Infill WRG Christmas carols and songs

infill Deirdre’s back!

O Little Town of Brimscombe Port?

...well, no, that was one that we didn’t get. But we did get some very entertaining contribution to the final round of the WRG virtual Christmas party quiz and fun games held on 5 December via Zoom. The teams were asked to write and perform a WRG Christmas carol or song. Here are a few... [Based on: I Saw Three Ships] We saw 3 vans come squelching down on muddy tracks on muddy tracks We saw 3 vans come squelching down on the Christmas camp in the morning So what was in the those vans all three Our leader cook & WRGie crews All the tools for us to toil And the burcos come to the boil

[based on: Away in a Manger] [The 12 Days of

I’m away with the WRGies All muddy and wet Up to my knees in mud We love it, you bet Christmas - one of four different versions!] 12 pointers pointing 11 cakes for eating

We’re ripping out Holly But can’t sell it for lolly ‘Cos if we did. We could put in a bid For a new lorry! 10 fires a-raging 9 cooks a-cooking 8 mixers mixing 7 Burcos boiling 6 bonkers bonking 5 mooring rings

Away with the WRGies No bricks to be had The bricksaw is broken And the brickies are mad

4 broken biscuits 3 red mugs 2 toe-capped boots And a lock at Inglesham [Based on: Merry Xmas Everybody: Slade] Are you pointing up the brickwork on the wall? It’s the time that every leader has a fall Does he ride a red-nosed Transit? Makes the paperwork up on the way Does the cook keep him sober for a day?

CHORUS: So here it is, the canal camp Everybody’s having fun Let’s have a tea break now The mortar’s just begun

Are you waiting for the D of Ers to arrive? Are you sure you’ve got the keys to get inside? Does the old hand always tell you

So off down to Jewsons To get more supplies And while we are waiting We’ll scoff the mince pies Silent Night, Sleeping Bag Fright All is calm, Snoring’s a blight That the old ways are the best? Then she’s all PPE’ed up with the rest

Down yon hall all rural and dark Hear a snore and a snuffle and a fart... Sleep in heavenly rest Sleep in your heavenly WRG vest The editor / quizmaster would like to thank Jen and Alex for all their help, and everyone who took part

Dear Deirdre I’m concerned about the order in which the coronavirus vaccine will be distributed. I’d argue that it’s most important to protect the people with heritage brick skills. Let’s inoculate them first. After that we should probably do anyone with a digger certificate. Then it’s van drivers, starting with those with the fewest points on their licence. After that we can do the brick cleaners, bonfire watchers and anyone else that’s left. Do you agree? - Derek, Stratford-upon-Avon

Deidre writes

What absolute drivelling nonsense. Everybody knows that the only important person on a dig is the cook. Give it to the cook first and everyone else we’ll just do alphabetically by their WRG nickname.

Answers to the crossword in issue 302:

Across: 1 Towpath, 2 Keel, 6 Staunch, 8 Beck, 11 Josher, 12 Wings, 16 Crank, 19 Puddle, 21 Flat, 23 Narrowboat, 25 Staith, 28 Pound, 29 Gang, 30 Shafting, 32 Gauging, 33 Lengthman, 34 Pen, 35 Keb, 38 Tackle, 40 Rate, 41 Invert, 43 Chalico. Down: 2 Animal, 3 Freshet, 5 Quant, 6 Snubber, 7 Gongoozler, 9 Windlass, 10 Lock, 12 Wherry, 13 Screw, 14 Gates, 15 Butty, 17 Snatcher, 18 Wind, 20 Stank, 22 Legging, 24 Risers, 26 Trow, 27 Spillway, 31 Flash, 33 Lighter, 34 Packet, 36 Barge, 37 Reach, 39 Punt, 42 Toll

A Grantham Lock 15 replica from Kirsty Bob’s bridge and boat

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