Thu 13th December - The Port Forum 2018 Xmas Bash

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'd like to propose Thursday 13th of December as the date of our 2018 Port Forum Christmas extravaganza. (This ties in with my Ipswich team Christmas lunch so puts me in the right place at the right time.)

I haven't asked Tom yet, but I am hoping that he will kindly agree to host the Christmas offline again at the White Horse in Newport. The nearest train station to the pub is Newport (Essex), which is a 10 minute walk from the White Horse. Those staying overnight usually stay at the Saffron Hotel in Saffron Walden, a 10 minute car journey from the White Horse, at the Tollhouse B&B in Newport or at the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green (a 7 minute drive).

The theme will be the usual, that is The Unknown Shipper and His Peculiar Friends

Space at the White Horse is a little tight so numbers attending have to be limited to 10. Normal practice is to offer those who attended the previous year first refusal. The industry guest will probably be Dirk Niepoort. CMAG took EDN's seat at short notice last year so has been demoted to first reserve to make space for EDN should he wish to attend.

Last Year's attendees were as set out below. Last year's attendees have until end of May to confirm their intention to attend in 2018 and to book their place (which can be cancelled later, if required).
1.Uncle Tom (confirmed)
2.Industry Guest (confirmed)
3.Axel Probst (confirmed)
4.AHB (confirmed)
5.IDJ (confirmed)
6.MPM (confirmed)
7.WS1 (confirmed)
8.CPR (confirmed)
9.AM (confirmed)
10.

RESERVES
None


There are usually one or two people who can't make it at the last minute each year so being on the reserve list gives you a decent chance to attend. If you'd like to be on the reserve list, please say so.

Sticky labels etc.

[Axel P]

Game. Thanks for the organisation, Alex and Tom.

Axel

[WS1]

I would also like to attend the christmas bash this year!

regards

WS1

[CPR 1]

Count me in. Thank you.

[flash_uk]

And I can confirm too.

[Christopher]

If the first reserve gets in would love to attend
Thanks

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've just booked a room at the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green. Happy to share a taxi as we've done in the past.

[PhilW]

Confirming I hope to attend.

[idj123]

My re-attendance is confirmed (and the search for a suitable bottle continues in earnest).

[Deleted_User_1]

Count me OUT please.

[Wolfgang Giehrl]

Confirming. Hopefully I´m possible to attend.

[JB vintage]

I would love to come if reserve seats are in, provided that I am accepted from the reserve list on the Offley vertical on Dec. 11.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Our industry guest has confirmed he will attend (initials EDN). I have promised to book him a room at the Cricketers Arms, which I will do once I am sober.

[Alex Bridgeman]

If anyone is unable to make it to the Christmas tasting, please say so as soon as you are aware of that fact in order to give people on the waiting list a decent chance of reorganising their schedules to attend.

Tom - do you need anything from us in advance? Am I allowed to be radical and have a smaller steak than normal? I am very happy with a 500g steak instead of the usual 900.

[CPR 1]

I've just booked a room at the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green. Happy to share a taxi as we've done in the past.

To confirm I would lile a place in the taxi if possible (both ways) - Thanks

[flash_uk]

I've just booked a room at the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green. Happy to share a taxi as we've done in the past.

To confirm I would lile a place in the taxi if possible (both ways) - Thanks

I'd also like a taxi slot if poss.

Thx

[PhilW]

I'm going to have to drop from the Xmas tasting this year due to other commitments confirmed yesterday (coincidental timing given Alex's reminder).
Please make my space available for a reserve.

[idj123]

Place in the taxi as well please!

[Christopher]

I am afraid I have to drop out due to work travel commitments.
I hope you have a wonderful evening

[flash_uk]

Tom, 2 confirmed attendees have dropped. Did you contact Wolfgang Giehrl yet to see if he can take up a slot? If he can't then Tony and JDAW are next in line.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I am contacting the first two reserves as we speak...

And also trying to book a taxi to cope with 5 passengers. These being:

• AHB
• EDN
• IDJ
• MPM
• CPR

[Alex Bridgeman]

A car has been booked with Elsenham Cabs (01279 815303). Pick up at the Cricketer's Arms at 17.45 and return leaving the White Horse at 00.00

[flash_uk]

A car has been booked with Elsenham Cabs (01279 815303). Pick up at the Cricketer's Arms at 17.45 and return leaving the White Horse at 00.00

Just looking at my diary and travel - I might not make it to the Cricketer's for 1745, in which case no worries - I'll get a separate cab.

[jdaw1]

Sticky labels etc have been made. Please confirm OK; and choose somebody to print.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sticky labels etc have been made. Please confirm OK; and choose somebody to print.

Unfortunately I am not in the office again this week so can’t print.

[flash_uk]

I’ll print today.

[uncle tom]

Am assuming everyone is up for a fillet steak ..

[Alex Bridgeman]

Small one for me please - say 10oz.

[Alex Bridgeman]

We have two spare seats at the Xmas bash due to late dropouts and reserves not being available at short notice.

One of those seats has been offered to WG but I am waiting for a reply from him. The other seat is available to anyone who can be in Newport (Essex) at 18.30 on Thursday. If that’s you, please let me know or post your reply here.

[Alex Bridgeman]

WG has also declined a place at the tasting so we now have two spare places.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Alex Marshall will be taking one of the empty seats.

[uncle tom]

All is ready, I shall be on parade from about 6.15pm

[WS1]

Thank you, Great evening!