THE Farnham Venison Dinner saw one of its highest turnouts in years with guests packing the Great Hall at Farnham Castle for the historic occasion on Thursday night last week.

Officially the 215th dinner, although the event dates back to 1605, this year’s occasion was also notable as it saw president of the Venison Dinner Dame Elizabeth Anson stepping down from the role after 40 years.

In her farewell speech, Dame Elizabeth joked about the difficulties of moving the furniture in the Great Hall to stage the dinner in the past but on a more serious note she paid tribute to Farnham’s U3A (University of the Third Age) group and FATN Talking News (formerly known as The Farnham & Alton Talking Newspapers).

Her praise for local voluntary organisations was echoed by town clerk Iain Lynch who proposed the toast to the dinner and the town. Other speakers were the managing director of the Hogs Back brewery, Rupert Thomson, the chairman of Farnham Sports Council, David Gill, and The Bishop of Dorking, Jo Bailey Wells.

Mr Thomson reflected on the area’s brewing heritage, looking back to the days when the fields around Farnham were filled with hops and there was a pub for every 150 people, while Mr Gill celebrated the many sporting heroes of the area.

Rt Rev Thomson recalled the links between venison, Farnham Castle and the Church. Formerly the possession of the Bishops of Winchester, the castle was a favourite hunting spot for the churchmen, whom she imagined might have bowed their heads before setting off on a hunt with the words “let us prey”!

As always, central to the dinner was the arrival of the venison, which was presented by the chef led into the great hall by a piper – and proved to be well worth the pageantry.