Christmas Party Celebration

[Beaker]

Yes I know its August, but bookings and arrangements for christmas parties need to be done as early as possible.

1) Venues tend to be booked up quickly for large groups
2) The advert needs to be in the next issue of Monstro

So was everyone happy with the venue and food last year? Shall I book it at the same place, or do we want a change of scenery?

If we want a change of scenery, see if you can recommend somewhere that does group bookings, that is easy to get to from north and south and serves good food.

Also can people reply with interest for the moment, so I know approximately the number of people that will be going.

I will provisionally say a date of 4th/5th December, which day would people prefer a Saturday or a Sunday?

Cheers

Lindsey

[e692wtt]

Count me in please...

I am easy (ahem), but that weekend and the same venue will be fine for me. Maybe Saturday better, so we can catch up with sleep before the new working week though?

A venue nearer home would be nice (say, Warwick or somewhere?) but Oxford's only 175 miles from here... I'd be quite happy to go to the Longwall again.

[MG Stew]

Ok count me and bev in...

[tony]

yup me and ann and no kids :) sat or sunday new venue would be good , but i dont mind . :)

[MaestroMatt]

A provisional yes from me (the provision being that I may be taking my next set of ACCA exams in the week beginning the 6th Dec so I may need to be revising...).

Oxford is more than acceptable.

[Dave]

Yep, count me and Laura in.
I think Longwall is a location that is suitable for most.

Dave

[e692wtt]

Just looked at the Blog for 27th August 2004 on The UNOFFICIAL Austin-Rover Web Resource (http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/) , and apparently The Longwall, where we went last year, was stripped of all reference to the local car industry in June this year (although most of it was relocated to the Oxford Bus Museum), and the pub is now just generic Beefeater.

Ayd Instone, the article's writer, comments that he wonders if the Morris Minor Owners Club will return to this now almost irrelevant site in the future. (not quoted word for word ;) )

One of the major points in this Pub's favour, for me, was all the memorabilia hanging around the place (literally :laugh: ).

I'll go anywhere we decide to go, but I don't think we need feel tied to going back to The Longwall this year.

[Austin-Rover]

I hope the club doesn’t feel an overwhelming need to return to 'The Longwall' this year even though we had such a riot ( :worried: ) last time...

For me, the automobilia on the pub walls added something special to the whole evening. I don’t think there is any good reason why we can’t go somewhere else this year. I don’t have to drive all the way to Oxford to sample the delights of what is now just another anonymous Beefeater pub.

How about a similar pub near Gaydon? Anyone that wants to can visit the Heritage Museum before making their way to a pub in the evening. Perhaps they can be persuaded to dust off some of their Maestro and Montego artefacts for the benefit of club members wishing to meet up before the Christmas Dinner?

Just a suggestion...

[Jonathan]

It's still early days yet but we want to get something provisionally booked by the end of the month if at all possible. There's still time but ideas very definately needed so if anyone's come across any interesting or motoring related eateries on their travels we'd love to know about them.

Since the Longwall is out one idea that's been mooted is to combine it with a visit to the Heritage Motor Museum at Gaydon in the morning where, as Rich suggests above, we might be able to twist a few arms and arrange for one or two relevant exhibits to make an appearance. Otherwise any decent chain pub (Beefeater, Brewers Fayre etc.) is usually a safe bet and we'll just book somewhere in a nice central location, easy to find and with a big enough car park. The nearest to Gaydon is Stratford-upon-Avon but I've no idea whether it meets our criteria.

[Beaker]

A trip to Gaydon and a pub in Straford Upon Avon is fine by me.

Say 10:30am -1pm Gaydon Heritage Motor Museum (could try to negotiate a discount on entry fees too)

2:30pm onwards pub at Straford Upon Avon for the Xmas meal.

Not forgetting the Xmas Car decoration competition prize giving :D

[MGTurbo]

Maybe, defo Gaydon/Stratford Upon Avon as i know the area well....

Gareth

[Austin-Rover]

How about 'The Encore' Beefeater pub in Stratford-upon-Avon. It's on Bridge Street and not far from the river. I like the times that Lindsey has suggesed for the day. It allows for a relaxed stroll around the museum and to look at any Maestro & Montego related artefacts the museum may get out for us, and we won't be arriving at the pub too late in the afternoon, possibly a plus if people have long distances to drive afterwards.

Any more suggestions...?

:)

[e692wtt]

There are both Brewers Fayre and Beefeater Restaurants in Stratford-Upon-Avon, so the choice is yours...

I would prefer a Beefeater as I have had more bad than good experiences with several Brewers Fayre 'eateries' locally, and the only Brewsters (not relevant, I know, but bear ( :laugh: *ahem* with me) I've tried wasn't too good on food quality or service either. I've only ever been to one Beefeater recently (The Longwall, last xmas), but it was all fine.

Stratford-Upon-Avon is better for me than Oxford, and I would love to see the Maestro/Montego items at Gaydon too. :)

[Beaker]

......and the only Brewsters (not relevant, I know, but bear ( :laugh: *ahem* with me) .......


