Billionaire's Shortbread in Norwich Assembly House

Field unit 3BGB observed members of The Ragged Ramblers entering the Assembly House premisis at precisely 12:53pm on Wednesday 30th January 2013. Using their covert expertise, they were able to observe the conduct of the two gentlemen in some detail.

In particular, operatives became very excited when the Ramblers began to eat the 'Billionaires Shortbread' they had ordered. It was noted with extreme interest that both gentlemen turned thr aforementioned food item upside down before beginning to consume it with a fork.

Professor G.M. Food from the A.F.S.I. makes the following observation:
"Clearly the Ragged Ramblers have consumed this item previously. They must have deduced that, due to the thickness and robust nature of the chocolate layer, one would simply crush and flatten thr soft caramel and shortbread layers if it were left correct way up. This kind of adaptive behaviour reveals an extremely high level of what we call 'food intelligence'. It also suggests that Eagged Ramblers are serious consumers of cake - an assertion borne out by many other observations in the field."

The excellent work of the A.F.S.I. in studying and revealing the food culture of the Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers continues in earnest.

Ragged Ramblers, Scoffing

July 2012


Known members of The Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers (one of whom we believe to go by the moniker, 'Wee Davy') were observed by Unit 231 in H.......n, consuming hot pasties with a light salad in cafe zone of a High Street bakery. Operative K24 observed that,
"the Ramblers ate with such a fury that their Quavers were a-quiver and, sited as we were on the opposite side of the street for most of the operation, their flashing cutlery was a silvery blur of busy-ness."


Of a third Member (not pictured in this image), it was observed that:
"the corpulent one sat greedily eyeing their plates, and salivating profusely, as he sipped at his tea."


Later observations confirmed the team's improvised hypothesis; namely, that he was attempting to lose weight and had a 'sensible' packed lunch awaiting him in the Ramblers' vehicle. 


AFSI Director, Professor G.M. Food commented:
"It is a sad fact that this is the very same gentleman we recently observed consuming a high calorific sausage roll recently outside of Orford Church, followed by a very large almond confection within Ufford church that very same day. We therefore postulate that, sadly, he will revert to type once again."

Food Surveillance in East Norfolk

Antiquarian Food Surveillance Institute's (AFSI) Unit 231 were active in the field yesterday, observing a gaggle of four Ragged Ramblers as they ate their way across East Norfolk. Due to the sophisticated surveillance techniques adopted by this award winning unit we were able to gather some quite remarkable data...

Subsequent analysis at our laboratory yielded the following fascinating data:

"A field unit were using directional microphones to monitor Antiquarian conversation - however the blustery wind interfered with the readings, and, as a result, we are only able to hear the occasional shout of 'Huzzah!' However, samples collected after the Antiquarians had moved on were very interesting indeed. 

The concealed camera had already got a close-up shot of a sweet mincemeat pastry. Analysis proves conclusively that this was made by hand in a domestic setting. Although we cannot, at this point, be sure which of the Antiquarians produced this, we do know that the person who made this was enjoying a small glass of single malt whiskey whilst they cooked. 

With regard to the fried food: it was their usual dry cured smoked back bacon, hand-cut in Granville C. Bond butchers in Aylsham. The baps were white, purchased in Acle Coop an hour of so prior to consumption. However, we did note that they were sliced with unusual precision. This is significant!"

Professor G.M. Food, Director of the AFSI said:

"Once again, due to the outstanding professionalism and resourcefulness of our field units, we have been able to gather more key information about Antiquarian eating behaviour. In particular, the revelation about the home-made sweet mincemeat pastry is a find of quite considerable importance, and raises a number of questions which we will be pursuing. Congratulations to Unit 231!"

'Deep Underground'

Ragged Rambler consuming home-baked
treacle tart with custard

The AFSI would like to apologise for the lack of publications regarding the dietary habits of the Ragged Ramblers over recent months. We would like to reassure Associates that this is in no way indicative of a withdrawal from this vital work. Teams of operatives are still active in the 'field', and are currently in a mode described by AFSI spokesperson, Tad Chomp, as 'deep underground'. 


Regrettably, we have been unable to respond to the abundant correspondence regarding our 'radio silence', but hope that you will be reassured and understand that we have very good reasons for this. 


Professor Ergo Etsum, Director of the AFSI, adds:
"Our surveillance, information gathering and identification activities are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. We cannot concern ourselves with their petty anxieties. Our work is absolutely vital, and we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted in any way from the task in... in... isn't it...."

Handcut Bacon!

Tad Chomp, spokesperson for the AFSI, has released the following excerpts of a recently compiled report on the activities of the Ragged Ramblers...


RSAR Surveillance Report. St. Peter, Melton Constable. December 2010 - Unit 253a 


Using our directional microphones we were able to record much of the dialogue - and muffled screams - of the Ragged Ramblers as they became engaged in cooking their food (method: frying) and, thereafter, consuming it. Among the many fascinating elements to emerge from this endeavour was the revelation that the Ragged Rambler known as 'Aunty Gary' had provided some spicy tomato chutney purchased from Jarrolds of Norwich. Upon tasting, the Ragged Rambler known as 'Esotericus,' was heard to exclaim, " A triumph Sir! An enthralling kaleidoscope of wholesome flavours." It is recommended that AFSI field operatives ascertain the exact identity of this chutney - a matter of the utmost urgency!


[Classified]


Laboratory analysis of congealed fat gathered at the site indicate that the bacon was hand-cut, with a 87.45% probability that it was derived from a Gloucester Old Spot. Comparative analysis (combined with photographic evidence) suggests that it had been purchased from Granville C. Bond butchers in Aylsham, Norfolk some days previously. 


Professor Ergo Etsum, Director of the AFSI has made the following announcement:
"Congratulations must be extended to the operatives of Unit 253a for their outstanding work. It is only through the innovation, resourcefulness and courage of our field operatives that we are able to bring to the wider public, such fascinating - and scupulously evidence-based! - details of the Ragged Ramblers' dietry preferences."

Treacle Tart

Last Wednesday, in the biggest operation in the history of the Antiquarian Food Surveillance Institute (AFSI), we conducted a surveillance operation as the Antiquarians visited the ruins of St Benet's Abbey on the Norfolk broads. 

Despite many operational difficulties, using directional microphones, Field Unit 257b were able to ascertain that the Antiquarians were eulogising about treacle tart...

Later, the same operatives were able to gather crumbs from the site, which - having undergone analysis at the laboratories - conclusively prove that a treacle tart had recently been consumed at this spot. 

In the light of this evidence, Dr. I.A.M. Greedy released the following statement:

"The Antiquarians have been eating treacle tart. They like it. This is interesting."

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Fry Time

A field unit of the Antiquarian Food Surveillance Unit have obtained these remarkable photographs of the Ramblers frying bacon and consuming it in rolls (white, purchased in a Norwich Coop store). Due to some diligent research we have been able to ascertain that the bacon - dry-cure back bacon - was purchased at Granville C. Bond's butchers in Aylsham.


Professor O. Bese released the following statement:
"This is amazing! To see a Ragged Rambler actually cooking bacon, out in a field in North Suffolk - on a camp-stove! Amazing..."