Rules of the Club

The inaugural meeting of the Gentlemen's Pie Club of Bishops Waltham (hereinafter referred to as "the Club") was held on Thursday 20th January 2011, at the Brickmakers, Swanmore. The 3 founder members (Nick Crossley, Trevor Croucher, Simon Dorey) were present, and agreed the following rules:-

1. The Club is committed to the tasting and enjoyment of savoury hot pies, puddings and pasties.
2. Membership will be by invitation by the above named founder members.
3. The 3 founder members to agree a name for the Club.
4. The Club will meet monthly at an agreed venue with the choice of venue alternating between members. There will also be special ‘ad hoc’ events.
5. Venues should be within 1 hour walking distance/travel by other means from Bishops Waltham unless otherwise agreed by the members.
6. There may be occasional ‘one-off’ meetings in conjunction with the Bunch of Grapes Public House where member(s) will provide pie(s) for tasting by other members and invited guests.
7. The dictionary definition of pie is "a baked dish of ingredients encased in or topped with pastry". All dishes complying with this definition shall be eligible for consideration by the Pie Club, but for clarification the following dishes are specifically eligible: Sheppard's Pie (even though it has no pastry), Steak & Kidney Pudding (even though it is not baked). Cold Pork Pies are of such importance that they are to be judged in a class of their own.
8. Any member who ever suggests eating a quiche may, by a majority vote of the founder members, be dismissed from the Club.
9. Initial ratings of the pies and visited establishments will be conducted using a score of 1-5 (where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent) and will rate each of the following 5 areas:

• Pastry (or topping)
• Filling
• Beer – quality and range
• Ambience of establishment - including service, clientele, facilities
• Value for Money - i.e. price, quality, and size of pie