Page 48 - KRH Year of 2021 CREST

46 The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
The Officers’ Mess
2021 has been a rollercoaster year for the KRH Mess; highs of dinner nights and Field Sports outings were sadly tempered by two COVID driven cancellations of the infamous KRH Officers’ Mess Ball.
This year the mess has been fortunate to welcome Hugo Kendall; Susy Watts; Adam Brown and Kit Palmer Price, whilst say- ing fond farewells mess stalwarts, Adam K-P; Will S-S and Seb Teuber who all have departed the warm embrace of the Aliwal Mess for pastures new.
With a weather eye on the fluctuating COVID regulations (ensur- ing no requirement for any ‘Partygate’ investigations) the Mess has taken every opportunity to host, party and generally shake the cobwebs of the last 18 months off our mess overalls.
Leading the charge was the Commanding Officer, hosting a ‘Changing of the Guard’ BBQ in Aliwal House to thank those assigning out and welcoming those officers returning to RD. Accompanying the excellent food was a Nebuchadnezzar of Pol Roger, laid down by the Mess during the first lockdown in 2020. Susie Watts on her first outing in the mess since commissioning took charge of opening the bottle with Hugo Kendall, the incom- ing Wines member, pouring the first flute (with significant physi- cal support from Martin Cavendish).
Having drunk our fill of Pol, the Mess conducted a blind tast- ing of English Sparking to select the next ‘house’ bottle. Whilst
Livers In post Rundle Cup
Champagne will continue to fill the Emperor in perpetuity, Hattingley Valley won by a nose and is now being consumed with abundance by the Mess, with branded bottles available to all through the PMC.
As the summer season rolled around and as the final event prior to leave the subalterns were delighted to once again to host a tent at the Rundle Cup, providing vocal support to both Hector Fair and Paddy Selfe in their respective games and welcoming regi- mental friends and family back to Tidworth. We will be doing the same this year and look forward to welcoming you and your families back to Tedworth Park.
Summer leave provided ample opportunity for mess members to disperse to the four winds. Two members taking the opportunity to conduct an unofficial ‘recce’ of Kiev, much to the amusement of the wider mess and concern of the intelligence officer.
Lt (Retd) Dr Garbutt was returned to the mess for an even- ing hosting his father Lt Col (Retd) Garbutt on his final day as Regimental Secretary. Whilst the food at the table was question- able, the following cheeseboard and genuine enjoyment of seeing ‘Garbo’ Senior (with Gail and Garbo Junior) back in his element in the Mess made for a superb evening, and a fitting end to his time as Regimental Secretary.