The Mayor of Wessex, and Bob

I caught a small amount of the golf this weekend, the British Masters at The Belfrey, including the exciting last few holes in which Lee Westwood narrowly lost to a Spanish bloke on the third playoff hole. Golfers usually behave well in victory and defeat, and it struck me that a neutral observer would have been hard pressed to know which player had actually won when the final putt decided it – not because it didn’t matter to them (if nothing else, there was £100,000 difference in first and second place prize money), but because they know how to behave.

I also enjoyed a vintage Peter Alliss moment on the commentary.  His fellow commentator, during a lull in the golfing action, mentioned Carol Vorderman, the famously sexy hostess on the word game “Countdown”.  “Ah, Carol Vorderman“, said Alliss, dreamily, “I was watching her the other day and I got aroused“.  (Stunned silence for a beautifully judged few seconds…).  “Yes, 7 letters – not bad for a lad who left school at 15…“.

Elsewhere in the sporting weekend, City slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Wolves.  It wasn’t really unexpected, given that Wolves seem to be running away with the Championship, but disappointing nevertheless.  (And a cautionary note to cocky Wolves fans – this time last year, it was Watford who were romping, and look what happened to them…)

I was glad not to have listened to the game on the radio, opting instead to wander down to the “Best of Bedminster Show” on North Street Green. It was a great little event, along the lines of the traditional village produce show, with people submitting jams, cakes and strangely shaped vegetables to be judged by ladies from the Women’s Institute.  I was delighted to win 3rd prize in the “Best Photograph” category – I won a medal (made of baked sour dough) and a packet of seeds.  The prizes were presented by 2 women dressed as men, one claiming to be the Mayor of Wessex, and the other her son, Bob.  Once the ceremony was complete, the sun burned through the misty clouds, and the Ambling Band played some pleasant (and suitably whacky) music.  It was the sort of thing that makes me really enjoy living here.

The Ambling Band