evening soon.

If any one would like to sponsor the event with a bottle of fizz for the winner  then please let me know.

Last time !

 

Aunt Sally competition - August bank holiday 2011

The previous winner Dave Barrett-Hague receiving the trophy and goodies from tournament organiser Michael Trolove

 

Aunt Sally Evening

Aunt Sally Evening

Aunt Sally

The outdoor pub game is back at the Fox & Hounds on Wednesday 11th July. This will be a warm up evening so everyone welcome to come and have a go. The caveat is that it is weather related and given the miserable summer so far, well we can only hope for a dry evening. The pitch will be set up for a 7.30pm start but Gidding time will take preference.