Report
Introduction
At the function a questionnaire was made available to all visitors in an effort to
obtain the opinion of our Members on future activities of the Club and, in particular,
the next function. The following notes are a statement of my own opinion of the latter
and for those that didn't attend will serve as a view of the event.
The Venue
The layout at the Greyhound is ideal for our sort of event. The Public Bar serves as a
meeting place from lunchtime the day before and right through the evening reunion. The
receptionist who meets everyone approaching the bar looks amazingly like Mick Gates!
The dining room is converted to our buffet/disco room and the Haydock Room provides us
with a 'quieter' area and our own bar. Between the two lies the Reception area which,
for our purposes, serves as an additional tabled area. The walls of course are suitably
decked with Regimental flags!
During our previous visit here we had been promised that a refurbishment of the Hotel
would take place in summer (the Hotel is for sale) but this did not occur and,
generally, the furnishings can appear somewhat drab although the evening lighting does
much to dispel that feeling. The 52 bedrooms are adequate with some better than others.
With our increasing numbers however it is inevitable that many had to find accomodation
elsewhere.
The Buffet
This is served in the room that later is used for the holding of the raffle and the
disco, with good table layout and it includes a small conservatory area. From the completed
questionnaires received so far there is a lot of criticism of the buffet itself. I'm convinced
that there is nothing wrong with what is served - it just doesn't appear to be to the
taste of most people. Although there is aparently ample provision this buffet does not come
cheap - it makes up almost all of the cost of the entry tickets. Serving it about an hour
earlier than we had planned (and agreed with the Hotel staff) caused us to quickly reorganise
the timetable.
The Disco
I'm no expert but, from what I saw & heard, everyone enjoyed the music. An obvious problem is
that the very nature of the function means that people want to get around and say hello
to as many people as they can. Since we have to utilise as much space as possible for tables
this means a percentage of visitors being quite close to the disco centre. This causes a
dilemma - the dancers want it blasting at them - the talkers don't!
The Location
This has to be ideal - Excellent access from the North West's motorway system and bang in
the centre of a large local Hawk's population.
Top Guest
Despite being wheelchair-bound Noreen Crank is as bright as a new pin. Determined to attend,
it was a delight to welcome her.
Highlights
John Marcelle hasn't changed much - to see him stood on the Reception Desk attempting to take
the photo of everyone present will stick in the memory for time to come. (Please send me a photo
of this if you have one!).
The rendering of "Early one morning, Squadron's on
parade ..... "
Summary
Another wonderful evening with friends and colleagues. THE SHOW MUST GO ON.
Guests
Just click here to see who attended (if you don't see your name you didn't complete the
address book - please get in touch with me).
Guests
Bob_H - February 2001
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