North West Christmas Lunch 2013

15 Dec North West Christmas Lunch 2013

On Sunday 15th December, 27 North West and Northern club members gathered together for a WOC Christmas Lunch in Samlesbury Hall, near Preston in Lancashire.

It was a lovely meal with some good choices on offer, of creamy Bubble and Squeak soup, creamy Mushrooms or a warm Rocket salad with Pancetta, red onion and pine nuts, followed by the Roast Turkey and the rest of the Chef’s finest, 21 day old matured Beef topside with Rosemary infused potatoes or Steamed Hake in a Salmon Gravadlax sauce. No meal is complete without dessert and members were offered Christmas pudding and Brandy sauce, Cranachan or luxury Bread and Butter pudding. Indeed a great feast.

We dined in the 15th Century Great Hall within Samlesbury Hall, which today is usually used for weddings. In the Medieval and Tudor times it was used by the resident family for social entertaining. It was also used by the servants to sleep in. We didn’t see anyone juggling in the Minstrels gallery in the hall and we don’t think that anyone saw the legendary ghost White Lady either that lives there!

Samlesbury Hall is renowned as one of the most haunted locations in Britain. Resident spirits which include Dorothy Southworth, who died of a broken heart (the White Lady) has been seen on many occasions. It is said that the Great Hall has often been the place where strange things have happened, a slap to the back of a head, uncomfortable feelings by wedding guests, or the sight of a shadow passing.

Following the lunch, we took advantage of the free entry given to club members to have a look around the Hall. When we went outside to look at members Wolseleys later (four members had brought these plus an Austin), we found Father Christmas polishing one of them! What a jolly chap he was and a big thanks from his owner, our member. A great time was declared by all in lovely surroundings.