If you take flowers, wrap them in paper and not cellophane, as this looks more expensive!
Don't take them after eights or quality street, but something more like Bendicks of Mayfair, as these are not too flash, but not mundane either
As per above, definitely get your partner to hand write a thank you letter to the wife of the colonel, and not him.
let the colonel and his wife know that you are both very busy, and already are members of various organisations, so cannot join any more during the chit chat. It will be better for you to join the parish council later, rather than be shoved into a post no one else wants!
Good luck, and think of it as a SERE course, but just say "Oh yes lovely" rather than "I cannot answer that question"
