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PAST EVENTS PAGE 89

3rd NATIONAL CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY - MENZIES MICKLEOVER HOTEL, DERBY, SATURDAY 28th DECEMBER 2002

We decided to return to Derby for the second time to celebrate Christmas in true style. The Mickleover Court Hotel situated near Derby is perfectly located central with easy access from all the major roads. The hotel is fully equipped with a beautiful exotic swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, gym and let’s not forget the two restaurants and underground parking. This really is the perfect place to celebrate what has been a great and successful year for the club.

The agenda was almost exactly the same as the year before with an afternoon welcome reception to meet and greet members as they arrived for the festive activities. From the Oasis bar it was encouraging to see so many members arriving in their MR2's with the odd MK2 and Fiat X1/9 thrown in for good measure. Steve Kingsnorth from the south east brought his new Supercharger Special Edition which raised the odd and curious eyebrow. The club kindly bought every member a drink as they arrived which set the mood for the rest of the function. Throughout the reception members chatted, reminisced and generally caught up with friends who they sometimes see only a couple of times a year usually at events. As the reception came to a close it was time to move onto the pool for a club dip!! We really did abuse most facilities and made the most of the warm and relaxing Jacuzzi spa pool, lurvley. From here it was free time and we all agreed to meet up in the bar area at 7.00pm for pre-dinner drinks and cocktails.

The mood was set, the tables and room were set up in a true festive spirit, and the DJ, club member Jonathan Hutton was ready to rock and roll. Dinner, a four course festive banquet was served and then we held a raffle and made the all important annual announcements and awards.

Now I'm not saying you should do this and the club really doesn't encourage that you should try, or take any responsibility, but we all know how expensive hotels can be with drink prices, well, in a true club camaraderie spirit Richard Morgan came up with a plan of buying some crates of beer from a local plonk store and wrapping them up as raffle prizes, bingo, we had our very own bar. We almost got away with it had it not been for the 100 empty cans that staff found lying around the party room, well he who dares Rodders, he who dares!! We celebrated till the early hours of Sunday morning before retiring to the comfort of our rooms and reflected on what had been another great party night.

Bright and refreshed after a hearty breakfast Richard Morgan had organised a club run back to Matlock in the Derbyshire Dales. Unfortunately Richard had forgot the key to his new steering lock and couldn't make the trip, so we had to leave without him. We headed off north with Fred and Doris Sanderson, who have local knowledge, leading the way. We arrived at a very wet Matlock and headed for our usual pub for chats and a spot of lunch. We generally chatted about club stuff, the world of the MR2 and various other topics before saying our goodbyes and heading off in various directions back to our homes. For the hardened club members some had made a long weekend of it and took advantage of the special room offers, a few stayed from Friday to Sunday and really pampered themselves, well why not.

On reflection another great event, I hope you all enjoyed yourself and look forward to seeing everyone again for this years party. We hope to have details soon as to the location and date of the venue so get saving now. All the best, have a great 2003.

Michael Sheavills