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Next TOAD
Meeting
22 March 2003
Photos
October 2002
April
2002
Members
The Lamb Pub
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The TOADS |
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A great night
Ten Toads venture through London's rain
sodden streets for another classic get
together. Three surprise visitors -
one from Canada, one from Oxford and one
from Cambridge.
See the pictures
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TOAD flies in from Canada
No-one knew he was coming. He
arrived from Canada in the morning and
was the first to arrive at the pub.
(28-10-02)
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Toads Meet Again
Colin Hales, Titch Blake, Averil
Parkinson, Pete Currell, Pauline West,
Ron Moss, John Sparks, Pate Sage, Dick
Birch and Lynn Pemberton; a few beers,
an Italian meal and a lot of nostalgia
(26-10-02)
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Hales utters
Love the photos: very cinema verite. Time was, of course, that
the only person who could have done full Technicolor justice to
the blood and guts of a TOADS evening was Sam Peckinpah. No doubt
you will have seen his classics: TOADS of Iron, Straw TOADS, The
Wild TOADS, A Fistful of TOADS and The Good, the Bad and the TOADS
(or was that Enrico Moreone?) Good to see so many new-old faces
wasn't it? Pete Currell seemed particularly chuffed to see us all
again. Mind you, some faces were older than others. I dunno what
Averil is on but it should be available across the counter at
pharmacists everywhere. She looked not a jot over 25. Maybe some
of us have been ageing for the rest.....
All the best Colin
Letter from America
Chris Vine writes
Hey Ron!
Good to hear from you. I love the pictures of the guys and gals -
made my day. (What a handsome bunch!) I don't get back to the old
country that often - but a Christmas trip is usually a fixture
(the aged mother is living in Kings Langley). So ... if you
have anything planned around that time I'd love to join you
(Toads' Executive permitting)! I'll let you know if any other
trips crop up .... and if any of you guys is ever headed Stateside
... say the word. Pass my greetings along.
Cheers
Chris
Bastion of Male Supremacy Falls
It had to happen one day. When the MCC
finally relented and admitted females into the Long Room at Lords
the death knell was sounded. The TOADS, always renown for
their progressive and pragmatic views, were sure to succumb one
day. It happened on Friday 12th April 2002 at the Lamb in
Lamb Conduit Street London. The traditional Easter Toad gathering
was this year joined by two 'TOADETTES' An undisclosed TOAD
source commented that the trauma had passed really without event.
Early concerns over the adequacy of lavatories proved to be
unfounded. It was, however, noted that the two ladies were
not seen drinking any alcohol in the Lamb. The conjecture
was that they found it necessary to keep their faculties clear,
recognizing as they did, the singular historic importance of
this first female appearance. (First appearance of a female
was subject to debate but it was ruled that stripping policewomen,
cake-girls and strip-o-grams did not count). The occasion
was certainly enhanced by their attendance
Toad Photos - click
here
Informal Toads Meeting October 2001
Richard Blake, Geoff Gaunt, Colin Hales, Bob
Codling. (That's Ron taking the picture)
The Old Apslyans Drinking Society. It was formed in 1966
at the time when everyone was at Uni or starting work. The
inaugural meetings took place at Easter, Christmas and in the
summer break. Early venues included The George, The White
Horse and The Plough. There always has been a total absence
of females. This was not by design just no-one thought to
ask them! You have to remember, as well, that back in the
dark sixties women were not as emancipated as they are
today. What a revolution! Apart from anything else the
thought of a beery debauched evening in sleazy pubs just did not
appeal to the fairer sex.
The TOADS are still going albeit low key and infrequent.
The driving forces behind the continuing TOADS are Colin Hales and
Titch Blake. There is an annual Christmas get together at a
pub in London and Colin circulates a monologue with his Christmas
Cards in typical TOAD fashion. Colin Hales and
Richard Blake tend to be the driving forces.
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