The Billet Article - 60th Anniversary & Dinner

This article is taken from The Billet Issue - 420 - Feb 2007, Authored by Stephen Bellerby

60th Anniversary & Dinner

2008 will be the sixtieth anniversary of the formation of the Bradford Magic Circle. The Committee is looking at how best to celebrate this occasion. One of the items which is being investigated, by Chris Hart, is having an exhibition at the Industrial Museum tied in with the fact that the museum holds the handcuffs which Houdini would not accept the challenge to escape from. More about this from Chris in the future.

There will be chance to discuss the 60th during the AGM this evening.

Dinner

Following last year’s dinner at the Bankfield (or Ramada Bradford/Bingley as it is now known) Hotel, there has been discussions and correspondence between members of the Committee and the hotel. The hotel readily accepted that they failed some people with the quality of the meal. They have put forward various suggestions as to how they can prevent this happening next year, should we agree to book with them again. A copy of the letter from the hotel is shown below. I am sure that members will agree that the hotel has been positive with their response:

Dear Mr. Bellerby

Re; Bradford Magic Circle - Dinner 2006 and looking forward to 2007.

Further to your telephone conversations, letters and e-mails with my colleague, Miss Fiani, I would firstly like to offer my sincere apologies for the problems you encountered at the hotel during your Bradford Magic Circle Dinner in 2006. This is of great concern, as achieving and exceeding customer satisfaction is our aim.

I would like to confirm our suggestions, from your feedback, for where the hotel will make improvements for your next Dinner in 2007.

To increase the speed of service of the main course, to plate serve the main dish and to either silver serve the vegetables and potatoes or provide "family service" for the vegetables and potatoes.

To arrange an appointment in early 2007 between the committee members or chosen members and Amanda Kent, Conference & Events Co-ordinator, Jonathon Bland, Head Chef and Martin Hall, General Manager. During this appointment the menu will be discussed and other finer details of your event for 2007.

For your President and Lady and Paul, to sample the menu chosen for your event. This is to ensure your satisfaction with both the taste and presentation of the dishes of your chosen menu. The hotel has offered a reduction in price of the menu for your event in 2007 compared to 2006. The General Manager will fully brief both the Kitchen Brigade and Events Service Employees, before the proposed Dinner in 2007, to ensure all the details required of the hotel are delivered successfully on the evening.

The Ramada Bradford / Bingley Hotel will accept your suggestion that the Bradford Magic Circle will retain £300.00 of the cost of the event, which will be settled on the evening, providing the hotel delivers the agreed service confirmed in advance. I do hope these suggestions help to restore your good faith in the Ramada Bradford / Bingley Hotel. I would also like to thank you for your comments from your Dinner in 2006. I further hope that your feel able to give the hotel a second chance, when I am confident that we will get your Dinner right in 2007.

Yours sincerely

Martin Hall General Manager

The 2007 President’s Dinner has been provisionally booked at the Bankfield on Friday 9th November. Make a note in your diary now.

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