The PICT annual luncheon took place on Friday 4th March, 2016 at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel in London.
The highlight of the PICT calendar and its biggest fundraiser during the year, the lunch attracted over 260 members and, in my opinion, it seemed busier and buzzier than last year’s event.
Unfortunately, the hotel in its wisdom has decided to refurbish the delightful Thames Suite, which overlooks the River Thames, to become its main restaurant and no longer a function room, so we were in the Plaza Suite. However, this was perfectly adequate and I personally don’t believe it detracted from the proceedings or, in fact, the excellent food and service the hotel provides.
The lunch followed a busy AGM for some of us (minutes of this a little further on) and for others a couple of liveners in the hotel bar.
Proceedings kicked off with the industry’s very own Master of Ceremonies, Peter Bothwick, who welcomed everyone to the 7th Annual PICT lunch and explained what the guests could expect from the afternoon, namely a raffle, an auction of top items and a variant on the game of heads and tails, as well as an unusual entertainer. He then introduced PICT’s new President Nick Gee, quipping that it was “out with the old and in with the not so old”. Nick Gee stood up and proposed a toast to the Past President, Andy Thompson, the sporting sections and winners, and the new Vice President – Joe Piggott, who was then called upon to give grace in his usual witty manner.
Following a tasty Venison Terrine starter, the game of knife, fork and spoon took place – this is played along the same lines as heads and tails – but obviously as the name describes it’s played with cutlery not coins. Joe Claydon was the winner of this fun version.
After a tasty main course, Peter Bothwick and Andy Thompson (aka the Chuckle brothers – only kidding guys!) went onto announce some of the items up for auction – these included golf days, tours of the Sky Complex, boat trips and hotel breaks. After some hot bidding by the guests, and much monies raised, a yummy lemon tart desert was served. Then following the coffees and liqueurs, Peter Bothwick, in his own inimitable style, formally introduced PICT’s new president – Nick Gee. He stated that the new President had the most distinctive and infectious laugh in the industry, saying that he joined Denmaur in 1979 as he was cheaper than an ansaphone …… !
Taking the podium, Nick Gee began by thanking Peter for his kind introduction and that his speech would be short as would like to enjoy a drink.
He thanked everyone for their warm welcome, and in particular, the raucous applause from his colleagues at Denmaur Independent “who are clearly aware that pay review time is not far away”. He went onto welcome the official guests, namely: Mrs Helen Esmonde – Master of The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers; Mr Peter Millington – President of the Lancashire Paper Trade 25 Club; and Mr Paul Tooby of The Birmingham Paper Trade Social Society. He also welcomed all the guests of PICT members.
He continued by saying that his career in the paper industry started as a summer job many years go, in fact he had wanted to become a dentist, “little did I know then how similar buying and selling paper would be to pulling teeth!”
He added: “Nobody is more surprised than me, to find me standing here as President of the Paper Industry’s Charitable Trust.
In my mind I am still that young man about town, listening to Bowie, cruising around in my black Capri. However, anyone following politics across the pond will know that any aging playboy has a chance of becoming President!”
He then went onto say that since the last annual lunch much had changed in the world of UK paper merchanting and manufacturing with long established British brands disappearing.
Adding “whilst paper consumption continues to decline in many sectors, we are all rising to the challenge by reshaping and resizing to meet the demands of today and the future. I have every belief that if we are open to change, and evolve accordingly, the sunset of this industry will be a very long way in the future.”
Thanking everyone for their continued support of PICT, he said that despite the gloomy outlook sometimes reported that the lunch had attracted the same numbers as last year, adding “but then the paper industry is famed for enjoying a good lunch!”
Talking about the charity itself, Nick said that it continues to support those who have spent their working life in the paper industry and are now experiencing difficult times. “We encourage you to bring to our attention anybody you feel is deserving of our support – to do this please contact me, Anne James our Secretary or any of the Trustees.”
Talking about the sporting sections he said that he realised how precious everyone’s personal time is, however, he asked the members to consider taking part in PICT activities. “We have lively sports sections that need your support – so whether your interest be cricket, angling, golf or tennis – please do take a look at our website for events and get involved.”
He continued by saying that if sport wasn’t your thing, the immediate past President Andy Thompson was hoping to organise a number of regional PICT quiz nights, and that details would be posted on the PICT website.
Nick then took the opportunity of presenting Andy with his past President’s badge and thanked him for his year in office. He also welcomed to the PICT Board the new Vice President, Joe Piggott.
Nick then joked that at the recent Oscar ceremony nominees were told to keep their speeches short and when their time was up a red light would show. He said “I know that by now my red light is flashing and that the guest artist is more appealing than me.
“However, just like the Oscars, before I finish there are some important thankyou’s I would like to make.” He went onto thank PICT’s Secretary Anne James “who once again is the driving force behind making this event come together and so much else behind the scenes throughout the year.” He thanked the Sporting Section Secretaries, promising that during his year as President, he would make every effort to attend at least one of each of their events. He also gave a special mention to the Board and Committee for the time they give the charity. Finally, on behalf of PICT, he thanked all those companies and individuals that had generously donated prizes and auction lots at the lunch.
His final task was to introduce the guest artiste, Mr Graham Jolley, and hoped that everyone would enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
Graham Jolley is described as a psychological entertainer, able to perform any number of astonishing feats, baffling and thrilling his audience. And this he certainly did in large amounts – from magic tricks to mind reading. By the end of his act – I don’t believe there were many left in the audience wondering how on earth he did some of the things he did. He involved many of the guests in his tricks, and even yours truly was beckoned on stage and I still to this day don’t know how he managed to know the phone number I had picked from a very large phone directory ….. he definitely left me baffled.
A hard act to follow, but after the magical entertainment Andy Thompson and Peter Bothwick rounded off the afternoon by auctioning the final items. Then, as quickly as it had started, the formal part of the Annual Lunch was over – although as ever the jollities and networking continued into the small hours in the bar.
Once again, a successful event for PICT raising funds for the charity and, in turn, a brilliant fun filled afternoon.