Culinary excesses of rich and famous

The talk was about eating and drinking in Georgian Britain entitled Art Form or Gluttony.

Four meals a day were usually eaten '“ breakfast, luncheon, dinner and supper at about 10pm.

Due to this excess eating, gout and cirrhosis of the liver were prevalent. The reasons for these illnesses were not realised at the time.

The Prince of Wales, later George IV, was a great believer in this way of life and it was said at the time that, when his corset was removed, his stomach hung down below his knees.

Meat had to be highly spiced because often it was slightly suspect. In fact, game was considered not ready to eat until it started to move again.

In spite of the wars with France at that time, Prinny employed a French chef.

The menus of the time still exist and one of those shows a dinner consisting of 147 courses.

Cutlery in the late 17th century was very much reduced.

It consisted of only one knife, fork and a table spoon. Forks only had two prongs. It was not until Victorian times that four- pronged forks were introduced and different cutlery for each course was used.

The only way Georgian diners could eat peas was on their knives.

Many of the wine glasses of the era were superb works of art.

This was because the government of the time put a tax on glass and beautiful twisted air stems were introduced to save weight in the glasses.

The term drawing room used today comes from the time when ladies left the dining room after a meal so that gentlemen could continue their drinking alone.

They then went into a withdrawing room which has changed over the years to its present name.

The poor people of the time had a better diet because they were unable to afford the price of eating to excess as the rich did.

They also enjoyed better health, because the dangers of the rich diet were not understood.

The next meeting of the Ford Wine Circle takes place on Tuesday, March 27, when a fish and chips supper will be served and there will be '˜horse racing'.

The show secretary will also give a demonstration of making apple wine, which will be one of the classes to be included in the annual show.

Anyone interested in a convivial evening or with an interest in home-made wine and beer will be welcome.