Brighton 2007 – The Original and Best Beano – By Greg Pearce

There are a few occasions that have gone down in Anson folklore: The time Hugh dyed his hair and denied it: When Alf took the catch to beat South Loughton and Psycho buying a drink. But the inaugural Beano still raises a smile from all who attended, to this day.

There are many massive fans of Only Fools and Horses in the Anson alumni and probably the most quoted episode in my time was The Jolly Boy’s Outing. Many is the occasion that we would plead for the barman to ‘make those lagers long and cool’ and exclaim at tea that ‘Hugh (Should be Denzil) is in charge of the sandwiches.’ Looking back, an Anson beano to Margate was a foregone conclusion, or not, as it turned out.

The best laid plans of the beano

Hugh had booked a coach for the proposed day trip and we had lots of people who said they were up for it but didn’t come through when push came to shove. So the day started with 9 of us in Fairlop carpark looking at each other for inspiration when Hugh had to send the coach away through lack of numbers. Anson, not for the first or last time, couldn’t put out 11.

Lots of ideas were notioned on how we should spend the day. I seem to remember what we came very close to spending the day going from pub to pub in the Fairlop area, until I said that my Vic had been at University in Brighton and I used to get the train there every other weekend. It was definitely doable for a day trip. Look out Brighton and lock up your daughters! (Alright Alan?)

Down to Brighton

So off we went into London to get the train to the coast for ‘our fill of jellied eels at a cockle stool.’

On the team sheet of 9 that day was: Lee and Paul opening the batting. Ian, his son Daniel, Neil ‘JPR’ Jones and Chris Zealey in the middle order. Leaving Taggs, Hugh, Redway and myself bringing up the rear. The dream team were on their way. We were finally off to ‘the pier, to have a beer aside of the sea.’

We all sat on the train chatting and laughing as slowly, the carriages became more packed. It was only when we were 2 stops from Brighton, that someone noticed that it was a sausage fest around us and there were very few women in the whole carriage. This added to the brightly coloured clothes and rainbow flags made us eventually realise that we were unknowingly going to Brighton for Pride. If anyone is wondering if this was my plan all along, give me a kiss and I’ll tell you the truth….

It would be very boring for me to recount the day for people who weren’t there but I have hazy memories of beautiful sunshine, Karaoke being sung to varying standards, seafood being eaten and talking to women dressed as cats. The elements that make up any good day out!

Last train to London

We left getting back to London until the last train that day and got separated in the carriage. Taggs was apart from the rest of us and was right next to the fight that meant that that the train was held at a station for what seemed like an eternity. I do however have very clear memories that a day of drinking had taken its toll on my bladder and with getting to the toilet, through a packed carriage of people an impossibility, I was in world of pain on a stationary train. Very frustrating!

It was at this point that JPR Jones had had enough of being pushed into an uncomfortable position for a long time and when someone turned to admonish him for knocking into him, Neil turned and gave the guy a tirade of expletives. It was very x-rated so if you want to know what he said, ask Lee. I couldn’t possibly put it in print!

As so often happens with true one offs, we tried to recreate it a few times in later years and had some really good days out. But, I think people that were on the first one would agree, the original was the best.

The best times are often the ones that you don’t plan.