Get A-Head news
The latest news from Get A-Head
Barnt Green Sunday Lunch
It was Sunday 7th June and raining. It started on Friday at around 3pm and hadn’t stopped. The marquee had been re-dressed and transformed from a Rock and Roll theme to a beautiful Sunday Lunch setting, complete with fresh roses sitting decoratively on the tables. Still raining. Everyone was busy with the various preparations, moving from one task to the other in their wellies. Still raining. The aroma of the food was inviting and the bucks fizz was ready at the reception area to greet the first of our esteemed guests. Still raining. The items for the silent auction were being laid out, by Dennis (the expert) and presented in the best possible light. I heard what I thought was a record being played. It sounded lovely. It wasn’t a record, it was Jack Montgomery rehearsing! What a wonderful voice! Brian Conley, our entertainment for the day, arrived and he went through the order of events with JJ Loades and John Watkinson. Still raining. We had some late irresistible offers of items to auction, so we set about getting that information on to the tables for our guests. It was just after midday and we were almost there…then we looked up and noticed a break in the clouds. We were ready and the sun turned up to complete the preparations and stayed with us all afternoon.
We had a silent auction of 44 items. A main auction of five items and a raffle consisting of three very attractive prizes. One of the raffle items; dinner at the Butcher’s Arms was (generously) returned so we promptly auctioned it for £800. How was that for five minutes work? The Jazz Ramblers played us through the afternoon and Jack Montgomery sang for us. Then he joined Brian Conley, undeniably the star of the day, in a duet.
Brian entertained us in a way that somehow exceeded our expectations. He was off the cuff in his delivery and his repertoire knew no bounds. A true professional who captivated the mood, his audience - and created an atmosphere which set the tone for the remainder of the day. He auctioned some fabulous items for us, raising much needed funds, and then he auctioned himself! Someone bid for an audience with him for his wife’s 50th birthday celebrations – what a wonderful present! Once all the pledges are in – and we are nearly there – Brian will have been responsible for raising in excess of £50, 000 for us that day. He appeared free of charge. Thank you Brian.
Stephen Fisher, photographer captured the moment for us all and his pictures are will be on the site very soon. Everyone had a fantastic time and it is obvious in these pictures!
And finally, we could not have done this without the absolute generosity of all our supporters who gave us wonderful, bespoke gifts to auction. And THANKS to all who helped on the day; Fran Gurney, Amanda Smith, Dennis Price, Annette and Paul Darby and Rachel Barron. Ultimately, we owe a debt of gratitude to Tony, JJ and Mason Loades who spent time and effort, donating not only their valuable time but their home too. Their enthusiasm for us is warm and appreciated as well as valued and respected. JJ Loades orchestrated the whole weekend of events and was completely unflappable – even when everywhere was wet and getting wetter!!!
We had a silent auction of 44 items. A main auction of five items and a raffle consisting of three very attractive prizes. One of the raffle items; dinner at the Butcher’s Arms was (generously) returned so we promptly auctioned it for £800. How was that for five minutes work? The Jazz Ramblers played us through the afternoon and Jack Montgomery sang for us. Then he joined Brian Conley, undeniably the star of the day, in a duet.
Brian entertained us in a way that somehow exceeded our expectations. He was off the cuff in his delivery and his repertoire knew no bounds. A true professional who captivated the mood, his audience - and created an atmosphere which set the tone for the remainder of the day. He auctioned some fabulous items for us, raising much needed funds, and then he auctioned himself! Someone bid for an audience with him for his wife’s 50th birthday celebrations – what a wonderful present! Once all the pledges are in – and we are nearly there – Brian will have been responsible for raising in excess of £50, 000 for us that day. He appeared free of charge. Thank you Brian.
Stephen Fisher, photographer captured the moment for us all and his pictures are will be on the site very soon. Everyone had a fantastic time and it is obvious in these pictures!
And finally, we could not have done this without the absolute generosity of all our supporters who gave us wonderful, bespoke gifts to auction. And THANKS to all who helped on the day; Fran Gurney, Amanda Smith, Dennis Price, Annette and Paul Darby and Rachel Barron. Ultimately, we owe a debt of gratitude to Tony, JJ and Mason Loades who spent time and effort, donating not only their valuable time but their home too. Their enthusiasm for us is warm and appreciated as well as valued and respected. JJ Loades orchestrated the whole weekend of events and was completely unflappable – even when everywhere was wet and getting wetter!!!
