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TOPTON

Original Poster:

1,514 posts

266 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
As the vote (52%-48%) was to stay at ET again next year, I have no problem with that whatsoever. This years fest was well organised and a good day all around. So why spoil that. But looking around while the vote was happening cost nothing but time. I found 3 places which fitted the bill but only one that priced out well. The only slight problem with this place was they wanted a deposit per room before the end of January to hold the rooms, understandable perhaps.
Anyway, in the words of 'bully' ( if you'r old enough you'll understand that) "here's what you could've had"

PARK HALL HOTEL, CHARNOCK RICHARDhttp://www.parkhall-hotel.co.uk/default.aspx
Classic car weekend x 100 guests approx

Dates available Friday 22nd June – Sunday 24th June 2012
Friday 6th July – Sunday 8th July 2012
(If other dates are your preference please advise me and I will check availability for you)

Conference Suites: Park Suite - this is a modern suite situated in the main hotel, it has plenty of natural daylight and air conditioning, and can accommodate up to 150 guests on round tables for dining.
Medieval Banquet Hall - this is a traditional stone built, oak beamed suite with plenty of character and atmosphere, it is ideal for themed dinners, conferences and exhibitions. Up to 120 guests can be accommodated in this suite on round tables for dining.
Friday
Guests arrive at leisure throughout the afternoon/evening
Dinner – guests can dine in Brookes Restaurant where a table d’hote dinner menu and an a la carte menu are available
Accommodation – approximately 25-30 bedrooms required
Saturday
Residential guests can take breakfast in Brookes Restaurant
Additional guests will arrive throughout the day
An area of the car park is required to display 50-60 classic cars, some trade stands may set up in this area and also a rolling road
Dinner – a private area is required, the hotel can organise themed events including medieval banquets, barbecues, a hog roast, buffet menus, 2 or 3 course carvery or silver served dinner menus
Accommodation – approximately 50 bedrooms required
Sunday
Residential guests can take breakfast in Brookes Restaurant
Guests depart at leisure

Costings:
Friday
Twin/Double rooms x 2 guests @ £30.00 per person – bed and full English breakfast (normally £60.45 per person)
Single rooms @ £52.50 per person – bed and full English breakfast (normally £107.95 per person)
Saturday
Twin/Double rooms x 2 guests @ £35.00 per person – bed and full English breakfast (normally £60.45 per person)
Single rooms @ £57.50 per person – bed and full English breakfast (normally £107.95 per person)
Dinner options
Barbecue menus from £11.95 per person
Hog roast menu @ £19.00 per person inc desert
Buffet menus from £17.00 per person
3 course carvery menu from £22.95 per person
3-course silver served menu from £24.75 per person
Medieval Banquet including drinks package and entertainment from £50.00 per person

Leisure Club: Any guests who are resident at the hotel, have free membership of the hotels Health and Fitness Club during their stay, the facilities are inclusive of the following:-
  • 2 Indoor pools * Gymnasium with weight and fitness area
  • Sauna * Spa whirlpool bath
  • Steam room * Toning tables †
  • Beautician † * Solariums †
  • Health bar † * Dance studio for aerobics †
† Charges are applicable for these facilities

Notes: As the hotel doesn’t allow outside catering, I have suggested various options for you to consider. If you have any alternative options you would like costings for please let me know.


Edited-- this isn't all my typing, it is a copy n paste of the email 'Sue' the conference manager sent to me

Edited by TOPTON on Friday 23 September 18:13

mrzigazaga

18,816 posts

195 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
It does sound good..The site keeps flashing though and not loading..Is it just me?..

Wedg1e

27,041 posts

295 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
Yeah buggerit, let's give it a shot.

Trickie Dickie

2,399 posts

264 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
I actually think that if nearly half the people voted for a change
that it probably is time to look elsewhere and this does look a good change

Maybe time for a vote now for ET or Park Hall (PH?)?

Cheers
Trickie

PS Well done on finding this and spending your time Tony


mrzigazaga

18,816 posts

195 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
I love the idea of a medieval banquet..No knifes..No forks or spoons just fingers..Ripping off big chunks of beef or lamb..Yummy..Just dont drink the finger bowl..hehe..Buxom wenchies a plenty..lashings of grog..And put in the stocks and beheaded at dawn if your a bad bastid..Im well up for it..Ziga

PS: P.H

phantom wedge

500 posts

237 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
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Hey well done im game for this looks good Brill,Crawford.

phantom wedge

500 posts

237 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
Hey Zig no Knives/forks we could have practice this at the ACE cafe on wednesday,Crawford

mrzigazaga

18,816 posts

195 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
phantom wedge said:
Hey Zig no Knives/forks we could have practice this at the ACE cafe on wednesday,Crawford
laugh..True..But it would be well messy with sausage,egg and chips..Ziga

Mr Tank

5,799 posts

305 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
TOPTON said:
The only slight problem with this place was they wanted a deposit per room before the end of January to hold the rooms, understandable perhaps.
ms
Edited by TOPTON on Friday 23 September 18:13

Hi

The above is one of two problems I can see.

