Great Western

Christmas Lunch

Great Western Branch’s annual Christmas lunch was held on 12 December at the Thistle Grand Hotel in Bristol. The event was organised by Steve Pritchard of Spie Matthew Hall and his wife Margaret and was attended by 360 guests – the biggest ever turnout, despite the ‘Credit Crunch’. The event got off to a high spirited start with flying balloons and bread rolls and set the scene for the speaker, Barry Williams.

Barry kept the guests entertained and merry with apparent ease reciting very humorous anecdotes and stories. As a professional after-dinner speaker Barry has performed on numerous occasions for renowned charities. The Thames Valley Friday Luncheon Club, who do so much charity work, acknowledged Barry’s efforts by making him an honorary vice-president and in 1989 Barry was made a Lord’s Taverner. He has performed on countless occasions for the Round Table movement, the Rotarians, Children Nationwide, S.P.A.R.K.S., S.O.S., A.R.M.S.. The Wooden Spoon Society and the Variety Club of Great Britain. He is thrilled to this day that through his own efforts and the generosity of his audiences he was able to raise funds for fourteen guide dogs within a single year.

A sum of circa £2,900 was raised and a donation will be made to the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal. The event was generously sponsored by Spie Matthew Hall.

Left: Speaker Barry Williams    Right: the top table