RESTORATION DAY; APRIL 26TH 2008

Restoration Day is the name that's been given to the anniversary of the Harvey's returning to the Lewes Arms - which has a nice ring to it. How to celebrate this first auspicious occasion? Happily Adam Frost came up with a winner. The first announcement can be read below; highlights of the race can be seen above. The final verdict was a win for the blues - but objections have already been lodged by the reds, calling for the verdict to be annulled. More news as it happens. All in all, it was hilarious and full of the joys of spring. It helped that it was the first really warm day of the year. Perfect weather. A beautiful day.

THE OLD & BITTER UPHILL WELTERWEIGHT RELAY.

DATE: RESTORATION DAY - SATURDAY 26TH APRIL

TWO TEAMS OF 8 (OR 11 OR HOWEVER MANY FANCY IT)

BLUE TEAM = BEST BITTER DRINKERS & CARRY PINT OF SAME.

RED TEAM = OLD ALE DRINKERS & CARRY PINT OF SAME.

OBJECT: TO PASS A PINT FROM PLAYER TO PLAYER FROM HARVEYS BREWERY TO THE LEWES ARMS IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME WHILST SPILLING THE LEAST AMOUNT OF LIQUID.

METHOD:PLAYER (A) PASSES PINT TO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HIM (PLAYER B) & THEN RUNS TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. PLAYER B THEN PASSES PINT TO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HIM (PLAYER C) & THEN RUNS TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. ETC. ETC. AD INFINITUM.

ON REACHING THE FINISHING LINE, WHAT REMAINS OF THE PINT IS MEASURED (PROBABLY IN FLUID OUNCES) & THE TIME RECORDED (PROBABLY IN SECONDS). THE TIME IS DIVIDED BY THE WEIGHT TO GIVE THE BEER/TIME/SPILLAGE INDEX (I'M SURE WE CAN COME UP WITH A SUITABLE ACRONYM).

E.G. TEAM A = 10 MINS 36 SECS (636 SECS) DIVIDED BY 14.3 OZ = 44.47 BTSI. TEAM B = 11 MINS 18 SECS (678 SECS) DIVIDED BY 16.6 OZ = 40.84 BTSI.

LOWEST BTSI WINS!

IT'S NOT JUST SPEED THAT COUNTS - STEADY HANDS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS QUICK FEET!

CLUMSY PLAYERS ARE A LIABILITY .'. NO TEAM WITH SMILEY IN, CAN EVER WIN THIS EVENT! (BEST MAKE HIM TIMEKEEPER OR SOMETHING)

AN ENORMOUS GOLDEN CHALICE ENCRUSTED WITH PRECIOUS STONES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNING TEAM.

PROBABLY.

See Roz South's excellent portfolio of shots of this event here

RESTORATION DAY 2; THE TORCHLIT MARCH

Later in the evening, a torchlight march from outside the Lewes Arms, round the mound and back again, by a crowd of people who had given a donation to charity for the privilege of taking part. 'Sussex By The Sea' and other songs were sung vigorously and much fun was had by all. Having been round once, the cry went up - "shall we do it again" - and off everybody went once more. Afterwards we all repaired to the bar and the merriment went on until the wee hours. A great way to mark an important anniversary. Thanks to Vincent van Crink (bottom) for making it all happen so successfully.