A Great Evening...

What a great evening! Thank you so much to all the people who came, bringing themselves, food, drink and lots of love and happiness! I had a fantastic time, it was just how I wanted it, my front room but a bit bigger, with many lovely people that I care about enjoying themselves. Marv.

Big thanks to Anne, Jeff, John and Paul for putting up with my foibles and playing all the songs I wanted to.  One of the high points was the impromptu blast with Andy and Richard - excellent, especially the backing singers!

A high point was the Timeline - I have yet to unroll it to study in detail, but it was an excellent talking point with contributions from so many. All I have to do now is work out how best to store it for archival purposes - maybe I'll be leaning out of a bedroom window to get the best angle for a picture...

Incredibly I didn't take any pictures, must have been so in the moment it really didn't occur to me, but some people have sent theirs, with more on the way - thanks Liz and Andy! I'll add more when they arrive.

Party Food Suggestions

Having suggested that people should bring some party food to share, I've been asked about what kind of thing should be brought, and to what extent people should attempt to coordinate. A highly experienced "large party participant" (thanks Jeff) suggested that I provide a list of suggestions, which guests can volunteer against, so here it is. Please volunteer a foodstuff either in the comments for this blog, or by return email - I'll update the list so that people know what's already been covered. It's basically finger foods, cold collations, typical party fare, as we have no reheating facility.

Of course, this is only a list of suggestions - if you have a good idea, or something you especially like that's not on the list, please bring it! And just because someone's snaffled something, doesn't mean you can't bring more - there are 50+ people coming, so it's all good. 

If anyone is vegetarian, has food allergies or other special requirements then it would be helpful if you could let us know, and we can make provision for it. Or of course, you can bring something suitable for yourself.

Finally, please bring something to drink that you're going to drink - if you're driving and will drink soft drinks, then bringing some would be handy. We'll have a drinks chilling facility, probably involving a swimming pool and ice!

Note: I'm moderating the comments in case someone writes something amusing that I want to steal, so your comment won't get posted until I check and allow it.

Food List
cocktail sausages	DiS
cheese	H&B:cheese selection
sausage rolls	DiS
crisps	Elaine&Barry
dips	Elaine&Barry
quiche	P&T
chicken drumsticks	MikeT
meat platter	Anne&Len: Parma ham , salami etc
olives	...
humus	John G (I'll make a large pot!)
biscuits	...
crackers	Liz&Andy
french bread	Elaine&Barry
breadsticks	P&T
cakes	Becky:cup cakes
pizza	N&G
scotch eggs	MikeT
potato salad	Pen&Jeff
coleslaw	Liz&Andy
green salad	Pen&Jeff
samosas	N&H; Mick vegetable
pasta salad	Geoff&Sue:an amazing pasta salad!
crudite	...
brownies	Katrina&R
peanuts	Liz&Andy
shortbread	P&T
rice krispie cakes	...
rice cakes	...
twiglets	Elaine&Barry
pineapple and cheese hedgehog	N&G
jelly (optional vodka)	Gregoire - vodka!!

Party Location

I've marked the location on this handy Google Map.
Parking is available on site - the entrance is on Berkshire Drive, just down from the main road.
If you have trouble accessing the map, or want more travel directions, email me or add a comment to this blog entry.

BnB Info

Some places that aren't far away from the venue, but will involve a taxi ride, are:

• The Calcot Hotel - we used this for our wedding, serviceable, friendly, big breakfast!
• The Old Lamb Hotel - hah!! This used to be a pub, oft-frequented by me and mates, as school was down the road
• Amherst Guest House - more towards the centre of Reading - the Nags Head also on Russell St serves a great pint for Sunday lunch!
• The ubiquitous Travelodge! - again, on the way into town, usual sub-corporate facilities
• Firtrees Guest House, 2 Cotswold Way, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6SH; T 0118-941 3286 - in the 'burbs, about 5 mins by taxi!

Of course, t'interweb will provide lots of options, boutique hotels, super corp blowouts, working mens' retreats etc... If you want some advice for a specific place, drop me a line or comment on the blog.

The Invite

I really meant to do this 10 years ago, but I didn't. However, after four family weddings in the last 18 months, and having greatly enjoyed my own wedding and party, I thought a 60th birthday for my friends, with some food and music, would be a Good Plan....

You are cordially invited to my 60th birthday party, on Saturday 20th September, 2014, 19.00-23.30, at St Joseph's Church Hall, Berkshire Dr, Reading, Berkshire RG31 5JJ. Please bring some food and drink to share, kids are very welcome.

Please let me know if you're coming, obviously any questions, email me or call me (07748 707984). If you are coming far and want to stay over, let me know, if there's space you can sleep over or I can suggest some local hotels or BnBs.

Finally, if you play an instrument or sing, let me know and we'll arrange for you to strut your stuff - looking forward to this! We'll get material organised and give it a go...

Thanks, see you soon