How much deposit do they require per room or would a general deposit do?

The other problem, are they happy with us making lots of noise i.e loudest wedge etc?

Now the tricky question who's volunteering to organise the whole event etc?

You need to get that sorted ASAP! In fact before you go ahead and book!

Andy



Edited by Mr Tank on Friday 23 September 23:45

phantom wedge

500 posts

237 months

Friday 23rd September 2011
quotequote all
Sunny side up ZIG

dixiebabes

3,111 posts

254 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Looks canny that like id be up for that, much as EC is a good venue a change every now and then is good. Well done on the research tony I for one and I'm sure everyone else really appreciates it.

Dix

mrzigazaga

18,816 posts

195 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Jeff...YHM
..Ziga

TOPTON

Original Poster:

1,514 posts

266 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Obviously some of the replies to the opening post were always going to be along the lines of 'lets go there then, it sounds spot on'. Nothing wrong with that, made by people who were in the 48% bracket for changing. The OP was imformation only, like I said--"look what you could have had"

WE HAD A VOTE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLOSE AT 52-48, LIKE IT OR NOT IT WAS FOR STAYING AT EC NEXT YEAR.

I would happily go along and organise this venue if the vote was for a change, but it wasn't. Surely we have to follow the diplomatic route and honour that and not have another vote just because the result wasn't liked.

MrT, 2 good questions-
They had no problem with trade stands setting up selling/demo products, rolling road
The deposit was £30 per room.

Maybe the year after next then idea







adam quantrill

11,679 posts

272 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all

In One


Looking at the facilities it's about the same as EC on price, so no problems there, although it must be said that the Hog price (pretty much the same as EC @ £18) was whinged about a little in 2010, which is why we went for an outside caterer and bought the cost per head down significantly in 2011, with a little more risk (what if they didn't turn up etc).

In Two


The deposits would cause some grief unless you use the "float" to fund some rooms to be held, mainly because people don't book this up until after Xmas, yes some do by Jan but a lot like to leave it till spring when they can see far enough ahead.

Keep out of the black, and in the red; there's nothing in this game for two in a bed!



A banker for 2013 then, I have no problems with an EC repeat for 2012 (even though I voted for a change). Super smashing great!

mrzigazaga

18,816 posts

195 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Oh well at least EC has an all night bar and late night recording facilities for morning viewing of drunken escapades..The wenchies werent bad either..Ziga

Mr Tank

5,799 posts

305 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Tony

I think a big thank you from everybody!

The overall package is nearly the same as EC except for the HOG price etc.

Like Adam I would be happy for a change but I am also happy to stay at EC it's like the old saying "if it's not broke don't fix it"

For those people who want change then come up with some more ideas for what can be done at EC. Or come up with something better than Tony!

EC Idea changes!
Have something differant to do during the day!
May be go back to the PUB for a BBQ the griff people gave it a thumbup
Find a more interesting drive out!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Saturday 24th September 11:17

Wedg1e

27,041 posts

295 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Mr Tank said:
Find a more interesting drive out!
^^^ This.

Mr Tank

5,799 posts

305 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Wedg1e said:
^^^ This.
Ian

Well can you find some near EC!
There is a nice peace of road about 10 miles from the chase (Road to Banbury)which has an impressive hill will a few interesting bends!

If EC is going to be the venue next year, I think a day or two is needed before hand finding a more interesting driver out!

How far do people want to actualy drive out on the day?

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Sunday 25th September 12:29

TOPTON

Original Poster:

1,514 posts

266 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
Like I have said before, I am totally happy to go back to EC. (even though it's 4 hours from me) It has everything we need , so why change other than because we can. Not always a bad idea though.

The hog roast price at Park Hall had £3 added on for deserts. So taking that out, an in house Hog was £16, but this included chips, boiled spuds and a selection of salad. Lack of hot side dishes would be my only complaint at Ettington.

I am willing to help out all I can next year at EC, although distance is an issue as I can't just pop around. Whether it be with MrT and Co or someone else. But as said earlier, why change a winning formular.

So come on MrT, stick ya hand up and volunteer again


OH and zig, at park hall they serve beer until the last person goes to bed beerdrinksillydrunk

mrzigazaga

18,816 posts

195 months

Saturday 24th September 2011
quotequote all
TOPTON said:
OH and zig, at park hall they serve beer until the last person goes to bed beerdrinksillydrunk
YES...We must definitely hold one there at some point then..I would be up for helping again as i would like to organise some entertaining things to do next time round..Plus raise some more money for charity..Cant wait..Ziga

I miss you rusty...cry