Biteback played host to a coterie of biscuit-eating Norfolk folk yesterday lunchtime. They were only biscuit-eating because we served biscuits, mind.
It was the launch event for Baroness Shephard's book Knapton. Knapton is a Norfolk village a little inland from the coast below Cromer, and a whole bus load of lovely people from Knapton came to visit for the occasion.
As did Norman Lamont, former Chancellor of the Exchequer under John Major. We had already anticipated his arrival and some of us, as ever, were a little more excited than others. Grant Tucker was particularly excited, for example. But then Grant was excited about the biscuits too (we really pushed the boat out with this one). You don't know this, but I can reveal that Grant, in a social situation has a method to pick out the best biscuit on the plate. He looks down nonchalantly at the biscuits, shakes his hair, readjusts his tie and only then does he pick one up. It's all very technical. However yesterday, biscuit eating got the better of him...
Grant: *eyeing biscuits, playing with tie*
Katy: "Hey, is Norman Lamont here yet?"
Grant: "No... *inserts entire biscuit into mouth and looks down the corridor* Ohgh mygh Godgh! Normangh Lamontgh! Normangh Lamontgh!"
At this moment I was pushed out of the way and Grant launched himself into the cloakroom and slammed the door behind him. He reemerged moments later, biscuit fully chomped, and only a single crumb left evident of the drama.
Ultra comic moment. Grant borders on hysterical when it comes to former members of Margaret Thatcher's cabinet. And as it turns out, Baron Lamont is the only remaining member of Maggie's cabinet that he doesn't yet have a photograph with. So obviously, it was very important he made the best impression...
Thanks to everyone who came yesterday! We had a lovely time (disruptive as it was for our friends over at Total Politics).
Knapton: Twentieth Century village voices is available now, priced £14.99.