We are delighted to report that this year’s Annual Dinner was another huge success with over 300 guests attending. The Executive Committee would like to thank all the host companies for their continued support of the event.
Our thanks go also to The First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds who donated a private suite accommodating 16 people for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, and the DoubleTree by Hilton, Sheffield who donated a stay for 2 people. The generosity of these companies and all the guests who supported the live auction, prize draw and the silent auction enabled us to raise a fantastic £6768 on the night.
From these funds, a cheque for £2500 was presented to Sue Woodall from R.A.B.I. and £2006 was donated to The Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The balance has been added to our charity pot ready to make future donations. If you know of any charity that you think deserves our support, please let us know and the Executive Committee will consider your nomination.
Taking on board comments received last year, we decided to stay with the new format of having speeches first again. We also engaged a professional sound system company and dispensed with the services of a formal toast master. Matthew Tickle (President) Toby Parker (Vice President) and Harry Todhunter (immediate past President) shared the toast master duties and did an excellent job keeping proceedings on track.
The afternoon seminar saw a change of speaker and subject matter due to IAG being unable to accommodate us this year. We were pleased to be able to welcome Matt Ryan of Oxbury Bank who gave a presentation entitled Financing Farms In A Changing World. Although numbers were lower than expected, feedback received showed that attendees found the seminar very informative.
A selection of photographs from the dinner are available to view, if you would like to purchase any copies contact Will Kirk at hello@nighthawkstudio.co.uk