Gari Newsletter – Sep ’23

What’s been happening?

‘Garioke’ – the fourth monthly instalment of musical mayhem and vocal violence took place on Sat 19 Aug, with the fifth already hot on our heels as it is scheduled for Sat 23 Sep (see ‘What’s On – Regular Events’ below for details of the Hallowe’en-themed version at the end of next month).

‘Geoffstock’ – after literally months of prior planning and stealthy setting-up, this event in honour of one of our most loyal and long- standing customers, Mr Geoff Howes, took place as hoped on Sat 9 Sep, to mark our crafty carpenter’s 70th birthday the following day. In accordance with Mr H’s 1960s heyday – and let’s face it it’s still a decade he leans into on a daily basis – a night of peace and love was promised, taking in along the way a celebration of “friendship, family, nature, music, love, laughter and wellbeing”! Of course we like to think we offer good service in all these noble aspects of humanity and life always, but this evening really did stay true to them all, and the man himself was reportedly muchly- chuffed that such an event was put on for him. All attendees came away feeling that bit better about being alive! Good on you Geoff and we can’t wait for the 80th!

6th + 7th October
All proceeds going towards local causes

‘Forces Fry-Up’ – we wouldn’t ordinarily make mention of our
monthly military munch-up, as each and every one is a special
Saturday morning of valued community coming-together, but the
last event on Sat 16 Sep deserves a shout-out as we hosted among
our many honoured guests one Alan Clover, who is 101 years of age
no less (we think our oldest customer to date), and is one of sadly
now very few surviving World War II veterans. What a privilege to
proudly serve such a gentleman and it reminds us never to take
his efforts and those like him who are no longer with us for
granted when we enjoy our liberal lives today. It also underlines
that our pub is home to anybody regardless of age, from 1 to 101!
Surrey Choices lunch – in recognition of the damn-hard work that these volunteers do alongside Sarah Maye our garden guru, a special lunch was put on for them on Thu 21 Sep. They appreciated this very much although the bulk of appreciation really goes t’other way from the pub and its customers, who reap the benefits of their labour every time they use our garden, to them. Well done folks!

Summer private functions – Despite the decidedly damp duration of dank weather across July and much of August, Shiv and Team were called upon to help numerous members of our community celebrate their respective family or friendly occasions in the time-honoured manner over summer. The pub hosted various food-led fun days for those who we’re pleased and proud to say opted to book up with The Gari, trusting that we will always put on a great show. The pub is always available for private functions to be booked in advance – anyone interested should either email us at [email protected] or otherwise just speak to Shiv or a member of the bar team to make the necessary arrangements.

Regular fundraising activities:

Y’all know the form with these now, so here’s the long-standing list of lovely ways through which you can help raise some readies – and general awareness – of our pub – just click on the relevant links:

EasyFundRaising
The Garibaldi Pub One Lottery
‘Your Fund Surrey – Join The Local Conversation’ Meat raffles

What’s on – regular events:

Meat raffle – weekly at 5pm, from Sun 24 Sep – more meaty morsels await those who spare a pound or possibly several for a ticket to the most talked-about raffle since, er, our last one…
Quiz night – fortnightly at 8pm, from Thu 28 Sep – the questions come thick ‘n’ fast but you have to be not too fast and definitely not thick if you want to provide the right answers!

‘Music Bingo’ – fortnightly at 8pm, from Thu 5 Oct – good game, good game!!
Sat 28 Oct: our Hallowe’en special – there’ll apparently be prizes for the best dresser and best singer on the night, so dig out those capes and broomsticks, oil-up those vocal cords, and get stuck in to a night of witches, warlocks and wailing!
‘Forces Fry-up’ – monthly at 10am, from Sat 21 Oct – don’t forget to salute Sgt Shiv and the ‘Naafia’ as you leave!

What’s on – one-off events:

Live music – Another one of our many blues-based acts will be bringing their take on this earthy musical style – The Blues Business – from 8pm, Sat 30 Sep.
New furniture – don’t worry anybody who’s wondering when the comfort factor will be upped at the front of the pub, this new gear is apparently still on its way to us and should be set up by late September or early October. Much happy sitting, quaffing, chatting and smoking ahead!

‘Friends of The Garibaldi’ CIC Annual General Meeting – to enhance availability for more members, our AGM has been postponed to 10.30am, Sat 7 Oct. As we’ve said before, anyone is free to attend if they’re at all interested in how the pub is operated and want to be involved more closely with us. It’s been reiterated twice before, but still bears repeating to avoid any doubt – it doesn’t cost you a penny! No money exchanges hands between members and directors; all that’s needed is some time, energy, ideas and commitment.
Brewery Trip – The trip to Gun Brewery. Thanks to all who continue to support Shiv’s endeavours to get the Gari on the road and outreaching to our brilliant brewing partners, without whose wares we would be a far poorer pub. Special thanks of course to Annie Clark our diligent driveress, and St Mary’s School for use of their minibus. Remember, the fee levied for these trips goes to help needy kids, so it’s a cracking cause to support even if you’re not one of the cask cognoscenti!
New clubs @The Gari:

Golf – the most recent golfing getaway took place as planned on Sun 17 Sep and another is being planned for Oct – details to be announced by Tabitha Knight shortly.
Books – this has really taken off well and Sarah Burgess happily reports this club is now 11-strong! Their next get-together is set for Wed 18 Oct, 7pm.

Charity beer festival – a reminder that our ‘Ale For Aid’ event in collab with the local Rotarians takes place on Fri 6 – Sat 7 Oct. Come and drink well while doing good – what’s not to like?!
Gari ‘Winter’ beer festival – still on the festival front, note that Shiv has biroed-in the weekend of Fri 24 – Sun 26 Nov for our celebration of all beers black and brown this year – a little later in the month than past years so as to provide more recovery time from the local CamRA fest held in Merstham from Thu 26 to Sat 28 Oct! Those always alleging we don’t pay enough homage to dark ales in the pub be sure to come along that weekend and be prepared to stand (and possibly fall!) corrected…

Bhunny’s – note that our food partners will not be available until Thu 12 Oct.
Christmas markets – yes, we’re aware it still feels waayyyy to soon to even contemplate Christmas, but the reality is it is now only just over 13 weeks away, and Shiv is keen to flag that we’ll be running the same scheme for local craftspeople and artisans to show and sell their various wares in our garden in the lead- up to Christmas, as we did last year. It was a successful seasonal display in 2022 and we’re confident ’23 will match or possibly better it. So if you’re interested, please get in touch with Shiv either at the bar or via our email address above, to start making plans. Dates are STBA, but the weekend of Sat 16 – Sun 17 Dec is likely.