The next Jamboree on 25th November 2011 is the 28th Bi-Annual Birmingham Jamboree. But what about the previous 27 and where did it all start? Shortly after starting work at RSA and the rapid and unexpected spread of his girth, caused by pies and pizza, Alan Nash celebrated his 21st Birthday in Costermongers in Birmingham in May 1998, calling for an afternoon off work to celebrate this frankly unexpected milestone in style. 6 months later, a similar event took place to see off the moustachioed long-hair (and inventor of the phrase 'Funnily enough') John Clarke, when he took his moustache to pastures new, having finally realised his ambition to leave RSA in the November of that year. It was decided that in order to maintain morale, we would continue to hold Friday afternoon booze fests every 6 months on the last Friday in every May and November. These dates were decided as they would be easy enough to remember, however it does seem that the phrase "Last Friday in.." is a difficult concept for some people who, to this day, have trouble working out when the next one is.

Nevertheless, the tradition has continued, though various subtle changes have occurred over the years. In Nov 99 the "Extreme Jamboree" was introduced whereby instead of everyone drifting home around 5pm, a hard-core of attendees would stay the course from 12noon to 11pm. This quickly became the accepted norm and remains thus today. Unfortunately, a few years back the Jamboree did struggle when the Costermongers started to deteriorate, with unreliable opening hours, lack of entertainment and dubious toilet facilities. An experiment with moving to The Gallows was a noble attempt at something new, but proved unsatisfactory, due to lack of heating in the winter and a strange smell of Garibaldi biscuits, resulting in Greg throwing a chair at Young Andy. There were the 'lean years' when attendance dip somewhat. However, 3 years ago the Jamboree was given a new lease of life when the Costermongers was completely abandoned (and the Gallows burnt to the ground) and the whole shebang was moved lock-stock & beer-barrel to Scruffy Murphy's, and attendances are now back to levels matched only by those initial, formative Jamborees.

Some of the older faces have disappeared over the years and new faces have appeared and become staunch regulars, relationships have ended, some have started and there is at least one relationship that exists as a direct result of meeting at a Jamboree. Some people may come along once in every 2 or 3 years, but are always welcomed back with open arms. What is certain is that the Jamboree is bigger than any one person and now has a more cosmopolitan vibe, attracting people from as far and wide as London and Bristol. What the future holds for the Jamboree is in the lap of the gods. What can be said for certain is that as long as Alan, Vince, Steve & Kate, Richie, Gregg, Young Andy (though not John...we've always doubted his commitment to the cause) have breath in their body, somewhere in Birmingham, on the last Friday of May and last Friday of November, it will always be a good day for a Jamboree.

Now, The Jamboree times are a-changing! This year, we are eschewing the dubious quality ale, questionable toilet facilities and appalling bar staff that are usually to be found in Scruffy Murphys, and are moving the whole shebang lock, stock and beer barrell to somewhat nostalgic setting (for ex RSA staff, that is) of the Old Contemptibles in Edmund Street, Birmingham (by Snow Hill Station). But it's not 'all change'. Fun and frolics will kick off at 12 noon in Bacchus Bar, New Street, before moving on around 2 of the English clock, to the OC's. A rolling stone gathers no moss, and the evolution of the jamboree continues. See you there people, and feel free to bring a friend.