Eventmasters Blog

We were delighted to work with our sister company, The Silent Auction Events Company, to stage a series of Silent Auctions at Twickenham during our 2013 RBS 6 Nations Championship hospitality functions at Merits, raising funds on behalf of Wooden Spoon. 

The auctions were very well supported by the numerous VIP guests that we had in attendance. Tim Stimpson (England, British & Irish Lions) is seen receiving a cheque to the value of £4,500.00 on behalf of Wooden Spoon from Denise Sheasby (Managing Director of Eventmasters). 

Tim, Honorary President of the Shropshire Wooden Spoon, said “I have really enjoyed my role as Rugby ambassador this year with Eventmasters at the 6 Nations Championships and was delighted to help promote the items included in the auction; the support of the guests on the day was fantastic”.

Read more: RBS 6 Nations - Charity Donation

The International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham hosted a night of football appreciation, fine dining and bright lights, with a sprinkling of magic on top, when it opened its doors for the Baggies' End of Season Awards Dinner on Sunday evening. Guests had the opportunity to mingle with stars and staff while looking back at the achievements of the club during what has been a record breaking season. The venue looked spectacular, dressed up to fit the theme of "Albion's Eleven" (a somewhat cheesy yet clever spin on the suave movie classic) and certainly offered that 'Vegas VIP feel' - it's fair to say a few in attendance fancied themselves as a bit of a George Clooney that night, us included.

Read more: West Bromwich Albion End Of Season Awards Dinner

A really pleasant day out at Chester Racecourse on Friday, thanks to Richard Thomas (CEO) and Kate Dawson (Sales Manager) for your very kind invitation. The event launching the new  flat season included a sumptuous four course lunch, an interesting presentation from Emma Blackmore (Marketing Manager) who outlined how the Racecourse Company has progressed in recent times including details of their sister course Bangor-on-Dee, Chester Bet, Chester Polo and the outside catering operation Horseradish. Stephen Wunke (Raceday Announcer) gave us an interesting insight into the specifics of race riding at Chester in his interview with leading jockey at the course Franny Norton. Franny who was particularly entertaining enjoyed star billing with special suprise guest John Bishop, a real treat.



The event was sponsored by Stan James who very kindly offered a £50 free bet on the Chester Cup, the feature race during the three day May Festival (Franny's tip the Dermot Weled trained Olympiad 10/1). Following the lunch we had the opportunity to sample the delights of the new recently completed, on sight, gastro pub The White Horse. A venue that will surely prove to be popular with race goers throughout the season.
For full details of the Hospitality Packages available during the May Festival please click here

A fabulous 2013 Festival came to a conclusion when Alderwood ridden by Tony McCoy won the 5:15pm race on Friday 15th March - Gold Cup Day, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup. The annual financial challenge between "Bookmakers" and "Punters" possibly ended as a tie, with many of the fancied horses winning, including favourites Simonsig 8/15F, Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly 13/8F and the Cheltenham cash point Quevega 8/11F winning for a 5th successive year on Tuesday 12th March - Champions Day. Wednesday 13th March - Ladies Day witnessed Sprinter Sacre 1/4F confirming his status as the new superstar of the sport with a facile victory in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase. Thursday 14th March - St Patrick's Race Day, proved to be a day for the bookmakers with a number of big priced winners including Solwhit 17/2 in the Championship race, the Ladbroke World Hurdle. The final day produced a positive note for punters with four winning favourites including Nicky Henderson's 50th Festival Winner Bob's Worth in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

 
Although there was a degree of squeaky-bum-time with the threat of frost, the weather was particularly kind across the first three days, and even the rainfall on Friday did not dampen guests spirits. Our Celebrity guest tipster, former Jockey Steve Smith-Eccles, although always ending his speech with the phrase "Jockey's are renowned for being the worst tipsters on racecourses!" provided guests within our course-facing facilities with several winners, including Medinas 33/1 on Wednesday in the Coral Cup and Holywell 25/1 in the Pertemps Final on Thursday. The views from the balconies with Cleeve Hill as the backdrop were spectacular and contributed to an ideal environment for guests to enjoy, without doubt, the best four days Horse Racing of the jumps season.

Read more: Review: Cheltenham National Hunt Festival 2013

Representatives from St Richard's Hospice Rachel Jones (on left) and Macmillan Cancer Support Natalie Bridge (on right) attended Eventmasters Head Office at St Paul's Square Birmingham, to receive cheques to the value of £2,190.00, from Company Managing Director Denise Sheasby (centre) recently. The amounts represented the funds raised from the 2012 Midlands Sportsmans Luncheon. Greville Edwards, who started the fundraising luncheons some 24 years ago, received invaluable support from both organisations during his illness and his son Warren requested that all fundraising should help these two magnificent organisations.

Both Natalie and Rachel tweeted the following comments:

Rachel: "@EventmastersUK Fabulous donation received this week from Eventmasters for £2,190 from the Midlands Sporting Luncheon. Thank you so much."

Natalie: "Thank you to @EventmastersUK for your donation to @macmillancancer of over £2,000!"

Full Event Review
 

Over 250 guests attended the Midlands Sportsmans Luncheon at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel on Wednesday 12th December. Christmas festivities were enjoyed by all including a superb four-course luncheon (Poached Shetland Salmon & Prawn Nicoise -  Rib of 21 day aged Scottish Beef -  Trio of Chocolate Torte and a selection of Regional Cheeses) and entertainment from ex-England and British Lions Internationals Tim Stimpson acting as our MC,  Ben Kay our Guest of Honour and the award-winning comedian Gary Marshall.

Ben Kay was in superb form as he provided us with anecdotes from his career, including a nice mickey-take about former colleague Mark Regan. After supposedly getting all confused when being presented to the Queen along with the rest of the squad following England's World Cup win, Regan allegedly curtsied instead of bowed.

But it got worse in the aftermath reception.

Butler (bearing drinks): “Earl Grey, Sir?”

Regan: “Mark Regan; nice to meet you!”

Read more: Review: 23rd Annual Midlands Sportsmans Luncheon