Rochdale Chamber Annual Gala Dinner

Guests at the Bucks Fizz Reception

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Friday 21 November was the annual gala dinner of Rochdale Chamber, now part of Chamber Business Connections along with Oldham, Bury and Bolton Chambers.

Guests at Rochdale Town Hall enjoyed a Bucks Fizz reception before a four course dinner, after dinner speaker and a live swing band.

Guests were welcomed to the reception by an amusing Basil Fawlty impersonator and magician Magic Matt entertained each group in turn with his slight of hand and card tricks.

Malcolm Dunphy MBE, Chairman of Chamber Business Connections welcomed chamber members and their guests to the Rochdale Gala Dinner and spoke of how the four chambers being united were now bigger and better as their strengths were combined in the new Chamber. The chamber now has over 2600 members and its profile is increasing throughout the region. In conclusion Malcolm thanked all Chamber staff and in particular Chief Executive David Peacock for their hard work in bringing the new Chamber together.

After the four course dinner, during which guests were again entertained by Basil Fawlty and Magic Matt at their tables, Chamber Business Connections Chief Executive David Peacock took to the stage. He paid special tribute to Chamber members as a Chamber of Commerce is first and foremost a membership organisation. He then introduced the first ever winner of the Chamber Business Connections - Rochdale, Member of the Year Award 2003. The award was presented to winners Colin Jackson and Kieron McDonald of Jackson Jackson and Sons Ltd by Malcolm Dunphy.

With the formalities over the evening moved on to the entertainment - the guest speaker for the evening was Dr Kevin Jones, a Consultant Physician with a hilarious line in hospital humour. He has worked as a member of a heart-lung transplant team and now works at the general hospital in Bolton.

The evening was brought to a close with song and dance as guests enjoyed the big band sound of Anthony Kinsey and his swing band, Sphwing.