Communique: Report from the front lines

Field operative: 379A

Location: Redacted for security purposes

Date: Redacted for security purposes

Intelligence gathered from a recent reconnaissance mission, found members of the group, currently known as The Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers, availing themselves of a local tea shop. 

379A was able to covertly collect samples of the food consumed at this gathering and has sent them to HQ for further analysis. Preliminary reports suggest the following were consumed: (primary constituents listed and provenance included where possible)

- tea loaf - sultanas, brown sugar, English breakfast tea, self raising flour (Sainsburys), black treacle, butter, eggs (chicken). 

- date slice - rolled oats, preserved dates, sugar, butter, treacle (PJ Harvey convenience store), unconfirmed substance (possibly unctuousness)

- "millionaires shortbread" - condensed milk(Fussels), chocolate, butter, flour, sugar (Ipswich), eggs, vanilla (Jane’s vanilla emporium)

- Mackerel Pate - eaten by the one known as ‘Aunty Gary’ - mackerel (Gt Yarmouth pier), butter, cream, salt (Russia), pepper, lemon juice

379A also collected further pictorial evidence of the food being eaten using the latest AFSI technology - teapotcam. 

Exhibit 1.1

Pie Eyed Poetry

Working covertly in the field, Food Surveillance Unit 321 has successfully captured this spectacular image of one of the Ragged Ramblers imbibing a pie during one of the Society's excursions in the misunderstood county of Essex. At the press conference announcing this achievement, Antiquarian Food Surveillance Institute spokesperson, Sally Chew, expressed the following sentiments:

"Although we are a scientific institution and take a rigorous, evidence-based approach to increasing our knowledge about the fascinating dietary habits of the Ragged Rambler, there are occasions when, to watch one at work is... well, it is close to poetry. On this occasion, the way this subject bit into the pastry with such vigor and relish had Unit 321 members mesmerised. One of the operatives noted the lines that formed around the subject's eyes as he bit into his pie were,
'like laughter lines... like he's smiling at his pie - but in a predatory way.'"

The team managed to collect crumb samples that were successfully analysed at the AFSI's secret laboratories, revealing a butter-based pastry filled with a beef and gravy mixture. We are currently trying to establish the provenance of this item, but that is currently proving to be very challenging indeed. 

Postscript: AFSI t-shirts with this image will be available for sale through our online retail outlet in the near future. 

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."