DAGS BOOK

The web needs to know, so here is a hasty record of this event for posterity.

Location - The Ambassador Bar and Grill, Exmouth Market

Attended by - Mike Leahy, Tom Wright, Mark Beasley, Richard Collyer, Jonathan Banks, David Keig, Bob Luker, John Williams, Mike McLaughlin (aka 'McPac'), Richard Tolley, Adrian Shaw.

Apologies were received from - Ian Buchan, Sally Marsden, Rachael Mills, Paul Tory, Steve Wilks

Vague and lacking in social networking skills - Richard Nall, Richard Ames

Blackballed from future events - Graham Swales (booked, failed to show up, no communication)

Budget - Exceeded by at least 100% due to (a) inability of Senior Dag present to contemplate eating off the set menu, (b) extreme thirst of most of those present.

Once again, it was Oxford v Cambridge at the hallowed turf of Twickenham on December 11th 2008. While numbers were down from the original 35 or so, there were still around 15 able and willing to meet at the Eel Pie pub for four or five pints of refreshing ale,before taking their places in time for the National Anthem. A surprisingly entertaining game saw Oxford win. Afterwards, drinks and a meal were enjoyed at the Tapas y Vino, Twickenham.
Present: David Keig, Jonathan Banks, Graham Swales, Mark Beasley, Mike Leahy, Richard Tolley, Bob Luker, Mike Morgan, Rachael Mills, Inger Cessford, Nick Hewison, Adrian Shaw, Alan Allan,

Ian Buchan, erstwhile expatriate Dagmeister,entered the UK recently under cover of darkness on a brief UK tour. A lunch was held in his honour on Friday 12th September, hosted by his Excellency Thomas K. Wright, Deputy-Dagmeister.

Although surprised that no slave labour was available to park his car or carry him into the restaurant, Ian was otherwise in his usual rude - and I choose my words carefully as ever - health. His recent heart scare seemed no more than a distant memory as he engaged - heartily - with cholesotrol, caffeine and alcohol.

Those in attendance were: Ian Buchan (Dagmeister), Tom Wright (Deputy Dagmeister), Richard Nall (military advisor), Rachael Mills (token woman), Stephen B. Wilks and Mark Beasley.

We also learned of two important news items regarding Richard Collyer and Nigel Guthrie, both of whom were due to get married the following week. (No not to each other). Nigel apparently commented that he was not so much gaining a wife as losing a desk. Our congratulations go out to both of them.

We were also reminded of Richard Tolley, currently cycling 4000 miles across the USA in an extreme manifestation of midlife foolishness. Richard had just checked into his low rent motel room in Dogshit, Nebraska, after a gruelling day cycling in 100 degree heat across a desert. Turning on the television, he started to apply an ice pack to his red raw gonads, as Tom Wright loomed into view on the screen, applauding wildly at the Olympics. Commented Tolley: is there no escape?

A trip is being planned to the Varsity Match (December 11th). Contact Mark Beasley or Mike Leahy for further information.

Officially launched on St George's Day, the theme for DAGS 2008 was England - 'this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England'.

And what better part of England to choose than Oxford, that garden of earthly delights, that city of dreaming spires, this other eden. With Mike Leahy (MA Oxon - Classics & Vintage Cheddar) as official guide, and with Tom Wright CBE's expertise and resources to draw upon, we were guaranteed to see parts of Oxford hitherto denied to mere mortals.

Here's a brief summary of events, to remind those who were there.

* Date: Thursday 3rd July, 2008
* Attendees: Mike Leahy, David Keig, Mark Beasley, Tom Wright, Sally Marsden, Rachael Barnes, Bob Luker and Mike Morgan
* Morning and Afternoon: Cricket at The Parks, Oxford University's scenic sports ground, where it was the third day of the four-day Varsity Match. This was the very apotheosis of an English summer day - the sound of willow on leather, the sight of clean-limbed young chaps, the smell of freshly-mown grass, and the artistry of Keigy blagging us all into the Barclays Bank Hospitality Tent
* Lunchtime: A brief tour of Old Oxford was followed by the frenzied consumption of traditional ales in a picturesque old pub known only to Inspector Morse, Mike Leahy and members of Boris Johnson's Dining Club
* Early evening saw us all punting on the river. An exhausting and inept journey upstream took us (eventually) to the Victoria Arms, via various bushes, trees and near-death experiences. The further frenzied consumption of local ales saw us returning in an even worse state. Mike is rumoured to have represented Oxford at this highly competitive and surprisingly dangerous sport - however, there is no chance of similar representative honours for Messrs. Keig or Beasley. The latter emerged covered in brown water and pondweed, but what was more, he was a man my son.
* Having returned what was left of the punts, we moved next door to Dinner at the Cherwell Boathouse restaurant, where Keigy gave the kitchen and waiting staff a Master Class in cheese. We won't be back any time soon...
* After drinking far too many pints in a nearby pub until some time after midnight, we eventually weaved our way unsteadily to our student accommodation in Lady Margaret Hall, emerging blearliy and windily for breakfast with what seemed like 200 female cast members of High School Musical, here on a course.

There are photos on this blog, if you look hard enough (i.e. sorry about lack of technical expertise).

Date: Tuesday September 18th, 2007

Location: The Ambassador, Exmouth Market, London EC1

Event: A dinner to celebrate the recent achievement of Tom Wright, CBE

In attendance: Tom Wright (Guest of Honour), Mike Leahy, Mark Beasley, Inger Cessford, Sally Marsden, Bob Luker, Jonathan Banks, Steve Wilks, Neil Jardine, Richard Nall, Paul Tory, Rachael Mills, David Keig, Alan Bishop, Richard Collyer, Graham Swales, Esther Jackson (p/t).

Apologies were received from: Ian Buchan, Richard Ames and Jane Stephens.

Activities: After an extensive drinks reception, featuring some revolting Anchor cockails, wine was taken, washed down with a meal. Speeches followed. Mark Beasley thanked Mike Leahy for organising the event, and launched into an extensive eulogy about Tom, which was as witty as it was moving. Tom thanked everyone for attending and gave various insights into his life and career, which must remain confidental for the time being. More wine was drunk and various people left, returning later to collect their briefcases and laptops.