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: For those who haven't seen the brewsters website check out the kids section at http://www.bresterthebear.co.uk

Beefeater sounds good to me. I know they make it easy for booking a xmas party.

[MGTurbo]

How about 'The Encore' Beefeater pub in Stratford-upon-Avon. It's on Bridge Street and not far from the river. I like the times that Lindsey has suggesed for the day. It allows for a relaxed stroll around the museum and to look at any Maestro & Montego related artefacts the museum may get out for us, and we won't be arriving at the pub too late in the afternoon, possibly a plus if people have long distances to drive afterwards.

Any more suggestions...?

:)

I think i went to that one (virtually next to maccy d's) for a xmas meal couple of years back. Cant complain about anything so there would be fine. One of the beefeaters got burnt down end of 2003 i think, still has a hole in its roof :worried:

[Austin-Rover]

I seem to have inherited organising some of this event. (I must remember to keep ideas to myself next time...)

I have 'phoned 'The Encore', and they will send me some Menu's out, and I will post them here when they arrive...

There seems also to be a difference of opinion over the day of the event. Which would people prefer, Saturday or Sunday, considering we should arrive at the pub by 3pm?

[Beaker]

I would prefer Saturday, as then I will have Sunday to recover.

My intial thoughts were, is gaydon open on a sunday. But I have just checked and it is, so that wouldn't be a problem if people preferred the Sunday.

Thankyou for taking over some of the reigns from me Rich, it is much appreciated :) :thumbup: :beer:

[tony]

sat for me too, i can stay overnight and have a slow drive home sunday
:)

[MG MAL]

Put us down as provisional, can confirm nearer the time.
If i can make it i will bring that grill for you Tony.
Will also load up the estate with new bits ive collected.


Mal+Fiona.


94 Montego DLX Estate (now with snazy boot liner)
86MG Monteg 2.0 EFI (awaiting sills+Apost work,Possibly for sale) :D

[Austin-Rover]

The Christmas Dinner is now booked for 2:30pm, Saturday 4th December at 'The Encore', Bridge Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. CV37 6AB.

Can anyone who is interested in joining the festivities, please provisionally confirm their attendance along with any family members who would like to join us. It promises to be another fantastic event, and is something to look forward to in the winter months when shows and events are lacking in number. Can you please confirm by replying to this thread below.

Here is the Menu showing what choices are available...

- Menu -

Starters
Soup of the Day (V)* - Served with rustic bread.
Breaded Mushrooms - Deep-fried breaded mushrooms with a ranch dip
Fresh Honeydew Melon (V).
Nachos (V) - Tortilla chips topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream and chives, sprinkled with diced red onion and jalapenos.

Main Courses
Christmas Turkey - Served with a Yorkshire pudding, mini pork sausages wrapped in bacon, stuffing, roast and buttered new potatoes and mixed seasonal fresh vegetables.
Peppered Rump Steak - 8oz rump steak grilled to your liking and topped with a creamy peppercorn sauce. Served with chips and fresh mixed leaf salad.
Grilled Salmon Fillet with Béarnaise Sauce - A prime Scottish salmon fillet topped with creamy Béarnaise sauce. Served with buttered new potatoes and mixed seasonal fresh vegetables.
Vegetarian Dish of the Day (V).

Desserts
Christmas pudding - Christmas pudding made with cider and vine fruits finished with citrus and sherry flavours covered in brandy sauce.
Profiteroles - Profiteroles with hot chocolate fudge sauce on top of ice cream.
Fruit Pavlova - Meringue, raspberry mousse, mixed berry fruits and cream
Ice Cream - With your choice of either hot chocolate fudge sauce with chocolate crunch or mixed berry fruits with raspberry dessert sauce.

* (V) - Vegetarian

[mtamin]

I would be interested in coming to this probably with wife and Maybe two other Maestro sympathisers. Stratford is good and Saturday would be my preference.

Martyn

[malcsmaesty]

Count me in as possible,i have a training course early/mid december so may have to do some swotting instead.

[MG MAL]

:cool:
Count me in as a definate +1.
Managed to persuade other half that its a great idea.
Sat best for us(have just printed off booking form).

Any one needing odd bits for there cars i will be loading up the estate with a few box's of bits.

PM me if you would like a list of what i've got spare.

Mal :D

[Reginald Hook]

The menu is looking proper booshank, im a new member but i have a passion for my Maestro. Can i come along to, with my friends? Where and when is it. How much is it? I cant wait. The only thing better than a Maestro is Christmas. Proper BO

[MGTurbo]

The menu is looking proper booshank, im a new member but i have a passion for my Maestro. Can i come along to, with my friends? Where and when is it. How much is it? I cant wait. The only thing better than a Maestro is Christmas. Proper BO


Good at taking the pi ss aint you? :rolleyes: Who says proper bo these days except Steve 'GGT'....

[Beaker]

The menu is looking proper booshank, im a new member but i have a passion for my Maestro. Can i come along to, with my friends? Where and when is it. How much is it? I cant wait. The only thing better than a Maestro is Christmas. Proper BO

See sticky in the Events and Meetings Section entitled 'MMOC Annual Christmas Dinner for arrangements', all members are welcome.