For this year we returned to the Holiday Inn in Kensington for our Autumn Guest night – a popular venue which has hosted successful events for us in recent years.
Almost 70 Old Friends and guests gathered in the Balmoral Suite for what became a very pleasant evening. Our numbers were slightly down on recent years due to another industry event announced after the time of booking preventing quite a number of Old Friends attending.
The meal was very pleasant (if missing bread rolls and carrots), although staff shortages being experienced everywhere at present meant that the speed of service was not up to the standards experienced previously.
Our Guest Speaker was Dominic Holland – author, comedian, actor and broadcaster. Dominic fitted in very well and mixed with everyone present like one of us before, during and after the dinner – he was one of the last to leave.
His speech was interesting and very amusing. He talked us through his life and also that of his now famous son Tom, from his surprise run in theatre as Billy Elliott to starring as Spiderman in the blockbuster movie – he almost seemed jealous!
The atmosphere was really good and some great feedback has been received. That said there were some shortcomings for which the hotel has apologised and provided a cost reduction.
We now look forward to our Xmas Clachan on the 15th December at the birthplace of the Society – The Clachan Inn, just behind Oxford Circus – always a very popular event where we will have our own private room – Do book early!
Planning is also well underway for our AGM and the 2023 Spring Guest Night – details will be posted very shortly on our events page: www.https://thesocietyofoldfriends.co.uk/events – do look out for updates.
We are also planning for a Northern event and a summer lunch – two new initiatives which have been requested by many members, again details will be released shortly – so 2023 should be a really busy year for the Society!
