Entertaining evening at Angelo’s for NIIMC members
For the third year running Angelo’s Italian restaurant in Lisburn was the venue for the NIIMC annual dinner on Friday 4th December 2015. Those attending were keen to kick off the festive season with some fine food , some good craic and maybe a raffle prize from the selection of quality items that had been generously donated by club members.
For those who weren’t driving there was a wide selection of liquid refreshments at the bar to help wash the meal down. The Jordanstown and Ballymena boys were unable to make it to the dinner this year so we were confident that there would be enough drink at the bar for everyone without having to send out for additional supplies!!
We were delighted to welcome as our guests Drew and Michael from Donnelly Group and Paul from Charles Hurst Specialist Car Division who had brought along Patrick Hurst, a long time friend of the club and huge Italian car enthusiast.
Inviting them to join us for dinner was a small but genuine token of our appreciation for their support for the club throughout the year. Unfortunately Mervyn Shannon and colleagues from Shannon’s jewellers were unable to attend but Mervyn sent his apologies and his best wishes for a good night.
The turnout from club members and friends was once again very pleasing and would have been more had it not been for illness and work commitments for some other club members. Those attending created a lively atmosphere and coupled with great food and fantastic service it was a very enjoyable and memorable evening for all concerned.
With plenty of raffle prizes up for grabs there was no shortage of raffle tickets sold as members were keen to be in with a chance of winning something. Once again this year we had a standard ballot and a second ballot for a range of higher quality and higher value prizes. Whilst James McCune and myself sold the ordinary ballot tickets the Club Chairman Cyril used his powers of persuasion to encourage members to buy the pricier tickets thus giving them the chance of winning amongst other things some fine bottles of Maserati and Fiat wine, a stunning water colour painting of a Dino Ferrari courtesy of Brian Mackey, an Abarth hoodie and even a complete Autoglym valeting kit. Richard Graham, the owner of Angelo’s had also generously donated a voucher for a meal for two in the restaurant.
Although we were unable to conduct the draw for a much coveted TAG Heuer watch we were able to pick a winner for a substitute prize – a genuine Ducati wrist watch. The lucky winner wasn’t present on the evening but Club Chairman, Cyril has since made contact with club member Richard Busteed to pass on the good news.
There were plenty of other happy winners of prizes on the evening as the selection of photos shows and Simon maintained his lucky streak from last year by winning the much admired Dino watercolour which he vowed to display prominently once he got it home (Ahe may have to do some negotiating with his wife Bev!).
Sincere thanks to everyone for their support, not only in attending the dinner but also at other events throughout the year. During 2015 we have successfully managed to build on the success of 2014 (which was no easy feat)and we look forward to what promises to be another exciting year in 2016. All that remains for me to do now is to wish all club members and supporters a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.
Tim Logan
Club Secretary
