GLOUCESTER CITY CYCLING CLUB

THE ANNUAL CLUB DINNER AND PRIZE PRESENTATIONS

All club members, family and friends are welcome.

118^th GLOUCESTER CITY CYCLING CLUB PRESENTATION AND DINNER 22 NOV 08

 COLD COMFORT

 As most of you are aware the club presentation and dinner was held on 22 Nov 08 at the National Waterways Museum Gloucester Docks. Our guest speaker for the evening was Peter Bungard the Chief Executive of Gloucestershire County Council and the club speaker was Paul Loosemore. Both were up to the task despite some reservations on my part – I thought Paul might rabbit on too long and Pete bore us to death with council business. However, Paul thanked all the right people in the right place, told us some funnies and also managed to achieve a little marketing of Striking Bikes, whilst Pete provided us with entertaining tales associated with the bikes he owned since his days of stabilisers up to the present and then explained some of the events he has enjoyed whilst in his current post.  I must add that he also applied to join the club at the dinner! Well done Toby.

Anyway, my reason for penning this piece is to apologise to all those who attended the evening for the lack of heating at the venue, I have had no complaints regarding the meal which I thought was very good and was delighted with the service at the tables, the presentation went without hitch, under the clinical direction of Toby, but it was cold comfort for those who did not bring warm clothing, especially Gordon Johnstone who wore a kilt!! It was a strange affair but I believe a first with the club with many of those who attended wearing overcoats, the ladies gave me some indignant looks. Just to let you all know I have written to the Events Manager of Cotswold Catering Services in the hope that we may get a refund on the venue cost and some sort of apology. Whilst the building is an ideal venue for an event such as ours the Forge Room is an old building without some of the modern facilities we expect. No central heating, no inside loos, no insulation under the roof and an electrical circuit which seemed unable to meet the demands of a cold night despite 80 guests. The guest speaker did ask the audience if anyone knew how to fire-up the forge! However, the reception area, the Old School Room, was heated adequately – pity we were not eating there!  I delivered the complaint to their office on Monday morning and await an answer from the company.  Be assured I will keep you informed through our website or the Spokespiece. 

 Are there any suggestions for a venue next year? (or would anyone like to take on the task???)

 A concerned Dinner Secretary – Paul Bridges

The Concept:
Tradition has it that we meet at the venue at 6.30pm. There follows much talk and drink.
The meal is taken from 7.15pm to finish around 9.00 or so. Cross-toasting is much in evidence, with the well -established members swapping stories of embarrassment about their comrades.
The Club speaker introduces the guests and talks about whatever they fancy - if anything.
A guest speaker is on hand to talk about something or other. 
The awards are then made with the fast men and others taking the 'stage'. (Visit the WINNERS  page here for full details on the silverware and records.)
Following this tickets for the raffle are sold to all those present as we mill around and chat.
A fine way to spend a night out in good company. Sponsored by the Club - the ticket price is kept as low as possible with assistance from Rudy Project. Even the treasurer agrees this is 'a good thing'!

If you have any ideas / comments, please refer them to Paul Bridges, the  Dinner Secretary.

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