On the 24th July, the club scheduled a last minute trip to A. Cooke’s in Shepherd’s Bush, when news of its closure was announced. After years of fighting off corporate landowners, A. Cooke's is facing eviction, all because of redevelopment.

Even on the penultimate day of trade, queues stretched right down to the market. In the pouring rain, this resembled a funeral procession paying their last respects to a dear departed friend.

The Two J’s, Judith and Jean were already seated when we arrived. Judith (left) grew up in west London, so this shop has a geographical significance to her. Indeed, she has visited this shop on a number of occasions with the club over the years.

We were also happy to welcome back Peter Harvey and his daughter Charlotte into the fold; whom both made their last appearance with the club back in March 2012. Coming from afar, they travelled in from Walthamstow to join us on our final voyage to A. Cooke's.

Before I even sat down, I was presented with some of the finest stewed eels on display, replete in their green and pleasant loveliness.

A fan of eels since toddlerhood, Charlotte (right) was eager to sample some of the eels.

Whilst club recorder, Nick Evans (left) went for a more fiery approach to his eels with a smothering of his trusty hot sauce.

As the pies continued to be dished out, the deluge of customers continued to flow into the shop.

Some preferred to be seated as they sought to find a table among the heaving crowds.

Whereas the majority decided to take their meal out on the road for one last ride.

As soon as I tucked into my food, I was presented by the foreboding prospect that this would be the last time I would eat pie & mash at A. Cooke’s, before they would face the gallows of closure the following day.

Last of the Scrumptious Pies.

This was a bittersweet occasion for Nick (left) who introduced the club to the wonders of A. Cooke's way back in November 2004. Over the years this has proved to be a popular venue with the club, so today's visit felt like an end of an era.

Never one to back down a pie, Peter (right) went for seconds in order to savour the delectable fare one more time.

On a lighter note, today was also Jean's birthday, so it proved to be the appropriate occasion to present her with the Wooden Spoon award for her valiant under-achievement during the 2014-15 Season.

Opened in 1934, this shop has been a fixture in the local community for many a generation, who have walked through their doors. The shop's closure feels like the destruction of a cultural and local landmark.

Pie & Mash crosses the generations, so scenes like this will be lost to the pages of history.

Soon I was down to my last bite; so with solemn grace I downed the hatch to a slow funeral dirge of remorse.

Mashes to mashes

Pies to dust...

To Mike Boughton and his staff at A. Cooke's, thank you for your generous hospitality and fine fare during the club’s many visits to the shop over the years.

So long and thanks for all the pies.

Farewell

MG