Remember, remember, the 1st of November ... because that's the date by which Lesley wants your menu choices for the Wiltshire LDWA's xmas meal.

Anyone wishing to dine, and who misses the deadline, can expect fireworks!

In this month's newsletter:

• A Wiltshire 50 - The Deverills' Rings;
• Xmas Meal and Annual General Meeting; and
• This month's walks in and around the county.

From Sheena Findlay (via Facebook):

"A huge 'thank you' to Andy Todd for planning and leading this walk. We met at Upper Deverill Village Hall and started walking at 8am on Saturday. Loop one headed out to the south west. We got a fine pace on battling through the wind and a few short sharp showers. We enjoyed some of the amazing autumnal colours as we walked through Stourhead. Arriving back to the village hall for a delicious late lunch of soup, sandwiches, samosas, flapjacks and various other goodies, all served up by our wonderful volunteers, headed up by Lesley Bellis and Clare Staff, with Betty Lewis and Pete Lamont also lending much appreciated help in the hall. Fully refuelled we set off on loop two, this time we headed out to the north. Fortunately the wet stuff stayed away for the best part of this loop. We got to Heaven's Gate at Longleat just after 5pm. Time to put the camera away as the light was fading fast. Our next brief stop was to sort out our torches. We got back to the hall for our dinner shortly after 9.30pm. Shepherd's pie, what more could you ask for! Heading out on loop tree, our numbers were now down to seven. The forecast was enough to put anyone off to be honest, but we carried on regardless. We didn't linger long anywhere, just a short break at a viewpoint to admire Shaftesbury twinkling in the distance. The drowned rats finally got back at 5.40am on Sunday. A great way to spend a weekend. Hopefully Andy will find time to organise another 50 for next year. Watch this space!"

From Andy (also via Facebook ... and unabridged!):

"The biggest thank you must go to Lesley and Clare for ruining the hall and providing probably the best spread you will see on any event."

Starters

Truffled Cauliflower & Gruyere Cheese Soup
sweet potato crisps & homemade bread

Goats Cheese & Sun Blushed Tomato Puff Pastry Slice
caramelised onions, rocket & balsamic glaze

Game Terrine
spiced plum chutney & toasted homemade bread

Gin & Juniper Berry Cured Salmon
celeriac puree, horseradish blini, rocket & pistachio crumb

Mains

Traditional Roast Turkey
rolled and stuffed with chestnut & sage stuffing, pigs in blankets,
roast potatoes, honey parsnips & red wine gravy

Braised Beef Featherblade
pearl onions, chestnut mushrooms in a rich red wine sauce, buttered mash potato & parsnip crisps

Mushroom, Chestnuts, Baby Spinach & Stilton En Croute
sautéed new potatoes and cranberry & red cabbage gravy

Pan Fried Fillet of Hake
fricasse of prawns, chorizo, sun blushed tomatoes, baby spinach and saffron & dill beurre blanc

Pan Seared Barbary Duck Breast
onion & thyme potato rosti, tender stem broccoli and blueberry jus & crispy leeks

All Main Courses are served with Seasonal Vegetables

Desserts

Christmas Pudding
brandy crème anglaise

Cinnamon & Orange Crème Brulee
poached pear compote

Sticky Toffee Pudding
vanilla ice cream

Boozy Brownie Trifle
brownie, rum & chocolate mousse & dark chocolate chunks

Selection of Cheeses
 spiced plum chutney, apple, grapes & crackers

Filter Coffee and Tea Included