Season's Eatings at ESC Christmas Lunch

Published 18:48 on 14 Dec 2025

It's the most wine-derful time of the year & we've had a turke-ley wonderful Christmas dinner today so big sprout-out to all our members who cooked, decorated, came and supplied bundles of Christmas cheer.

The club was aglow with fairy lights, tinsel and all manner of Santa themed décor thanks to the elves who were down decorating yesterday (they're definitely on the nice list this year).

Kicking off with mulled wine which, after a cheeky dip by the lid, was almost as toasty as the atmosphere in the club, it was on to the chaos/cooking. With dishes coming from far and wide from every corner of Ely, it was like a ballet (... Or school nativity) watching everything come together.

So, we were ready... Turkey, sprouts, Yorkshires, stuffing, roast tatoes, parsnips, cabbage, carrots and of course pigs in blankets. No peas though - sorry to those who believe in peas at Christmas (the organiser of the food list not being one of them, clearly...)

Stuffed and happy with our cracker winnings (particularly the whistle winners), we were on to dessert. Christmas pudding for the traditionalists, trifle for the inbetweeies and cheesecake and profiteroles for the sweet believers.

And then, the quiz. In answer to the film based trivia, apparently some of us need a prolonged film night education session but it was team orange of Pauline, Rob, Charlie & Glenn taking home their winnings of extra raffle strips.

Ah, the raffle - where you can regift all those things you've been saving all year. Although this year, there was a stunning homemade hat & bag among the treasurers (not a jar of jam in sight in contrast to last year!) along with some genuinely desirable prizes. Tea, coffee and drinks ahand, off we went. There was much excitement that some struggled to stay in their chair for the event, taking a graceful slide on to the floor (naming no names & no members were hurt in the making of the impromptu entertainment). So Ian navigated us through a raffle against a pretty winter sunset over the lake.

And then of course, the washing up. The full complement of attendees got scrubbed and sudded up to leave the club pristine as ever. Thank you one and all.

A final social event before Christmas is the Christmas bar night on Friday but apart from that, a very happy Christmas to all our members, guests, visitors and followers. See you Boxing Day for the chilliest race of the year!

Last updated 18:48 on 14 December 2025