Christmas just not the same without KPMG’s cocktails
I’m in shock – KPMG has cancelled Christmas. They have knocked their client cocktail party – the highlight of Birmingham’s corporate festive celebrations – on the head.
“After much soul searching, we have decided to take a one-year breather,” writes senior partner Mel Egglenton. “Given the turbulent economic times, some would argue that we need to stick together more than ever and we are probably all in need of a large drink! On balance though, we believe this decision probably strikes an appropriate chord with many of our clients in these truly exceptional times.”
Instead there’s a £5,000 donation to Acorns Hospice and they are going to spend a bob or two welcoming clients and contacts with a spot of hospitality once the new offices are open at Number One Snowhill.
Mutter, splutter, grumble, mutter, splutter…
Still they promise: “We have every intention of getting this high profile event in the Birmingham calendar firmly back on track in 2010.”
Hurrah! And can we have the after party media curry back too? Go on Mel, be a sport.
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High jinks – claims a John Bright spy, maybe because Else Solicitors’ Neil Jinks was spotted there – when the Civil Court Users Association held its annual conference and dance at a hotel in Leicester.
The event was mobbed by highly important judges and legal types, along with president, Lord Hacking. The mistake, according to my mole, was hiring the risqué entertainer.
Apparently a man called Lee Lard, a Peter Kay tribute act, was the star turn and “larded” it over everyone. Words like “cringing” and “horrified” were being muttered and, in particular, Lord Hacking had the lard and a lot else ripped out of him.
So much so that apparently he was reduced to hiding under a napkin. And I thought the legal fraternity were fond of a nap, particularly after dinner.
Still, Lord Hacking got a touch of egg on his face too. Allegedly, in his opening speech, he kept referring to chairman, Brian Havercroft, as Brian Hovercraft.
Who was no doubt a touch “Hacked” off!
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Anyone for tennis?
It seems man-about-town John James is these days so sad that he is attending Cliff Richard concerts at the NIA.
And so successful was Cliff’s rapport with the audience that James was called on to make up a foursome at tennis, the boy Cliff being a noted supporter of the game – remember all that singing in the stands at a wet Wimbledon a few years back. The doubles contest was going to be Cliff, his one-time guitarist Hank Marvin, famed singer Gladys Knight… and James.
Now that would have been one for the scrapbook! But our hero discovered he couldn’t make it after all.
What you call “Pipped at the Post!”
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